Requiem for a Dream

This psychological drama is Darren Aronofsky’s masterpiece. Starring the boyishly handsome Jared Leto, the stunning Jennifer Connelly, and Ellen Burstyn, who earned an Oscar nomination for her role. It shows the tragic impact of drug and medication addiction—but not in a typical way. The final scenes are so intense that I just can’t watch them again.

Grave of the Fireflies

This Japanese anime will break your heart. It follows the fate of orphaned siblings during World War II. I watched it completely unaware, never realizing anime could be so deeply moving. I loved it and would watch it again—but not if it means crying for an hour and a half.

Into the Wild

Christopher McCandless is a 22-year-old recent graduate with his whole life ahead. But he chooses to hitchhike into the Alaskan wilderness to experience life untamed. The ending hit me hard, and learning it’s based on a true story was shocking. A beautiful film, but no amount of money could get me to watch it again.

What Dreams May Come

When I first saw this movie, I only knew it was a "romantic fantasy" starring Robin Williams, so I expected a lighthearted time. Instead, it tells the story of Williams’ character who dies in a car accident and goes to heaven, while his wife can’t cope with grief and ends up in hell. He risks everything to find her in the afterlife.

The Masters of Time

Hearing it’s a French-Hungarian sci-fi animation, you might expect a fun kids’ movie. But this is a serious, heart-wrenching story. It’s a stunning film that still holds up today, but many scenes are too intense for little ones. My sister and I tried watching it again as adults, but some parts brought back childhood fears and sadness so strongly we had to stop.

Uncut Gems

This psychological drama doubles as a crime thriller and finally gave Adam Sandler a chance to shine beyond his usual comedies. It’s fast-paced, loud, and keeps you on edge the whole time. The ending is painfully cathartic. Everyone agrees it’s a masterpiece, but no one wants to relive the experience.

Bicycle Thieves

Among modern films, this older 1948 black-and-white classic also made the list. Directed by the legendary Italian Vittorio De Sica, it’s often ranked among the world’s best films. Set in post-war Rome, the story follows Antonio, who is devastated when his bike is stolen. Since he’s very poor and needs the bike for work, he and his young son Bruno set out to find it.

Hereditary

This supernatural horror was so well-received by critics and audiences alike that it became a classic right away—and for good reason. It follows the grieving Graham family’s ordeal as more and more disturbing and unimaginably terrible family secrets come to light.

Blue Valentine

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams deliver stunning performances in this romantic—and tragic—drama. It feels so real that some scenes seem like they’re taken straight from your own messy relationship. A painfully beautiful film that’s enough to watch just once.

A Serbian Film

This film is often labeled a horror, featuring an aging porn star who agrees to appear in a controversial "art film". During filming, he’s coerced into increasingly disturbing acts. It crosses so many boundaries that it’s been banned in several countries. Some see it as a brutal, taboo-breaking social critique; others find it shockingly soulless and sadistic.