The best movies and TV series portraying toxic relationships

The topic of toxic relationships remains relevant, as it touches upon important aspects of human interaction. In films and TV series, it is usually examined from different angles, including psychological pressure and complex emotional dramas.

Such stories allow viewers to better understand the consequences of destructive relationships and find ways to avoid them. In addition, they become a source of inspiration for those who seek to overcome personal difficulties.

This list includes both intimate dramas and exciting thrillers that keep you in suspense until the end. OBOZ.UA has gathered the best films and TV series that will help you to comprehend the topic of toxic relationships and perhaps find answers to important questions.

Marriage Story (2019)

This is a touching drama that explores the complex process of divorce and its impact on the lives of two people who were once head over heels in love. The film, directed and written by Noah Baumbach, tells the story of Charlie (Adam Driver), a successful theater director, and Nicole (Scarlett Johansson), a talented actress, who decide to end their marriage.

Although at first glance it may seem like just another divorce story, Marriage Story is much more than that. The film depicts the emotional swings that the former lovers go through with deep empathy, their attempts to maintain their friendship for the sake of their son, and the impact of divorce on their surroundings.

One of the film's strongest aspects is its realism. Baumbach does not idealize his characters, showing their flaws and weaknesses. This brings them even closer to the viewer.

Marriage Story is not just a drama about divorce, it is a movie about love, loss, forgiveness and new beginnings. It makes you think about the importance of relationships, about the fact that people can remain a part of each other's lives even after the end of a marriage.

Bitter Moon (1992)

A psychological thriller from the famous director Roman Polanski, which immerses the viewer in a dark and seductive world of passion and deception. The film tells the story of a young couple who meet mysterious lovers during a cruise whose past hides terrible secrets.

The protagonist, a young woman, is fascinated by the story of the stranger who tells of her violent love affair with a man. Her stories, full of passion and violence, gradually draw the audience into a whirlpool of emotions and make them doubt the reality of what is happening.

Bitter Moon is a film that plays with the boundaries of reality and makes the viewer feel disoriented. Polanski skillfully builds an atmosphere of tension and keeps the viewer in constant uncertainty about what is true and what is fiction.

The film is also a profound exploration of the themes of passion, jealousy, manipulation and psychological abuse. It makes us think about how well we know the people we live with, and whether love is always bright and beautiful.

Last Tango in Paris (1972)

This is a movie that still provokes lively discussions and controversy to this day. Director Bernardo Bertolucci created a truly provocative film that shocked the audience with its frankness and exploration of sexuality and human relationships.

The film revolves around an American widower, Paul, who comes to Paris to start a new life. There, he meets a young French woman, Jeanne, and invites her to an empty apartment for an affair that quickly goes beyond the bounds of what is permissible.

Don't Worry Darling (2022)

A psychological thriller that captures the viewer from the first minutes. The film takes us back to a seemingly perfect town of the 1950s where men work on a mysterious project and women enjoy the carefree life of housewives. The protagonist, Alice, begins to suspect that dark secrets are hidden behind the facade of prosperity.

When Alice begins to question her husband's work and the nature of their isolated community, she is confronted with attempts to silence her. With every step she takes to uncover the truth, Alice plunges deeper into a paranoid atmosphere where reality is intertwined with illusion.

The film combines elements of psychological thriller, retro aesthetics and social satire. It makes the viewer think about the nature of an ideal society, about the manipulation of consciousness and about the price we are willing to pay for happiness.

Don't Worry Darling is not just an entertaining movie, but also a powerful social allegory. It raises important questions about control, freedom of choice and the role of women in society.

Gone Girl (2014)

A psychological thriller that keeps the viewer in suspense until the last minute. The film tells the story of Nick Dunne, a man whose wife Amy disappears without a trace on their fifth wedding anniversary. The police begin an investigation, and the media blows up the scandal, turning Nick into the main suspect.

As the story unfolds, the viewer is drawn deeper into the lives of the Dunne couple, discovering their dark secrets and complex relationship. Nick tries to prove his innocence, but the more he reveals the truth, the more mysteries arise.

Gone Girl is not just a detective story, but also a sharp social satire. The film explores the themes of marriage, betrayal, manipulation and the role of the media in shaping public opinion. It makes the viewer think about how well we know the people around us and whether everything is always as it seems at first glance.

One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is its unpredictable plot. Until the very last minutes, the viewer cannot be sure what really happened to Amy and who is behind this disappearance.

It Ends with Us (2024)

A touching drama based on the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover. The movie tells the story of Lily, a young woman who moves to Boston to start a new life. There, she meets Ryle, a neurosurgeon, and feelings develop between them. Their love seems perfect, but Lily's past and some of Ryle's personality traits threaten their happiness.

The film explores the complex themes of love, domestic violence and the importance of choice. Lily, who witnessed domestic violence in her childhood, tries to build a healthy relationship, but her past keeps catching up with her. Ryle, though he seems like the perfect partner, is hiding his own demons.

Blue Velvet (1986)

A cult noir thriller from David Lynch that immerses the viewer in the dark and seductive world of a small American town. The film reveals the hypocrisy and violence hidden under the facade of an idyllic life.

The plot revolves around a young Jeffrey Beaumont who, upon returning to his hometown, finds a severed human ear. This accidental discovery marks his journey into an underworld of crime, violence and sex. Jeffrey becomes entangled in a network of mysterious events, meeting the mysterious singer Dorothy Vallens and her psychopathic boyfriend Frank.

Blue Velvet is a film that makes you question reality and evokes a sense of anxiety and discomfort in the viewer. Lynch creates an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty with the help of vivid images, symbolism and a non-linear plot.

The film is a sharp criticism of the American dream, which turns out to be empty and false. Blue Velvet reveals the darker sides of human nature and shows that even the most peaceful places can be full of horrors.

Blue Velvet is a movie that does not leave you indifferent. It makes you think about the nature of evil, what is hidden behind the facade of ordinary life and how fragile the human psyche can be.

Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)

A psychological thriller that keeps the viewer in suspense from beginning to end. The film tells the story of Laura, a woman who lives in fear of her own husband, Martin. He turns out to be a cruel and manipulative tyrant who controls her every move. To escape, Laura fakes her own death and starts a new life under a different name.

However, Martin is not going to let his wife go so easily. He starts looking for her, stopping at nothing. Laura is forced to constantly look back and fear that her past will catch up with her.

Sleeping with the Enemy is not just a thriller about escaping from violence, but also a deep exploration of the topic of toxic relationships. The film shows how victims of domestic violence often feel trapped, with no power or hope of escape. It also emphasizes the importance of support from others and the need to seek help.

Love the Hard Way (2001)

A romantic drama that immerses the viewer in the world of crime and complex human relationships. The film tells the story of a petty thief who meets a young and naive woman on his way. Their acquaintance develops into a stormy romance, but the man's past and different views on life become an obstacle to happiness.

The protagonist, playing a dangerous game, draws his beloved into the world of crime. The woman, on the other hand, tries to change him, showing him the beauty of life and teaching him to love.

Love the Hard Way is a movie about contrasts: between good and evil, love and hate, dream and reality. It makes you think about how much love can change a person and whether it is possible to change yourself for the sake of a loved one.

My King (2015)

A French drama directed by Maïwenn Le Besco that explores the complexity and destructive impact of toxic relationships. The film stars Emmanuelle Bercot as Tony, a woman in a troubled and passionate affair with her husband Giorgio (Vincent Cassel).

The film begins with Tony entering a rehabilitation center after an injury at a ski resort and rethinking his past. The movie then delves into his memories, showing how a passion can turn into addiction and pain. The film has been highly praised by critics for its realistic script and powerful acting.

It is a frank exploration of the psychology of love, which can both inspire and destroy.

Big Little Lies (2017)

An exciting drama series that immerses the viewer in the life of a group of friends living in a seemingly quiet town. Behind the facade of the perfect life of these women are dark secrets, jealousy, ambitions and complicated relationships.

The series revolves around an unexpected murder that occurs during a charity event. The police begin an investigation, and the friends try to hide their secrets from each other. Gradually, the viewer learns more about the lives of each of the characters, their problems and desires.

Big Little Lies is not just a detective story, but also a poignant social drama. The series explores the themes of friendship, motherhood, marriage, violence and betrayal. It makes the viewer think about how well we know the people around us and that each of us has our own skeletons in the closet.

One of the most interesting aspects of the series is its cast. Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley and other stars have embodied unforgettable characters that will be remembered for a long time.

Big Little Lies is a series that will not leave any viewer indifferent. It makes you think about the nature of human relationships, about the fact that every person is multifaceted and that dramatic events can happen even in the most peaceful places.

Why Women Kill, 2019

An anthology series that explores the topic of female murderers through the prism of different historical periods. The series takes place in the same house, but in different times, telling the stories of three women who face adultery and solve their problems in a radical way.

Each season of the series focuses on a different woman and her story. The viewer has the opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the 1960s, 1980s and the present day, observing how social norms are changing, and with them the reasons that drive women to murder.

Why Women Kill is not just a crime drama, but also a sharp social satire. The series raises important questions about marriage, betrayal, gender roles and the place of women in society. Each of the heroines is a complex and multifaceted character who evokes different emotions in the viewer.

One of the most interesting aspects of the series is its black humor. The authors successfully combine elements of comedy and drama, creating an atmosphere that is both shocking and entertaining.

Why Women Kill is a series that makes you think about the nature of female jealousy, how social expectations influence people's behavior, and that everyone has the right to happiness even if it requires breaking the law.

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