Movies have the uncanny ability to transport us to different worlds, evoke strong emotions, and leave a lasting impact on our psyche. They can also serve as a reflection of our own experiences, allowing us to connect with characters and stories that resonate deeply with us. When it comes to the theme of grief, films can provide a unique perspective on the emotions that accompany loss, from sadness and regret to anger and ultimately, healing. The article explores the cinematic experience of grief by highlighting 10 films that tackle this heavy theme in various ways. From realistic portrayals to dark and challenging explorations, these movies all share a common thread – their willingness to go into the complex emotions that come with loss.
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Still Walking” (2008) tells the story of a family coming together to grieve the loss of a loved one, featuring a delicate approach to depicting grief. Nicolas Roeg’s “Don’t Look Now” (1973) takes a darker approach, using the horror genre to explore the unnerving and scary aspects of grief. Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People” (1980) is a dramatic and emotional film that explores the struggles of a family to heal, while Pixar’s “Up” (2009) might seem like an unlikely choice to tackle grief, but its exploration of the theme is unexpectedly effective.
Manchester by the Sea (Image via Getty)
Atom Egoyan’s “The Sweet Hereafter” (1997) takes a darker approach, exploring the impact of a bus accident that kills dozens of children on a small community. Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” (2018) is a horror film that deals with grief and tragedy, while Krzysztof Kieślowski’s “Three Colours: Blue” (1993) is part of the Three Colours trilogy, exploring themes of grief, depression, and sadness.
Kenneth Lonergan’s “Manchester by the Sea” (2016) is a slow-burning drama that explores the theme of grief through its protagonist, a troubled man dealing with the loss of his brother. Ingmar Bergman’s “Fanny and Alexander” (1982) is a sweeping epic that explores the theme of grief on a grand scale, offering a glimmer of hope. Finally, Yasujirō Ozu’s “Tokyo Story” (1953) is a family drama that explores the theme of grief through the eyes of an aging couple and their adult children, featuring a quiet and contemplative approach that makes it a powerful exploration of the inevitable nature of death and the passing of time.
These films all share a common thread – their willingness to go into the complex emotions that come with loss, often in a way that is both unflinching and cathartic. Whether it’s through realism, drama, horror, or animation, these movies provide a unique perspective on the human experience of loss, one that is both universal and deeply personal.
