films that have healed me

Jan 18, 2025

There is something about watching a film on young people figuring themselves out that feels so healing to me. Every time I find myself in pain and wallow in whatever is on my mind at the moment (guilt, shame, burn-out, the usual winter depression), I drown myself in films that will take me away for a few hours of my life.

During those hours, I realise how small my world is, and how big the perspective is the higher a bird flies into the sky. How everything I am experiencing, people have lived out before me, and are living it by me, in other strange bodies and places.

Then, I don’t feel so alone, and I have this budding hope inside of me with every film like that, that there is hope for me. That the world has funny ways of figuring things out for me. That some things are not meant to be, and other things are. That there are just so many chapters that I can fit into, and not every single one of them will be great. But there will be nice memories that will never run away.

Here is a list (of possibly a continued series) with a short blurb for whenever you are feeling down. I wish I could have already watched all of the films in the world that have this tender, introspective quality while exploring themes of personal growth, relationships, and self-discovery in a way that feels so raw. If I missed any that belong on this list, feel free to comment your picks. You never know who needs it.

The Worst Person In The World

A raw and poignant exploration of love, identity, and the messy process of self-discovery, following a young woman navigating the complexities of her 20s and 30s in Oslo.

Cha Cha Real Smooth

A tender, heartfelt story about a college graduate who forms an unexpected bond with a single mom and her autistic daughter, finding connection and purpose along the way.

Columbus

A meditative film about two strangers who bond over architecture and their shared struggles with family, finding solace in their quiet connection.

This may contain: a man and woman sitting on a bench in front of a tall building at night

Lady Bird

A deeply relatable coming-of-age story about a high school senior navigating her strained relationship with her mother while dreaming of a bigger life beyond Sacramento.

This may contain: two people laying on the floor with food in their hands and looking up at them

Someone Great

A vibrant and emotional story about friendship, heartbreak, and new beginnings as a young woman navigates a major breakup with the help of her best friends.

This may contain: a woman sitting on a train looking at her cell phone and writing something in her hand

Frances Ha

A charming and bittersweet portrait of a young woman chasing her dreams and navigating relationships in New York City with humour and grace.

This may contain: a person riding a skateboard down a street next to a crosswalk with people standing on the sidewalk

Lost In Translation

A beautifully melancholic story about two lonely souls finding a profound connection in the bustling, alienating world of Tokyo.

Her

A deeply moving and thought-provoking exploration of love and technology, following a man who falls for an advanced AI operating system.

This may contain: a man standing on top of a building looking out at the city lights in the distance

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

A timeless classic about Holly Golightly, a glamorous yet enigmatic socialite in New York City, whose carefree facade masks her longing for love and belonging.

This may contain: a woman sitting at a table reading a book

Letters To Juliet

A heartwarming journey through the Italian countryside as a young woman helps an older woman reconnect with her long-lost love, discovering her own romance along the way.

This may contain: a woman sitting at a table reading a piece of paper

Little Women

A beautifully crafted adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, following the joys, struggles, and ambitions of the March sisters as they come of age.

This may contain: a group of women standing around a table with food on top of it and candles in front of them

Pride and Prejudice

A timeless romance about Elizabeth Bennet, a sharp-witted young woman, and Mr. Darcy, a reserved yet proud gentleman, as they navigate misunderstandings, societal expectations, and their growing feelings for one another.

This may contain: the woman is getting her hair done in front of an old fashioned mirror and table

Sabrina

A charming romantic tale of a chauffeur’s daughter who transforms from a shy young woman into a sophisticated beauty, capturing the hearts of two wealthy brothers.

This may contain: a man and woman sitting in the driver's seat of a car with a dog

Booksmart

A hilarious and heartfelt comedy about two overachieving best friends determined to make up for lost time by cramming four years of fun into one wild night.

This may contain: two women standing next to each other in a room

Before Sunrise

A beautifully intimate film about two strangers who meet on a train and spend one magical night exploring Vienna, sharing their dreams, fears, and fleeting connection.

Past Lives

A poignant story about childhood friends reuniting years later, grappling with love, fate, and the paths not taken in their intertwined lives.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

An inspiring and visually stunning tale of a daydreamer who embarks on a real-life adventure to find courage, love, and the extraordinary in the ordinary.

This may contain: a man is standing on the street holding a briefcase

Soulmate

A haunting and heartfelt tale of friendship, grief, and the search for closure.

This may contain: two young women looking at their cell phones

Ruby Sparks

A whimsical yet poignant story about a struggling writer who creates the perfect woman in his novel, only to find her come to life with unexpected consequences.

This may contain: two people sitting in the back seat of a car at night, one is hugging the other

The Spectacular Now

A heartfelt coming-of-age story about a charismatic high school senior whose carefree outlook is challenged by a thoughtful and grounded classmate.

This may contain: two young people standing next to each other on a dirt road with trees in the background

Tune In For Love

A tender Korean romance about two people who meet by chance during a radio show in the 1990s and navigate years of missed connections and enduring love.

This may contain: a man and woman standing next to each other

C’mon C’mon

A beautifully intimate film about an uncle and his young nephew embarking on a cross-country journey, discovering the power of connection and family.

This may contain: a man holding a child in his arms while walking down the street with other people

The Peanut Butter Falcon

A heartwarming adventure about a young man with Down syndrome chasing his wrestling dreams, and the unlikely friendships he forms along the way.

This may contain: two people sitting on a dock looking at the water

House of Hummingbird

A quiet and deeply moving coming-of-age story about a lonely girl in 1990s Seoul, navigating family, friendships, and the search for meaning in her life.

This may contain: a group of people sitting around a table in a kitchen at night with lights on

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

A touching and relatable coming-of-age story about a shy teenager finding friendship, love, and healing while grappling with past trauma.

This may contain: a group of people sitting at tables in a restaurant with food and drinks on the table

The Breakfast Club

Five high school students from different cliques spend a Saturday in detention, discovering that despite their differences, they share more in common than they ever imagined.

This may contain: the group of people are dancing together in the hallway

One Million Yen Girl

A bittersweet Japanese film about a young woman seeking independence and self-discovery as she moves from town to town, working to save one million yen at each stop.

< continued list here >

< my book here >

films that have healed me

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