8 Powerful Movies About Mental Health (2 of 5)

Inside Out (2015)

Inside Out provides a unique, animated depiction of the complex emotions inside an 11-year-old girl named Riley. The film provides a raw look at how emotions like sadness, joy, and anger interplay, affecting Riley’s mental state. Ultimately, it illustrates the importance of acknowledging and processing emotions for mental well-being, making complex psychological concepts accessible and relatable, especially for younger audiences, and highlighting that experiencing a range of emotions is a normal and healthy part of life.

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Based on Susanna Kaysen’s memoir, Girl, Interrupted offers a candid look at life inside a psychiatric hospital in the 1960s. It faithfully portrays a range of mental health conditions through its diverse characters, exploring their struggles with identity and societal expectations. At the heart of the story are Susanna (Winona Ryder), a young woman grappling with her sense of self, and Lisa (Angelina Jolie), a charismatic but deeply troubled patient whose unpredictable nature challenges and influences those around her. The film’s compassionate approach lies in its nuanced portrayal of each patient, emphasizing their humanity and the complex factors that contribute to their mental states rather than reducing them to their diagnoses.