Movies About Mental Health On Netflix

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
Rated R

Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 psychological drama directed by Darren Aronofsky. It follows the lives of four drug addicts in Brooklyn's Coney Island as they descend into a world of addiction, desperation and eventual despair. The film follows the lives of Sara Goldfarb, a lonely elderly woman who is addicted to diet pills; her son, Harry, and his girlfriend, Marion, who are addicted to heroin; and Harry's friend Tyrone, who is addicted to crack cocaine. The film illustrates the harsh realities of drug addiction and its devastating consequences, as the characters become increasingly desperate in their attempts to fill the void in their lives. Ultimately, the film serves as a cautionary tale of the power of addiction and its ability to consume and destroy lives.

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

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a 2012 coming-of-age drama film directed by Stephen Chbosky. It follows the story of a socially awkward and introverted teenager, Charlie (Logan Lerman), as he navigates his freshman year of high school with the help of two older classmates, Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller). Throughout the film, Charlie struggles with mental health issues and escapes into his own world of books and music. With the help of his new friends, he discovers the joys of friendship and first love. As the story progresses, Charlie is forced to confront his past, deal with his ongoing struggles, and learn how to become more comfortable with himself. In the end, Charlie learns to accept who he is and fully embrace the perks of being a wallflower.

From David O. Russell, starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver
Rated R

Silver Linings Playbook is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by David O. Russell and starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert De Niro. The film follows the story of Pat Solatano, a man with bipolar disorder who moves in with his parents after a stint in a psychiatric hospital. Pat meets Tiffany, a young widow with her own problems, and the two form an unlikely bond. As they journey together to find a “silver lining” in their seemingly hopeless situations, they discover that they have more in common than they thought. The film is a poignant exploration of mental health, love, and family.

From Gregg Araki, starring Brady Corbet, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elisabeth Shue, Chase Ellison
Rated Unrated

Mysterious Skin is a 2004 coming-of-age drama film directed by Gregg Araki. The film follows two young boys, Neil McCormick (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Brian Lackey (Brady Corbet), who were sexually abused as children by their Little League coach. Years later, Neil is an aimless hustler who believes he was abducted by aliens, while Brian is a troubled recluse who tries to piece together the secrets of his past. As the two boys struggle to cope with the aftermath of their trauma, they try to find a way to overcome their painful memories and move on with their lives.

From Lynne Ramsay, starring Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller, Jasper Newell
Rated R

We Need to Talk About Kevin tells the story of Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton) and her son Kevin (Ezra Miller). As Eva struggles to come to terms with her son's horrific act of violence against his classmates, the film explores her relationship with her son and the events leading up to the tragedy. Through flashbacks, we witness a bleak portrait of Kevin's troubled upbringing, including his lack of a meaningful connection with his mother and his resentment of her attempts to control his life. As Eva is forced to confront the consequences of her own choices, she is left to grapple with a difficult but ultimately unavoidable question: could she have done something to prevent the tragedy?

From Todd Solondz, starring Heather Matarazzo, Christina Brucato, Victoria Davis, Christina Vidal
Rated R

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

From Goran Dukic, starring Patrick Fugit, Shea Whigham, Tom Waits, Will Arnett
Rated R

From Sofia Coppola, starring Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, James Woods, Kathleen Turner
Rated R

From Jordan Melamed, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Bacall, Zooey Deschanel, Don Cheadle
Rated R

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

From David Slade, starring Patrick Wilson, Elliot Page, Sandra Oh, Odessa Rae
Rated R

From David Schwimmer, starring Clive Owen, Catherine Keener, Liana Liberato, Jason Clarke
Rated R

From Burr Steers, starring Kieran Culkin, Susan Sarandon, Jeff Goldblum, Claire Danes
Rated R

From Jon Poll, starring Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr., Hope Davis, Kat Dennings
Rated R

From Catherine Hardwicke, starring Evan Rachel Wood, Holly Hunter, Nikki Reed, Vanessa Hudgens
Rated R

From Marti Noxon, starring Rebekah Kennedy, Lily Collins, Dana L. Wilson, Ziah Colon
Rated TV-MA

From M. Cahill, starring Michael Douglas, Evan Rachel Wood, Willis Burks II, Laura Kachergus
Rated PG-13

From Gavin Wiesen, starring Freddie Highmore, Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano, Sasha Spielberg
Rated PG-13

From Mike Mills, starring Lou Taylor Pucci, Tilda Swinton, Vincent D'Onofrio, Keanu Reeves
Rated R

From Michael Goldbach, starring Kat Dennings, Reece Thompson, Andie MacDowell, Josh Lucas
Rated R

From Directors: Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, starring Macaulay Culkin, Wilson Cruz, Seth Green, Diana Scarwid
Rated R

From Ryan Murphy, starring Joseph Cross, Annette Bening, Brian Cox, Gwyneth Paltrow
Rated R