What does an existential film entail? An existential film is any movie that explores life’s realities without the materialistic framework of laws, political structures, or social conventions. They center on the idea of people attempting to embrace who they really are and exercise their own free will while attempting to understand the true meaning of life in an unfamiliar world.

These kind films teach us that society cannot control our beliefs; we must acknowledge that all of these restrictions are pointless and that what really matters is our individual freedom. We will therefore examine some of the top Netflix movies that examine this idea today.

1. Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths (2022)

Directed by Academy-award winning Alejandro González Iñárritu (‘The Revenant’ (2015)), this is a dark comedy of the psychological kind that raises the stakes of the cinematic exploration of existential crisis. ‘Bardo,’ in Buddhism, is the state of being in transition between death and rebirth. The movie tracks journalist-turned-filmmaker Silverio Gama, who is going through an emotional and existential crisis after the demise of his son, who lived for a day after being born. He is unable to distinguish between actual experiences and what his mind is leading him to imagine. From a stack of dead corpses to his deceased parents to the 1847 Battle of Chapultepec Netflix highlighted by tense U.S.-Mexico relations, Silverio delves into all this and more. The query is, what is wrong with him? Is he alive and dreaming up all this, or is he actually in bardo? As what is real and unreal is blended, Iñárritu creates an accurate-to-the-form absurdist image for the audience to become lost in. The cast of the movie is Daniel Giménez Cacho, Griselda Siciliani, Ximena Lamadrid, Jay O. Sanders, and Iker Sanchez Solano. You may see it here. Read More: Best Movies About Psychopaths on Netflix

2. The Land of Steady Habits (2018)

Directed by Nicole Holofcener, ‘The Land of Steady Habits’ is an adaptation of the novel of the same title by Ted Thompson. The movie paints a complex picture of the title character, Anders Hill, played by Ben Mendelsohn, as he attempts to navigate personal relationships that are sullied by his unpleasant desires, further driving him away from his ex-wife, Helene (Edie Falco) and recovering drug addict son, Netflix Preston (Thomas Mann). The incidents and occurrences in the movie probe the various aspects of Anders’ personality, each raising a fresh query regarding his identity as a husband, father, and individual. Existentially deeply rooted to the extent that the distinction between comedy and tragedy gets lost, ‘The Land of Steady Habits’ is a biting satire on the midlife crisis and a must-watch. You can watch it here.

3. Society of the Snow (2023)

This Spanish drama is directed by J. A. Bayona and adapted from Pablo Vierci’s book of the same name. It depicts the days of survival of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 passengers (Uruguay to Chile), which went down in the Andes Mountains on October 13, 1972. Only 14 of 45 passengers survived after spending 72 days in the middle of nowhere with subzero temperatures and avalanches accompanied by starvation, deteriorating health, and subsequent cannibalism (the survivors ate the dead). The catastrophe and survival of the survivors resulted in the incident being referred to not only as the Tragedy of the Andes but also the Miracle of the Andes. The ghastly description of how the people experienced those days substantiates the talent of the makers big time. If anything, this film will leave you with a memory of existentialism, which is the only philosophy that is left after man is deprived of everything that defines him, a transcendence that makes it outside society and culture. Enzo Vogrincic, Matías Recalt, Agustín Pardella, Esteban Kukuriczka, Felipe Gonzalez Otaño, and Simón Hempe star in this film. You can watch ‘Society of the Snow’ here.

4. The Platform (2019)

‘The Platform’ is a film by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia and one of the finest existential films to watch. The plot revolves around a tower that is split into floors and contains two willing prisoners on every floor. A food platform begins from the highest floor and travels downwards, reaching every floor for a few minutes. Within those minutes, the prisoners must consume everything they can. To prevent bias, the prisoners are redeployed between levels every month. Evidently, the tower symbolizes a capitalist world where individuals at the top, the affluent, receive the best of everything and the individuals at the bottom, the deprived and the poor, receive what’s left. But there is a distinct underlying theme of existential uncertainty as the prisoners struggle with where they are and wonder about life and existence. You can view the mind-bending drama here.

5. My Beautiful Broken Brain (2014)

Directed by Sophie Robinson and Lotje Sodderland, this documentary film documents 34-year-old Sodderland, who had a gigantic brain stroke in November 2011. While she started losing her capacity to read, write, and verbalize things, a totally new world opened up before her, one where she could feel colors and sounds in a previously unimaginable way. This led her to write to David Lynch as what she saw in the world led her to believe she was living in one of Lynch’s movies. Lynch met with her and even became an executive producer. The film stitches together self-shot videos and interviews with Sodderland’s family members to present to us a dreamlike journey through Sodderland’s “beautiful broken brain.” You can view the film here

6. The Killer (2023)

In David Fincher’s ‘The Killer’, there is a solitary and methodical killer (Michael Fassbender), having no remorse or moral compunction, who stalks the night, waiting patiently to choose his next victim. However, with waiting going on for so long, he struggles with the growing feeling of insanity and a disintegrating poise. Which is why when his work turns sour and his sweetheart Magdala nearly gets killed as a punishment, he takes up a career of vengeance that has neither common sense nor self-control. This is a film noir told as a gut-wrenching, style-driven tale of a professional killer lost in a world of moral grayness, armed to the teeth and on the brink of going mad. The movie masterfully captures the mind of an isolated individual walking the thin line between sanity and brutality in a sinister drama of existential downfall. You can view the movie here.

7. I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017)

‘I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore’ draws on existential themes using dark humor. Directed by Macon Blair, the movie tracks Ruth, played by Melanie Lynskey, as she seeks her grandmother’s silverware, which she has been stolen of from her home. In the pursuit, she is accompanied by her neighbor Tony, played by Elijah Wood. One leads to another, and they end up in the company of insane criminals. As Ruth confronts the absurdities of human behavior and societal indifference, the movie explores the dissonance between personal expectations and the chaotic reality of the world. Its existential core lies in Ruth’s journey to find meaning and connection in a seemingly indifferent universe. Feel free to stream the movie here.

8. Marriage Story (2019)

‘Marriage Story’ engages with existential issues by investigating the intricacies of human relationships and the universal struggle of identity through the lens of marriage. The director, Noah Baumbach, takes the audience through the breakdown of the marriage between Charlie, who is a theater director, and Nicole, an actress, with deep introspection. As the two attempt to make the family work because they have an eight-year-old son named Henry, bitterness comes in many forms to threaten the very foundation of their otherwise amicable divorce, and love appears to take the hit. Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver give strong performances, untangling the emotional dynamics of love, loss, and self-discovery. rama, providing a thoughtful exploration of the ultimate questions raised when the comfortable order of life falls apart, making ‘Marriage Story’ a richly resonant and contemplative film experience. You can see the movie here.

9. Ram Dass, Going Home (2018)

‘Ram Dass, Going Home’ is an emotional documentary film by Derek Peck that provides an intimate look at the last days of spiritual teacher and best-selling author Ram Dass. Previously Dr. Richard Alpert, a Harvard professor of psychology who became a spiritual visionary, Ram Dass reflects on life, death, and his spiritual path amidst the peaceful environs of Maui. The movie presents a personal look at his sense of humor, wisdom, and acceptance of death as he completes the cycle of life. Through thoughtful dialogue and periods of reflection, ‘Ram Dass, Going Home’ is a heart-moving search for the essence of human existence, and audiences are left with much to ponder over the meaning of life and the leap into the unknown. You can stream it here.

10. The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

In ‘The Pale Blue Eye,’ a cinematic gem directed by Scott Cooper, Christian Bale gives a solid performance (as ever) as veteran detective Augustus Landor probing a string of gruesome murders (victims’ hearts are excised) within the U.S. Military Academy during the 19th century. Landor procures the services of cadet Edgar Allan Poe, brought equally magnificently by Harry Melling, as he is able to reach out to people, such as other cadets, and access clues that Landor is not able to. As the detective goes into the dark alleys of the academy, the story unfolds in a compelling mixture of mystery, psychological suspense, and horror. Cooper adeptly weaves the labyrinth of morality, guilt, and the complexity of the human mind, so that ‘The Pale Blue Eye’ is not just an exciting thriller but also an existential work on the repercussions that haunt one long after one’s decisions are taken.You may watch the movie here.

11. STRAW (2025)

Directed by Tyler Perry, ‘STRAW’ is about the existential dilemma of single, hard-working mother Janiyah, who, in desperation, does something criminal in the eyes of society. She enters a bank to cash a check, even though she has a gun in her hand as well. The police are called, and everybody is afraid of her, but no one notices her crying or hears anything she has to say. The so-called system’s failures, the injustice, and the neglect have driven Janiyah to a breaking point. But again, the question always is will she live and not will she be rescued. With a powerful performance by Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah, ‘STRAW’ is a must-watch. You can stream it here.

12. Can You See Us? (2022)

Written and directed by Kenny Mumba, it is a Zambian movie loosely drawn from the life of Zambian painter John Chiti (24 February 1985), who suffered from discrimination as a child since he was born an albino, a congenital condition in which the skin is devoid of pigment anywhere on the body. Chiti was rejected by his father and was raised by his mother. The movie verifiably depicts Chiti’s struggle and bullying he endured in an African society where individuals with albinism are persecuted since they believe they possess supernatural powers. ‘Can You See Us? ‘ also touches on Chiti’s positivity that saw him through. He eventually became a singer/songwriter, and his songs became his outlet to express himself. Thabo Kaamba also features as Young Joseph and George Sikazwe as John’s older self in the movie. You can view the movie here.

13. The Disciple (2020)

‘The Disciple’ is an Indian Marathi-language movie which is based on a young man named Sharad Nerulkar (played by Aditya Modak) who aspires to become a classical singer. But in the midst of his work, practice, and an ongoing quest for Indian classical music excellence, which itself is an eternal pursuit, Sharad lands in the abyss of existential crisis from which only he can extricate himself. Can he find the strength to confront what he believes to be his own mediocrity and proceed on his quest for divinity? Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, ‘The Disciple’ is an engaging multiple-award-winning drama that brings to light the body and mind fatiguing that creative endeavors are all about, with the strength of a hooking story and phenomenal performances, particularly by Sharad Nerulkar.