Thought provoking + Suspenseful + Dark + Emotional + Depressing + Heartbreaking movies

 Emotional  Depressing  Heartbreaking  Thought provoking  Dark  Suspenseful  Tear-jerker  Dramatic
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The Runaways (2010)

DarkDepressingHeartbreaking

Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwomen for The Runaways -- the now-legendary group that paved the way for future generations of female rockers. Under the Svengali-like influence of impresario Kim Fowley ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Floria Sigismondi
CAST:  Kristen Stewart  •  Dakota Fanning  •  Scout Taylor-Compton  •  Alia Shawkat

Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwomen for The Runaways -- the now-legendary group that paved the way for future generations of female rockers. Under the Svengali-like influence of impresario Kim Fowley ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Floria Sigismondi
CAST:  Kristen Stewart  •  Dakota Fanning  •  Scout Taylor-Compton  •  Alia Shawkat

Men, Women & Children (2014)

Thought provokingEmotionalDepressing

Follows the story of a group of high school teenagers and their parents as they attempt to navigate the many ways the internet has changed their relationships, their communication, their self-image, and their love lives.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jason Reitman
CAST:  Rosemarie DeWitt  •  Jennifer Garner  •  Judy Greer  •  Dean Norris

Follows the story of a group of high school teenagers and their parents as they attempt to navigate the many ways the internet has changed their relationships, their communication, their self-image, and their love lives.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jason Reitman
CAST:  Rosemarie DeWitt  •  Jennifer Garner  •  Judy Greer  •  Dean Norris

Sophie's Choice (1982)

Thought provokingEmotionalDepressingHeartbreaking

Stingo, a young writer, moves to Brooklyn in 1947 to begin work on his first novel. As he becomes friendly with Sophie and her lover Nathan, he learns that she is a Holocaust survivor. Flashbacks reveal her harrowing story, from pre-war prosperity to Auschwitz. In ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alan J. Pakula
CAST:  Meryl Streep  •  Kevin Kline  •  Peter MacNicol  •  Rita Karin

Stingo, a young writer, moves to Brooklyn in 1947 to begin work on his first novel. As he becomes friendly with Sophie and her lover Nathan, he learns that she is a Holocaust survivor. Flashbacks reveal her harrowing story, from pre-war prosperity to Auschwitz. In ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alan J. Pakula
CAST:  Meryl Streep  •  Kevin Kline  •  Peter MacNicol  •  Rita Karin

Remember Me (2010)

Thought provokingCharmingDarkEmotional

Still reeling from a heartbreaking family event and his parents' subsequent divorce, Tyler Hawkins discovers a fresh lease on life when he meets Ally Craig, a gregarious beauty who witnessed her mother's death. But as the couple draws closer, the fallout from their ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Allen Coulter
CAST:  Robert Pattinson  •  Pierce Brosnan  •  Emilie de Ravin  •  Chris Cooper

Still reeling from a heartbreaking family event and his parents' subsequent divorce, Tyler Hawkins discovers a fresh lease on life when he meets Ally Craig, a gregarious beauty who witnessed her mother's death. But as the couple draws closer, the fallout from their ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Allen Coulter
CAST:  Robert Pattinson  •  Pierce Brosnan  •  Emilie de Ravin  •  Chris Cooper

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)

Thought provokingEmotionalTear-jerkerHeartbreaking

In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kurt Kuenne
CAST:  Kurt Kuenne  •  Andrew Bagby  •  David Bagby  •  Kathleen Bagby

In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kurt Kuenne
CAST:  Kurt Kuenne  •  Andrew Bagby  •  David Bagby  •  Kathleen Bagby

Everything Must Go (2011)

OriginalDarkEmotionalDepressing

When an alcoholic relapses, causing him to lose his wife and his job, he holds a yard sale on his front lawn in an attempt to start over. A new neighbor might be the key to his return to form.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dan Rush
CAST:  Rebecca Hall  •  Will Ferrell  •  Glenn Howerton  •  Laura Dern

When an alcoholic relapses, causing him to lose his wife and his job, he holds a yard sale on his front lawn in an attempt to start over. A new neighbor might be the key to his return to form.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dan Rush
CAST:  Rebecca Hall  •  Will Ferrell  •  Glenn Howerton  •  Laura Dern

Blood Simple (1984)

Thought provokingSuspensefulDarkDisturbing

The owner of a seedy small-town Texas bar discovers that one of his employees is having an affair with his wife. A chaotic chain of misunderstandings, lies and mischief ensues after he devises a plot to have them murdered.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joel Coen  •  Ethan Coen
CAST:  John Getz  •  Frances McDormand  •  Dan Hedaya  •  M. Emmet Walsh

The owner of a seedy small-town Texas bar discovers that one of his employees is having an affair with his wife. A chaotic chain of misunderstandings, lies and mischief ensues after he devises a plot to have them murdered.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joel Coen  •  Ethan Coen
CAST:  John Getz  •  Frances McDormand  •  Dan Hedaya  •  M. Emmet Walsh

Candy (2006)

DarkDramaticEmotionalDepressing

A poet falls in love with an art student, who gravitates to his bohemian lifestyle — and his love of heroin. Hooked as much on one another as they are on the drug, their relationship alternates between states of oblivion, self-destruction, and despair.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Neil Armfield
CAST:  Abbie Cornish  •  Heath Ledger  •  Geoffrey Rush  •  Tony Martin

A poet falls in love with an art student, who gravitates to his bohemian lifestyle — and his love of heroin. Hooked as much on one another as they are on the drug, their relationship alternates between states of oblivion, self-destruction, and despair.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Neil Armfield
CAST:  Abbie Cornish  •  Heath Ledger  •  Geoffrey Rush  •  Tony Martin

Mies tältä tähdeltä (1958)

Thought provokingEmotionalRealHeartbreaking

Office clerk Eero Koskinen prefers to spend his nights drinking and reminiscing the war with his friends, instead of taking care of his wife and two children. A two-week drinking spree gets him fired, and a new job is not easy to find because of his reputation. He ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Witikka
CAST:  Tauno Palo  •  Pentti Irjala  •  Kaarlo Halttunen  •  Tea Ista

Office clerk Eero Koskinen prefers to spend his nights drinking and reminiscing the war with his friends, instead of taking care of his wife and two children. A two-week drinking spree gets him fired, and a new job is not easy to find because of his reputation. He ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Witikka
CAST:  Tauno Palo  •  Pentti Irjala  •  Kaarlo Halttunen  •  Tea Ista

Ordinary People (1980)

Thought provokingGrippingEmotionalDepressing

Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Conrad is overcome by grief and misplaced guilt to the extent of a suicide attempt. He is in therapy. Beth had always preferred his brother and is having difficulty being ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Redford
CAST:  Donald Sutherland  •  Mary Tyler Moore  •  Judd Hirsch  •  Timothy Hutton

Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Conrad is overcome by grief and misplaced guilt to the extent of a suicide attempt. He is in therapy. Beth had always preferred his brother and is having difficulty being ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Redford
CAST:  Donald Sutherland  •  Mary Tyler Moore  •  Judd Hirsch  •  Timothy Hutton

Soul Bird (2014)

Thought provokingTragicEmotionalHeartbreaking

We must listen to the 'bird' of the soul as well as our hearts in order to soar alongside our destiny. Jova has to make a decision with the love of her life, and can only feel that voice within.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roana Wullinger
CAST:  Daniel Abreu  •  Danielle Drass  •  Matthew McKelligon  •  Morayo Orija

We must listen to the 'bird' of the soul as well as our hearts in order to soar alongside our destiny. Jova has to make a decision with the love of her life, and can only feel that voice within.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roana Wullinger
CAST:  Daniel Abreu  •  Danielle Drass  •  Matthew McKelligon  •  Morayo Orija

Jean de Florette (1986)

Thought provokingBeautifulEmotionalHeartbreaking

In a rural French village, an old man and his only remaining relative cast their covetous eyes on an adjoining vacant property. They need its spring water for growing their flowers, and are dismayed to hear that the man who has inherited it is moving in. They block ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Claude Berri
CAST:  Yves Montand  •  Gérard Depardieu  •  Daniel Auteuil  •  Elisabeth Depardieu

In a rural French village, an old man and his only remaining relative cast their covetous eyes on an adjoining vacant property. They need its spring water for growing their flowers, and are dismayed to hear that the man who has inherited it is moving in. They block ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Claude Berri
CAST:  Yves Montand  •  Gérard Depardieu  •  Daniel Auteuil  •  Elisabeth Depardieu

Detroit (2017)

Thought provokingSuspensefulDarkReal

A police raid in Detroit in 1967 results in one of the largest citizens' uprisings in the history of the United States.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kathryn Bigelow
CAST:  John Boyega  •  Will Poulter  •  John Krasinski  •  Anthony Mackie

A police raid in Detroit in 1967 results in one of the largest citizens' uprisings in the history of the United States.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kathryn Bigelow
CAST:  John Boyega  •  Will Poulter  •  John Krasinski  •  Anthony Mackie

Downhill (1927)

SuspensefulBrilliantDarkEmotional

Roddy, first son of the rich Berwick family, is expelled from school when he takes the blame for his friend Tim's charge. His family sends him away and all of his friends leave him alone. Through many life choices that don't work out in his favor, Roddy begins to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alfred Hitchcock
CAST:  Ivor Novello  •  Robin Irvine  •  Isabel Jeans  •  Ian Hunter

Roddy, first son of the rich Berwick family, is expelled from school when he takes the blame for his friend Tim's charge. His family sends him away and all of his friends leave him alone. Through many life choices that don't work out in his favor, Roddy begins to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alfred Hitchcock
CAST:  Ivor Novello  •  Robin Irvine  •  Isabel Jeans  •  Ian Hunter

American Pastoral (2016)

Thought provokingComplexDarkDepressing

Set in postwar America, a man watches his seemingly perfect life fall apart as his daughter's new political affiliation threatens to destroy their family.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ewan McGregor
CAST:  Ewan McGregor  •  Jennifer Connelly  •  Dakota Fanning  •  Peter Riegert

Set in postwar America, a man watches his seemingly perfect life fall apart as his daughter's new political affiliation threatens to destroy their family.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ewan McGregor
CAST:  Ewan McGregor  •  Jennifer Connelly  •  Dakota Fanning  •  Peter Riegert

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

DepressingSlow movingComplexDark

Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter who lost everything because of his drinking, arrives in Las Vegas to drink himself to death. There, he meets and forms an uneasy friendship and non-interference pact with prostitute Sera.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mike Figgis
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  Elisabeth Shue  •  Julian Sands  •  Richard Lewis

Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter who lost everything because of his drinking, arrives in Las Vegas to drink himself to death. There, he meets and forms an uneasy friendship and non-interference pact with prostitute Sera.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mike Figgis
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  Elisabeth Shue  •  Julian Sands  •  Richard Lewis

War Horse (2011)

DramaticHeartbreakingThought provokingSuspenseful

On the brink of the First World War, Albert's beloved horse Joey is sold to the Cavalry by his father. Against the backdrop of the Great War, Joey begins an odyssey full of danger, joy, and sorrow, and he transforms everyone he meets along the way. Meanwhile, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Spielberg
CAST:  Tom Hiddleston  •  Benedict Cumberbatch  •  Toby Kebbell  •  Emily Watson

On the brink of the First World War, Albert's beloved horse Joey is sold to the Cavalry by his father. Against the backdrop of the Great War, Joey begins an odyssey full of danger, joy, and sorrow, and he transforms everyone he meets along the way. Meanwhile, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Spielberg
CAST:  Tom Hiddleston  •  Benedict Cumberbatch  •  Toby Kebbell  •  Emily Watson

True Crime (1999)

Tear-jerkerThought provokingSuspensefulTragic

Boozer, skirt chaser, careless father. You could create your own list of reporter Steve Everett's faults but there's no time. A San Quentin Death Row prisoner is slated to die at midnight – a man Everett has suddenly realized is innocent.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clint Eastwood
CAST:  Clint Eastwood  •  Isaiah Washington  •  LisaGay Hamilton  •  Diane Venora

Boozer, skirt chaser, careless father. You could create your own list of reporter Steve Everett's faults but there's no time. A San Quentin Death Row prisoner is slated to die at midnight – a man Everett has suddenly realized is innocent.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clint Eastwood
CAST:  Clint Eastwood  •  Isaiah Washington  •  LisaGay Hamilton  •  Diane Venora

Night Moves (2014)

DarkSlow movingSuspensefulBrainy

The story about three radical environmentalists coming together to execute the most intense protest of their lives: the explosion of a hydroelectric dam.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kelly Reichardt
CAST:  Dakota Fanning  •  Jesse Eisenberg  •  Alia Shawkat  •  Peter Sarsgaard

The story about three radical environmentalists coming together to execute the most intense protest of their lives: the explosion of a hydroelectric dam.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kelly Reichardt
CAST:  Dakota Fanning  •  Jesse Eisenberg  •  Alia Shawkat  •  Peter Sarsgaard

Light It Up (1999)

DepressingHeartbreakingSuspensefulEmotional

On a winter day in a southside Queens high school, events collide and six students are suddenly in an armed standoff with the NYPD. At the school, classrooms freeze, teachers come and go, resources are scant.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Craig Bolotin
CAST:  Usher  •  Forest Whitaker  •  Rosario Dawson  •  Robert Ri'chard

On a winter day in a southside Queens high school, events collide and six students are suddenly in an armed standoff with the NYPD. At the school, classrooms freeze, teachers come and go, resources are scant.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Craig Bolotin
CAST:  Usher  •  Forest Whitaker  •  Rosario Dawson  •  Robert Ri'chard
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