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)
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.
The road is a pretty damn depressing movie
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)
Pan’s labyrinth. Absolutely phenomenal film that everyone should watch.
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!
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.
Super - stars Rainn Wilson, and Eliot Page. They become “super heroes”
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.
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
House That Jack Built I just watched recently for the first time. It reminded me vaguely of American Psycho, but in a suburbia setting. I don’t really ever see this movie mentioned, but I thought it was really good.
“Come and See” (1985)
This is probably the most dark and depressing movie, but mainly because it’s realistic. A recent Behind the Bastards podcast mentioned this movie, as it seems some events in this movie were based on the actions of a Nazi who was very into his job. This movie is told from the Russian point of view.
I can’t really say I’m glad I watched it, but it feels more like watching a crime in progress than something you’d watch for any kind of entertainment. Things like Grave of the Fireflies are a punch in the feels for sure, but this movie is just brutal with no kind of beauty or anything rewarding at all.
I watch tons of horror and war movies and enjoy feeling melancholy now and then, but I’m good on never watching this again. The fire and cow scenes are forever burned in my brain though.
I agree with you. I can’t say I’m glad I watched it either. But I agree 100% on never watching it again.
I listen to behind the bastards podcast, but I skip around. Do you remember what episode they talked about this movie?
Oskar Dirlewanger: The Worst Nazi.
27-29 Sep 22Thanks for the reply!
Legends of the Fall (1994) for me. And I’ll second Grave of the Fireflies
Closet Land (1991)
Incendies and Dogville are some that haven’t been mentioned yet.
Land of Mine and Flowers of War were both really good, but nobody else ever seems to like war-type movies.
The next depressing movie I have marked to watch is Tyranosaur. I know nothing about it except it’s not about dinosaurs, but I took it from another thread on depressing movies and it seems highly rated. Waiting for a dreary day to check it out.
