Solitude is severely misrepresented as a contemporary psycho-sociological or philosophical reality. While the term is frequently used to denote being alone or lonely, the word’s connotation may go much beyond its physical etymology.
A person may be psychologically isolated despite being surrounded by others, or he may be in a remote location distant from civilization, be among a crowd, and still feel alone, or be battling the perception of being alone.
Whatever the case may be, cinema has unquestionably dealt with loneliness and solitude in a more holistic way than any other competitive art form.
Countless films have been made all over the world that have focused on loneliness from a fundamental perspective and have delighted in its many facets since the beginning of cinema.
Surprisingly, the theme of loneliness, as a recurring subject, has been able to create several reel classics over the years and has even succeeded in spawning a new cinematic genre.
We at BuzzPedia took a stand on the issue and compiled a list of films that have helped cinephiles all over the world understand what loneliness or solitude means. Please keep in mind that the films listed in this article, which may or may not fall into other larger genres, all feature solitude or loneliness as a key subject.
Table of Contents
Now that we’ve cleared the decks, let’s get down to business with a list of the best films about loneliness and solitude-
1. Manchester By The Sea
Lee arrives in Massachusetts to find a deceased brother and learns that his nephew Patrick has been named as his guardian.
Lee is haunted by his tragic past with his old hometown, leaving him and Patrick stranded and alone in their grief.
The film tackles the all-consuming anguish and remorse that follows the death of a loved one. All you can do after a certain point is be there for the folks who are still alive.
2. Lost In Translation
A fading movie star and a Yale graduate reluctantly come to Japan. Charlotte merely joined her husband in a commercial where he is the star.
They meet in a pub, each immersed in a foreign culture and amid extremely unhappy marriages.
They quickly bond through their common feelings of loneliness and disorientation, just in time to enjoy themselves in Tokyo. What follows is a lovely romantic comedy that you will remember for the rest of your life.
3. Taxi Driver
Follows the life of Travis Bickle, a young war veteran who drives a taxi at night to get away from his PTSD symptoms, which include insomnia.
Travis is continuously attempting to fill the gaping hole left in him by combat. When he tries and fails horribly at love, he turns his frustration into violence.
The film depicts a former “hero’s” impotence and loneliness, as well as the lengths to which he will go to reclaim his sense of control and power.
4. Her
“Her” is the narrative of Theodore’s loneliness between losing someone he grew up with and discovering love with someone who is so quiet and understanding that he will never meet.
We observe the people around him dealing with their losses while he falls in love with his AI.
“Her” is a warm hug for your loneliest days, from the movie’s soft color palette to Theodore’s love letters and the hope of love even in their absence.
5. Frozen
Elsa’s “Kingdom of Isolation,” Anna’s leaping at the first signs of affection following a wonderful “Do you want to build a snowman?”
Kristoff stays away from people to avoid being wounded and declares, “Reindeers are better than humans.” Olaf’s ongoing need for friendships depicts a group of lonely people, and the remedy is Olaf’s life philosophy, “Make friends.” With the company, everything is going well.”
6. Seven Pounds
Ben Thomas works as a sales representative, assisting customers and scrutinizing everyone he encounters.
While his activities at first appear to be regular, it quickly becomes apparent that he is ticking people off a list of good and bad.
As Ben’s masks slip away, we see a lonely person’s masterfully devised plot for redemption, the lengths to which someone burdened by guilt would go to clear their conscience. The pain of discovering the truth is not for the faint of heart.
7. Interstellar
Are you even a sci-fi fan if you haven’t looked for ghosts in the back of your bookshelves? Interstellar is a science fiction film set in the year 2067 about a group of scientists who fly to space in search of possible livable planets.
To make matters worse, they are alone and powerless in another galaxy while their loved ones age and die on a livable planet. People, it’s Christopher Nolan.
8. Joker
The film revealed what was causing all of the fear. Joker’s biography depicts him as a comedian who is constantly humiliated and helpless in the face of disease, assault, and rejection.
Arthur becomes a comedian as his madness takes over his search for his parentage, revenge, and the execution of his twisted concept of justice.
A small bit of assistance and understanding would have aided Arthur far more than we could have imagined. It’s a strange world to be alone in, isn’t it?
9. Up
This Disney classic begins with a montage of Carl and Ellie’s love throughout their lives. They met as young explorers who shared a desire to visit Paradise Falls.
Carl is a grumpy old guy who lives only for their shared dream, years after Ellie’s death. He floats his house and whatever he has left of his life with Ellie, forming an odd bond with a young child striving for recognition.
A touching story of how lonely the world can be after losing someone you care about.
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