6 Uncomfortably Dark Movies You Should Watch For Your Growth.

Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain.

Every human grows at a different pace, and growth is directly proportional to our vivid experiences. But there is a limit to what a fellow can encounter and savor in his lifetime; even the most well-traveled, well-read, and well absorbent persons cannot encounter every outlook or emotion, and this where the storytellers come to tinge and simulate your system.

As human growth is conditioned on the content we consume, the world of cinema provides a window into an alternate and yet authentic universe. We can expand our emotional and mental horizons by exposing ourselves and embracing the good, bad, and ugly sides of human temperament.

Dark cinema has the ability to touch us profoundly and taps the emotions and thoughts we thought we didn’t possess. They challenge our customary beliefs about society and spur our senses. These movies show instances from history, human life, or even a possibility of an infected future, and on looking further within yourself, you will find fragments of those villains. These movies invoke the deep and dark memory of our own life with which we have clasped and concealed so far inside us that we have subconsciously denied its existence.

These feature films amplify the disturbing thoughts which home inside all of us. They equip us, heal us, and stop us from becoming foul and obnoxious.

Sensitivity is not just about not showing. Sometimes what we do not see shocks us a lot more.

So watch these Six masterpieces of cinema to grow your perception of human emotions and the world in general:

1. Blood Diamond

It is another masterpiece by Leonardo DiCaprio. This movie was set in 90s Africa. This phase is also referred to as one of the most intense and brutal phases in recent history. The film is all about the “ blood diamond” trade; they are the diamonds that are unethically and illegally mined and sold to fund the ongoing civil war. In the story, two men unite in a common quest to retrieve a rare gem that has the power to transform their lives with the backdrop of the gloomy lives of African miners.

Why is it dark?

Leo (a soldier turned smuggler) and Solomon Vandy (a poor fisherman separated from his family and forced into diamond mining) have several heartfelt encounters. While it is a fictional story, it showcases the true cruelty of Africa in the 90s.

Although the movie had a happy ending, the journey was anything but happy. Diamonds are seen as an expression of infinite love and excessive luxury. Still, we often forget or chose to ignore the origin of this luxury and the massacre caused to find them.

The film draws a contrast between the two sides of the world; while one section of society enjoys the luster of these beautiful gems, another part of the world is bound in slavery and has to bear the brunt of this creation.

How will it change you?

The movie will expose you to the helplessness of humans and the effects of war on individuals and the economy.

• It will make you question the entire concept of luxury and high living; you will realize the nature of this material-bound luxury and at what cost we fulfill our appetite and passion for such goods. The same applies to many other industries, such as fast fashion, oil, plastics, etc. We must never forget the origin and outcome of any product; you must look at the overall journey and the impact of a commodity before swiping your cards.
• You will question the modern nature of consumerism, excessivism, and the ruthless exploitation of nature and humans for the lust of the few.

“A moment of love, even in a bad man, can give meaning to life.’’ — Blood Diamond

2. Lakshmi

This movie is based on the real-life events of a group of sex workers, and it had the most amount impact on me; I couldn’t sleep for days, nor could I remove the disturbing images out of my head; I could not believe how barbaric some people can be and a few amongst us have to live through it. This one agitated me to the core.

Why is it dark?

Watch it for yourself; the filmmakers were so unapologetic about showing the truth about the ruthless and sinister culture that a part of you will want to deny its existence. The storyline and the cinematography are not for the faint-hearted. If you believe the Joker was dark, this narrative will stagger you as it stands true to the storyline, and the suffering of these women will disturb you for days. This hard-hitting and gritty tale of brothel life is as real cinema can get.

How will it change you?

Compassion and the ability to feel the discomfort of others is a true gift of God, and only the purest of all can shed tears over the misery and agony of others.

• After watching this gem, I am sure you will feel a roller coaster of emotions that is rage and anger toward the system, grief, and sympathy for those who will remain trapped and suffer for life. You will also feel an abundance of gratitude for not having to encounter that side of the realm.

3. A Beautiful Mind

It is another film inspired by real-life events; it is about a couple’s journey through tremendous turmoil, and it was all thanks to their “I will not give up on us’’ attitude that they made a life together. Only true love could stand such tests of hardship. Their battle with mental illness, raising a family, not losing hope, and finally defeating all oddities are a true testament to human will.

Why is it dark?

Russell Crowe is an amazing actor. He proved so years back with his work in films like “Gladiator” and “Robinfoot,” but the depth he provides to the protagonist, i.e., the genius mathematician John Nash and his struggle with schizophrenia, is a true accomplishment. As Crowe struggles with his mental illness, his wife also starts to lose her temper and sanity; in a few of the scenes, the helplessness of both persons will make you feel sorry for them. It very well portrayed how one person's actions affect and impact the lives of his near and dear ones so profoundly.

How will it change you?

We, millennials or Gen x, are always searching for the perfect partner and expect life to be a magical fairy tale that is all about laughter and smooth sailing. Yes, you will not feel great all 365 days of the year, yes, you might feel you deserve a better life, but better lives don’t fall from a tree; they are made with love, passion, patience, a little forgiveness, and a lot of faith. If your love is true and you both are loyal to each other, nothing else matters, and spring is around the corner.

• This movie will restore your faith in love, and it gives people the courage to continue. Hence, every time you feel like running away from an almost perfect courtship, think about Mr. and Mrs. Nash.

“you can find any answer in the mysterious equation of love. The answer is in your heart, not your head.” — A Beautiful Mind.

4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The movie stars Brad Pitt as a man who was born old. He ages backward, i.e., as the film progresses, he keeps on getting younger, where the world around him is getting older, including the love of his life.

Why is it dark?

The movie is shot from the perspective of a man going through such bizarre changes around him; one can feel his struggles and pain. The progression and depictions become so real that it becomes awfully uncomfortable for the audience to witness this journey.

How will it change you?

• This movie exposes the remote nature of an individual's experience. In most sublet matters, the film highlights the trials of growing older, along with an appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. It is one bitter truth in life that: you’re born alone, and you'll die alone, life is about beautiful recollections and rendezvous, but in the end, only memories live.

( Another movie that highlights the concept of age and transformation along with the absolute human obligation to depart from the earth at one point is ‘‘Age of Adaline’’)

‘‘It's funny how sometimes the people we remember the least make the greatest impressions on us’’ — Benjamin Button

5. 12 Years A Slave

This movie is an adaptation of the 1853 biographical novel of Solomon Northup, where Northup was born as a free man, but due to unfortunate circumstances, he found himself in slavery. The movie highlights the darkest practice and endorsement of American history; while we have all heard about the evil of slavery, this movie is a closer insight and retelling of an ugly truth.

Why is it dark?

The movie highlights how evil and unidimensional humans can get that we end up overlooking fundamental human rights and lose all courtesy when we are high and mighty, living our lives without gratitude and obligations towards others. The movie has so many heartbreaking moments, and what makes it even darker is that it is based on actual events, making the scenes even more cringeworthy. It is one of the rawest and gut-wrenching depictions of racism on the screen you can witness, and the sad part is that the plague of racism still breaths amongst us.

How will it change you?

The movie’s most important lesson is that humans will readily keep on committing sins unless we have laws safeguarding the interests of the underprivileged. The privileged will keep on doing the wrong if society accepts and tells them it’s okay to do so.

One must understand the concept of positive liberty and have the ability to question our actions and leave room for criticism. Evil remains evil, even if it seems right to you.

Looking at today’s unrest between the races and the delicacy of the situation, one must reflect on what he wants to receive; behaving civil is not an option but an obligation of all individuals.

Universal truths are constant. It is a fact, a plain simple fact, That what is true and right is true and right for all. White and black alike. — 12 Years a Slave

6. The Joker

The Joker is a famous supervillain from the Batman universe. This movie goes deeper into the making of a villain; it uncovers the excruciating life history of the character and deals with his persona about the world and the root cause of his actions and being.

Why is it dark?

Besides the plot, Joaquin Phoenix had been a victim of mental health issues. Just by feeling the pain and intensity of the performance and how acting this part would have taken him to his own gloomy days was heartbreaking.

How will it change you?

Although the script is based on a comic book character but despite the film being a fictional story, it sheds light on the complexities of mental health. The protagonist is battling clinical depression, and he has reached a point where he doesn’t even know what happiness feels like. The immensely disturbed state of mind will make you feel pity towards him.

• Unfortunately, depression can become a possible pandemic in the near future, and this movie becomes a window into how troubled a depressed man’s world can be and how it leads to self-destruction and the worse possibility of being outwards destruction.

Joker is a hidden possibility within all of us, and let’s pry no one encounters it.

The only way to free ourselves from the feeling of weight and heaviness is by encountering them heads on. It’s a well-said saying that pain creates legends and masterpieces are born from the fire within us, and art is conveyed from the darkest places and broken hearts.

Watch all sorts of cinema and learn to be merciful towards others and grateful for your blessings. It’s all about being compassionate and having a will to bring positive change. If we all start treating others the way we want to be treated, the world would be a beautiful place.

We need to change the world, and for that, we need to change ourselves; we all are humans, but only a few of us are humane.

Thank you.