Thinking Weekly

There are some films i’ve seen that are so devastating that they need to change the genre to horror, these are them. (no spoilers)

#5 Manchester by the Sea (2016)

Directed by Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea features Casey Affleck delivering the performance of a lifetime in this heartbreaking portrayal of grief and family dynamics. The film shows the profound impact of loss, showing how it affects families in deeply personal ways. Its raw realism is almost nauseating, pulling you in and making you feel every emotion the characters go through. Like a jumpscare in a horror movie, it shocking and overwhelming, hence it’s spot on this list.

#4 My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Directed by Gus Van Sant, My Own Private Idaho is one of the most devastating gay films of the ’90s. Starring River Phoenix as Mike and Keanu Reeves as Scott, it explores their evolving relationship as they navigate their hustler lifestyle and transition into adulthood. The film examines the impact of privilege and the longing for acceptance, delivering one of the most heart-wrenching “gay” stories ever put on screen. It’s a film that will leave you in tears long after the credits roll.

#3 Aftersun (2022)

Charlotte Wells delivers a life-changing story in Aftersun, centered on Calum (Paul Mescal) and Sophie (Frankie Corio), a father and daughter on holiday together. The narrative is framed as a flashback, with an adult Sophie reliving time spent with her father 20 years earlier. Without giving too much away, even if you can predict the ending, every moment of the film feels like an emotional gut punch. (Side note: I highly recommend watching it twice—the second viewing is even worse for your emotions.)

#2 Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Call Me By Your Name is one of the most iconic gay films of recent years and among the few to break into the mainstream. The story follows Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and Oliver (Armie Hammer), exploring themes of desire, first love, and the bittersweet nature of situationships. The film captures the intensity of longing and heartbreak, delivering some of the most devastating 30 minutes of cinema, alongside beautifully intimate moments. It set a new standard for modern romantic dramas, and it was tough not to place this at #1 on this list.

Honorable Mentions

So many films came to mind while creating this list, but I couldn’t include them all. Before revealing my #1 pick, here are a few more of my favorite gut-wrenching movies:

All of Us Strangers (2023), directed by Andrew Haigh
Brokeback Mountain (2005), directed by Ang Lee
Dead Poets Society (1989), directed by Peter Weir
Mommy (2014), directed by Xavier Dolan
Moonlight (2016), directed by Barry Jenkins
Past Lives (2023), directed by Celine Song
The Whale (2022), directed by Darren Aronofsky

#1 Beautiful Boy (2018)

In what I believe to be one of the most devastating films of our time, Felix van Groeningen directs Beautiful Boy, a powerful story about a father (Steve Carell) and his son (Timothée Chalamet) as they navigate the struggles of addiction, family dynamics, and their attempts to understand each other. Some moments in this film are more terrifying than scenes from some of the scariest horror movies I’ve seen. It rips your heart out, mends it, only to tear it apart again. Steve Carell’s portrayal of a loving father and Timothée Chalamet’s depiction of a suffering son are so perfectly in sync that you get dragged down with them during their lows and get pulled to the top during their peaks. Truly a must-watch for those looking for a good heartbreak.

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