The 1999 film Girl, Interrupted, based on Susanna Kaysen’s memoir, is a haunting yet inspiring look at mental health, female friendships, and coming-of-age within the confines of a 1960s psychiatric hospital. Starring Winona Ryder as Susanna and Angelina Jolie in her Oscar-winning role as the charismatic sociopath Lisa, the film’s raw performances and thought-provoking themes have resonated with audiences for over two decades.
If you connected with Girl, Interrupted and are seeking more films that explore similar subjects and evoke the same depth of emotion, look no further. Here are 15 must-watch movies that capture the spirit of this modern classic.
1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Miloš Forman’s adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel is a quintessential film about mental health institutions. Jack Nicholson stars as Randle McMurphy, a criminal who fakes insanity to serve his sentence in a psychiatric hospital. There, he rallies the other patients against the oppressive Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). Like Girl, Interrupted, the film questions the definition of sanity and the treatment of mental illness. It won all five major Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Actor, and Actress.
2. The Virgin Suicides (1999)
Sofia Coppola’s directorial debut, based on Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel, is a dreamy, melancholic portrait of five teenage sisters in 1970s suburban Michigan. After the youngest sister’s suicide attempt, the Lisbon girls are put under strict confinement by their religious parents. Narrated from the perspective of the neighborhood boys who are fascinated by the enigmatic sisters, the film captures the mysteries and tragedies of adolescence. Like Girl, Interrupted, it explores themes of isolation, repression, and the complexities of the female psyche.
3. Prozac Nation (2001)
Based on Elizabeth Wurtzel’s bestselling memoir, Prozac Nation stars Christina Ricci as a young writer struggling with depression during her first year at Harvard. The film candidly depicts her tumultuous relationships, self-destructive behavior, and eventual diagnosis with atypical depression. Like Susanna in Girl, Interrupted, Wurtzel’s alter ego grapples with mental illness at a pivotal point in her life, and the film doesn’t shy away from the gritty realities of her experiences.
4. Thirteen (2003)
Catherine Hardwicke’s directorial debut is a raw, unflinching look at the challenges of adolescence. Evan Rachel Wood stars as Tracy, a 13-year-old girl who falls under the influence of the popular and troubled Evie (Nikki Reed, who co-wrote the screenplay). As their friendship deepens, Tracy spirals into a world of drugs, sex, and crime. Like Girl, Interrupted, Thirteen explores the intense bonds between troubled young women and the consequences of risky behavior.
5. Sylvia (2003)
This biographical drama depicts the turbulent life of renowned poet Sylvia Plath, focusing on her marriage to fellow poet Ted Hughes and her struggles with depression. Gwyneth Paltrow delivers a powerful performance as Plath, capturing her brilliance, passion, and inner turmoil. Like Girl, Interrupted, the film sheds light on the challenges of living with mental illness and the ways in which it can impact relationships and creative pursuits.
6. The Hours (2002)
Adapted from Michael Cunningham’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Hours interweaves the stories of three women across different eras, all connected by Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway. Nicole Kidman won an Oscar for her portrayal of Woolf, while Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep play women in the 1950s and 1990s, respectively, who are struggling with depression and questions of identity. Like Girl, Interrupted, the film explores the inner lives of complex women and the ways in which literature can provide solace and understanding.
7. Manic (2001)
Set in a juvenile psychiatric ward, Manic follows a group of troubled teens as they confront their demons and forge connections with one another. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Lyle, a young man grappling with anger issues and trauma. The film’s raw, documentary-like style and improvised dialogue lend it an authenticity that echoes Girl, Interrupted‘s unflinching portrayal of life in a mental institution.
8. Melancholia (2011)
Lars von Trier’s visually stunning film follows two sisters, Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg), as they navigate Justine’s debilitating depression and the impending collision of a rogue planet with Earth. Dunst won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for her portrayal of Justine, whose mental state deteriorates even as the world around her faces destruction. Like Girl, Interrupted, Melancholia offers a poetic and deeply empathetic look at the experience of mental illness.
9. It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
Based on Ned Vizzini’s semi-autobiographical novel, this coming-of-age dramedy follows 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist) as he checks himself into a psychiatric hospital after contemplating suicide. There, he bonds with the other patients, including the charming Bobby (Zach Galifianakis), and learns valuable lessons about life and mental health. Like Girl, Interrupted, the film balances humor and poignancy as it explores the challenges and triumphs of the human experience.
10. 28 Days (2000)
Sandra Bullock stars as Gwen Cummings, a successful writer whose alcohol and drug addiction spirals out of control, leading to a court-ordered 28-day rehab stint. As she reluctantly embarks on her journey to sobriety, Gwen forms bonds with her fellow patients and confronts the root causes of her addiction. Like Girl, Interrupted, 28 Days offers a candid look at the process of recovery and the power of human connection.
11. Heavenly Creatures (1994)
Directed by Peter Jackson and based on a true story, Heavenly Creatures depicts the intense friendship between two teenage girls, Pauline Parker (Melanie Lynskey) and Juliet Hulme (Kate Winslet), in 1950s New Zealand. As their bond deepens and their rich fantasy life becomes all-consuming, their parents attempt to separate them, with tragic consequences. Like Girl, Interrupted, the film explores the blurring of reality and imagination and the potential dangers of codependent relationships.
12. Margot at the Wedding (2007)
Noah Baumbach’s dark comedy stars Nicole Kidman as Margot, a neurotic writer who visits her estranged sister Pauline (Jennifer Jason Leigh) on the eve of her wedding to the unemployed artist Malcolm (Jack Black). As old tensions resurface and secrets are revealed, Margot’s presence threatens to unravel the already fragile family dynamics. Like Girl, Interrupted, the film offers a sharp, unflinching look at complex family relationships and the ways in which mental health issues can impact them.
13. The Bell Jar (1979)
Based on Sylvia Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel, this film stars Marilyn Hassett as Esther Greenwood, a talented young writer who becomes increasingly disillusioned with the world around her. As she grapples with societal pressures, a sense of alienation, and her own mental health struggles, Esther descends into a deep depression. Like Girl, Interrupted, The Bell Jar offers a haunting portrait of a brilliant young woman’s battle with mental illness and the societal constraints that exacerbate it.
14. To the Bone (2017)
Lily Collins stars as Ellen, a 20-year-old artist struggling with anorexia nervosa. After multiple failed treatment attempts, she enters a group recovery home led by the unconventional Dr. William Beckham (Keanu Reeves). As Ellen navigates the challenges of recovery and forms bonds with her fellow patients, she begins to confront the deeper issues underlying her eating disorder. Like Girl, Interrupted, To the Bone offers a raw, honest look at the complexities of mental illness and the power of human connection in the healing process.
15. Short Term 12 (2013)
Set in a group home for at-risk teenagers, Short Term 12 follows Grace (Brie Larson), a young supervisor who is dedicated to helping her charges while grappling with her own past traumas. When a troubled new girl named Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) arrives at the facility, Grace finds herself confronting painful memories and reevaluating her own life choices. Like Girl, Interrupted, the film offers a compassionate, nuanced portrayal of mental health struggles and the resilience of the human spirit.
These 15 films, like Girl, Interrupted, offer poignant, thought-provoking explorations of mental health, coming-of-age, and the complexities of the human experience. By shedding light on these often-stigmatized subjects with empathy, honesty, and artistry, they invite viewers to deepen their understanding and compassion for those who struggle with mental illness, and to find hope and beauty in even the darkest of circumstances.
