Movies are meant to strike up varying emotions in audiences. From horror, joy, and grief, movies are an excellent device to hone important messages about relationships, and notably, loss. Here are 11 movies that accurately portray the feelings of familial loss.
11 P.S. I Love You (2007)
A heartbreaking tale of love gone too soon, P.S. I Love You follows the story of Holly, a woman trying to move on with her life after her husband’s premature death. As Holly navigates the stages of grief, she starts watching videos recorded for her by Gerry during his final months alive. From visiting Gerry’s homeland to reconnecting with her estranged mother, Holly finds closure as each video reiterates Gerry’s love for her, pushing Holly to continue with her life.
10 Little Women (2019)
This 2019 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel takes audiences on a journey of self-discovery and loss. The plot follows Jo Marsh, an aspiring writer in the late 1800s who feels stifled by gender norms and society’s expectation that she marry. As Jo pushes to make herself known as a writer, she deals with her family losses, from a father whose fate remains uncertain as he fights in the war, to a sister who succumbs to the repercussions of scarlet fever.
Nevertheless, Jo pushes forward to sustain her family, fight for individuality in a male-dominated society, and succeed as a writer. Little Women is a sorrowful tale that shows audiences the reality of 1800s Civil War tensions and its effect on family life.
9 The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
Another coming-of-age novel adaption, The Fault In Our Stars hits home in the saddest of ways. Following the story of Hazel and Augustus, The Fault In Our Stars explores illness, young love, and dealing with death early in life. When Hazel and Augustus meet at a patient support group, they bond over their shared love for literature, which prompts a trip to Europe for Hazel to meet her favorite author.
Though the trip proves bittersweet for the pair, meeting a mean-spirited author unlike the one they imagined, Hazel and Augustus finally embrace their love for each other. Shortly after, Augustus confesses his illness has returned and that it is terminal, leading to his death in the weeks that follow. While the movie ends with Hazel contemplating her experiences with Augustus, she embraces the novelty behind loving even when death is fast approaching.
8 The Lovely Bones (2009)
The Lovely Bones is a deep character study of one family’s grieving process after losing their oldest daughter. Narrated by the wandering spirit of Susie Salmon, audiences see how her death has affected the lives of each of her family members, and how they each deal with it in conducive and destructive manners. From repressed anger, and separation, to taking justice in their own hands, The Lovely Bones is a dark yet whimsical look into the afterlife as told by a character that lost the most important thing in her life, life itself.
7 My Sister’s Keeper (2009)
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A very loose adaptation from the 2004 novel, My Sister’s Keeper follows the story of sisters, Anna and Kate. Anna is conceived for one purpose, to save her sister from an early death by providing blood and other stem cells to Kate. Whereas Anna dies in a plot twist in the novel, saving Kate in the process, the movie adaptation shows how Kate’s slow death and the aftermath both divides, and then reunites each member of the Fitzgerald family. A tear-jerker through and through.
6 The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Sixth Sense tends to be celebrated for being one of the most interesting psychological horror films of its time. Nevertheless, it’s a look into grief through family loss. From Cole’s encounters with various ghosts and their attempts to reconnect with their loved ones, Malcolm’s frustration over slowly losing his wife, and lastly, Malcolm realizing he lost his life at the beginning of the film, The Sixth Sense depicts family loss in a raw fashion not many other movies manage to.
5 Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary uses the supernatural as a narrative tool to depict family loss. Following the death of her mother, Annie Graham deals with her feelings of guilt over their estranged relationship, which reflects upon her relationship with her children, Peter and Charlie. When Charlie herself meets a tragic end shortly after, Annie tries to connect with the afterlife to say her final goodbyes to Charlie and get her closure, unbeknownst to Annie that she’s about to unleash a curse upon her remaining family.
An ominous tale about the various outlets for dealing with familial loss, Hereditary lingers with audiences long after watching it.
4 Midsommar (2019)
Another Ari Aster film on the list, Midsommar focuses on family loss from close family to crumbling romantic relationships. When Dani’s entire family dies in a disturbing accident incited by Dani’s sister, Dani joins her boyfriend, Christian, and their friends in a Midsummer festival in Sweden.
As things take a turn for the worse quickly, Dani realizes she’s a key player in a ritualistic ceremony where Christian’s fate lies in the balance. A study into grief, abusive relationships, and deteriorating mental health, Midsommar shows the destructive force familial loss can have on one single person.
3 This Is Where I Leave You (2014)
This comedy-drama follows the story of Judd Altman, a man who discovers his wife is unfaithful shortly before receiving news of his father’s passing. As Judd and his three siblings come together for their father’s funeral, they must deal with past resentments, family feuds, and former romances. This Is Where I Leave You is ultimately a story about forgiveness and letting go of relationships that no longer serve people.
2 Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close deals with death bringing family closer together. After the death of his father during the 9/11 attack of the World Trade Center, 10-year-old Oskar goes on a mission to find a lock for a key left behind by his father. As Oskar goes through NYC in search of the lock, he meets a host of people that show him kindness, share their own stories of loss, and ultimately bring Oskar closer to his mother, Linda.
A bittersweet tale with a touching ending, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close reminds audiences about the importance of cherishing every moment spent with loved ones.
1 A Good Person (2023)
A Good Person deals with family loss indirectly caused by one family member to another. When Allison accidentally causes her future sister-in-law’s death in a car crash, she goes into a downward spiral with addiction and her guilt. After she joins a peer group for recovery, Allison connects with Daniel, the father of the deceased woman, leading them to form an unlikely friendship over their shared grief.
At its core, A Good Person is a story about learning to forgive oneself for uncontrollable life events.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
