Movies about domestic violence and abuse - 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 straightforward 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 Domestic Violence and Abuse?

Domestic violence and abuse can be defined as a pattern of behaviour where the purpose is to gain control over a spouse, partner, or family member. Domestic violence is not physical violence alone. It takes a number of forms, including verbal, emotional, economic and sexual abuse.

Movies about Domestic Violence and Abuse

If we missed an essential film about domestic violence and abuse, 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: I Was Lorena Bobbitt (TV Movie) - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2020

Rated: 6.0

Cast: Jorja Cadence, Niamh Wilson, Patrice Goodman

Storyline: Based on a true story, Lorena Bobbitt bravely confronts the dark cycle of domestic violence and abuse she endured, leading to the shocking act of severing her husband's penis, and sheds light on the complex dynamics and societal attitudes surrounding such issues.

Movie Title: A Vigilante - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2018

Rated: 5.7

Cast: Olivia Wilde, Morgan Spector, Kyle Catlett

Storyline: Olivia Wilde portrays a survivor of domestic violence who transforms into a vigilante seeking justice for victims of abuse, navigating the delicate balance between her own traumatic past and the pursuit of retribution against perpetrators.

Movie Title: The Boyfriend

Release: 2012

Rated: 6.9

Cast: John James, Mirabel Stuart, Louis Turner

Storyline: A young woman struggles to escape the domestic abuse she suffers from her psychotic boyfriend.

Movie Title: Song of the Shattered

Release: 2010

Rated: 6.6

Cast: Devanny Pinn, Brandon Slagle, Tara Cardinal

Storyline: A young woman, who was a victim of domestic abuse, finds that moving on with her life after killing her abusive husband is harder than she initially anticipated.

Movie Title: Good Morning, Verônica (TV Series)

Release: 2020

Rated: 7.5

Cast: Tainá Müller, Silvio Guindane, Elisa Volpatto

Storyline: After witnessing a suicide, an unobtrusive police clerk, deeply affected by the tragedy, takes it upon herself to independently investigate two neglected cases involving women who have suffered from domestic abuse.

Movie Title: Maid (TV Series)

Release: 2021

Rated: 8.4

Cast: Margaret Qualley, Nick Robinson, Rylea Nevaeh Whittet

Storyline: Alex, a young mother escapes her abusive husband. She navigates poverty, domestic violence, and the challenges of starting anew to create a better life for herself and her daughter.

Movie Title: Fishbowl Wives (TV Series)

Release: 2022

Rated: 6.2

Cast: Ryôko Shinohara, Masanobu Andô, Takanori Iwata

Storyline: In a luxury apartment tower, six different women in unhappy marriages, who experience domestic abuse, end up crossing the line into infidelity.

Movie Title: Ride or Die

Release: 2021

Rated: 5.6

Cast: Kiko Mizuhara, Honami Satô, Shinya Niiro

Storyline: Rei helps the woman she has been in love with for years in fleeing her abusive husband. Their affections for each other ignite while they are on the run.

Movie Title: Gimme Shelter - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2013

Rated: 6.4

Cast: Vanessa Hudgens, Rosario Dawson, Brendan Fraser

Storyline:

Movie Title: Ulven kommer

Release: 2020

Rated: 7.7

Cast: Bjarne Henriksen, Flora Ofelia Hofmann Lindahl, Christine Albeck Børge

Storyline: Social worker, Lars Madsen, has only a few weeks to find out who is telling the truth in a family which may be suffering from domestic violence.

Movie Title: Gas Light - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1944

Rated: 7.9

Cast: Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten

Storyline: A famous opera singer falls in love with a man who has an antisocial personality disorder. She becomes a victim of domestic violence and abuse. He tries to manipulate her using gas lights to hide his dark secret.

Movie Title: What's Love Got To Do With It - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1993

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Ra'Ven Larrymore Kelly, Virginia Capers

Storyline: Based on the life of the legendary singer, Tina Turner, who is a victim of domestic violence and abuse. She has to make a tough decision in her life.

Movie Title: Men Don't Tell

Release: 1993

Rated: 6.7

Cast: Peter Strauss, Judith Light, James Gammon, Noble Willingham

Storyline: A loving husband is falsely accused of domestic violence and abuse by his wife. He tries to protect his children against his abusive wife.

Movie Title: The Burning Bed - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1984

Rated: 7.2

Cast: Farrah Fawcett, Paul Le Mat, Richard Masur, Grace Zabriskie

Storyline: A woman suffers domestic violence and abuse from her husband for almost a decade. She has to make a tough decision to escape from her abusive spouse.

Movie Title: Sleeping With the Enemy - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1991

Rated: 6.1

Cast: Julia Roberts, Patric Bergin, Kevin Anderson, Elizabeth Laurence

Storyline: A woman fakes her death in order to flee from domestic violence and abuse. Her husband is convinced that she is alive and tracks her down.

Movie Title: Dangerous Child - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2001

Rated: 6.4

Cast: Delta Burke, Ryan Merriman, Vyto Ruginis, Marc Donato

Storyline: A single mother is suspected of child abuse when in fact, she is a victim of domestic violence and abuse.

Movie Title: A Cry for Help

Release: 1989

Rated: 4.5

Cast: Nancy McKeon, Dale Midkiff, Graham Jarvis

Storyline: Based on a true story, a woman is a victim of domestic violence and abuse. Her abusive husband continues to torment her. She struggles to get the police to take her situation seriously.

Movie Title: When No One Would Listen

Release: 1992

Rated: 4

Cast: Michele Lee, James Farentino, Cicely Tyson, Thomas Ian Nicholas

Storyline: A woman is married to an abusive husband. The domestic violence and abuse gets worse when she starts to work at a bakery and becomes close to other people.

Movie Title: Once Were Warriors - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1994

Rated: 4.5

Cast: Temuera Morrison, Rena Owen, Mamaengora Kerr-Bell, Cliff Curtis

Storyline: A violent man lives with his family in urban Auckland. His wife thinks that domestic violence and abuse in the family caused their daughter to commit suicide. The secret is in their daughter's diary.

References and Links

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

What is domestic violence and abuse?: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm

More on domestic violence: https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/what-is-domestic-abuse

Domestic violence according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_violence

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

Photo by Sydney Sims on Unsplash