Originally posted on r/MovieSuggestions on March 6, 2021. Changed list link to archive link due to the original link now being dead.
Inspired by a list from IMDb, curated by Dr. Unken (https://web.archive.org/web/20210306111226/https://www.imdb.com/list/ls031142976/), I am in search of other films that have a similar tone to the films in that list. You can recommend me anything, even if the film is the same from that list. They can be in any genre and the language can be English or a foreign language.
Examples of such films include:
- “Martyrs” (2008) (In French with English subtitles)
- “Funny Games” (1997) (In German with English subtitles)
- “Possessor” (2020)
- “We Need to Talk About Kevin” (2011)
- “You Were Never Really Here” (2017)
- “Dragged Across Concrete” (2018)
- “Green Room” (2015)
- “Manhunter” (1986)
- “Nightcrawler” (2014)
- “Kill List” (2011)
- “Enter the Void” (2009)
- “Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father” (2008)
- “Blue Ruin” (2013)
- “Requiem for a Dream” (2000)
- “Antichrist” (2009)
The road is a pretty damn depressing movie
I’ve heard Studio Ghibli’s “Grave of the Fireflies” is really depressing. I love their movies, but I still haven’t been able to bring myself to watch that film yet.
It’s as depressing as everyone makes it out to be, and yet, it’s a movie everyone NEEDS to watch once. It’s sad for a reason. It was one of the most beautiful anti-war movies I’ve ever seen, but I don’t think I can bring myself to watch it again.
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Just your day? Not your week? haha
This movie is amazing but so heavy…
If you want to work yourself up to it you could try In This Corner of the World.
If you’re looking for a true story like Grave of the Fireflies but with live action I would recommend Snowy Road.
Tissues, a warm blanket, and post-movie comfort snacks are a must.
Threads (1984 BBC TV movie). Aired once, immediately banned and stayed that way for 40 years for being too disturbing. It’s movie about the death of hope, and how all that remains after is to hope for death. It follows an ordinary English family through the aftermath of a nuclear war, and makes “The Day After” look like a happy picnic in the park with rainbows by comparison.
Children of Men (2006)
Oldboy (Korean: 올드보이; RR: Oldeuboi; MR: Oldŭboi) is a 2003 South Korean neo-noir action thriller film directed and co-written by Park Chan-wook. A loose adaptation of the Japanese manga of the same name, the film follows the story of Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik), who is imprisoned in a cell which resembles a hotel room for 15 years without knowing the identity of his captor nor his captor’s motives. When he is finally released, Dae-su finds himself still trapped in a web of conspiracy and violence. (Taken from Wikipedia)
Make sure you get the original Korean movie and avoid the American remake like the plague!
Pan’s labyrinth. Absolutely phenomenal film that everyone should watch.
Requiem for a Dream checks these boxes
I can see that you’ve asked the movie recommendation and many people have given amazing suggestions.
I want to include a series instead, “Patriot (2015-2018)” from Amazon prime. It’s 2 seasons only, some might think it’s a comedy but if you watch it till the end you will understand the reality and how slowly it shows you how depressing it actually is.
The most fucked up movies I’ve ever seen are:
Irréversible 2002 - French film, rape / violence
The House That Jack Built 2018 - Matt Dillon, murder, God, hell
Der Untergang, or “Downfall” in English.
This is a movie about Hitler, from the perspective of Hitler’s secretary. Her life was fascinating and the real life person has a big apology at the beginning, and end, of the movie. It gives you a much needed “Nazi” perspective into the events inside of the bunker. The crazed Hitler believes that Steiner will save him, but upon realizing that it isn’t going to happen… Hitler falls into deep depression and eventually suicide.
Its a very human story, something that humanizes Nazis. An important message, not to “excuse” what Nazis have done, but to remind us that we could very well become like Nazis. They were only human after all and we very well could have made similar mistakes to them. Its a big warning to iconoclasts and fascist idealism, and how it clashes with reality.
I Stand Alone (1998, french)
Life is Beautiful (1997, italian)Super - stars Rainn Wilson, and Eliot Page. They become “super heroes”
Closet Land (1991)
Into the void
Looks like we have a lot of Gaspar Noé’s suggestions ^^
Legends of the Fall (1994) for me. And I’ll second Grave of the Fireflies