Via Mubi
Whether they’re due to a break-up, divorce, or death of a loved one, grief and loss are never easy to deal with, and some have it harder than others. But the movie industry is not just there for entertainment—they’ve got us through rough childhoods, weird adolescence, and even the difficult times of adulthood while offering us great bits of wisdom. So since we all grew up with these types of films, how about we recommend five internationally-acclaimed shows and movies to help you process your emotions.
1- Good Will Hunting
The Oscar-winning modern classic is a must-watch, especially if you are struggling with your identity, goals, and love interests! The film stars Matt Damon as a young mathematical genius with a low-paying job. This man doesn’t utilise any of his talents and is afraid even to ask a girl out. The plot thickens when he meets regularly with an eccentric therapist, played masterfully by the late Robin Williams, who has lost his wife to a terminal illness.
Together, they work through their traumas and grief, forming a beautiful friendship that will touch and guide you through your own struggles as you’ll relate to one, or more, of the lead characters’ emotional battles. The brilliant dialogue and the funny yet painful performance of Williams turned this film into a masterpiece.
Via El-Mahatta
2- 500 Days of Summer
Break-ups are hard on everyone, but we all deal with them differently. This beautiful dramedy is painful and relatable thanks to its fabulous stars’ performances and its beautifully written script. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a young man who falls in love with Zooey Deschanel’s character when he meets her at work, thinking everything is going perfectly until she abruptly breaks up with him.
The bittersweet sequence of events, flashbacks, and inner monologues of Joseph’s character are so captivating to the young audience that it hits so many nerves on the painful topic of moving on. If you need something to act as a companion through your break-up (with the added bonus of not having to text back), this film is for you!
Via IMDb
3- Wandavision
This Marvel hit series beautifully depicts the aftermath of losing a loved one and having a hard time accepting it, let alone moving on. We never expected a superhero show to make us feel all these emotions, as we accompany Wanda on her strange journey to face the loss of her partner and family.
The show beautifully takes us through the main five stages of grief in a non-expected narrative, filled with “Aha!” moments that could ultimately help you with your own feelings. After all, as the lead character, Vision, says: “What is grief, if not love persevering?”.
Via IMDb
4- Rabbit Hole
What could possibly be worse than losing a child? Absolutely nothing! This unpopular indie film, starring Hollywood’s icon Nicole Kidman, takes us on a painful journey of a grieving mother processing losing her child and attempting to forgive the person who accidentally caused her such unbearable tragedy.
The film is both excruciatingly painful and beautiful, with a lovely message of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark and scary the tunnel is. Rabbit Hole is a must-watch tearjerker that could give solace and comfort to so many out there looking for it.
Via The Club
5- After Life
If anyone can address and poke fun at the uncomfortable, agonising topic of death and healing, it is definitely Britain’s comedy legend Ricky Gervais. The Netflix show is about a bereaved husband who attempts, and often fails at, having a “normal” life after his wife passes away. The sweet narrative, witty one-liners, and the bitter perspective of Ricky’s character make After Life a piece of art that will give you comfort, laughter, and lots of warmth.
