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An Interview With Writer/Director Adam Finberg

Introduction

On March 13, 1997, thousands of people in Arizona witnessed the largest mass UFO sighting in U.S. history—now famously known as The Phoenix Lights. Among them was 10-year-old Claire, who felt as if the lights called to her. In Star People, years later, Claire (Kat Cunning), now a photographer, is still chasing that moment, hoping to capture the lights on camera and finally make sense of what she saw.

When a mysterious tip leads her deep into the Arizona desert during a deadly heatwave with her UFO streamer boyfriend (Connor Paolo) and troubled brother (McCabe Slye) in tow, they encounter a vulnerable immigrant family whose plight complicates her mission. As tensions rise, Claire searches for the answers she seeks on terra firma and among the stars.

Kat Cunning stars in “Star People” (2025). Photo courtesy of Blue Harbor Entertainment.

Meet Adam Finberg

Filmmaker Adam Finberg grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and moved to Southern California to attend the American Film Institute’s directing program. He has worked as a writer, director, and editor for the past 20 years. Star People is his first feature-length narrative film.

Adam began his career directing music videos (for artists such as Armin van Buuren, Malbec, and Otis) before transitioning to commercial work (for clients including Napoleon Perdis and GoDaddy). His first documentary, After Katrina: Rebuilding St. Bernard Parish, shined a light on the perils and pains of post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.

His first feature documentary, The Business of Recovery, dove into the secret lucrative world of the American addiction treatment industry. The film was featured on Last Week Tonight With John Oliver as it sparked conversations about the rehab industry and was even showcased at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Washington, DC to help guide policy decisions.

Interview

Cinema Scholars’ own Glen Dower recently interviewed writer and director Adam Finberg about his new sci-fi/thriller Star People, starring Kat Cunning. Star People will open in theaters July 25, with a VOD release to follow nationwide on all major platforms on August 12, and is being distributed by Blue Harbor Entertainment.

Lightly edited for content and clarity.

Glen Dower:

Hi Mr. Finberg. Star People, not a singing competition on Saturday night television, but your new heartfelt sci-fi drama, of which you are writer and director, which I enjoyed. You grew up in Phoenix, and for those people who don’t know, can you explain what the Phoenix Lights were and how they partly influenced the story?

Adam Finberg:

Sure. Well, the Phoenix Lights were a mass UFO sighting in Arizona in 1997. On March 13th, 1997, thousands of people saw a strange formation of lights flying across the state. And it’s been talked about for years, investigated. There have been many TV shows about it and a lot of speculation about what it is and what it isn’t. And at the time I was in high school, I didn’t see them, but I do know several people who did see them that night. And in fact, some people who worked on the film told me that they had seen the lights. They were very excited to work on this film.

And for me, it was always an interesting jumping off point for storytelling because I was always intrigued by them. I also have a personal friend who had seen them, and I just wanted to write about characters who had experienced that. That was kind of how that started. This was in a time, too, when the idea of shared experiences was a little different than it is now because, you know, there wasn’t social media yet. You know, when a lot of people saw the same thing, there were only so many ways to talk about it at the time. It’s still mysterious to this day about what happened.

Glen Dower:

That is so cool. So like you say, you created a great ensemble of characters that have run the gamut of those who may be involved in a story like this: the believer, the non-believer, the cynic, the people just along for the ride, etc. So how did you come about those characters?

Adam Finberg:

My influence for the writing, a lot of it came from my experience directing a documentary in 2015 called The Business of Recovery, which was about the addiction treatment industry. And a lot of the people I met during that time were experiencing trauma of one sort or another. I found that my experiences in talking to people firsthand in the making of that film really influenced my writing years later because it is something that is a common thread in the human experience about how we process terrible events or how we process holes in our lives.

That experience fed into, I guess you could say, my imagination as I was building these characters. A lot was influenced from that because, for me, at the end of the day, this had to be a very good human. There had to be a very good story behind the science fiction elements. I didn’t want to tell a story just about the science, the lights, or just about the science in it, because that wasn’t enough storytelling. I had to have characters that you would be interested in learning about and going on a journey with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JnaAHawOKo

Glen Dower:

Absolutely. So, when we go into films like this, we can either go into it with the concept of Close Encounters Of The Third Kind or War of the Worlds. We’re just waiting, waiting, waiting, and here comes the ship! Oh, there they are. Or there’s a film I saw like last year called Acid Man. I don’t know if you saw that, starring Thomas Hayden-Church, directed by Alex Lehman, the director, and he and I had a really interesting conversation about how UFO experiences really bring people together. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a cynic or not, it’s about how it reveals or deepens relationships. With your film, do you think the brother-sister relationship was the central hook?

Adam Finberg:

As I developed the characters, yeah. It started with the main character and building out, you know? Building out that character’s life. I had to have opposing elements with a good story. So there had to be, you know, her and her brother, Claire and Taylor. They were sort of two sides of the same coin, and they both had to share trauma, and the way that they sort of dealt with it was just different. You know, one hooked into this experience to try to find answers. The other sort of found help in self-medicating, you could say, with substance abuse.

From there, I just had to just kind of expand it. I mean, the writing process is a lot of throwing things in the wastebasket. For me, it’s like, you think you’re gonna keep, you gotta keep digging so that it just took a lot, a lot of digging and just building it more and more until it felt, you know, as real as I could, I could get it.

Glen Dower:

And the film is beautiful to look at as well. Filmed in Arizona, right. Locations like these always make me think of John Carpenter’s The Thing, because, as a director, you have to find that it looks remote enough…but also accessible, because you’re making a film, you have to walk that fine line. How did you come up with those locations?

Adam Finberg:

Well, that was a big adventure in itself! I worked very closely with this wonderful guy, Brian Bukovic, who was my location manager, and we did our road trips around Phoenix. I mean, because yeah, we needed to find a place that felt remote, yet it was accessible to shoot, that we could be close enough and not put our crew up far, far away. Most of the remote-looking stuff is in the Superstition Mountains, which is a range southeast of Phoenix, kind of southeast of Mesa. There’s a wonderful ranch out there called Quarter Circle U Ranch that we ended up filming at.

It’s deep in this canyon. You take this dirt road about eight miles off the grid, no cell service, you know, got all the trucks out there, and we were able to just shoot out on that property. One of those scouting days on my own, when I was driving around, I got a flat tire out there, and I had to deal with it because it was off the grid. But it wasn’t that far off the grid. And we also shot some in South Mountain Park, which is this huge park south of downtown Phoenix, which has this paved road that we were able to shoot on, that looks very remote, because you can’t, you know, you can’t see, but you aren’t that far from the city, right there. That’s good.

Glen Dower:

So an adventure in itself to find an adventure.

Adam Finberg:

Oh yeah, all over.

Glen Dower:

I also want to talk about your take on the influence of shows and movies like The X-Files. I was in high school when the show was at its peak. It was always the thing we talked about in the yard the day after the episode aired. And I was also lucky enough to talk to Dr. Erin McDonald recently, and she’s the science advisor for the current Star Trek universe. And we talked about the Scully Effect on female careers in the STEM arena. So looking back, just at that show, The X-Files, do you think films like yours could have been made without shows like that, all those decades ago, that have inspired and intrigued generations for years?

Adam Finberg:

Well, there’s a lot. The X-Files has colored our popular consciousness, which is fine. It’s just like Twilight Zone or Close Encounters. I mean, all these things. Any art is sort of built on the art that came before it. What would it be? I don’t know. I mean, I think the Phoenix Lights would have still happened, and we still wouldn’t know what they are. But you would just have less TV bits using The X-Files music and talking about the Phoenix Lights. I feel like I’ve seen bits where they play The X-Files theme song. There are so many shows about searching for answers, because that’s what we all want. We want to know meaning, we want to know why. And sometimes it’s not so clear cut, though, unfortunately. That’s ‘the’ truth.

Eddie Martinez and Adriana Aluna Martinez star in “Star People” (2025). Photo courtesy of Blue Harbor Entertainment.

Glen Dower:

And what’s great about your film is that it very much leads a lot to the audience to form their interpretations. And one thing I wanted to say, there was one line, I just wrote it down with great laughter. “My stomach is baking an evil pie!” I loved this line – was it scripted or improvised?

Adam Finberg:

No, that was the line I wrote! To have a character, and McCabe did an incredible job portraying a guy who had recently OD’d, because you had to make it all believable. So we had had him digging into that, you know, the physicality of, what would the day after having a bender be like? But yes, that was in the script originally. But to his credit, he brought the pain in that scene in a way that only he could do!

Glen Dower:

And just one last word about the casting. How did you find your leads? Because obviously, they’re great together. Was it just luck or a bit of magic?

Adam Finberg:

It’s a lot of searching! No, my casting directors, Helen Geer and Kendra Clark, who were a casting team in LA to cast our leads, were amazing. They knew kind of what I was looking for to help bring auditions in for me to find, to eventually find Cat, who was very talented and also a musician. And, you know, I remember Cat’s first audition. I was like, this is Claire. And it came through a Zoom audition, because nowadays, a lot of these auditions are video, you know, on Zoom. I just imagined, in person, that I was going to get a great performance.

But once we had Cat, then we had to line Cat up with who would be the brother. And, you know, we did. We did chemistry reads to make sure that we had the right brother and sister. Do I believe it? And once I knew Cat was a musician, I knew I had to involve Cat’s music, because the music, the track in the credits, Cat collaborated with my composer, Reza, to produce and write. Well, he produced the track, but they both wrote and performed on Constellation, at the end.

Glen Dower:

And they’re the heart and soul. Well, it has been a pleasure. Thanks so much for your time, Mr. Finberg.

Adam Finberg:

Thank you, Glen. Great chatting with you.

Adam Finberg’s Star People, starring actor and recording artist Kat Cunning, McCabe Slye, Connor Paolo, Eddie Martinez, Bradley Fisher, and Adriana Aluna Martinez, will open in theaters July 25, with a VOD release to follow nationwide on all major platforms on August 12.

Read more Cinema Scholar interviews!

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24/07/2025
How to Create the Perfect Movie Night Setup with a Weed Stash Box — Every Movie Has a Lesson
by Nancy Fernandez

There’s something timeless about a well-curated movie night. Whether it’s an escape from the daily grind or a weekly ritual with friends, movie nights offer the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge, and share good vibes. But a great movie night isn’t just about what’s on screen—it’s about the entire atmosphere. For cannabis enthusiasts, incorporating a weed stash box into your setup takes things to a whole new level, turning your home theater into a chill, organized, and elevated experience.

With the right preparation and tools, you can transform your movie night into a full sensory journey that blends entertainment with relaxation and mindfulness. Whether you’re flying solo or inviting a few close friends, let’s dive into how you can create the perfect movie night setup with style, ease, and the right accessories.

The Role of a Weed Stash Box

Let’s face it: nothing kills the vibe faster than scrambling around for your lighter, grinder, papers, or stash. That’s where a weed stash box becomes a game-changer. Think of it as your cannabis command center—a stylish, discreet, and highly functional storage solution that keeps everything in one place. No more losing your rolling papers in the couch cushions or forgetting where you last put your favorite strain.

A quality stash box not only organizes your essentials, but it also adds to the aesthetic of your chill space. Most modern stash boxes come equipped with compartments for grinders, jars, lighters, tools, and even rolling trays. Some even feature combination locks for privacy or smell-proof features for discretion. It’s the perfect fusion of form and function, designed to enhance the enjoyment of your movie night without the hassle.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Ultimate Movie Night Setup

1. Choose the Right Space

Location is everything. Whether it’s your living room, bedroom, or dedicated media room, your movie night space should be cozy and comfortable. Start by arranging plush seating with blankets, pillows, or beanbags. The goal is to create an inviting environment where you can truly unwind.

Consider the lighting: go for warm, dim lighting with options to easily control brightness. String lights, lava lamps, or salt lamps can add a nice glow without creating glare on the screen.

2. Curate Your Cannabis Selection

Open up your weed stash box and decide what’s right for the vibe. Maybe you’re going for a mellow, body-heavy Indica to relax and melt into your couch during a rom-com or drama. Or perhaps a more cerebral Sativa will help you engage with a complex documentary or trippy sci-fi film.

Keep a variety of strains and concentrates in your stash box to match different moods. Pre-rolls, flower jars, and dab pens are great to have ready and accessible. Don’t forget your grinder, rolling tray, and glassware—or portable vaporizers if you prefer a smoke-free experience.

3. Set the Movie Mood

Pick your film lineup ahead of time. Nothing interrupts a high like endlessly scrolling through streaming services. Curate a mini playlist of 2–3 movies or shows to match the night’s mood.

Need ideas?
- For laughs: Pineapple Express, Superbad, Friday
- For visuals: Doctor Strange, Avatar, Into the Spider-Verse
- For deep thoughts: Inception, The Matrix, Her
You can also theme the night: horror movie marathons, stoner classics, or feel-good nostalgic favorites.

4. Stock Up on Snacks

Every great movie night needs top-tier munchies. Think beyond microwave popcorn. Try:
- Gourmet popcorn with unique flavors (cheddar, truffle, caramel)
- Infused edibles (check dosage!)
- Charcuterie boards with sweet and savory bites
- Nachos, sliders, or loaded fries for something heartier
- Sweet treats like mochi, cookies, or brownies
Pro tip: Keep snacks within reach to avoid breaking the chill zone when the munchies hit.

5. Bring Out the Weed Stash Box

Set up your weed stash box in a central and accessible spot. A small side table or rolling cart works well. Lay out your gear: grinders, rolling tray, lighter, rolling papers, vape pens, and storage jars. If you’re sharing, have extra mouthpieces or sanitize between uses.

The goal is to keep everything organized and accessible. The stash box eliminates the frantic search for that one missing item, making the night smoother and more enjoyable.

6. Create a Vibe with Music and Scents

While waiting for the movie to start or during breaks, ambient music can help set the mood. Try chill lo-fi beats, soft reggae, or instrumental tracks.

Pair this with some aromatherapy—light incense, diffuse essential oils, or burn a candle. Scents like lavender, sandalwood, or patchouli can enhance relaxation and complement the sensory effects of cannabis.

7. Keep It Comfortable and Safe

Make sure everyone knows their limits. It’s easy to overdo it when the atmosphere is fun and inviting. If you’re sharing, make sure to provide water, encourage light snacking, and keep the tone low-key and judgment-free.

Store any unused cannabis back in your weed stash box to maintain freshness and keep your space tidy. Boxes with odor-control and lockable features are especially handy if pets or guests are around.

Final Thoughts

Creating the perfect movie night is about more than just what you watch—it’s about setting the stage for a fully immersive, enjoyable experience. A weed stash box becomes your organizing hub, your go-to toolkit for ensuring that everything from rolling to relaxing goes off without a hitch.

With a little intention and creativity, you can turn a basic night on the couch into a curated escape filled with great films, great cannabis, and great company. So the next time you’re planning a movie night, do yourself a favor: break out the stash box, press play, and let the chill begin.
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24/07/2025
How Movie Nights Are Becoming the New Chill Sessions with a Dab Rig Kit — Every Movie Has a Lesson
by Nancy Fernandez

In a world where the lines between work and relaxation often blur, people are rethinking the way they unwind. Gone are the days when a night out at a bar or a loud party was the default plan for winding down after a stressful week. These days, more and more individuals are finding joy in creating cozy, curated environments at home—complete with their favorite movies, snacks, friends, and the added bonus of a dab rig kit. This trend is turning the simple concept of “movie night” into an elevated ritual for relaxation, mindfulness, and connection.

The Rise of Elevated Movie Nights

The classic movie night has always been a cherished pastime. But as people seek deeper comfort and personalization in their leisure time, the movie night experience has been redefined. Instead of merely pressing play on a streaming service and calling it a night, many are now setting the scene—dim lighting, ambient music beforehand, plush blankets, gourmet snacks, and the inclusion of cannabis concentrates enjoyed through a dab rig kit. This piece of gear is becoming the centerpiece of modern chill sessions, offering a refined and flavorful way to experience cannabis in a relaxed setting.

While bongs and joints might still have their place, dab rigs bring a level of sophistication and intentionality to the session. Users often describe a more flavorful, smooth, and controlled experience that pairs well with the laid-back vibe of a movie night. Whether you’re watching a cult classic with friends or diving into a thought-provoking documentary solo, dabbing can add an extra layer of sensory enjoyment to the experience.

Why Dabbing Fits the Chill Night Vibe

So why are dab rigs so well-suited to movie nights? First, the act of dabbing itself is slow and deliberate. Unlike smoking a joint, which can be more casual or social, dabbing encourages mindfulness. The process of heating the nail, selecting the right concentrate, and taking that smooth, flavorful inhale creates a ritualistic feel that complements the cozy, slowed-down pace of a movie night.

Second, dabbing is often cleaner and more discreet than traditional smoking. There’s less lingering odor, which makes it perfect for indoor environments. For people living in apartments or shared housing, this makes dabbing a much more viable and respectful option. It also doesn’t hurt that modern dab rigs come in sleek, artistic designs that double as décor for your coffee table or entertainment area.

Personalizing the Experience

One of the biggest appeals of incorporating a dab rig into movie night is the ability to tailor the experience. Not only can you choose different strains or concentrates for specific effects (think Indica for relaxing or Sativa for staying alert), but you can also coordinate the strain with your movie genre. Want to watch a psychological thriller? Go for something cerebral that enhances your analytical thinking. Comedy night with friends? Opt for a hybrid that promotes euphoria and sociability.

With the addition of a dab rig, the whole experience becomes more customizable. You can experiment with temperatures for different terpene profiles, share hits with friends using carb caps or directional airflow, and even try out infused snacks or beverages to complement your session.

The Social Side of Movie Nights with a Dab Rig

What was once a casual gathering is now transforming into a sensory event. Sharing a dab rig among friends fosters a sense of community and connection, not unlike sharing a bottle of wine or passing around a bowl. But unlike alcohol, dabbing often leaves users more engaged with the movie and less likely to experience grogginess the next day (depending on dosage and strain, of course).

Conversations flow, laughter is louder, and the movie feels more immersive. Whether it’s a nostalgic throwback flick or a new blockbuster, sharing the experience with others while enjoying a dab enhances the emotional connection to both the content and your companions.

Creating the Ultimate Chill Atmosphere

Here are a few tips to elevate your next movie night with a dab rig kit:
1. Prep the Environment: Set up a clean, cozy space with comfortable seating, good ventilation, and mood lighting. Fairy lights or a few candles can go a long way in creating ambiance.
2. Choose the Right Dab Rig: Whether you’re using a traditional glass rig or an electronic version, make sure it’s clean and functioning well. A quality dab rig enhances the taste and potency of your concentrates.
3. Curate the Media: Pick films that suit the vibe you’re going for. Some favorites among dab enthusiasts include trippy visuals like Doctor Strange, high-stakes thrillers like Inception, or laid-back comedies like Pineapple Express.
4. Snack Smart: Go beyond popcorn. Try infused treats, gourmet nachos, or a charcuterie board with sweet and savory options. Hydrate well—keep water and some herbal teas or mocktails handy.
5. Mind the Dosage: Start slow, especially if you’re new to dabbing. The goal is relaxation and enjoyment, not going overboard.
Final Thoughts

Movie nights are no longer just about watching a film—they’ve become an immersive wellness and bonding experience. Adding a dab rig kit into the mix introduces a whole new level of intentional relaxation, one that emphasizes comfort, connection, and mindful indulgence. It’s no wonder that more people are turning to this combo as their go-to way to unwind.

Whether you’re flying solo or chilling with a group, a movie night with a dab rig is about more than just cannabis or entertainment—it’s about embracing slow living, savoring the moment, and curating a night that speaks to all the senses.
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24/07/2025
From Hilde, With Love review – too staid to make…

In East Germany, where director Andreas Dresen grew up, Hilde and Hans Coppi were talked about with the kind of reverence normally reserved for saints. Members of a Communist German resistance group known as the Red Orchestra, which was working to aid the Soviet Union against the Nazis, Hilde and Hans were regarded more as symbols of heroism rather than real people who lived and died for their cause. From Hilde, With Love attempts to breathe life into the legend that Dresen was brought up with, but this handsomely crafted biopic is too staid to make a lasting impact.

Hilde, played with quiet resilience by Babylon Berlin’s Liv Lisa Fries, is picking strawberries when the Gestapo arrive to arrest her. The film begins as it goes on, with Hilde’s idyllic life with Hans (Johannes Hegemann), all kissing in sunlit gardens and harbouring Soviet spies, juxtaposed with the unmerciful reality of the Third Reich. As she languishes in prison, where she endures an agonising childbirth, flashbacks reveal her falling in with this group of young Communists for whom resistance is an adventure as well as a duty. For Hilde, however, it’s primarily an act of compassion; after hearing pleas from German POWs via illicit Soviet broadcasts she writes letters to their families, reassuring them that their sons and husbands are still alive. Discussion of politics is kept to a bare minimum.

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Every one of these flashbacks seems to take place on the most gorgeous summer’s day imaginable. At times it’s rather too beautiful, a “Visit Germany” logo threatening to appear at the end of another sequence of cavorting by a lake or speeding through the countryside on a motorbike. A much more significant problem is that these flashbacks play out in nonchronological order for no clear reason. If it’s a vague stab at shaking up the biopic formula it doesn’t work; in practice it’s needlessly confusing, and that the romance between reserved, slightly prudish Hilde and the dashing Hans feels genuine is in spite of this narrative device. One particularly affecting montage features Hans teaching Hilde Morse code by tapping his finger on her body, whether on her naked back after sex or on her knee on the bus, a secret language of love that’s also an act of rebellion.

To the film’s credit none of the Nazi characters are so cartoonishly abhorrent as to divorce them from reality. Some within this system, such as a prison guard who helps Hilde appeal her sentence, even show some humanity, making their active participation in the régime all the more unsettling. In the current climate rejecting complacency in the face of fascism is a more pertinent message than ever, so while its ending is a gut-punch it’s a shame that From Hilde, With Love isn’t the formally bold, politically radical film that the Coppis deserve.

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20/07/2025
Interview with Sven Bresser

Interview with Sven Bresser about his first feature Reedland. An intriguing debut that premiered in Semaine de la Critique at Cannes. #Cannes2025 #FilmTwitter

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10/07/2025
Interview with Dominik Moll

An interview with Dominik Moll about his latest film Dossier 137. The film premiered at this year’s Cannes competition. #Cannes2025 #FilmTwitter

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09/07/2025
We Chat With Writer/Director Brendan Devane About His New High-Altitude Horror!

Introduction

In the terrifying horror thriller The Sound, a world-class group of climbers is granted access to the Forbidden Wall, a mysterious rock face that has been closed for decades. Among the climbers is Sean (Marc Hills), whose grandfather made an ill-fated attempt sixty-three years earlier. During the group’s ascent, they come face-to-face with a malevolent force that quickly turns their expedition into a harrowing battle for survival, hundreds of feet above the ground.

Interview

Cinema Scholars’ own Glen Dower recently interviewed writer and director Brendan Devane about his new horror/thriller, The Sound, starring William Fichtner and Jocelyn Hudon. The film is slated for limited release across the United States on June 27, 2025.

Lightly edited for content and clarity.

Glen Dower:

Mr. Devane. How are you, Sir?

Brendan Devane:

I’m good, Glen, how are you?

Glen Dower:

I’m really good, thanks. We are talking about The Sound, ‘Evil Dead Meets Cliffhanger’, what do you think?

Brendan Devane:

Yeah, there are a bunch of comparisons you can make. In my mind, I am a really big The Thing fan, you know, Carpenter’s great film from the early 80s? I was trying to play a little bit along with those kinds of themes of unseen alien jumps into people’s heads for that kind of psychological thriller, horror feeling that Carpenter had going on there.

Glen Dower:

Growing up, you spent a lot of time in Colorado after you finished college. And how did your experience there, plus Native American culture, come together for the story of The Sound?

Brendan Devane:

I moved to Colorado right after college. I made my parents extra happy to be a ski bum after that, and just learned how to operate in the mountains and got really into ice climbing and rock climbing, and all the other stuff that happens out there. And never really was thinking about filmmaking, I was just into live music production after that in Colorado, and started working my way into production.

And so it’s always been in the back of my mind to have something kind of exciting that I’d liked in the past, like Cliffhanger or Vertical Limit, which I think are entertaining films, but are not very authentic as far as the climbing and how it portrays the climbing. I mean, who doesn’t love Cliffhanger? But the climbing community doesn’t like it as far as what they did. Of course, they got sued by Black Diamond big time for what they did in that opening sequence. So that’s always been part of my, not plan per se, but to make something that is a little bit more authentic to the climbing community.

As far as Native American goes, as you can tell, I’m a big white Irish guy from upstate New York. But I did grow up in a town that is named after Iroquois words. And growing up in the 80s, we did a lot of studying about the Native American aspects of where I grew up in upstate New York, from a town called Saratoga Springs, which is Iroquois for land of the running water.

Rachel Finninger stars in “The Sound” (2025). Photo courtesy of Blue Harbor Entertainment.

Brendan Devane (cont):

So I’ve always had an interest in Native Americans. And I played lacrosse, which is their sport, since I was a little kid, and played in a lot of leagues with the Iroquois Nationals and stuff like that, and got to know them. When you’re like me, i.e,. Not Native American, you have to tread carefully, as it’s not my story to tell. So I brought the Native Americans in to bolster that storyline.

Glen Dower:

You mentioned Cliffhanger you mentioned Vertical Limit, which are the two films I noted. How did you maintain a level of authenticity that perhaps those filmed lacked in favor of entertainment?

Brendan Devane:

It’s the reality of big wall rock climbing. That’s kind of boring! It takes hours and hours, right? Even Free Solo, one of the most exciting documentaries I’ve ever seen, took him five hours or something to do that climb. They show what 10 minutes of it, maybe, right? So you have to look for little moments in this, trying to make it authentic, because an authentic climbing movie is kind of boring, except for little spots where they may be exposed to a fall or something like that.

It was a challenge to keep it authentic, while still providing scares or tension, or thrills like that, by involving little things where the lead characters are off rope, and he slips and he might, and he might fall or something like that, which is in the realm of possibility.

When Chris O’Donnell jumps from one peak to the other in Vertical Limit with his two ice axes, it’s fun and exciting, but it’s not real, right? What happens is he falls to his death, right? That’s what’s going to happen in real life. So it takes a balance to try to make things exciting, as far as a Hollywood movie can, while still also trying to be authentic to rock climbing. And that’s why I decided, you know, pretty early on in the process that I couldn’t film this with, like, necessarily a regular production crew, or with actors.

Turns out SAG doesn’t want you to put people a thousand feet in the air! So we made two separate movies. One was a straight rock climbing film with professional rock climbers and a professional rock climbing shoot team, and the other with actors and a professional production crew, and then kind of tried to meld them in post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfnNnuZQUs4

Glen Dower:

We see during the credits at the very end of the movie, we see scenes with the actors. So was that to imply these guys are legit, they work hard, as opposed to just name scrolling, to actually show them in action?

Brendan Devane:

I’m always thinking of doing cool things for credits that make it a little bit interesting than just a scroll. And those were all pictures of their personal lives. It wasn’t even having to do with the film. Most of the people who were cast in this as rock climbers are rock climbers in their personal lives, maybe not professional, but Mark, the lead, who plays Sean, is an accomplished rock climber. All of them are. And so I wanted to kind of like, add a little bit to the authenticity of showing them, you know, doing this sport where typically, you know, it’s an actor who doesn’t, that’s one of my favorite parts of the Truman Show where they tell the bus driver can’t drive away in the bus because he’s an actor, right?

And this particular movie, I wanted to make sure the actors were a part of the skills, like the original Point Break when Catherine cast those surfers, she looked for surfers with SAG cards, instead of teaching actors how to surf, those background ones, obviously not Swayze or Keanu, but so I approached it the same way. I was looking for rock climbers who were also actors.

Glen Dower:

Let’s talk about some of the supporting actors as well. You’ve got William Fichtner, who is one of those actors who just brings the gravitas with the undercurrent of menace or mystery, and Kyle Gass as well! How did those two guys come to be involved?

Brendan Devane:

Well, when you’re talking about a film like this, you’re always looking for angles to be able to promote and market the film, right? If you’re not building a film in pre-production that you can market later, you’re probably doing something wrong as a filmmaker because, without the business, there’s no show, right, as the old saying goes. So that role was always earmarked for maybe a more ‘visible’ actor. And it turned out that the actor Gabe Greenspan, who’s Jason Alexander’s son, did an amazing job, was represented by the same agent who represents Bill.

And after I booked Gabe, I’m a big fan of ‘What’s the worst that can happen. They can say no,’ right? It’s like, ‘hey, I see you represent Bill. Would Bill be interested in this part?’ And he read the script and was in it. And so we got him into the film. And what an amazing actor and person to work with, and just an all-around great guy outside of the business.

Really, it was an absolute pleasure to work with Bill, and I feel very fortunate that he joined the project. As far as Kyle, I’ve always been a big Tenacious D fan. I worked with them when I was a roadie 25 years ago, back when they were first starting. And who doesn’t love Elf and Kyle’s turn as Eugene Dupree? So that was another serendipitous thing where I was working with Kyle’s agent, who at the time represented David Clennon, and Jocelyn Hudon, who also makes an appearance in the film.

William Fichtner stars in “The Sound” (2025). Photo courtesy of Blue Harbor Entertainment.

Brendan Devane (cont):

And so I kind of bundled those three actors, like a disc, ‘hey, if I cast these two people, I get a discount on Kyle?’ So, a lot of times that’s how this casting goes when you’re not necessarily looking for auditions and your normal casting director is going through all the tapes and stuff, and I’m just looking to fill roles. You know, a lot of it just kind of comes together. And it’s about working relationships with people in the business, the agents who are getting these people to work. So that was very helpful to be able to kind of one-stop shop those casting decisions.

Glen Dower:

I’m also a big fan of what’s the worst they can say, apart from ‘no’. And we just have to talk about David Clennon. I’m so glad you brought up John Carpenter’s The Thing at the very start. I saw his name in press release, and if people are reading, if I just say, “You gotta be fucking kidding…” Yes, Palmer is in this movie! I like to think this is Palmer had he not died in The Thing. So it must have been a thrill for you. Because for me, The Thing is up there in my top two favorite, perfect movies, along with Predator.

Brendan Devane:

Absolutely. When I saw The Thing, I think I was 10, and it scared the shit out of me! It just stuck. It’s one of those films that just sticks with you. I don’t throw around words like ‘invent’, but Carpenter kind of started the ‘contained horror’ before that was a thing. Nobody was talking about contained horror, but there it is. 12 people are stuck in a base in Antarctica. And that’s where, for me, the tension is derived from. They can’t escape each other. And they don’t know who’s infected.

There’s a lot of gore and blood and disgusting stuff in The Thing that we don’t necessarily get into. But I tried to bring a little bit of that tension of the unknown. It’s difficult when you’re on a big wall rock climb because the people are in proximity to each other, like they are in The Thing. When you’ve got five people sitting around a little room, and they’re testing the blood, one of my favorite scenes of all time, when they’re testing the blood to see who’s infected. I tried to do a little throwback to that, where they’re testing on the radio to see what it is.

I combined The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and that standoff there at the end between Angel Eyes, Blondie, and Tuco with that test. Hopefully, people catch it when Dave says, ‘It’s not like Antarctica down there’, because I did want to give him a little bit of a throwback to Palmer there. I can’t say enough great things about Dave. He became a good friend, and we still text. He’s coming to the premiere in Vegas. He’s an all-around stand-up person and a tremendous actor who I’m extremely grateful to for joining the project.

Glen Dower:

I just want to ask about that line. Was that line in the script before he was on board, or written for him?

Brendan Devane:

That was written for him. I had to sneak that one in for him. The character’s name is Kurt Carpenter. Now, that never really comes out, he’s called Kurt. And I combined Kurt Russell with John Carpenter there to give him a little thing. I think he’s called Kurt once in the film. But yeah, that’s just one of those little details, right, that make me chuckle that no one else will hear.

Glen Dower:

There we go, that’s the exclusive. I love that. Now, we don’t want to give too much away, but there are possibilities for a follow-up? Do we have plans for More of The Sound?

Brendan Devane:

Well, you always like to think so, right? But a lot of times this is determined on, you know, like somebody gives you a bag of money to go film a sequel, right? We’ll see how people respond to this and whether I do have a script written and an idea that just basically picks up from the ending of this. It goes a little bit bigger, filming in Norway and Italy and around the world as a higher kind of a higher budget thing. Part of this doing the sound is that we had to learn how to shoot a rock climbing feature horror, which I’m sure someone out there has done something.

Alex Honnold stars in “The Sound” (2025). Photo courtesy of Blue Harbor Entertainment.

I firmly believe that every movie has ever made in the 1950s was made by some French person, right? We’ve all got recycled ideas here. So, we had to learn how to do this at our budget level. It’s a little bit different from a hundred million dollars. Then you can use digi-doubles, you can green screen everything, right?

You can make it look like Mission Impossible, but on our budget, you know, it takes a little bit more ingenuity to pull some of this off. Hopefully, we can continue the story. You never know. I’m a big fan who isn’t of Christopher Nolan and the way that he kind of likes to leaves some of his films that little up in the air of like, is the top still spinning, or is he still in the dream, or is he not in the dream? I kind of like to leave things a little open-ended at the end so that people can imagine if there’s no more, if there isn’t a sequel, people can at least imagine that the story continues in whatever way that they think that it might go.

Glen Dower:

Perfect. The Sound is in theaters and on digital on the 27th of June. Brendan, thank you very much for your time. It’s been a pleasure.

Brendan Devane:

Thanks so much, Glen.

The Sound is in theaters and on VOD from June 27, from Blue Harbor Entertainment.

Read more Cinema Scholar interviews!

Sundance 2024! An Interview With Filmmaker Daniel Barosa

SHOWDOWN AT THE GRAND: An Interview With Writer/Director Orson Oblowitz

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07/07/2025
Edit Like a Pro With These Free Online Video Editors — Every Movie Has a Lesson

Want to make your videos look amazing without spending money? Free online video editors can help you do that fast and easy. You don’t need to be an expert. These tools are simple to use and packed with features.

You can cut, trim, add music, and more in just minutes. Perfect for social media, school, or fun projects. No downloads needed. Ready to edit like a pro? Start now and see how simple it is!

Quick and Easy Tools

You don’t need special skills to start editing videos. Many free tools online are made for beginners. They have simple layouts and clear buttons. You can drag clips, cut scenes, and add music in just a few clicks. These tools save time and help you work faster.

Most have ready-made templates you can use. This makes it easier to start and finish your project. You can preview changes as you go. Some even have built-in tutorials. This helps you learn as you edit. You don’t need to install anything. Just open your browser and begin. Editing videos has never been this easy.

No Download Needed

You can start editing right in your browser. There’s no need to install any software. This saves time and space on your device. It works on most computers, phones, or tablets. All you need is a good internet connection. You can upload your video files with just a few clicks.

Most tools support common video formats. You can edit, trim, and add effects quickly. Everything runs smoothly online. You don’t have to worry about updates or crashes. These tools are always ready to use. It’s perfect for fast and simple editing. Just go online and start creating your video.

Drag and Drop Editing

Editing videos is much easier with drag and drop features. You can move clips around with your mouse. Just click, drag, and place them where you want. It saves time and keeps things simple. You don’t need to type commands or open menus. This method works great for beginners.

You can also drag music, text, or images into the timeline. Everything fits into place automatically. It helps you see your project clearly. You can fix mistakes fast with just a quick move. Most free editors online offer this feature. It feels like building something fun. Anyone can use it without stress.

Trim Videos Fast

Cutting out parts of a video is simple with online editors. You can trim the start or end in seconds. Just slide the edges of the video clip to where you want. There’s no need to learn hard steps. This helps make your video short and clean. You can remove mistakes or unwanted scenes fast.

It works well for all types of videos. Many tools even show a preview as you trim. This helps you see the changes right away. You can undo any step if needed. Most editors also let you split clips in the middle. That gives you more control. Trimming videos has never been this quick.

Add Text and Music

You can make your videos more fun with text and music. Add a title at the start or captions throughout. Most tools have many fonts to choose from. You can also change the size and color of the text. Drag it to any part of the screen. Music adds feeling to your video.

Many editors let you upload your own songs. Some even offer free music tracks to use. You can set the music to play in the background. Adjust the volume so it’s not too loud. You can even fade the music in or out. Adding both text and music is easy with just a few clicks. It helps your video stand out.

Use Cool Effects

Free online video editors offer fun effects to boost your video. You can add filters to change the look. Make your clips brighter or more dramatic. Many tools also have slow motion and fast forward. These help you set the mood. You can add transitions between scenes.

This makes your video smoother. Some tools even let you blur parts of the video. You can highlight one area with special focus. Add pop-up text or stickers for fun. Most effects just need one click. You don’t need editing skills to use them.

Export in HD

You can save your finished video in high quality. Many free editors let you export in HD. This makes your video look sharp and clear. It’s great for sharing on YouTube or social media. You can pick the resolution that fits your needs. Some tools even offer 1080p for free. Your video will still look good on big screens. The export process is quick and easy.

You just click a button and wait a few moments. Some editors also let you choose the file format. This helps your video play on more devices. High-quality export makes your project look more professional. You don’t need to pay to get great results.

Works on Any Device

You can edit videos on your phone, tablet, or computer. These free tools are made to work on all devices. You don’t need a fancy setup to get started. Just open your browser and begin. It works on both Windows and Mac. You can also use it on Android and iOS. The layout fits well on small screens.

Touch controls make editing easy on phones. You can switch devices anytime. Your project stays safe online. Some tools even let you save work in the cloud. This makes it easy to come back later.

Share to Social Media

Once your video is ready, you can post it to your favorite platforms. Most editors have a share button built in. You can upload to YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram fast. There’s no need to open another app. This saves you time and effort. You can also choose the right video size for each platform. Some tools even suggest the best settings.

Sharing your work is part of the fun. It helps others see what you made. These tools make it easy to edit video for free online and get it out there. You can add hashtags and captions before posting.

Learn More About Online Video Editors

Online video editors make editing simple and fun. You don’t need special skills to use them. Many are free and work right in your browser. You can create and share videos in just minutes. These tools help anyone edit like a pro.

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02/07/2025
How MS Charities Can Improve Support for People Living with PPMS — Every Movie Has a Lesson

Charities supporting people with long-term health conditions carry a vital responsibility — especially when it comes to complex diagnoses like Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS). As demand grows and the needs of service users evolve, it becomes increasingly important for organisations to adapt, expand, and deliver services that make a real difference.

For MS charities, continuous improvement is essential. With the right planning, insight, and professional support, these organisations can become even more effective in supporting people affected by PPMS. One of the most valuable resources available to help make this happen is the guidance of experienced charity consultants.

Understanding the Needs of People with PPMS

PPMS is a form of multiple sclerosis that involves a steady progression of symptoms over time, without the periods of relapse and remission seen in other types. This often leads to challenges in mobility, fatigue management, and access to consistent care. People living with PPMS often require specific support that’s tailored, ongoing, and holistic.

MS charities play a vital role in providing that support — whether through physiotherapy programmes, peer support groups, emotional wellbeing services, or practical aids. But providing these services at scale, and at the standard needed, requires clarity of purpose, sustainable funding, and strong internal operations.

The Role of Charity Consultants in Expanding Impact

This is where charity consultants can be invaluable. These professionals work alongside charities to help them plan strategically, operate efficiently, and grow in the right direction. For organisations supporting people with PPMS, consultants can help identify gaps in service delivery, streamline operations, improve governance, and develop targeted fundraising strategies to reach more people in need.

Bringing in charity consultants doesn’t mean handing over control — it means bringing in an outside perspective with experience and insight. This can be especially useful during periods of growth, structural change, or when launching new services focused specifically on PPMS care and management.

By helping charities align their mission with practical action, consultants allow staff and trustees to stay focused on what matters most: making a meaningful difference to people’s lives.

Creating Sustainable, Person-Centred Services

People living with PPMS often face a unique set of challenges, including limited treatment options and a progressive loss of mobility. MS charities must be able to respond to these needs with programmes that are not only well-funded but also flexible and person-centred.

Whether it’s developing a better outreach strategy, securing multi-year grants, or training volunteers to work specifically with PPMS clients, charity consultants can help design systems that are both sustainable and responsive. This ensures the charity is not just offering support — but offering the right support in the right way.

Building for the Future

Supporting people with PPMS isn’t just about the present — it’s about building long-term solutions. The demand for condition-specific care is increasing, and charities must be equipped to evolve with the communities they serve.

Investing in external expertise can feel like a big step, especially for smaller organisations. But working with charity consultants is often the first move in strengthening a charity’s future and expanding its reach — particularly when the goal is to better support individuals dealing with lifelong and progressive health conditions like PPMS.

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26/06/2025
10 Iconic Movies That Help with Depression and Anxiety — Every Movie Has a Lesson
Feeling low, worried, or mentally drained? Sometimes, the most comfortable support does not come from a self-help book or medical session, but from a quiet evening with a powerful film. Believe it or not, movies can offer more than a distraction. They can be an emotional lifeline.

According to Health Central, cinema has the unique ability to mirror our emotions and gently guide us through them. Whether it’s a heartfelt drama that validates your pain or a feel-good comedy that brings a much-needed smile, movies can help us cope and even heal. Watching movies that help with depression allows you to see your struggles represented on screen, validating your feelings and reminding you that you’re not alone.

These films often explore important themes like human connection, hope, and inner strength, helping you process your emotions more gently and thoughtfully. In this blog, we will take you through 10 iconic movies that help with depression and anxiety. We will also find out how movies support mental welfare and why they become an essential tool in the self-care routine of many people.

So, catch your favourite snacks, settle, and search for the treatment power of storytelling through the film!

Essential Points Discussed:

Here’s what you’ll learn in this article:
1. Movies can offer a powerful emotional release, helping the audience process feelings linked to depression and anxiety.
2. Watching relatable characters overcoming struggles reminds people they are not alone and healing is possible.
3. Lighthearted or humorous films provide a healthy escape from stress and can temporarily lift mood.
4. Thoughtful storytelling in movies can encourage hope, promote resilience, and even motivate people to seek support.
How Can Movies Help with Depression?

WHO has stated that, approximately 3.8% of people experience depression, including 5% of grown-ups, 4% among men and 6% among females, and 5.7% of adults older than 60 years.

Movies can be powerful tools for emotional support, especially during difficult times.

While they aren’t a substitute for professional treatment, movies that help with depression can provide comfort, understanding, and even healing. Whether you are feeling nervous, isolated, or emotionally drained, the right film can help lift your spirits. Whether it is the story of flexibility, a character that you relate deeply to, or a light-hearted comedy that makes you laugh again, the right film can be a form of informal therapy during difficult times.

Here’s how movies can help when you are struggling with depression, anxiety and loneliness.

1. Emotional Validation and Connection

One of the most comfortable aspects of watching movies about depression and loneliness is the feeling of connection they provide. These films often portray characters that face equal emotional conflicts, such as isolation, grief, or anxiety. Seeing your experiences reflected on the screen can be incredibly valid – it reminds you of how you feel alone.

This can cause emotional resonance to create a sense of sympathy and connection that helps you to process your feelings more effectively. Students suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression often struggle with their writing projects. In such situations, they prefer to reach out The Academic Papers UK to get plagiarism-free dissertation help. They have expert writer who can handle your long writing projects, and enables you calm your nerves to experience a smooth educational journey. \

2. Stories of Hope and Resilience

As per Psych Central, good movies that help with depression often tell the stories of victory over personal development, recovery, and adversity. Seeing the characters navigate the challenges and be strong on the other side, motivates the audience to catch hope in their lives.

These stories show that it is okay to struggle, and this treatment is possible. From small indie dramas to larger biopics, these films provide powerful reminders of human power and perseverance.

3. A Healthy Escape from Reality

Sometimes, a temporary escape is the only one that the mind needs. Movies on Netflix that help with depression are easily accessible and provide immersive experiences that allow you to overcome your thoughts for some time. This type of mental break can be a useful way to reset and recharge. Running into another world – even for just two hours – can provide space to breathe, calm your brain, and return to your life with a clear perspective.

4. Mood Uplift Through Laughter

According to Well Power, laughter really can be good medicine. Funny movies to watch when depressed offer a healthy dose of humour that can temporarily boost your mood. Comedies provide a mental break from intrusive thoughts and overwhelming feelings. They stimulate the release of endorphins that offer genuine relief from sadness or anxiety. When chosen thoughtfully, a light-hearted film can bring joy and laughter, even in the darkest moments.

Comedy infiltration provides a mental break from ideas and heavy emotions. They stimulate the release of endorphins for real relief from the natural feel-good chemicals, offering relief from anxiety. When chosen thoughtfully, a light-hearted film can bring happiness and laughter, even in the darkest moments.

5. Encouragement to Reflect and Heal

Many movies that help cope with depression are deeply introspective, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own emotions and life circumstances. Films with rich emotional storytelling can stir something within, making space for healing and personal insight. By watching a character grow and change, you may be inspired to do the same, whether it’s seeking help, talking to someone, or taking small steps toward self-care.

Many movies that help cope with depression encourage the audience to reflect on their feelings and life circumstances. Films with rich emotional stories can stir within something, making it make place for treatment and personal insight. Seeing a character growing and changing, you can also be inspired to do so.

List of 10 Best Movies That Help with Depression and Anxiety

Finding comfort in cinema is a common way of dealing with the emotional climb, and the best movies that help with depression often do more than provide entertainment. They uplift, heal, and connect with the audience. These films have the power to reflect real-life struggles, offering a sense of hope, humour, or solidarity. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, feeling isolated, or simply need a mental break, a good film can create a meaningful difference.

According to Talk Space, movies that help with depression and anxiety focus on the characters overcoming personal fights, giving the audience a glimpse of flexibility and recovery. Others, such as good comedy or up-to-date stories, create a sense of lightness and distraction, reminding us that small happiness also matters. If you are searching for movies on Netflix that help with depression, then you are in luck because there is a rich selection of titles that inspire true stories, from heart-wrenching plays to true stories.

These good movies that help with depression often highlight topics such as human connections, purpose, and the importance of self-acceptance. Seeing your feelings on the screen can be deeply valid, and many times, surprisingly, treatment. And if you are just looking for a laugh, funny movies to watch when depressed offer a temporary escape and remind you of the mild side of life.

Below is a carefully curated list of 10 movies that can lift your spirits, validate your feelings, or simply give your mind a break when you need it most.

1. Inside Out (2015)

Sometimes, the best way to comprehend mental and emotional health is through a child’s eyes. Pixar’s masterpiece Inside Out gives human-like personalities to sentiments like happiness, sorrow, anger, worry, fear and contempt. The movie encourages us to accept feeling bored or unhappy, and shows that experiencing sadness is essential for healing, growing, and moving forward.

This icnic and robust drama film based on animation, adventure, and comedy genres. This light-hearted film deeply helps you seek clarity and power when you are struggling with emotional health issues. It validates that despair and gloom have a role in emotional well-being and promotes healthy emotional expression.

2. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

This is one of the best movies that helps with depression, stress and anxiety. Stuck in a rut, Walter Mitty daydreams of experiences and adventures until one day, he embarks on a real voyage of discovery. This movie is visually attractive and emotionally uplifting. It communicates to anyone who feels like life is passing them by and reignites the intrepidity to pursue meaning, purpose, and maybe even bliss and joy.

This movie is based on the genres of Adventure, Comedy, Drama, while also encourages breaking free from anxiety-induced dormancy and welcoming the unknown with joy.

3. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Will, a janitor at MIT with outstanding and amazing intellect, conceals himself behind a wall of anger and irony due to deep-seated trauma. With the help of an empathetic and understanding therapist role played by Robin Williams, he starts to heal, feel and grow.

This powerful and eye-catching story touches on mental health, misuse, and the restorative power of kindness. This piece also validates the significance and value of therapy and human connection in healing emotional injuries and traumas.

4. Amélie (2001)

This iconic and award-winning movie that can help with depression, sets the stage in Paris to help the audience know the significance and value of human deeds in living a sound and meaningful life ahead. Amélie is a whimsical tale of a timid and shy young woman who discovers joy in assisting and helping others.

The film is filled with colour, pleasure, charm and a sense of delicate magic that makes the ordinary feel special. It reminds spectators that small acts of kindness can change lives, starting with your own. The visually rich and unconventional storytelling can ease worried minds and restore amazement.

5. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

The pursuit of happiness is a classic moral piece which is based on the true story of Chris Gardner. He struggled with loneliness and homelessness while trying to provide a better life for his son.

Will Smith’s raw, heartfelt performance depicts the grit it takes to endure hard times with dignity. This showcases that even the darkest times can lead to better days, healing wounds and smiling faces, inspiring resilience, hope, shine and growth. Students can write research papers on such thought-provoking themes and perspectives to assist people struggling with such emotional health issues.

6. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

This offbeat road trip movie follows a dysfunctional family supporting their youngest member’s dream of entering a beauty pageant. Filled with humour, awkward moments, and surprising depth, the film explores themes of failure, self-worth, and unconditional love.

This iconic masterpiece reminds you that perfection doesn’t exist and shows how even a messy family can bring healing. Your loved ones can offer real happiness, help you grow, and give you a place to rest when life gets tough.

7. Paddington 2 (2017)

Are you struggling with gloom, sadness, and nervousness for so long? If yes, then watching this comedy film can ease your anxiety. Paddington 2 is a delightful film that radiates kindness, optimism, and charm.

It’s wholesome, funny, and filled with warmth, perfect for when you need a comforting escape. Its pure-hearted tone and gentle humour offer a cosy mental break during emotional low points. By watching this movie, you can cope with your everyday emotional health issues, disturbing your focus, clarity, and purpose.

8. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

This powerful film chronicles the life of mathematician John Nash, who struggles with schizophrenia. With love, determination, and the help of those who believe in him, he learns to live with his condition and reclaim his identity and dignity.

It brings awareness to mental illness while showing that life can be meaningful, even when challenges don’t disappear. This movie that helps with depression allows you to learn self-care coping ways, mindfulness and therapeutic techniques to treat yourself in a better way.

9. Julie & Julia (2009)

When life feels stuck, tedious and senseless, sometimes cooking, making, or just doing something new or creative can help. This dual-narrative movie tracks Julie Powell as she cooks her way through Julia Child’s cookbook while haggling with job pressure, stress and personal distrust and doubts.

Meanwhile, Julia Child’s own journey of self-discovery reminds spectators that it’s never too late to start life again. This type of approach facilitates finding joy in little actions and achievements and chasing personal desires as a path to recovery.

10. About Time (2013)

This romantic dramedy isn’t just about time travel. It’s about enjoying and appreciating the present. When Tim learns he can revisit past moments, he ultimately realises the value of living each day fully with a better hope and passion. It’s a gentle reminder to savour life’s little pleasures. Combining light romance with deep themes of mindfulness and gratefulness, ideal for nervous, anxious and hopeless minds.

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Can Movies Help with Depression?

Absolutely, movies can be more than just entertainment; they can serve as a powerful emotional escape and even a form of informal therapy. When you are feeling overwhelmed by depression or anxiety, watching the right film can provide comfort, catharsis, and a sense of connection. Certain movies that help with depression offer relatable characters, uplifting stories, and emotional release, helping viewers feel less alone in their struggles.

Whether it is a hearty drama that validates your pain or a good comedy that brings a very important smile, movies can help us face, reflect, and even heal. Movies that help with depression often depict subjects of flexibility, hope, and change. These stories remind us that difficulty is a shared human experience – and that even in the dark moments is light.

According to Collider, streaming platforms such as Netflix have made it easy to access films on Netflix that help with depression. From Indie Gems to Classic Comedy, countless titles are available that talk about mental health, loneliness, and recovery topics. For those who feel isolated, movies about depression and loneliness can offer an emotional bridge, allowing you to reconnect with your feelings and see a way forward.

Laughter is a natural stress reliever, and the right comedic film can feel like a comfortable friend in difficult times. Finally, while films are not a replacement for professional help, they can be a valuable part of your self-care routine. When you are depressed, our list of 10 life-changing movies to watch when you’re depressed aims to guide you to the title that calms, inspires, and supports you.

What Is the Best Movie To Watch While Depressed?

The Pursuit of Happyness is often recommended. This is an inspirational story of perseverance and hope that you can increase your mood during difficult times.

Can Movies Help Depression?

Yes, films can provide emotional relief, verification, and even negative ideas to provide treatment, motivation, and a temporary escape. Movies that help cope with depression often explore themes of resilience, hope, and transformation. These stories remind us that hardship is a shared human experience and that there’s light even in the darkest moments.

What Is the Movie About Struggling with Mental Health?

A Beautiful Mind examines the challenges of living with schizophrenia and mental illness, which offers a moving illustration of flexibility and love.

What Movie to Watch When You Are Down?

Inside Out is a great choice. This emotionally insightful yet light-hearted piece is perfect for moments when you feel less. This iconic movie offers relatable characters, uplifting anecdotes, and emotional release, allowing viewers to feel less isolated in their struggles and journeys.

Does Watching Sad Movies Help?

Surprisingly, yes. Sad movies can provide emotional release, help you process emotions, and remind you of other similar struggles experienced by other individuals. On the other hand, humour also plays a significant part. Funny movies to watch when depressed cannot solve the underlying issues, but they can lift your mood and help you reset mentally.

Final Thoughts

Although films cannot be a cure for depression, they can offer a very important spirit of comfort, hope, and emotional release. When you are feeling stressed or disconnected, turning to cinema can be a powerful form of self-care. The right film can validate your feelings, raise your mood, and slowly remind you that you are not alone in your struggles.

Movies that help with depression go beyond simple entertainment – they encourage emotional bridges and spark introspection and treatment. Whether it is a heartbreaking story of flexibility, a laughing comedy, or a cool reflection on loneliness, each film has the ability to calm the mind and soul. Remember, healing looks different for everyone. If you are ever uncertain as to whether you are depressed, then see our list of 10 life-changing movies to watch when you are depressed again. Remind you that these stories show that better days are possible, and even small moments of relief. And when in doubt, press the game. Sometimes, treatment begins with a story.
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07/06/2025