Nihilistic Films

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Not all films below are about nihilism—some explore pessimism, depression, or anti-natalism.

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Utopia (2013-2014)
IMDB 8.4

Utopia (2013-2014)

2013
CN: 8.1

Utopia (2013-2014)

Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller United Kingdom

After a group of people, who meet online, discover a bizarre graphic novel which seems to hold mysterious answers, they find themselves being tracked...

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Aoi Bungaku Series (2009)
IMDB 7.5

Aoi Bungaku Series (2009)

2009
CN: 8.4

Aoi Bungaku Series (2009)

Drama, History Japan

Aoi Bungaku is a 12 episode anime series that is comprised of adaptations of six Japanese literary classics. The stories included are 'No Longer Human...

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Silenced (2011)
IMDB 8.0

Silenced (2011)

2011 • 125m
CN: 8.2

Silenced (2011)

Crime, Drama, Thriller South Korea

Based on real events, this film depicts the story of a school for the hearing-impaired where young deaf students were sexually assaulted by the facult...

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The Painted Bird (2019)
IMDB 7.3

The Painted Bird (2019)

2019 • 169m
CN: 8.8

The Painted Bird (2019)

Drama, Horror, Thriller, War Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine

A young Jewish boy somewhere in Eastern Europe seeks refuge during World War II where he encounters many different characters.

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Turtles Can Fly (2004)
IMDB 8.0

Turtles Can Fly (2004)

2004 • 98m
CN: 8.1

Turtles Can Fly (2004)

Drama Iraq

Near the Iraqi-Turkish border on the eve of an American invasion, refugee children, like 13-year-old Kak (Ebrahim), gauge and await their fate.

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Bedevilled (2010)
IMDB 7.2

Bedevilled (2010)

2010 • 115m
CN: 8.2

Bedevilled (2010)

Drama, Horror, Thriller South Korea

A woman subject to mental, physical and sexual abuse on a remote island seeks a way out.

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The Vanishing (1988)
IMDB 7.7

The Vanishing (1988)

1988 • 107m
CN: 8.1

The Vanishing (1988)

Mystery, Thriller Netherlands, France

Rex and Saskia, a young couple in love, are on vacation. They stop at a busy service station and Saskia is abducted. After three years and no sign of...

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The Seventh Continent (1989)
IMDB 7.6

The Seventh Continent (1989)

1989 • 108m
CN: 8.5

The Seventh Continent (1989)

Drama Austria

The daily routines of a seemingly ordinary Austrian family begin to take on a sinister complexion.

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The Wild Pear Tree (2018)
IMDB 8.0

The Wild Pear Tree (2018)

2018 • 188m
CN: 8.2

The Wild Pear Tree (2018)

Drama Turkey

An unpublished writer returns to his hometown after graduating, where he seeks sponsors to publish his book while dealing with his father's deteriorat...

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The Fool (2014)
IMDB 8.0

The Fool (2014)

2014 • 176m
CN: 8.2

The Fool (2014)

Crime, Drama, Thriller Russia

Dima Nikitin is an ordinary honest plumber who suddenly decides to face the corrupt system of local politics in order to save the lives of 800 inhabit...

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The Son (2022)
IMDB 6.5

The Son (2022)

2022 • 123m
CN: 8.1

The Son (2022)

Drama United Kingdom, France

Peter has his busy life with new partner Beth and their baby thrown into disarray when his ex-wife Kate turns up with their teenage son, Nicholas.

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About Dry Grasses (2023)
IMDB 7.7

About Dry Grasses (2023)

2023 • 197m
CN: 8.3

About Dry Grasses (2023)

Drama Turkey, France, Germany, Sweden

A young teacher hopes to be transferred to Istanbul after four years of mandatory service in a remote village, but is accused of inappropriate contact...

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The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005)
IMDB 7.8

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005)

2005 • 153m
CN: 8.1

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2005)

Drama Romania

Mr. Lãzãrescu, a dying old man, is shuttled from hospital to hospital by a loyal paramedic as doctors refuse to operate and no one can agree on a diag...

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Kino's Journey (2003)
IMDB 8.3

Kino's Journey (2003)

2003
CN: 8.5

Kino's Journey (2003)

Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Japan

Young world-weary sharpshooter girl Kino and her talking inquisitive motorcycle Hermes travel around her unusual world, visiting various city-states f...

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Miss Violence (2013)
IMDB 7.1

Miss Violence (2013)

2013 • 98m
CN: 8.2

Miss Violence (2013)

Drama, Thriller Greece

A chilling account of a horrendous family tragedy perpetuated behind closed doors. As chronic violence chips away at the household's elaborate façade,...

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Here Without Me (2011)
IMDB 7.8

Here Without Me (2011)

2011 • 100m
CN: 8.2

Here Without Me (2011)

Drama Iran

The story is about the world of a small family with familiar dreams and not so remarkable problems. The mother is trying to lead everything to save he...

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The Sopranos (1999–2007)
IMDB 9.2

The Sopranos (1999–2007)

1999
CN: 8.1

The Sopranos (1999–2007)

Crime, Drama United States

New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him t...

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True Detective S1 (2014)
IMDB 8.9

True Detective S1 (2014)

2014
CN: 9.0

True Detective S1 (2014)

Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller United States

Anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.

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Poor Things (2023)
IMDB 7.8

Poor Things (2023)

2023 • 141m
CN: 8.3

Poor Things (2023)

Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi Ireland, United Kingdom, United States, Hungary

The incredible tale about the fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr....

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Perfect Days (2023)
IMDB 7.9

Perfect Days (2023)

2023 • 124m
CN: 8.1

Perfect Days (2023)

Drama Japan, Germany

Hirayama cleans public toilets in Tokyo, lives his life in simplicity and daily tranquility. Some encounters also lead him to reflect on himself.

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Leviathan (2014)
IMDB 7.6

Leviathan (2014)

2014 • 140m
CN: 8.1

Leviathan (2014)

Crime, Drama Russia

In a Russian coastal town, Kolya is forced to fight the corrupt mayor when he is told that his house will be demolished. He recruits a lawyer friend t...

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Rose (2011)
IMDB 7.5

Rose (2011)

2011 • 90m
CN: 8.2

Rose (2011)

Drama, War Poland

Rose, a German widow, hides from Russian soldiers who like to rape women and fights off Polish refugees who will steal everything she has. She gets he...

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Saw Series (2004 - 2023)
IMDB 6.5

Saw Series (2004 - 2023)

2004
CN: 8.0

Saw Series (2004 - 2023)

Horror, Mystery, Thriller United States

Waking up in a bathroom, two men, Adam and Dr. Lawrence Gordon, discover they have been captured by the infamous Jigsaw Killer. The men must escape be...

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Oslo, August 31st (2011)
IMDB 7.6

Oslo, August 31st (2011)

2011 • 95m
CN: 8.6

Oslo, August 31st (2011)

Drama Norway, Denmark, Sweden

One day in the life of Anders, a young recovering drug addict, who takes a brief leave from his treatment center to interview for a job and catch up w...

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A film is missing?

If you know a film that belongs in this list, bleak, nihilistic, or just quietly devastating. let me know.

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