The 10 Best Movies About Guilt and Regret (& Why You Should Watch Them)
Guilt is an emotion that, if not dealt with, can take a huge toll on you, both mentally, and physically. The same goes for regret – but there is also something cathartic in seeing someone accept their guilt and regret to move on. Today, I’m bringing you a list of the ten greatest movies about guilt and regret, and why you should definitely watch them.
Honorable mentions: ‘Magnolia’ (1999) & ‘Inception’ (2010)
If this was only a ranked list of the best movies out of the bunch, both ‘Magnolia’ and ‘Inception’ would be much, much higher on the list. Both are incredible films that deal with the complexity of the human psyche.
The only reason why I don’t have them higher on the list but rather in the honorable mentions is because I wouldn’t say guilt and regret are the main motifs in those movies. Don’t get me wrong, they are the driving force for some of the characters in the films, but they play a side role in the main plots.
Still, they somewhat fit the bill, so if you haven’t had the opportunity to check them out yet, make sure to do it as soon as possible – especially ‘Inception.’ You might want to watch it two or three times to get everything, but this film is the perfect example of why Christopher Nolan is regarded as a cinematography mastermind.
10. ‘Another Earth’ (2011)
IMDb score: 6.9/10
What it’s about: A young woman and a musician cross paths in a tragic accident that saw an entire family perish. At the very same time, an exact replica of Earth is found in the Solar system, mirroring our planet and everyone on it. The two may be more connected than meets the eye.
Why you should watch it: I will try not to spoil too much but still give you the gist of the film. The young woman we’re talking about is the one who caused the accident, whereas the composer was the only survivor as the father of the family that was killed. Brit Marling stars as the young woman, and knowing her portfolio, you know that everything has a hidden meaning…
9. ‘Nocturnal Animals’ (2016)
IMDb score: 7.5/10
What it’s about: Tony Hastings is a writer who leaves his new novel at his ex-wife’s doorstep. Susan, the wealthy gallery owner who received the novel, reads it as a dreadful, yet symbolic tale of guilt and revenge. Did she wrong Tony in any way in the past?
Why you should watch it: Tom Ford did a masterful job at intertwining the three separate narratives – the past, the present, and the fictional storyline of the novel. Jake Gyllenhaal is, as always, unfathomably good, but Amy Adams pulled her part just as amazingly. It’s an awesome movie about guilt, regret, sorrow, and blame, and it just blows me away every time I watch it.
8. ’25th Hour’ (2002)
IMDb score: 7.6/10
What it’s about: A New York drug dealer and heavy criminal is caught by the DEA. He has 24 hours of freedom left before his incarceration, and through those 24 hours, we see him revisit his life and question the bad decisions he made to get himself in this predicament.
Why you should watch it: Many claim this is Spike Lee’s best movie ever, and I tend to agree. I also think this is one of the best roles Edward Norton ever played, even though the movie kind of flies under the radar when you talk about his greatest performances. In any case, ‘25th Hour’ has a premise that leaves you wondering – is it really possible to turn your whole life around in a day?
7. ‘The Machinist’ (2004)
IMDb score: 7.6/10
What it’s about: A worker in a metal factory suffers from horrible insomnia. He hasn’t slept in a year, and it’s affecting his entire life – his physical health, his work life, and his relationships. As he slowly descends into madness, we slowly discover what’s causing him to lose sleep so harrowingly.
Why you should watch it: Christian Bale sacrificed himself so much for this role, as he appears borderline anorexic. It’s incredible to imagine that he portrayed Batman just a year later, which is why I dub him the king of bodily transformations.
As for ‘The Machinist’ – it’s one of his greatest roles in life, as he perfectly portrayed someone who has inner demons that haunt them, and it shows in every facet of their lives. Trying not to spoil it here, but this movie sticks with you for a long time after watching it.
6. ‘Atonement’ (2007)
IMDb score: 7.8/10
What it’s about: Briony Tallis, a young teenage writer, accuses her older sister’s lover of a hideous crime he did not commit as a result of a previous misinterpretation. In doing so, she turns several lives upside down, including the young man who really wasn’t what she portrayed him to be. Once she realized what she had done, it was already too late…
Why you should watch it: I genuinely found this entire movie rather frustrating and infuriating, which I guess is the point of it in the first place. It’s a perfect depiction of how a single decision we make can alter not only our lives but the lives of many people around us. You’ll probably love the movie, but it’s so riveting that it was too hard for me to rewatch.
5. ‘Manchester by the Sea’ (2016)
IMDb score: 7.8/10
What it’s about: A man is called upon to look after his teenage nephew after his brother – the boy’s father – tragically passes away. The problem is, the uncle, who is now responsible for the young boy – suffers from deep depression. As he is forced to go back to his small hometown to look after the kid, the man is forced to revisit his past wounds and face them head-on.
Why you should watch it: We all know Ben Affleck and admire his talents, but his brother Casey really nailed this film, although I believe it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s hard, depressing, and slow, but the plot is brilliantly crafted as you get a drip after drip of information that explains why the guy is so depressed. It’s a heartbreaking but beautiful movie.
4. ‘In Bruges’ (2008)
IMDb score: 7.9/10
What it’s about: Ray just became a professional hitman, and the first job he did with his partner Ken went horribly wrong. They are instructed to lay low in Bruges, Belgium by their infuriated boss, who’s coming to ‘extract’ them… Ray fears what that means, and regrets getting into the business in the first place.
Why you should watch it: The topic of guilt and regret isn’t really a funny topic – and yet, there’s a comedy at number for of this list. It’s a dark comedy, but it’s absolutely brilliant. Colin Farrell killed the role and had amazing chemistry with Brendan Gleeson – the same guy who he starred with in ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ 15 years later.
3. ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ (2004)
IMDb score: 8.3/10
What it’s about: A once-happy couple separates on very bad terms. When the guy finds out that his ex underwent a medical procedure to wipe him out of her memory, he angrily decides to do the same. As the process starts, however, he realizes that the good times far outweigh the bad times and that he doesn’t want to lose those memories. He regrets ever opting for the treatment…
Why you should watch it: Switching from a comedy to something completely different, this movie opened my eyes to the fact that Jim Carrey is not just a funny guy – he is a generational talent when it comes to acting. The movie is jam-packed with emotion and even romance, and it perfectly encapsulates what it means to remember but let go.
2. ‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)
IMDb score: 8.4/10
What it’s about: The movie follows the life and work of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man who helped develop the atomic bomb. As the project gets into the final stages – the practical use, that is – Oppenheimer realizes the repercussions of his work and the horror he had inadvertently unleashed on the world.
Why you should watch it: ‘Oppenheimer’ is the newest brainchild of Christopher Nolan, but unlike the vast majority of his films, this isn’t science fiction – this is a real story of the man who spearheaded the development of the atomic bomb, and his overwhelming sense of guilt for doing so.
I’ve heard people say the film was too slow for them, but regardless of what anyone says, trust me – it’s a masterpiece well worth your time. After all, it is nominated for 13 – yes, thirteen – Academy Awards.
1. ‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)
IMDb score: 9.0/10
What it’s about: Oskar Schindler is a greedy, ruthless businessman who owns a factory. As the horrors of WWII rage on, Schindler realizes what kind of a terrifying fate the Jewish people are enduring at the hands of his own kin. Schindler becomes a very unlikely humanitarian who turns his factory into a refuge for Jews, saving over a thousand people from the Nazi terror.
Why you should watch it: It’s crazy that this was actually based on a true story, and rather heartbreaking. It’s probably the most perfect representation of guilt, regret, atonement, and redemption that one can find in the history of cinematography. And, after all those action roles Liam Neeson is known for, this has to be the crown jewel of his career.
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