The five movies to watch while having an existential crisis
We found ourselves retreating to the comfort of cinema when inundated with feelings of worry and uncertainty about our lives. When countless stories are projected onto the silver screen that showcase a range of human experiences similar to our own, it is only natural that we should seek solutions to our problems through watching others do the same, reassured in the knowledge that others have managed to emerge from them relatively unscathed.
Whether it be the indescribable sense of relief that comes from watching The Worst Person in the World and knowing that everyone hates their twenties as much as you do, or the strange sensation of feeling seen in a way that you hadn’t though possible after watching Eighth Grade, films can be a way to put our minds at rest and help sort through complex feelings about the world and our place in it.
But this can be incredibly powerful when we are in the midst of an existential crisis, questioning the meaning of life and grasping at any sense of purpose amongst the chaos. And during times like these, there is perhaps nothing better to do than switch on a film, watch others navigate similar feelings, and figure out how to get through it ourselves.
And during these times, here are five great movies to watch while, revitalising your sense of optimism and acting as chicken soup for the soul.
The five movies to watch while having an existential crisis:
‘Life, and nothing more…’ (Abbas Kiarostami, 1997)
The films of Abbas Kiarostami could be more aptly described as miracles, with an overflowing sense of life and gratitude at the pleasures of living that ooze from every frame. Kiarostami’s work can be split between stories that adopt the perspective of an adult and those that gaze at the world through the eyes of a child, with the latter leading to projects that are touched by this sense of wonder and joy, seeing everything as though for the first time.
This is absolutely the case with his 1997 film Life, and nothing more… which acts as a metatextual follow-up to his 1987 film Where is the Friends House?, following a director who is trying to track down the child actor who starred in his last film after an earthquake. However, this journey is full of ups and downs, with the director travelling through a broken town who are doing their best to move on and being reminded of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of community.
Kiarostami creates a collection of beautifully simple moments that show people sharing stories with each other and trying to make something awful slightly more bearable, but without dwelling on the tragedy of what happened. Life is what you make of it, and the people in the film know that what happened was just one moment, and life will simply carry on as it did before.
‘Wild Strawberries’ (Ingmar Bergman, 1957)
Ingmar Bergman might not always have a reputation for creating life-affirming films, with the director often creating deeply melancholic stories that follow characters who are themselves trapped in the throes of gnarly existential crisis. However, his 1957 film Wild Strawberries is surprisingly a mixture of both, being both comforting and bittersweet as it dwells in the inevitable highs and lows of one life as it nears its end.
The film follows a retired doctor who travels to Sweden to receive an honorary award, encountering a number of people along the way who remind him of moments from his past. It somehow manages to be deeply saddening while also uplifting and enlightening, reflecting on all the moods and moments that make up a life and how it feels to look back and see the cumulative effect of said moments at the end of your time.
It’s about a man who is overwhelmed by nostalgia and all his memories and mistakes, the people who both love and hate him, but all the lives he touched nonetheless. It reminds you of your place in the world, even if its importance is currently lost on you, leaving you feeling hopeful about the uncertainty of the journey ahead of you.
‘After Life’ (Hirokazu Kore-eda, 1998)
After Life exists in a similar realm to Wild Strawberries, both grounded in real life while also floating into some distant dream-like world. The film is one of the highlights from Kore-eda’s filmography, following a group of workers who are tasked with interviewing recently deceased people and helping them choose a single memory to keep for eternity.
It is a deeply existentialist yet miraculously gentle story, existing in a peaceful world where people share their greatest memories and reflect on the people who most touched their lives, encouraging us to reflect on what is truly important and the moments we want to keep with us forever. Ultimately, Kore-eda argues that the greatest gift is to be part of someone’s chosen final memory, and often, how the overlooked everyday moments can be the most poignant.
‘Y Tu Mamá También’ (Alfonso Cuarón, 2001)
Despite the constant innuendos, Alfonso Cuarón’s 2001 film is surprisingly devastating, charting two boys as they have the summer of their lives, only to be met with the crushing reality of adult life and realise that life will never be the same again. While the sexual escapades of these teenagers might seem childish, there’s an innocence to their youthful exuberance that is captivatingly nuanced, creating a snapshot of what it means to be young and infatuated with the simple pleasures of life.
There’s a beautiful heart at the core of this film, showing what it feels like to be at one with the world and have your whole life before you, ending with the harsh reality that this summer marked the beginning and end of this outlook and this type of joy was never seen again. It reminds us to stay in tune with our younger selves and not let go of the way we used to view the world, seeing beauty in everything and everyone, and being overwhelmed by every possibility.
‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, 1952)
I firmly believe that there is nothing a good old-fashioned musical can’t fix, with nearly every qualm and worry drifting away after watching the seminal classic Singin’ In The Rain. From the very first frame, the Technicolour magic transports you to another world where Hollywood pictures were full of life, with sweat, blood and tears going into every film as artists devoted themselves to a once-thriving medium.
The story of the transition from silent to talking pictures is now a staple within cinematic history, from the vibrant sets, infectiously glorious musical numbers and delightful chemistry between the three lead actors. It is impossible to watch the ‘Make Em’ Laugh’ sequence without a smile on your face, and for this reason, it remains as my ultimate cure-all for any bout of sadness or melancholia, immediately elevating your spirits as though you are as carefree as Gene Kelly while singing in the rain.
