The best thought-provoking movies about loneliness

Sometimes we want to explore the depths of emotions and reflect, and movies about loneliness and depression can be a great way to do that. They help us to take a fresh look at the complex feelings we face in life and make us feel that we are not alone in our experiences.

Such films often not only evoke emotions, but also allow us to think about important questions about the meaning of life, human relationships and internal struggles. OBOZ.UA has prepared a selection of films that will immerse you in these deep topics and help you find new perspectives on the complex aspects of our existence.

Her (2013)

An American sci-fi romance drama directed by Spike Jonze, which became his solo debut in cinema. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and Scarlett Johansson, who voices the artificial intelligence Samantha.

The plot focuses on Theodore Twombly, a lonely man who works as a writer of personal letters for others, and his relationship with a new artificial intelligence operating system, which has a female voice that sparks affection, and over time, romantic feelings develop between them.

The film explores the themes of loneliness, interconnectedness, technology and emotional intimacy in the modern world. The film premiered at the New York Film Festival in October 2013 and was released in theaters in December of the same year.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

An American adaptation of the novel of the same name by Hubert Selby Jr. published in 1978. The film is directed by Darren Aronofsky, known for his unique cinematic expression and psychological depth. The film stars Ellen Burstyn, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for this movie, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans.

The film depicts the devastating consequences of drug addiction and illusory dreams that lead the characters to a terrible reality. Requiem for a Dream has been nominated for several prestigious film awards, and as of March 1, 2024, it was ranked 91st in the list of the 250 best films according to IMDb.

The plot of the film centers around four characters whose fates are intertwined through drug addiction and dreams of a better future. Sarah Goldfarb, an older woman trying to lose weight, becomes obsessed with getting on a TV show, which leads to amphetamines. Her son Harry and his friend Marion are also drawn into the world of drugs, making plans for their own business, but all their dreams and hopes are shattered by addiction and tragedy. The film shows how the characters' passions are transformed into destructive illusions that lead them to catastrophic consequences.

A Single Man (2009)

An American drama directed by fashion designer Tom Ford. This is his debut in cinema, and he became the first director to finance the creation of a film on his own. The script is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Christopher Isherwood. The film stars Colin Firth as Birtish George Falconer, a queer English literature professor living in Los Angeles in 1962. The film very carefully recreates the atmosphere of the 60s, including clothing, architecture and social norms of the time.

The film is set in Los Angeles on November 30, 1962, a month after the Cuban Missile Crisis. George Falconer, the protagonist, is experiencing deep grief over the death of his partner Jim in a car accident. Jim's family refused to allow George to attend the funeral, which further aggravated his loneliness and sense of isolation. George fills his existence with reflections on life, death and the philosophy of existence, often dreaming of leaving this world and reuniting with his beloved.

Lost in Translation (2003)

The film was directed and written by Sofia Coppola. The film received international recognition and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The film stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in the lead roles. The plot focuses on two lonely people, Bob Harris, an aging star, and young Charlotte, who feel isolated in Tokyo due to language and cultural barriers. They find each other in this strange city and spend time together, experiencing moments of loneliness and understanding. The film shows their emotional growth and an unusual but important encounter that changes their outlook on life.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

An American sci-fi drama directed by Michel Gondry. The film won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay written by Charlie Kaufman. The main roles were played by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. The plot focuses on Joel, who, after breaking up with Clementine, turns to a company specializing in memory erasure to forget his former love. However, during the process, Joel realizes that he doesn't really want to forget Clementine.

The whole film is based on the game between reality and the subconscious, where the characters try to keep their most precious moments together despite all the difficulties. The film explores the complexity of relationships, the loss and recovery of feelings, and the nature of memory and identity.

Moon (2009)

It is a 2009 British science fiction film that marks the directorial debut of Duncan Jones, the son of David Bowie. The film stars Sam Rockwell, who is actually the only actor on the screen except for the voice of the robot GERTY.

The film tells the story of Sam, who spends three years on the Moon, monitoring an automated station that produces rare gas. Two weeks before he returns to Earth, he meets his doppelganger, which challenges his sanity and the reality of what is happening. The film was nominated for a BAFTA award and won a Hugo Award.

The Lobster (2015)

A sci-fi romance thriller directed and written by Yorgos Lanthimos. The film is set in a dystopian future where people have to find a partner within 45 days, otherwise they will be turned into an animal of their choice.

The protagonist, architect David (Colin Farrell), finds himself in a hotel for singles and tries to find a couple, as his future is on the line. He wants to become a lobster if he fails to find love. The movie also stars Rachel Weisz.

The film was awarded a special Queer Palm mention at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and won the Jury Prize. The Lobster has received international recognition for its unique approach to the theme of love and relationships in a world of harsh social norms.

American Beauty (1999)

The debut film by British director Sam Mendes, which became a great success, winning 5 Oscars in 2000, including Best Picture. The screenplay was written by Alan Ball.

The film explores the theme of midlife crisis through the character of Lester Burnham, who is going through a breakup with his wife and tries to find meaning in his life by breaking ties with a hypocritical society.

The main character, Lester, is played by Kevin Spacey. Against the backdrop of his personal experiences, his life changes after he meets Ricky, a teenager who captures the "beautiful" moments of his life on video, and his daughter Jane. American Beauty has become a symbol of the search for happiness in modern society, in particular through the context of personal freedom, sexual relationships and family ties.

Short Term 12 (2013)

Short Term 12 is a 2013 American drama directed and written by Destin Daniel Cretton. It is an adaptation of his 2009 short film, and has received many positive reviews, especially for its realism, emotional depth, and excellent performances by the actors, particularly Brie Larson, who plays the title role.

Grace Howard (Brie Larson) is a young counselor in a group home for troubled teens where children experience difficult situations such as violence leading to self-harm. She works alongside Mason (John Gallagher Jr.), her boyfriend, and tries to deal with her own emotions. Grace finds out that she is pregnant, but plans to have an abortion, although she does not tell Mason about her intentions.

The film focuses on the children's struggles in the institution - 18-year-old Marcus, who is having confusing emotion as he is about to leave it, and Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever), a young girl who engages in self-harm and has a difficult relationship with her father. Grace discovers that Jayden has likely been abused at home.

Into the Wild (2007)

A biographical adventure film directed by Sean Penn and based on the book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. The film tells the real life story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who decided to give up his comfortable life and go on a journey across North America, searching for meaning in nature and solitude.

Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) was born into a wealthy family, but after learning that he and his sister were illegitimate children of their parents, his perception of the world changed dramatically. Constant quarrels between his parents and his disillusionment with the materialism and standards of modern society pushed him to reject his past.

After graduating from Emory University, Christopher makes a radical decision: he gets rid of all his documents and credit cards and gives all his money to charity. He chooses the name Alexander Supertramp and embarks on a journey across the United States and Mexico. He takes on different part-time jobs but eventually his dream leads him to Alaska, where he hopes to find the answer to his search for true life.

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