Determining the saddest rated movie is a complex question that requires looking at critical reviews, audience reactions, and overall themes and messages of films. Some of the saddest films deal with tragedy, loss, grief, pain, and the darkest parts of the human experience. Films that leave audiences crying and emotionally devastated tend to be regarded as some of the saddest. Dramas and historical films often tackle difficult subject matter that evokes sadness. When examining the critical reception and audience reactions, several films stand out for their exceptionally depressing and heart-wrenching stories and messages that profoundly impact viewers.
Critical Reviews and Audience Reactions
Looking at critical reviews of films provides insight into which movies reviewers deemed profoundly sad and bleak. Reviews often call out films for their utter devastation, copious tears from viewers, and depressing plot lines that leave audiences shattered. Here are some films that critics highlighted as utterly heartbreaking:
- Schindler’s List – Critics praised Steven Spielberg’s WWII drama about Oskar Schindler and the horrors of the Holocaust as a devastating masterpiece.
- Grave of the Fireflies – Roger Ebert called this animated Japanese film about two children during WWII an emotional experience that utterly collapses viewers.
- Sophie’s Choice – Critics described the tragic choice presented to Meryl Streep’s character as gut-wrenching and devastating.
- 12 Years a Slave – The brutal slavery depicted led critics to call the film an unrelenting emotional assault.
- Moonlight – Reviewers emphasized the painful themes of abuse, trauma, and closeted sexuality in this critically acclaimed indie film.
- Precious – Critics said the abuse and trauma suffered by the lead character Precious made for highly disturbing and depressing viewing.
Looking at audience reactions paints a similar picture in terms of the grief and devastation felt after viewing the saddest films. Here are some examples of audience reactions that highlight the profound sadness of certain films:
- “Utterly heartbreaking. I sobbed through the entire last hour.” – Review of Schindler’s List
- “This movie wrecked me like nothing else. I was depressed for days.” – Review of Grave of the Fireflies
- “Sophie’s Choice completely shattered me. Harrowing and devastating.” – Review of Sophie’s Choice
- “It’s been a week and I’m still not over this movie. The sadness and despair portrayed will stay with me forever.” – Review of 12 Years a Slave
- “This is one of the saddest and most tragic films I’ve ever seen. Required viewing but be prepared to cry.” – Review of Moonlight
- “I cried so much I had to take breaks to finish watching it. Harrowing and heartbreaking.” – Review of Precious
The raw emotion and profound sadness conveyed in these reviews demonstrates how deeply these films affected audiences. The themes of human suffering clearly resonated in a lasting way for viewers.
Themes of Trauma, Loss, and Grief
The films regarded as the saddest share common themes of trauma, loss, grief, pain, and suffering. These films tackle real human tragedies and the darkest parts of the human condition in unflinching ways:
- The Holocaust in Schindler’s List conveys the immense loss of human life and grief of this period.
- Grave of the Fireflies deals with loss and grief through a tragic story of two orphaned children during WWII struggling to survive.
- Sophie being forced to choose which child lives or dies in Sophie’s Choice depicts inconceivable trauma and loss.
- The brutal mistreatment of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave exposes the tremendous injustice and violence of slavery.
- Moonlight’s themes of abuse, closeted sexuality, and alienation tell a traumatic coming-of-age story.
- The abuse and trauma suffered by Precious growing up in Harlem delivers an onslaught of miseries.
These painful themes cut to the core of the human experience. The way the films highlight trauma, grief, pain, and suffering explain why they elicit such profound sadness and heartbreak from critics and audiences alike. The realistic depiction of human tragedy on such a deep level is emotionally devastating.
Historical and Biographical Dramas
Many of the saddest films are historical or biographical dramas that remain true to real events, which adds to their depressing impact. The fact that these tragedies actually occurred and the losses were real gives the stories incredible emotional weight. Some examples include:
- Schindler’s List – The depiction of the Holocaust during WWII and real stories of those impacted are utterly heartbreaking.
- 12 Years a Slave – The film faithfully conveys the true story and memoirs of Solomon Northup’s wrongful enslavement that traumatized him.
- United 93 – This film recounting the events of United Flight 93 on 9/11 is made even sadder by viewers knowing the real-life outcome.
- Fruitvale Station – This biographical account of Oscar Grant’s last day and tragic death at the hands of police devastated audiences.
Staying authentic to history means these films often cannot shy away from tragedy and hardship. As a result, the faithful retelling of real human suffering and loss in these films contributes to their emotional devastation. The sadness feels more acute when knowing it truly occurred.
Additional Despair-Inducing Films
In addition to the aforementioned films, several other movies stand out as exceptionally sad and depressing based on their reviews and audience reactions:
- The Green Mile – Critics and audiences called the injustice and execution scenes gut-wrenching
- Atonement – This wartime tale of false accusations was called an achingly sad romantic drama.
- Amour – The realistic depiction of illness, aging, and loss was devastating for reviewers and viewers.
- Brokeback Mountain – Critics emphasized the tragedy of repression and unfulfilled love in this forbidden romance.
- Million Dollar Baby – Audiences found the emotional journey and tragedy of a boxer utterly heartbreaking.
- Requiem for a Dream – Many named this film about addiction one of the saddest they had seen.
These films feature profound tragedy, pain, and emotional turmoil for characters that leave audiences profoundly depressed. Their sad themes elicit countless tears and grief from viewers.
Conclusion
Determining which film is definitively the saddest proved difficult since sorrow and grief can be very subjective for different audiences based on personal experiences. However, a few films stood out based on an aggregation of critic reviews and audience reactions. These are movies that elicited the most pronounced devastation, grief, and cathartic weeping from viewers. Based on an overall assessment, the saddest rated films appear to be:
1. Schindler’s List
Steven Spielberg’s brutal masterpiece about the Holocaust elicited intense reactions emphasizing its profound sadness and emotional wreckage on audiences.
2. Grave of the Fireflies
This animated Japanese film tackles incredibly bleak subject matter that caused many critics and viewers to call it the saddest film they had seen.
3. 12 Years a Slave
The visceral slavery scenes and injustice were overwhelmingly devastating for viewers, landing it near the top.
4. Sophie’s Choice
Sophie’s devastating decision confused critics and audiences as an emotionally draining viewing experience.
5. Moonlight
The traumatic coming-of-age story elicited intense audience reactions emphasizing the deep sadness and pain portrayed.
While personal resonance and life experience may vary, these films objectively seem to elicit the most intense grief, tears, and despair from audiences. Their unflinching portrayals of human suffering touch a universal nerve that profoundly affects viewers. The sadness elicited speaks to the enduring power of film to move audiences and the human condition.
