5 Movies that Explore the Difficult Topic of Trauma

Opening up and talking about trauma is something that comes naturally to many of us. Sometimes, certain movies come along that encapsulate our mood or underlying feelings in a way that we can relate to.

Professional help in the form of guided trauma counseling in LA, for instance, can help you to visit and process trauma in a structured way. Watching a movie and discussing the subject matter is another useful way of raising the difficult topic of trauma.

Here are five movies that give you that opportunity.

A film that looks at the trauma experienced by one of life’s icons

Blonde was a film that attracted lots of publicity when it came out, not all of it was positive.

It divides opinions as it talks about the neglect that Norma Jean, the person who became incredibly famous as Marilyn Monroe, experienced in her troubled childhood.

There is little doubt that this iconic film star had a troubled life almost from start to finish. Blonde seeks to analyze how the trauma she experienced had such a powerful impact on her personality and life choices.

Matilda is Roald Dahl’s unique take on childhood trauma

One of the most popular movies that addresses the topic of trauma head-on is Matilda.

It features examples of bullying and parental neglect. Matilda’s parents are so disinterested in her that they don’t even notice her prodigious talents or personality traits. She also gets bullied by her school principal Ms. Trunchball.

What is particularly good about this film is that it manages to talk about trauma and how exposed and fragile Matilda is in a child-friendly way.

The Breakfast Club carries an underlying theme of trauma created by parental abuse

Generally viewed as a classic coming-of-age film, The Breakfast Club actually manages to talk about parental abuse as the common thread that connects the main characters.

It manages to look at verbal and physical abuse and the impact it has on these young

This film is arguably one of Tom Hank’s toughest roles

Forrest Gump is viewed with a level of affection and positivity but the underlying theme of the movie is actually quite dark.

It focuses on how troubled Forrest is about his lifelong friend Jenny and her traumatic childhood. You get to know about her troubled childhood and relationship with an abusive father through interactions with Hank’s character.

The film was critically acclaimed and manages to highlight trauma in a way that only a cinematic experience such as Forrest Gump can manage.

Precious addresses a plethora of difficult and emotive topics

Precious is a film that manages to deliver an accurate portrayal of the trauma experienced by a young black girl who has to contend with obesity, abuse, and poverty.

It is a difficult watch as she appears to be perpetually trapped in a vicious cycle of abuse. There is a positive message at the end as the film demonstrates how a good support system provides the chance to escape the cycle and move on.

If you sit down and watch any of these incredible movies you will be entertained and challenged in equal measure. Trauma is a difficult topic, Talking about it can make such a difference to how you process incredible emotional challenges.