Netflix Movies With Storylines That Highlight Mental Health
Movies with storylines that explore mental health play an important role in raising awareness and can help people feel less alone. Streaming movie giant Netflix has an extensive library of films addressing the subject of mental health. Whether you’re looking to watch a film that explores mental illness in an inspirational way, features characters suffering its effects or examines how the past affects the present, Netflix has got your back. Here are 8 Netflix Movies that explore mental health beautifully.
- Silver Linings Playbook
Silver Linings Playbook tells the story of Pat (Bradley Cooper), a man who is struggling with his mental health but determined to find love and start a new life. Pat has recently been released from a psychiatric hospital, and when he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a woman experiencing her own mental health issues, the two form an unlikely bond. Silver Linings Playbook is an emotional and uplifting story about finding hope and acceptance even in the darkest times.
- Beasts of No Nation
Beasts of No Nation tells the story of Agu, a young boy who is forced to become a child soldier in a war-torn African country. This harrowing film follows Agu as he grapples with the trauma of war and the mental anguish it leaves behind. Along the way, the movie poses difficult questions about the effects of violence on young people and how to break the cycle of violence.
- Atypical
Atypical tells the story of Sam, a teenage boy on the autism spectrum who is searching for independence and love. The show follows Sam as he navigates the unique challenges of his diagnosis, while also exploring the complexities of his relationships with his family and peers. Atypical is a heartwarming and insightful exploration of how mental health issues can affect both the individual and their loved ones.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age story about Charlie (Logan Lerman), an introverted teenager who is struggling with mental health issues related to his troubled past. Charlie forges unlikely friendships with his schoolmates Sam and Patrick and together, the three of them explore what it means to be young, confused and in love. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is an honest look at teenage life and the struggles of mental health.
- Borderline
Borderline is a psychological thriller about Carla, a woman who is struggling with her mental health and finds comfort in a mysterious online friend. When her friend suddenly disappears, Carla goes on a desperate quest to find him and uncover a dark world of lies. The movie will leave you on the edge of your seat as it explores themes of friendship, identity and the potential dangers of the internet.
- Girl, Interrupted
Girl, Interrupted follows Susanna, a young woman who is committed to a mental health facility after attempting suicide. Inside the hospital, she meets a diverse group of inmates who help her face her inner demons and work towards her recovery. The movie offers an unflinching look at how mental illness can affect a person’s life, and features memorable performances by Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie and Jared Leto.
- Madness in the Method
Madness in the Method follows Jason (Jason Mewes), an actor who decides to take matters into his own hands to become a better actor. He pursues a dangerous method in order to refine his craft, and soon, reality and fiction start to blur. Madness in the Method offers a unique and often humorous exploration of how mental illness can affect the lives of people in the entertainment industry.
- Half of a Yellow Sun
Half of a Yellow Sun tells the story of two sisters living in a war-torn Nigeria during the 1960s; years of brutality and hardship that have a lasting impact on the mental health of all involved. Through the story of the sisters, the movie delves into the psychological effects of war and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy.
Netflix has a wide selection of movies that explore mental health from inspiring to heartbreaking perspectives. From Silver Linings Playbook to Half of a Yellow Sun, these movies offer valuable insight into how mental health issues can affect our lives and offer a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our struggles.
