Top 8 Must-See Movies About Depression

Cake is a 2014 American drama directed by Daniel Barnz, written by Patrick Tobin, featuring Jennifer Aniston, Adriana Barraza, Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Anna Kendrick, and Sam Worthington.

Jennifer Aniston plays Claire Simmons, a woman who falls for a widower. However, after discovering troubling details surrounding his late wife's death, Claire becomes emotionally unstable, consumed by grief, and haunted by the woman's memory.

Cake is a 2014 American drama directed by Daniel Barnz, written by Patrick Tobin, starring Jennifer Aniston, Adriana Barraza, Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Anna Kendrick, and Sam Worthington.

Jennifer Aniston plays Claire Simmons, a woman who falls for a widower. However, after discovering troubling details surrounding his late wife's death, Claire becomes emotionally unstable, consumed by grief, and haunted by the memory of the woman.

The film tells the story of two main characters, Pat and Tiffany. Both are lonely individuals who have experienced severe emotional turmoil and are undergoing therapy, yet they still try to remain hopeful about life, even harboring illusions about the future. While Pat wants to reconcile with his unfaithful ex-wife, Tiffany's husband has just passed away.

Watching this film, you'll see how these lost souls find each other. With a meaningful narrative about love and life, Love Rekindled is the only romantic film among the 9 nominees for Best Picture at the 2013 Oscars.

The protagonist of Anomalisa is Michael Stone (David Thewlis), a famous writer and speaker known for his work in customer communication over the phone. Arriving in Cincinnati, Ohio, on a rainy day to prepare for a book presentation the following day, he checks into a hotel feeling deeply sad and isolated.

Haunted by the voice of his ex-girlfriend, Bella (Tom Noonan), Michael tries reaching out to loved ones, only to find himself more alone and disconnected, even from his own family. The chance to fill this loneliness comes when he unexpectedly meets Lisa (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a fan of Michael and his self-help book.

Though Lisa appears ordinary and speaks awkwardly, she brings Michael a sense of connection amidst his isolation. Anomalisa is a story that unfolds over one night between Michael and Lisa, exploring why they find each other and whether they can stay together to fill the void in their lonely lives.

Emily is a young, beautiful woman who is married, but her husband is in prison. During his incarceration, she begins an affair with a doctor. Side Effects takes a darker turn as Emily fears her secret will be exposed when her husband is released, which drives her to anxiety and dependence on prescription medication to cope.

In addition to exploring the emotional and familial issues, Side Effects also delves into the dangerous effects of using medication to treat mental health problems. The film is set in the realm of psychological research, investigating the profound impact of drugs on the human mind.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower tells the story of adolescence. Charlie, a 15-year-old, is about to enter high school with severe emotional turmoil, haunted by the death of his aunt from a young age. Unable to confide in anyone, he pours his heart out in letters to a mysterious friend. These letters recount his high school life, bringing him new friends, ups and downs, emotions, and even love.

The film touches on relatable issues faced by teens, particularly the sweetness and depth of love and friendship, portrayed naturally by the cast. It offers the audience a tender, meaningful experience.

Melancholia is a psychological drama blended with disaster, premiered at the 64th Cannes Film Festival in 2011, marking Lars von Trier's return after the controversial film *Antichrist* in 2009. The story centers on two sisters, Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg). After marrying, Justine begins to change and becomes depressed. When the Earth faces imminent destruction due to a collision with another planet, Justine remains eerily calm, accepting her fate.

Meanwhile, Claire is consumed by fear, unable to face the impending catastrophe. Terrified of losing everything—love, family, and life itself—on the day of the apocalypse, she denies the inevitable truth that death will come when the Earth is destroyed. Justine, however, represents the opposite extreme. She bathes under the destructive moonlight of Melancholia, shedding her disappointments with Earth and embracing the approaching death. The film explores the stark contrast in attitude between the two sisters, using Lars von Trier's distinct and haunting cinematic style. In the face of a shared death, human emotions are portrayed as chaotic and differing, a central theme of *Melancholia*. The film was nominated for the Palme d'Or and earned Kirsten Dunst the Best Actress award.

*It’s Kind of A Funny Story* is an inspiring film that tackles life’s struggles and the world of psychiatric hospitals. Yet, these hospitals become the very place that help pull the lovable, troubled characters out of their pain. It shows that love between people can blossom even in the most unexpected places—like a psychiatric ward, a place often seen as housing the mentally ill or deviant.

The film's title, *It’s Kind of A Funny Story*, suggests that it’s about people who love life and always believe in the good in the world but face challenges that leave them a bit lost. If you're going through tough times, feeling overwhelmed, and need motivation to overcome obstacles and move forward, this movie is for you.