Movies about dissociative identity disorder - Mental Health Related Films

Human lives and behaviour are far more nuanced and emotive than any psychiatric diagnostic system or symptom checklist can ever portray.

Most people recognise aspects of themselves in at least a few psychiatric diagnostic categories. The difference between normal and disorder is not straight forward and often has more to do with degree rather than kind, i.e. does it cause big problems?

While movies are not perfect depictions of reality, they often present themes in relatable, enriching, usefully challenging, and thought-provoking ways.

We invite you to explore mental health through movies that raise awareness, open dialogue, present complexity, entertain, and/or normalise experiences.

Click to see the Ultimate List of Mental Health Movies index

What is Dissociative identity disorder?

Dissociative identity disorder, colloquially termed multiple personality disorder, is a type of dissociative disorder characterised by having two or more distinct identities.

A person with dissociative identity disorder has a “main personality” and alternative personalities or “alters” which may be of different ages or genders. Each identity controls the person's behaviours and thoughts at the times they are present.

A person with dissociative identity disorder may form separate identities to deal with physical and emotional pain.

In psychiatry, the dissociative identity disorder is defined in the DSM-5 (psychiatric diagnostic manual) as follows…

Abridged criteria for Dissociative identity disorder 300.14 (F44.81)

A. Disruption of identity characterised by two or more distinct personality states, which may be described in some cultures as an experience of possession. The disruption in identity involves marked discontinuity in sense of self and sense of agency, accompanied by related alterations in affect, behaviour, consciousness, memory, perception, cognition, and/or sensory-motor functioning. These signs and symptoms may be observed by others or reported by the individual.

B. Recurrent gaps in the recall of everyday events, important personal information, and/ or traumatic events that are inconsistent with ordinary forgetting.

C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D. The disturbance is not a normal part of a broadly accepted cultural or religious practice.

Movies about Dissociative identity disorder

If we missed an essential film about dissociative identity disorder, please let us know. We would love to include it.

Note: Movies may trigger painful memories and emotions. Please use your judgement and ensure support is available if need be.

Movie Title: Busy Inside - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2019

Rated: 8.8

Cast: -

Storyline: A documentary that delves into the lives of individuals, including Marshay, who grapple with dissociative identity disorder, offering an insightful exploration of their experiences and challenges.

Movie Title: Shutter Island - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2010

Rated: 8.2

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo

Storyline: Teddy Daniels, a U.S. Marshal investigating the disappearance of a patient at a mental hospital, unravels a complex web of delusions and discovers that he himself is Andrew Laeddis, a delusional killer with dissociative identity disorder, trapped in a twisted game of psychological manipulation orchestrated by his psychiatrist.

Movie Title: Glass - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2019

Rated: 6.6

Cast: James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson

Storyline: Security guard David Dunn with supernatural abilities confronts Kevin Wendell Crumb, a disturbed man with dissociative identity disorder who possesses twenty-four personalities, as they become entangled in Mr. Glass' plan to expose their powers to the world.

Movie Title: Marrowbone - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2017

Rated: 6.7

Cast: George MacKay, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Mia Goth

Storyline: A woman named Rose Marrowbone brings her four children to their ancestral home, but as secrets unravel, it is revealed that one of the siblings suffers from dissociative identity disorder, leading to a haunting and suspenseful journey.

Movie Title: Kill Me, Heal Me - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2015

Rated: 8.3

Cast: Ji Sung, Hwang Jeong-eum, Park Seo-joon

Storyline: Cha Do Hyun, a third-generation business heir, grapples with dissociative identity disorder, embodying seven distinct characters of different genders and ages as he strives to overcome the traumatic events that triggered his condition.

Movie Title: Waking Madison - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2010

Rated: 5.5

Cast: Sarah Roemer, Elisabeth Shue, Imogen Poots

Storyline: Madison Walker, a woman in New Orleans, grapples with dissociative identity disorder (DID) as she seeks treatment from psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Barnes while dealing with the challenges of an estranged religious fanatic mother and a neglectful father from her past.

Movie Title: Jonathan - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2018

Rated: 5.9

Cast: Ansel Elgort, Suki Waterhouse, Patricia Clarkson

Storyline: Two brothers sharing a single body due to a rare neurological syndrome, leads to a complex exploration of identity and the challenges of coexisting with dual consciousness, resembling elements of dissociative identity disorder.

Movie Title: Anguish - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2015

Rated: 4.6

Cast: Ryan Simpkins, Annika Marks, Karina Logue

Storyline: Tess, a newcomer to town who suffers from a mental disorder, becomes possessed by the strong spirit of Lucy, a teenager who died unexpectedly, leading to a chilling exploration of Tess's struggle with dissociative identity disorder and the paranormal forces at play.

Movie Title: What If It Works? - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2017

Rated: 5.6

Cast: Luke Ford, Anna Samson, Brooke Satchwell

Storyline: Adrian, a cheerful tech nerd, struggles with OCD, while Grace, a talented street artist, battles with dissociative identity disorder, and their paths intertwine in an improbable love story that defies all odds.

Movie Title: Split - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2016

Rated: 7.3

Cast: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson

Storyline: A man diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder kidnaps three girls. They must escape before his 24th personality unleashes.

Movie Title: Me Myself and Irene - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2000

Rated: 6.5

Cast: Jim Carrey, Rene Zellweger

Storyline: A man with a dissociative identity disorder has to escort a woman to New York. Struggles arise when his alter ego comes to light in troublesome times.

Movie Title: The Number 23 - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2007

Rated: 6.4

Cast: Jim Carrey, Virginia Madsen

Storyline: A man with a dissociative identity disorder becomes obsessed with a novel. He hunts for the murderer of the character in the book. The search brings a shocking revelation.

Movie Title: Frankie and Alice - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2010

Rated: 6.5

Cast: Halle Berry, Stellan Skarsgard

Storyline: A stripper struggles with dissociative identity disorder. She decides to get help from a psychotherapist and cooperates as they unearth the root of her alter personalities.

Movie Title: Psycho - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1960

Rated: 8.5

Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles

Storyline: A secretary's life turns tragic and terrifying after she meets a man with dissociative identity disorder while escaping from stealing her employer's money.

Movie Title: Hangover Square - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1945

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Laird Cregar, Linda Darnell, George Sanders

Storyline: A composer who's diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder meets a frustrated singer that caught his attention. The singer becomes one of his other personality's victims.

Movie Title: A Double Life - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1947

Rated: 7.1

Cast: Ronald Colman, Edmond O'Brien, Signe Hasso

Storyline: An actor with dissociative personality disorder bares his soul when he portrays a character from a stage play. Struggles arise when his recent project portrays the murderous jealousy of the main character.

Movie Title: The Three Faces of Eve - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1957

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Joanne Woodward, David Wayne, Lee J. Cobb

Storyline: A woman diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder decides to find the root of the illness, with the help of a psychiatrist. Her third personality helps them both.

Movie Title: David and Lisa - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1962

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Keir Dullea, Janet Margolin, Howard Da Silva

Storyline: A lonely teenager who fears direct contact with people changes as he meets a young woman who has dissociative identity disorder.

Movie Title: Sybil - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1976

Rated: 8

Cast: Joanne Woodward, Sally Field, Brad Davis

Storyline: A teacher who is diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder has 16 personalities and suffers from blackouts. She seeks help from a psychiatrist who works to discover the root of her illness.

Movie Title: Angel Heart - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1987

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Mickey Rouke, Rober De Niro, Lisa Bonet

Storyline: An investigator with a dissociative identity disorder has a new case. He must find a missing singer. The search unfolds the mystery of the singer's disappearance and leads to a shocking revelation.

Movie Title: Raising Cain - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1992

Rated: 6

Cast: John Lithgow, Lolita Davidovich, Steven Bauer

Storyline: A child psychologist is diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder after having a breakdown. Learning that his wife has an affair, suspenseful scenarios arise.

Movie Title: Primal Fear - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1996

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton

Storyline: An attorney believes that his client, an altar boy, is innocent of murdering an archbishop. Things take a turn as the case progresses, revealing the boy has dissociative identity disorder and fooled him which leaves him shamefaced.

Movie Title: Shattered Mind - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1996

Rated: 6

Cast: Heather Locklear, François Chau, John Walter Davis

Storyline: After the death of her father, a woman suffers from dissociative identity disorder where she possesses three personalities.

Movie Title: Perfect Blue - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1997

Rated: 7.8

Cast: Junko Iwao, Ricca Matsumoto, Shinpachi Tsuji

Storyline: A J-pop idol struggles when she met her die-hard fan who has dissociative identity disorder. One of the fan's personality thinks she is the idol.

Movie Title: Fight Club - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1999

Rated: 8.6

Cast: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter

Storyline: The man who narrates the story is suffering from insomnia and has dissociative identity disorder. He meets a soap salesman who runs a secret fight club that changes his life.

Movie Title: Nurse Betty - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2000

Rated: 6.3

Cast: Morgan Freeman, Reneé Zellweger, Curtis Rock

Storyline: A woman suffers from dissociative identity disorder after the death of her husband. Two criminals are after her.

Movie Title: Identity - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2003

Rated: 7.3

Cast: John Cusak, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet

Storyline: A killer with a dissociative identity disorder has a doctor by his side who tries to convince the judge to pity him. As they head to an institution, an unfortunate situation will lead to a tragic outcome.

Movie Title: A Tale of Two Sisters (South Korean) - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2003

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Kap-Su Kim, Jung-ah Yum, Su-Jeong Lim

Storyline: A girl who has dissociative identity disorder goes home after being institutionalised. Upon her arrival, strange phenomena lead to surprising revelations.

Movie Title: Secret Window - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2004

Rated: 6.6

Cast: Johnny Depp, Maria Bello, John Turturro

Storyline: A writer with dissociative identity disorder suffers from a painful divorce when his wife relocates and meets a man who will cause him problems and confusion.

Movie Title: The Uninvited - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2009

Rated: 6.4

Cast: Emily Browning, Arielle Kebbel, Elizabeth Banks

Storyline: A girl with dissociative identity disorder goes home after being institutionalised. Upon her arrival, strange things continue to happen.

Movie Title: Peacock - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2010

Rated: 6.3

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Elliot Page, Susan Sarandon

Storyline: A bank clerk who suffers from dissociative identity disorder tries to keep his life as private as can be. Trouble arises when a freight train crashes into his yard, revealing he is living with someone else.

References and Links

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

More on Dissociative identity disorder: https://www.aamft.org/Consumer_Updates/Dissociative_Identity_Disorder.aspx

Signs and symptoms of Dissociation and Dissociative identity disorder: https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/learn-more-about-conditions/dissociation-and-dissociative-identity-disorder-did/

Dissociative identity disorder according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissociative_identity_disorder#:~:text=Dissociative%20identity%20disorder%20(DID)%2C,be%20explained%20by%20ordinary%20forgetfulness.

Acknowledgements

The above article was written under my close direction and supervision. However, much credit goes to Charlene Poliquit (my right-hand man) and Andri Eigenberger (my beloved aunt) for their huge efforts in bringing this task to life.

Vincenzo Sinisi