Over the years, as I’ve grown more and more into a cinephile, I’ve been drawn to movies that focus on the human condition. I have nothing but unwavering appreciation for directors and screenwriters who put their hearts on the line to tell stories about mental illness, diversity, and disability.
When it comes to mental health media, I’ve curated some of the best movies that tactfully handle mental illness and reflect their characters in artful, introspective, or even painful ways. These movies have meant so much to me during painful times, and I can rewatch them endlessly for solace or just to give me an excuse to cry.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021)
One of my favorite biographical films of all time, “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain,” is an extraordinary glimpse into the artistic yet tortured mind of prolific English cat artist Louis Wain, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. As a cat artist, Wain created anthropomorphic cats in various leisurely settings, drawing in a dedicated English viewership of all ages. Directed by Will Sharpe, this Wes Anderson-inspired film expertly portrays mental illness, love, and loss, bringing Wain’s personhood and whimsical artistry to life.
Born into a middle-class family in the Victorian era, Wain was the eldest and only son, tasked with the pressures of caring for his mother and sisters after his father’s passing. As an illustrator, he provides for them while also dealing with what the movie describes as “chaos in his mind.” He meets and falls in love with his sisters’ governess, Emily Richardson, and the two marry despite his family’s staunch disapproval. He and Richardson were happily married for three years before she died of breast cancer in 1887; yet, she was a tremendous inspiration to Wain and his inclination towards drawing cats doing leisurely activities.
His story in this film is one of electrifying artistic ambition amidst grief and suffering from schizophrenia. He outlived his wife, mother, and three of his sisters during the peak years of his popularity, affecting his art as it veered into a psychedelic direction. Still, his art and love of cats grounded him in his work even during his hospitalization towards the end of his life.
Cumberbatch is not a favorite actor of mine, but he nails this portrayal of Louis Wain as a hearty eccentric and an icon for creatives channeling their anguish through art. At times, I cried because his performance felt so visceral and soul-stirring, but it deeply reflected mental illness as a kaleidoscope of the human condition.
A Silent Voice (2016)
If you talk to any anime fanatic about the best anime films, more often than not, they will bring this film up because of how timeless and introspective it is. Produced by Kyoto Animation Co., “A Silent Voice” tells a story of bullying, disability, mental illness, and forgiveness through its two main characters through flowery, pristine animation.
The film focuses on Shouya Ishida, a depressed outcast who bumps into Shouko Nishimiya, an old classmate of his who he frequently bullied in elementary school for being deaf. After she transferred schools, he was severely ostracized, leading to social withdrawal and depression. During their miracle reunion, Shouya resolves to make amends and become friends with her.
I love how this film’s heavy mental health themes of depression, suicidal ideation, and social anxiety are channeled through Shouya. For instance, when Shouya tries to make eye contact with people, he only sees X’s over their eyes, but once he starts opening himself up to others, the X’s fall off, which I find so beautiful.
Shouya’s world brightens thanks to his newfound friendship with Shouko, and through her forgiveness, he forgives himself and realizes he wasn’t the same cruel child he once was. It’s not just an emotional journey for him but for Shoko as well, as she gets her own self-actualized moments, navigating her disability and how the world treats her.
While there’s vague romantic tension between the two, I really appreciate that the film doesn’t dwell on it and is more focused on a coming-of-age, self-acceptance message. It is a beautiful portrayal of complex mental health journeys that only get easier when you have people along for the ride.
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind (2004)
I will say this in the most un-melodramatic way possible, but this might be in the top five best movies of this century. Yes, THIS CENTURY! A movie with Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet as the main actors had no right being so exceptional, but it’s no wonder artists like Ariana Grande make whole concept albums about it.
The first time I saw this movie was with my boyfriend, and I teared up multiple times, maybe because the whole love-and-pain motif felt so unbelievably real. Or, maybe because it touches on memory and the deep wounds of a breakup and the reckless romance that accompanies those of us with mental health issues.
The plot revolves around Joel and Clementine, who, after a disastrous breakup, undergo memory erasure just to forget about each other. Yet, even during this melodramatic process, they remain connected during chance encounters, pushing a will-they-won’t-they narrative.
I love how the movie portrays the recklessness of love and just how excruciating breakups are, driving people into downward spirals. Clementine stood out as the epitome of heartache, leading to impulsivity, and I found her character to be striking and even relatable. Viewers have speculated that she could have borderline personality disorder because of these intense traits. While I’m not sure if the screenwriters intended for her to come off as such, I think it would bring some needed nuance to her character. She’s seen as a dream girl to men, believing she can fix them when she is struggling internally to fix herself. Her relationship with Joel sends a sincere message to viewers about how love pierces through vulnerabilities and how personal turmoil doesn’t need to get in the way of love.
