Movies about retirement or retrenchment - 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

Movies about Retirement or Retrenchment

If we missed an essential film about retirement or retrenchment, 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.

Retirement and retrenchment do not only change income; they change identity, the shape of the day, and the people one sees in it. Many find that the loss of a working role and its routines shows up as low mood, restlessness, or a sense of being unmoored long before it is named as such.

Movie Title: The Company Men - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2010

Rated: 6.8

Cast: Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones

Storyline: Three men face retrenchment. They try to survive and give a new direction to their lives.

Movie Title: The Wrestler - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2008

Rated: 7.9

Cast: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Rachel Wood

Storyline: A professional wrestler struggles to cope with retirement but the ring lures him to go back into wrestling.

References and Links

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

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