Depressing films you love

[Soviet Heavy]

In before Grave of the Fireflies.

Anyways, despite my distance from anime, I recently watched Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade in full for the first time. God damn that movie is depressing as hell. But I loved how well detailed it was, and just how frighteningly real the alternate world it is set in could theoretically be.

The soundtrack really drove home just how harsh and yet faintly hopeful the world was. I really, really enjoyed it, even if I felt drained by the end. Felt real bad for Fuse, pretty much having his humanity destroyed by actions out of his control.

Anyways, got some sad films that you really like? I also really enjoyed Schindler's List, but holy hell it takes its toll on you.

 

[General Twinkletoes]

Damn you and you inb4

I can't think of any others tbh...

 

[Marter]

My two are "Snow Angels" and "The Poker House." Look them up. They're both great.

 

[Vault101]

Requiem for a dream and pans labryth

depressing can be good if its done right *coughthatgameiwontmentioncough*

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Requiem for a dream and pans labryth

depressing can be good if its done right *coughthatgameiwontmentioncough*

Oh I forgot about Pan's Labrynth. That movie was fascinating.

 

[Hollyday]

The Constant Gardener - possibly the least exciting title in film history (wait no, that prize goes to 'The Town') but is absolutely wonderful, due in no small part to Ralph Fiennes' superhuman acting ability.

The Mist - although I do think it takes depressing endings to an extreme which is perhaps a little unnecessary! I watched it with my Dad and I don't think we could speak to each other for about half an hour afterwards.

 

[bobmus]

The Pianist is depressing as hell, but pretty good I guess.

However, nothing quite beats the goodness/depression ratio of Million Dollar Baby.

 

[thylasos]

The only depressing film (which I like) I can think of is more... beautifully melancholic.

Russian Ark, regardless.

 

[Eamar]

Pan's Labyrinth is the first that comes to mind.

Blade Runner, while not necessarily all depressing is often pretty bleak, especially if you watch the "real" (director's cut) version, and the bits that make me cry are my favourites. Fucking love that movie...

 

[Casual Shinji]

The OP mentioned the two movies that I watched once and then never again because of how fucking depressing they where.

Also, Lilja 4-ever. Starts off with a Russian teenage girl getting abandoned by her mother and only gets worse from then on. WAY worse!!!

 

[SckizoBoy]

A Bridge Too Far - not really depressing per se, but the book can be poignant, heartwarming, heartrending and humorous in the space of one page.

Shadowlands - CS Lewis, not depressing, depressing, just very melancholic.

Stalingrad - 'cos fuck Enemy At the Gates, is why... but seriously, terrific film and a good illustration of how war can fuck soldiers over.

Spartacus - *shrug* it counts dunnit?

Sure there're a few more depressing films that I enjoy...

 

[DJjaffacake]

50 Dead Men Walking, if that counts as depressing.
And I'll really push the premise and say Saving Private Ryan.

 

[Raven's Nest]

The Road... Post apocalyptic dread fest with Viggo Mortenson.

That was both an amazing film and depressing as fuck.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

The Road was very bleak, but I enjoyed it a lot.

Also, I watched Hara-Kiri: Death of a samurai just last night and it was kickass. Miike doesn't just do quirky anymore.

 

[Little2Raph]

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Loved the movie, but the I found the ending quite depressing. In fact, that goes for most Chinese historical epics I've seen.

Another movie I really like but find depressing is The Crow (the first one - I've not seen any of the sequels). I'd also mention A.I. - but I didn't actually like that movie at all, mainly because it was so damn depressing.

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

District 9.

Sure MMU will get trouble but Fundiswa (the new guy that went with Wilkus) is awaiting trial for exposing his companies illegal genetic programmes, Wilkus has completely transformed and the relocation of the aliens to District 10 was successful.

 

[malestrithe]

Because I can't say Grave of the Fireflies, I guess that I must choose Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal as my depressing movie that I love. This movie is set when Kenshin was the Manslayer. He find someone who grows to love him and leads something of a normal life, until she was "kidnapped" and he goes to rescues her, essentially going through a suicide run.

 

[Zetsubou-Sama]

Never Let Me Go sci-fi/dystopia at it's best, very subtle too.
Norwegian Wood, based on Haruki Murakami's most depressing novel.
5cm per second in case you like anime