Movies About Epilepsy

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film based on Ken Kesey's 1962 novel of the same name. Directed by Milos Forman and starring Jack Nicholson, the film follows a criminal who feigns mental illness in order to serve his sentence in a mental institution rather than in prison. While there, he clashes with the cruel and oppressive head nurse, Ratched, and rallies the other patients to rebel against the oppressive system of the hospital. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Nicholson. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

From Gus Van Sant, starring Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck and Minnie Driver. The film follows Will Hunting (Damon), an unrecognized genius who works as a janitor at MIT and is struggling with depression and drug addiction. After a professor at MIT discovers Will's skills as a genius, he is offered a chance to attend college and pursue a more promising future. With the help of his therapist, Dr. Sean Maguire (Williams), and the guidance of his friends, Will discovers his potential, finds self-fulfillment and earns the respect of those who once doubted him. Through the perspective of Will Hunting, the film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, identity, and overcoming one's past.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 American biographical drama film directed by Ron Howard and written by Akiva Goldsman. It is based on the true story of John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics, and his struggle with paranoid schizophrenia. The film stars Russell Crowe as Nash, along with Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Judd Hirsch, and Josh Lucas in supporting roles. The story follows Nash's life from his college years at Princeton up to his eventual Nobel Prize in Economics. Nash struggles with an undiagnosed form of schizophrenia, which affects his ability to form relationships, make decisions, and function in the world. His disorder is so severe that it nearly destroys his career and family. However, with the help of his wife, Alicia, and his doctor, he is able to overcome his illness and become a successful mathematician and an accomplished Nobel Prize winner. The film shows how, through his amazing mental tenacity, Nash eventually masters his illness and achieves his goals.

From Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne
Rated R

Donnie Darko is an intense psychological science fiction thriller that follows the story of Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), a troubled teenager living in suburban Virginia. After being visited by a mysterious figure in a disturbing bunny costume, Donnie begins to experience visions of a giant rabbit called Frank, who tells him the world will end in 28 days. As Donnie's visions become more frequent and intense, he begins to act out in increasingly dangerous ways and discovers a mysterious gateway into a parallel world. He teams up with his friend and love interest, Gretchen, to uncover the truth behind his visions. In his quest, Donnie unravels the mystery of Frank, who is actually an agent from the future sent to prevent a catastrophic event that threatens to end the world.

From Stephen Chbosky, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Paul Rudd
Rated PG-13

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age drama directed by Stephen Chbosky and based on his 1999 novel of the same name. The film follows Charlie (Logan Lerman), an introverted teenager who struggles to fit in as he begins his freshman year of high school. With the help of his new friends Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller), Charlie begins to open up and learn how to navigate the social and emotional challenges of teenage life. Along the way, he learns how to be true to himself and accept others, no matter how different they may seem.

From Penny Marshall, starring Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson
Rated PG-13

Awakenings is a 1990 American drama film based on Oliver Sacks’ 1973 memoir of the same title. Directed by Penny Marshall, the film stars Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson, and John Heard. The story centers on a fictionalized version of Oliver Sacks (portrayed by De Niro) and his work as a neurologist at a psychiatric hospital in the late 1960s, treating patients suffering from encephalitis lethargica (sleeping sickness). With the help of a new experimental drug, the patients experience a brief awakening from their years-long slumber before the effects of the drug eventually wear off. The film follows Dr. Sacks as he struggles with his ethical obligations and attempts to help his patients find a more permanent cure. With the help of Nurse Eleanor (Williams), Sacks ultimately discovers a new drug that allows his patients to remain awake and experience a new quality of life.

From Robert Redford, starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton
Rated R

Ordinary People is a 1980 American drama film directed by Robert Redford. It tells the story of a suburban family trying to cope with the death of one of their sons and the difficulties in their relationship. The film stars Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Judd Hirsch, and Timothy Hutton. The film follows the Jarret family, consisting of father Calvin, mother Beth, and son Conrad. After their eldest son, Buck, dies in a boating accident, the family must deal with their grief and the guilt of the surviving son, Conrad. As they struggle to come to terms with their new reality, they find themselves growing further apart. Calvin and Beth are unable to communicate effectively, and their relationship is put to the test. Meanwhile, Conrad is left feeling helpless and isolated as he attempts to deal with his own guilt. Through the course of the film, the Jarret family is forced to confront difficult issues such as death, grief, guilt, and communication. The film ultimately explores the family’s journey as they come to terms with their emotions and ultimately each other. Ultimately, Ordinary People is a powerful story about a family learning to cope with tragedy and rebuild their lives.

From James Ivory, starring James Wilby, Rupert Graves, Hugh Grant, Denholm Elliott
Rated R

Maurice is a British period drama film directed by James Ivory, based on the novel of the same name by E.M. Forster. Set in early 20th-century England, the film follows Maurice Hall, a young man coming to terms with his homosexuality in an era when homosexuality is still highly stigmatized and even criminalized. Maurice faces a difficult journey of self-discovery, finding comfort and acceptance in his relationship with his best friend Clive Durham, who is also gay. Ultimately, Maurice and Clive find a way to be together despite the obstacles they face. The film offers a powerful and emotional exploration of universal themes of love, acceptance, and identity in an era when such issues were particularly difficult to contend with.

From Anton Corbijn, starring Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Craig Parkinson, Alexandra Maria Lara
Rated R

Control is a biographical drama film directed by Anton Corbijn, starring Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, and Alexandra Maria Lara. It tells the story of Ian Curtis, the lead singer of Joy Division, and his struggles with bipolar disorder and epilepsy. The film follows Ian's life from his teenage years to his eventual suicide in 1980 at the age of 23. It chronicles his personal life and professional career, taking a deep look at his marriage, his relationships with women, and his bandmates. It also shows how his mental health disorder and failing marriage affected his music and ultimately led to his untimely death. With an Oscar-nominated performance from Riley, Control is a dark and gripping portrait of a young artist and his journey from obscurity to fame and back again.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Michael Chekhov, Leo G. Carroll
Rated Approved

Spellbound is a 1945 psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It follows the story of Dr. Constance Petersen (Ingrid Bergman), a psychiatrist at a mental hospital, who is trying to help her patient John Ballantyne (Gregory Peck) regain his memory. As they travel around to various locations, they uncover a dark past linked to Ballantyne and uncover a complex web of secrets involving a murder. As they try to unravel the truth, they also find themselves falling in love, despite the dangerous circumstances they find themselves in. Spellbound is a suspenseful and romantic journey that ultimately leads to a satisfying conclusion.

From Denzel Washington, starring Denzel Washington, Derek Luke, Joy Bryant, Malcolm David Kelley
Rated PG-13

From James Mangold, starring Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy
Rated R

From Nunnally Johnson, starring Joanne Woodward, David Wayne, Lee J. Cobb, Edwin Jerome
Rated Approved

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Rated R

From Directors: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, starring Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, Dana DeVestern
Rated PG-13

From Gren Wells, starring Robert Sheehan, Dev Patel, Zoë Kravitz, Robert Patrick
Rated R

From Barbra Streisand, starring Barbra Streisand, Nick Nolte, Blythe Danner, Kate Nelligan
Rated R

From John McTiernan, starring Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary, Ben Gazzara
Rated R

From Roger Kumble, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair
Rated R

From Mike Nichols, starring Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman
Rated R

From Robert Redford, starring Robert Redford, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sam Neill, Dianne Wiest
Rated PG-13

From Jeremy Leven, starring Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando, Faye Dunaway, Géraldine Pailhas
Rated PG-13

From Asger Leth, starring Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Mandy Gonzalez
Rated PG-13

From Nancy Meyers, starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski
Rated R

From Nick Castle, starring Lucy Deakins, Jay Underwood, Bonnie Bedelia, Fred Savage
Rated PG