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.

Movie Title: John Wick - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2014

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen

Storyline: John Wick, a retired hitman seeking solace after the loss of his wife, is reluctantly pulled back into the dangerous world he left behind when ruthless criminals disrupt his retirement and ignite a vengeful rampage.

Movie Title: Nobody - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2021

Rated: 7.4

Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Aleksey Serebryakov, Connie Nielsen

Storyline: Hutch Mansell, a seemingly ordinary family man in retirement, unveils his hidden capabilities and embarks on a brutal quest for vengeance after his home is burglarized, entangling him in a violent battle with a Russian crime syndicate.

Movie Title: Creed III - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2023

Rated: 6.9

Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors

Storyline: Set seven years after the events of the previous film, "Creed III" follows Adonis Creed as he settles into a luxurious retirement, only to be drawn back into the world of boxing for a momentous comeback.

Movie Title: No Time to Die - Watch now on Prime

Release: 2021

Rated: 7.3

Cast: Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Rami Malek

Storyline: James Bond retired from active service and is enjoying a peaceful life in Jamaica, but his tranquility is disrupted when he is approached by his old friend from the CIA, Felix Leiter, seeking his help in unraveling a dangerous plot orchestrated by a mysterious villain armed with advanced technology.

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