8 Movies About Schizophrenia

Movies can be a powerful way to understand schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. Although some movies include inaccurate or harmful stereotypes, others offer thoughtful portrayals that can raise public awareness. If you or a loved one is living with schizophrenia, seeing this condition depicted in popular media can spark interesting conversations about stigma and representation.

In this article, we’ll discuss eight movies featuring different aspects of schizophrenia — from hallucinations to social withdrawal — and how accurately they portray people with schizophrenia.

1. ‘Repulsion’ (1965)

This black-and-white psychological thriller follows a young woman, Carol Ledoux, who becomes withdrawn and begins hallucinating while living alone in her apartment. The film captures the sense of paranoia one can experience during a mental health episode.

As with many horror films, “Repulsion” draws an association between mental illness and danger. This can lead to a common misconception about schizophrenia if taken too literally.

2. ‘Clean, Shaven’ (1993)

This independent 1993 film follows the journey of a man with schizophrenia, Peter Winter, who’s trying to reconnect with his long-lost daughter after his discharge from a psychiatric hospital. One unique aspect of the film is that it uses experimental techniques, playing with audio distortions, to give viewers a sense of his experience of life with schizophrenia.

“Clean, Shaven” offers a rare perspective on what auditory hallucinations may be like for some people. This depiction of schizophrenia also highlights some of the challenges that occur when entering back into society after spending time living in a psychiatric institution.

Many note that this film is extremely intense and, at times, difficult to watch. Keep in mind that it also depicts Winter being physically violent, a stereotype that isn’t true for the majority of people living with schizophrenia.

Though a less widely known film, “Clean, Shaven” offers a unique view of some of the symptoms of schizophrenia from the perspective of a person living with it.

3. ‘Donnie Darko’ (2001)

Although “Donnie Darko” isn’t advertised as a film about mental health, viewers often interpret the main character’s hallucinations and paranoia as a portrayal of schizophrenia.

This film, featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, portrays how mental health can affect someone in their teenage years. It emphasizes how early episodes of mental illness can cause isolation and confusion for young people.

However, this movie merges science fiction with reality, which may trick viewers into thinking that schizophrenia involves magical thinking, which isn’t always true. While “Donnie Darko” is a classic psychological thriller, it shouldn’t be taken as a literal representation of life with schizophrenia.

4. ‘A Beautiful Mind’ (2001)

Based on a true story, this Oscar-winning film features Russell Crowe as Nobel laureate mathematician John Nash, who lives with schizophrenia. It highlights his delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia as a young man who is building his professional reputation and navigating marriage and fatherhood.

This movie illustrates how people with schizophrenia can have successful lives and relationships with the right support, treatment, and perseverance, although the path to success is not always clear. It also touches on how people with schizophrenia may have symptoms that come and go over time.

However, this film isn’t without its flaws in illustrating schizophrenia. In the movie, some of Nash’s hallucinations are visual, whereas schizophrenia symptoms are more commonly auditory (heard, not seen).

Overall, “A Beautiful Mind” is often praised for reducing stigma and educating the public about historical figures who live with schizophrenia.

5. ‘Canvas’ (2006)

A lesser-known drama, “Canvas” centers its plot around a boy and his father as they cope with his mother’s schizophrenia symptoms.

This film portrays schizophrenia with honesty and uniquely focuses on the impact it can have on family members. It delivers a message of the importance of staying connected and reaching out for support.

Inspired by a true story, this quieter movie has been noted to be emotionally heavy, not shying away from harder moments. When watched with care, this film offers insight into how schizophrenia can impact parent-child relationships.

6. ‘The Soloist’ (2009)

“The Soloist” is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a gifted musician who has schizophrenia, and his relationship with a journalist who tries to help him reconnect with his music.

The film accurately portrays some of the challenges of living with untreated schizophrenia, including housing instability and relationship difficulty. It emphasizes for loved ones and caregivers that compassion and understanding can be more important and helpful than trying to “fix” someone.

However, like many other films, it simplifies the recovery process. In real life, treatment and rebuilding trust can take time for someone living with schizophrenia.

“The Soloist” helps to humanize schizophrenia by offering insight into the complexity of mental health issues.

7. ‘Take Shelter’ (2011)

In this 2011 drama, a construction worker begins having disturbing dreams and visions about an impending storm. As his fears of the apocalypse grow, he struggles to tell the difference between his inner thoughts and the outside world.

This movie portrays a realistic perspective of someone gradually experiencing symptoms of psychosis, including paranoia and hallucinations. It also dives into family dynamics, like the concern of passing down mental illness to one’s children.

Keep in mind that this movie blurs the lines between psychosis and reality, which is realistic for people living with schizophrenia but may be confusing to viewers. Overall, critics have praised this film for its sensitive exploration of mental health.

8. ‘Words on Bathroom Walls’ (2020)

This newer coming-of-age film follows a high school senior newly diagnosed with schizophrenia. He is trying to graduate and begin working as a chef, while also falling in love with a classmate.

This film normalizes mental health treatment, highlighting the protagonist’s experience with therapy, medication, and accommodations. It also addresses some of the unique stigmas faced by youth with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions in the modern era.

Less realistic are the hallucinations experienced by the main character, which are exaggerated and sometimes portrayed humorously.

This movie has been appreciated by young audiences with mental health conditions for its messages of empathy and hope.

Public Awareness Through Pop Culture

For better or for worse, schizophrenia, among many other mental health conditions, has been heavily portrayed in the media. These movies sometimes support untrue stereotypes. One study found 83 percent of movie characters with schizophrenia display violent behaviors, while most people with schizophrenia are not violent.

Still, other aspects of these characterizations are more realistic. For example, the same study found 79 percent of movie characters with schizophrenia are male and 45 percent are from a low socioeconomic status, which is true to the demographics of schizophrenia in the United States.

Movies have a power to influence how we see the world. When you watch these films, keep in mind that living with schizophrenia is a unique experience for everyone. With that consideration, these films can provide a starting point for reflection, connection, and awareness.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MySchizophreniaTeam is the site for people with schizophrenia and their loved ones. On MySchizophreniaTeam, people come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with schizophrenia.

Have you seen any of these movies portraying people with schizophrenia? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments below.