Movies About Therapists

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 directed by Milos Forman and starring Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a criminal who feigns insanity to serve a short sentence in a mental institution. McMurphy finds himself pitted against the tyrannical Nurse Ratched, the head of the ward, who is determined to keep her patients in line. The film follows McMurphy’s budding friendship with the other inmates, and his attempts to fight back against Ratched and her oppressive regime. Eventually, McMurphy leads an uprising in the ward and attempts to escape, leading to an intense and dramatic climax. The film was a huge critical and commercial success and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay. It remains one of the most iconic films in cinema history.

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

Good Will Hunting is an Academy Award-winning film directed by Gus Van Sant. It follows the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), an unrecognized genius who works as a janitor at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Struggling with an abusive past and a fear of change, Will is content to remain in the safety of his blue-collar life. However, after solving a difficult math problem left on the MIT chalkboard, he draws the attention of Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgård) who offers him a deal – if he can pass a series of advanced mathematics tests, he will be given the opportunity to study at the university. Will is hesitant at first, but eventually agrees and is soon mentored by a psychology professor, Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). With Sean’s guidance, Will begins to open up and explore the possibilities of a brighter future. Along the way, with the help of his supportive friends and newfound love, Skylar (Minnie Driver), Will is finally able to heal his wounds and discover his true potential.

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

A Beautiful Mind is a biopic about Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash (played by Russell Crowe). The film follows Nash’s journey from his early days as a graduate student at Princeton University to his later struggles with schizophrenia. The film chronicles Nash’s eventual triumph over mental illness and his acceptance of the Nobel Prize. Along the way, Nash is aided by his wife Alicia (played by Jennifer Connelly) and a handful of other supporting characters. The film is a heartfelt and inspiring portrayal of a brilliant mind battling against the odds to achieve greatness.

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

Donnie Darko is a psychological thriller directed by Richard Kelly and starring Jake Gyllenhaal as the title character. It is set in the suburbs of Virginia in October 1988. Donnie is a troubled teen who is visited by a mysterious figure in a large rabbit costume who calls himself “Frank.” Frank tells Donnie that the world will end in 28 days, ushering in a period of chaos and destruction. Over the next few days, Donnie begins to experience strange visions, lucid dreams, and time travel, leading him to discover and confront an evil entity known as “The Manipulated Living.” In this race against time, Donnie must rely on his own intelligence and courage to save the world before it’s too late.

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 film directed by Stephen Chbosky and released in 2012. It tells the story of Charlie, a socially awkward high school freshman who is struggling to fit in and make friends. He befriends two seniors, Patrick and Sam, and learns to navigate the social and familial pressures of adolescence. Along the way, he develops a close bond with his new friends and learns to confront his traumatic past. Charlie learns to express himself and find his place in the world, proving that it’s never too late to make a change.

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

Awakenings is a 1990 drama directed by Penny Marshall and starring Robert De Niro and Robin Williams. The film tells the story of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (De Niro), a neurological specialist working in a New York City hospital in the 1960s. After a chance discovery of a drug called L-Dopa, Sayer is able to restore the consciousness of patients who had been in a catatonic state for decades due to an illness known as encephalitis lethargica. As the patients begin to awaken, they face the challenge of re-integrating into the world after decades of isolation. The film follows Sayer and his patients as they grapple with the joys, sorrows, and uncertainties of life after a long period of stasis.

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 and starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, and Timothy Hutton. Based on the 1976 novel of the same name by Judith Guest, the film tells the story of a suburban family struggling to cope with the death of one of their sons and the severe depression of their surviving son, who is being treated by a psychiatrist. The story follows the Jarrett family; husband and wife Calvin and Beth, and their two sons, Conrad and Buck. When Buck dies in a sailing accident, the family is left in disarray as Conrad falls into a deep depression and begins seeing a psychiatrist. While Calvin and Beth struggle to accept the situation, their differences become apparent as they try to deal with the tragedy in their own way. As Conrad's depression worsens, the family must come together and find a way to heal and move forward in the face of their grief.

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

Maurice is a 1987 British period drama film written by Kit Hesketh-Harvey and directed by James Ivory. The film stars Hugh Grant, James Wilby, and Rupert Graves as the three protagonists. The film is set in Edwardian England and follows the story of two friends, Maurice Hall (Grant) and Clive Durham (Wilby), who are both from wealthy backgrounds and attending Cambridge University. As their friendship progresses, Maurice realizes that he is in love with Clive and is forced to come to terms with his homosexuality. Clive, on the other hand, is not as open to his own sexuality and struggles to cope with his inner conflict. The two eventually part ways and Maurice meets Alec Scudder (Graves), a gamekeeper's son who is also gay. A relationship develops between the two and Maurice is forced to confront the repercussions of being openly gay in a society that is not accepting of it. He must ultimately decide whether he wants to accept his true self and the life that comes with it.

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

Control is a 2007 biographical drama film written and directed by Anton Corbijn. The film follows the life and career of Ian Curtis, lead singer of the British post-punk band Joy Division, focusing on his personal struggles with mental illness, depression and epilepsy. The film is based on the biographical book Touching from a Distance by Curtis's widow Deborah, and stars Sam Riley as Ian Curtis, Samantha Morton as Deborah Curtis, and Alexandra Maria Lara as Annik Honore. The film revolves around Ian Curtis' troubled personal life, including his relationship with his wife Deborah and his struggles with mental health issues, including epilepsy and depression. The film shows his life leading up to his death, including his marriage to Deborah, his infidelity, and his frequent seizures. Through flashbacks, we see Ian's difficult relationship with his parents, his success in the music industry, and his struggles with himself. The film was critically acclaimed and won several awards, including a BAFTA for best debut film.

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 and based on the novel The House of Dr. Edwardes by Francis Beeding. The film stars Ingrid Bergman as a psychiatrist and Gregory Peck as an amnesiac who may or may not be a murderer. The two set out to uncover the truth behind his past, while trying to avoid a criminal mastermind who is out to get them. Along the way, they confront their own psychological demons and discover a powerful connection between them. The film combines classic Hitchcock suspense with psychological drama, creating an unforgettable suspenseful experience.

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

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

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

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

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

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