11 Films About Mental Disorders You Can't Miss

Films have the virtue of voicing all sorts of varied experiences. In this case, we’re talking about those films that approach a mental problem from the narrative of the protagonists.

Bringing the reality of mental disorders and other health problems to the big screen is a risk and a responsibility. But it can be a helpful way for us to understand what mental health challenges really look like.

In this article, we list  some of the most iconic films of all time, as well as some recommendations that are not so well known that will help you learn more about the psychopathological reality of many people.

An Angel At My Table

This film tells us about how the famous writer Janet Frame was locked up by her family in a mental institution for eight years. The evolution of the mental state of the woman throughout her life exemplifies depression.

Interrupted Innocence

Winona Ryder plays a huge role as a character with limited personality disorder. How is it characterized? Instability in relationships, impulsiveness, poor empathy, overwhelmed emotional expressiveness, trying to become socially visible, etc.

In addition, Angelina Jolie and other great actresses interpret other issues such as psychopathy, bulimia, anorexia, pathological lying, sexual abuse, etc. This film is definitely a gem in the treatment of psychopathology in film.

As Good As It Gets

Jack Nicholson fantastically interprets someone with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. This film is a classic and undoubtedly one of the best films that has included representations of psychopathology.

A Beautiful Mind

We already did an extensive article about this movie and its contribution to the representation of schizophrenia and the genius of the protagonist who tells the story, John Nash. It is a story based on real events, which gives it a special character.

Don’t Bother to Knock

A combination of depression and psychosis performed by a spectacular and different Marilyn Monroe. It tells the story of a girl who is dedicated to caring for children and in reality hides serious psychological problems.

Fatal Attraction

This film was much talked about for covering the topics of marital infidelity, family dysfunction and sexual obsession. An American classic from the late 80’s which deserves great recognition.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Another wonderful interpretation by Jack Nicholson that dazzles us with the narrative of different cases of psychopathology, psychiatric hospitalization, shock treatment and suicide. It is based on the novel by Ken Kesey.

Memento

It establishes its script in line with the narrative of a case of anterograde amnesia or the inability to create new memories. 113 minutes during which Christopher Nolan works to restore his memory and the various departments it is made up of from a neuropsychological perspective.

Rain Man

Autism and self-improvement in 2 hours and 15 minutes. It was a movie from the late 80’s that took home several very well deserved film awards and nominations. Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman are the actors in this successful film about this disease.

Silver Linings Playbook

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper play a couple with psychological problems. They interpret bipolar disorder, and overcoming the personal struggle of the affected individual and their families.

Faces In The Crowd

It talks about prosopagnosia or the inability to recognize the faces of people with whom we interact. We see the anguish, anxiety and isolation that this problem produces. Brad Pitt is said to suffer from this disease.

We hope you liked the selection and you can recommend other films to us in your comments.

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