Movies that make you feel empty inside

Go watch "Drive"... nice soundtrack, very good story, same feels :(

This movie has become one of them.

Another is "Mysterious Skin", which is just an absolutely incredible film (and book, which is absolutely unputdownable).


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We've become a race of peeping toms.

I'm a girl in my 20's and I can attest to having the same reaction as you. I'm pretty picky with films, though I do prefer action/adventure niche over romance/comedies... but Perks had a lasting impact on me. Not sure if this is because I connected with the book as a kid, or just because it beautifully told... but yeah: I felt empty after watching it. But a good/restrospective sort of empty. It really made me think differently about how I treat/view/listen to others.

My top four recommendations (that are indie/comparable to Perks):
1. Into the Wild - one of my favourite films
2. Bridge to Terabithia - about childhood; uplifting
3. Almost Famous
4. (500) Days of Summer - not really comparable to Perks but a really great indie flick

Not sure if someone has already suggested it but Into the Wild will forever be one of my favourite films. If you've ever thought about escaping the material world, I think you'd connect strongly with this one. I was recommended this film by a complete stranger and decided to pick it up from my local DVD store. I can't pinpoint why I love it so much, but it's definitely up there in my Top 5 film list.

Another one I would really recommend is Bridge to Terabithia. Don't be put off by the trailer and don't look into the what the film is about before watching it... always the best way to head into a movie. A family friend lent me his DVD and I was intrigued considering his age (25) and the fact that he was handing over something that looked like it was designed for 2-year-olds.

Another film I really enjoy watching every now and then: (500) Days of Summer. This one is a little more mainstream and not really comparable to Perks. I wouldn't say it leaves you feeling 'empty' inside but you get mixed emotions. As someone who doesn't really believe in love, I connect really strongly with Summer's character.

Others movies that I felt struck a similar chord...Adventureland, especially the bumper car scene with the Cure playing. The Invisible about damaged people who might have had different lives in different circumstances. Almost Famous which is coming of age in a rock setting.

Girl, Interrupted and Blue Valentine are also movies that make you feel a little empty after you see them.

"At that age, it feels as good to feel bad as it does to feel good." - John Hughes

Some of these are probably already listed, because there are several pages of responses, but here's some of mine. They tore my heart out, or made me feel I knew the characters so intimately it hurt to know they were gone, and we'd never meet again. Some* more than others, but all to some extent.

Almost Famous*
American Beauty*
Beautiful Kate
Donnie Dark*
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind*
Garden State*
Good Bye Lenin
Good Will Hunting
Lost and Delirious*
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World*
Spanglish
Stand By Me*
Steel Magnolias*
Super 8
The Basketball Diaries
The Blue Lagoon*
The Breakfast Club
The Dreamers
The Ice Storm
The Man in the Moon*
The Prince of Tides*
The Royal Tenenbaums
The Virgin Suicides*
The Weatherman
What's Eating Gilbert Grape*
White Squall*

I'm surprised no one's mentioned 'Dazed and Confused'. When it's over you're left with that same feeling, and although different in theme 'Perks' always reminds me of that movie. If you've never seen it I really recommend it, it's a classic.

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"Another brilliant post Steinberg..."

I totally know what you mean. I got this same feeling when I watched Garden State for the first time.