Movies About Mental Illness On Netflix

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

Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky. It is based on the novel of the same name by Hubert Selby Jr., with whom Aronofsky wrote the screenplay. The film tells the story of four characters whose lives become intertwined due to their addictions: Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn), a retired widow desperate to fit into her old dress and appear on a game show; Harry Goldfarb (Jared Leto), her son, an aspiring drug dealer; his girlfriend Marion Silver (Jennifer Connelly), an addict; and his friend Tyrone C. Love (Marlon Wayans), a fellow addict. As their addictions worsen, their dreams of success become more and more distant and the consequences of their choices become increasingly dire. The film is told in a non-linear narrative, cutting back and forth between the past and the present. It is marked by a dreamlike atmosphere, heightened by the film's score by Clint Mansell. The film's dark and surreal tone, along with its heavy use of ambiguous imagery, create an atmosphere of dread and despair.

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

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, directed by Stephen Chbosky, is a coming-of-age drama about a high school freshman named Charlie, who is struggling to fit in and make friends. With the help of two seniors, Patrick and Sam, Charlie navigates the challenges of adolescence and discovers the true meaning of friendship, love and acceptance. As Charlie and his friends embark on a journey of self-discovery, they face issues of substance abuse, sexual identity, and the struggles of growing up. The film culminates in an emotional climax, in which Charlie comes to terms with his own past and finally finds the courage to move forward.

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

Silver Linings Playbook is a 2012 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by David O. Russell, based on the novel The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick. The film stars Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, and Julia Stiles. The film follows the story of Pat Solatano (Cooper), a man who has recently been released from a mental institution after eight months of treatment for bipolar disorder. He moves back in with his parents and attempts to reconcile with his ex-wife. Pat meets Tiffany (Lawrence), a mysterious young woman with her own troubled past. Despite their better judgement, the two form a unique connection, and as a result, Pat finds himself in a race against time to win back his wife's affections and save his own sanity. Along the way, he learns to embrace the silver linings in life and discovers that happiness can be found in even the darkest of moments.

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

Mysterious Skin is a 2004 American film directed by Gregg Araki that tells the story of two teenage boys, Neil and Brian, who were both sexually abused as 8-year-olds by their Little League coach. The film follows their lives as adults, as Neil (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) turns to prostitution and Brian (Brady Corbet) becomes obsessed with alien abduction, convinced that he was abducted by aliens. Despite the difficult subject matter, the film is a sensitive, honest look at the long-term psychological effects of abuse. The film was critically acclaimed and earned several awards, including the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival Award for Best Film.

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

We Need to Talk About Kevin is an emotionally powerful drama film about a mother's struggle to come to terms with the murderous actions of her son. Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton) is a successful travel writer living in New York City with her teenage son Kevin (Ezra Miller). Their strained relationship is tested even further when Kevin commits a shocking act of violence at his high school. As Eva tries to make sense of Kevin's motives and grapple with the aftermath of his violent behavior, she is forced to confront her own feelings of guilt and blame. The film follows Eva's journey as she tries to reconcile her role as both a mother and a victim, and try and make peace with the past.

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