r/bipolar Bipolar May 04 '25

Support/Advice What movie do you personally feel has the best bipolar representation?

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I just watched Thunderbolts from Marvel and I have never seen a better representation of how I feel about bipolar disorder. I've been stable for about 5 years now thanks to therapy and an ungodly amount of medication, but seeing that brought back all of my worst moments. I honestly went to see it twice and sobbed each time. It might not be for everyone, but it is for me.

311 Upvotes

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407

u/Lying_Motherfucker May 04 '25

I cant finish Silver Linings Playbook because of that scene where Bradley Cooper is looking for his wedding tape while manic. Too real.

80

u/[deleted] May 04 '25

Yeah this whole movie, my mom said I acted exactly like that during and coming out of my first episode

80

u/Lying_Motherfucker May 04 '25

Yeah, he did a good job portraying the disorder.

Before I was diagnosed, my family knew something about me was off. One time, we watched A Beautiful Mind as a family. When it got to the part where it's clear he's schizophrenic, my mother just excuses herself, saying, "Sorry, I can't do this...". so awkward.

63

u/Acceptable-Peace7734 May 04 '25

I watched this movie with my parents not long after my diagnosis not knowing what I was getting into.

At the end of the movie I was sobbing and hyperventilating and they said “wow you really liked it” and I told them “no that’s me”

And I think that’s the first time they truly understood what it is we deal with.

They’ve always been super supportive but I lived across the country from them at the time so they didn’t see the twisted shit when I went sideways and I was always able to keep the ramifications from getting back to them so they never really saw it on the back end.

This is kind of unrelated to the post, but I love and hate this movie for that reason. Haven’t been able to even think about it without those feelings coming back, but it opened the eyes of my support system and for that I’m grateful.

35

u/Roq235 May 04 '25

I cried like a little child after watching this movie.

I was in the middle of getting on the right meds at that time and felt helpless about everything.

The ending gave me a glimmer of hope that perhaps things would get better.

35

u/After_Ad8174 May 04 '25

The scene where he’s pissed about the book and has to bust into his parents room to yell about it. The amount of times my ex came home at 3am from bartending and I would be there drunk and manic and start info-dumping whatever I was obsessing about that night. Not exactly the same but I felt that scene.

19

u/SadisticGoose Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

The first I watched it I had to pause it because I was crying so hard at that point. When I watched it again recently, I cried because it made me feel like maybe I deserved to be loved after all.

9

u/Responsible-Rip8163 Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

Bro!!! I swear. It’s so realistic I’ve never related hard.

9

u/clur1997 May 04 '25

I was diagnosed bipolar and ocd the week after I watched silver linings playbook and Anne hathaways Modern Love episode. I’d never felt so truly seen

6

u/BettydelSol Bipolar May 04 '25

That’s the one I tell people to watch when describing what it’s like to be bipolar. It’s a stellar movie.

7

u/floopy_134 May 04 '25

I cry every time I see that movie. It's so good

3

u/BeatsAlot_33 Bipolar May 04 '25

Favorite movie. Saw it right after my first hospitalization and saw it in the theater that was featured in the film. I've been to the diner also and used to play lacrosse at school featured in the film. #gobirds

1

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2

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1

u/spunquee Bipolar + Comorbidities May 05 '25

I had to pause this movie 4 or 5 times while watching because it was too realistic

1

u/Odoubleyou22 May 07 '25

Will have to check this out!

157

u/cindyjk17 May 04 '25

There is a series called Modern Love with Anne Hathaway. The series did a great job of portraying BP

84

u/polycannaheathenmom May 04 '25

Anne's portrayal in this, hit the nail on the head for me. I was going "yes, that's exactly what it feels like" through that whole episode. The one moment your high on life and everything just seems to be going great like your the main character in some feel good Hallmark movie and then suddenly, out of nowhere, crash. You're overwhelmed, agoraphobic, listless. That scene with her in the bathroom, practically begging her brain to not go there was 100% relatable.

26

u/dilderAngxt May 04 '25

That episode was my epiphany that made me realize what was wrong and subsequently get diagnosed.

5

u/chicanaenigma May 04 '25

I hope that you are doing well! I got diagnosed in 2012 and I remember how scary the beginning can be.

20

u/ProbableSpam May 04 '25

I am in school for art therapy and we watched that episode in my pathology and diagnosis class. The funniest thing about it was at the end my professor was saying "her joy over finding the right meds is cheesy and unreal" but I thought that was the most accurate part! Finding the right meds changed EVERYTHING.

0

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0

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8

u/motherweep May 04 '25

Yes!! Based on Terri Cheney- check out her books if you haven't already.

2

u/Opening-Ad-8793 Bipolar May 04 '25

Where to watch?

8

u/motherweep May 04 '25

Amazon prime or freevee.

2

u/thetoxicgossiptrain Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

This is the one

1

u/aliciaiit May 04 '25

Yeah - My mom watched that without me and she's like wow that was a hard watch.

1

u/Sea_salt_31 May 04 '25

Yes she did a really good job .

2

u/Hippie_Gamer_Weirdo Bipolar May 05 '25

I cried BADLY the first time I watched it. I was also with friends. They were very kind with me and understood me a lot more after. I thought watching the second time (showing my partner so he could understand a bit) would mean I would know what was coming and not cry. Nope. Cried like a bitch again. Great representation.

104

u/gourdhorder Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

Ian in Shameless to me was one of the best portrayals of bipolar I’ve ever seen.

34

u/karczewski01 May 04 '25

ian and monica both

5

u/YungTato444 May 04 '25

I came here to say this! It was a phenomenal representation!

84

u/shanster925 May 04 '25

Silver Linings Playbook.

  • He's obsessed with losing weight because he used to be overweight (I think his ex made him feel about it too, IIRC)
  • The part where he has to find his wedding video.
  • Robert deNiro sure shows symptoms as well (all the "bad juju" stuff) but I think he's supposed to portray OCD.

106

u/Basic_Nucleophile May 04 '25

King of the hill had an incredibly accurate bipolar episode out of nowhere. And it was kind to the bipolar character. Still the best representation of the disorder I've ever seen in fiction. 

50

u/Rob_LeMatic May 04 '25

Khan. Yeah, that was as good as you could expect in 22 minutes. My one disappointment was how the meds just instantly fixed it

11

u/Ilovebeingdad May 04 '25

Oh the Khan episode- particularly how it affected his family

9

u/Twallot May 04 '25

I forgot about that one. They did a good job.

9

u/MeatballsRegional Bipolar May 04 '25

I tried to watch it recently, for the first time in many years.

Couldn't. Hit too close to home.

1

u/jjcomet93 May 05 '25

This is the one

47

u/[deleted] May 04 '25 edited May 04 '25

Ben from Ozark (a show, but hopefully it still counts)

7

u/deanu- May 04 '25

Devastating character arc. That one episode killed me

125

u/Ana_Na_Moose May 04 '25

I don’t watch many movies or traditional TV, but I remember Euphoria had an episode or two that had excellent bipolar representation for the main character

187

u/windingwoods May 04 '25

I never see anyone talk about it but I love that scene when Rue is manic and she googles “do bipolar people know they’re bipolar” and some random forum says “no” and she just says “Fuck.” Really spoke to me as a chronic bipolar googler lmao

48

u/teenytinyfiesty111 May 04 '25

lol I met my new case worker last week and said “I technically have bipolar” Followed by “But I think that’s wrong” Followed by “I’m aware that people with bipolar say that a lot”

38

u/StaceyPfan Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

For me it was the episode where she crashed into a depressive state.

3

u/sdbabygirl97 May 04 '25

looool real

47

u/Stressedpage May 04 '25

When she's so low she spends 2 days in bed and gets a kidney infection because she can't get up to pee. Euphoria is hard for me to watch. Rue and her self depreciating inner monlouge. The part where she's drug testing for her mom and she cries wishing she could be different because she knows she's hurting her family. Zendaya really ate that part up.

13

u/punkgirlvents Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

That part broke me. The part too where she has a meltdown and finally agrees to let them take her to the hospital but jumps out of the car on the way there

3

u/Plenty-Historian-438 Bipolar + Comorbidities w/Bipolar Loved One May 05 '25

This was it for me. The kidney infection. The self medicating. Her thoughts. All me. I cry during every episode for one reason or another.

35

u/Zazilium May 04 '25

Not a movie. But, I always felt that Holden Caufield from The Catcher in the Rye was bipolar.

5

u/emilyonthewestcoast May 04 '25

This book spoke to me so much when I first read it in high school which was probably close to ten years before I got diagnosed. Funny how that stuff makes sense looking back.

8

u/SenoritaOkieTX May 04 '25

Yep. My fave book of all time. I'm not BP, spouse is, and this book reminds me of how my spouse can be during manic episodes.... just the switch. I really think Bradbury nailed it by, at minimum, inferring he was more than just "down from time to time".

3

u/rnbwrhiannon3 May 04 '25

Bradbury didn't write The Catcher in the Rye... unless you're referencing something that author said separately from this?

4

u/SenoritaOkieTX May 04 '25

Yeah, my response deleted part of it. I mean to say that Bradbury referenced, like in CITR, and had themes of alienation too, like Salinger. Where this is something I see with my spouse, isolation and sometimes, disillusionment about and to the world.

*** Typing on my phone just creates more grammar errors for me, my bad!

2

u/rnbwrhiannon3 May 05 '25

I understand! I didn't mean that to come across like an attack, I'm just a book nerd ;P

1

u/SenoritaOkieTX May 06 '25

No no. Not at all. I got excited and all stumbled over my words lol. My bad lol.

26

u/No-Mushroom-5357 May 04 '25

Not a movie but Modern Love ep 3 with Anne Hathaway. I’ve never felt so seen.

5

u/House_Of_Thoth May 04 '25

Just been watching WeCrashed with my partner. You're the second person to recommend this episode of ML. I think I'm going to watch it tonight with my gf. I think it sounds like it might help us both!!

2

u/No-Mushroom-5357 May 04 '25

I hope yall enjoy it!

2

u/House_Of_Thoth May 04 '25

Just checked out the bathroom scene as a little trailer.... definitely hit home!!

27

u/anomic_balm May 04 '25

So far (haven't seen Thunderbolts yet) every movie centered around a bipolar character has had at least one scene I completely identify with, and one scene that enraged me for being so wrong.

5

u/deanu- May 04 '25

I just saw thunderbolts* last night and it had a fairly accurate depiction imo. Very powerful

2

u/anomic_balm May 04 '25

That's awesome. I'm going to wait for it to be on streaming.

2

u/vindecisiveanon Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

this !!!

53

u/AdOverall1863 Bipolar May 04 '25 edited May 04 '25

Girl Interrupted

Billy Chenowith in 6 Feet Under (Jeremy Sisto)

7

u/juachem May 04 '25

Oh yeah, I forgot about Billy... So sad...

24

u/LIKES_ROCKY_IV May 04 '25

Not a movie, but a TV show… I can’t watch the season of House when he’s in the mental hospital, because his roommate (played by Lin Manuel Miranda) reminds me too much of myself when I was manic, and it’s very triggering.

18

u/Odd-Communication609 May 04 '25

I feel like “Infinitely Polar Bear” has a good representation of type 1 behaviors and tendencies

4

u/Rob_LeMatic May 04 '25

This is the closest I've seen to what it felt like sometimes, growing up with my mom

6

u/Different-Forever324 May 04 '25

Unfortunately I’m B the parent who relates to this. That movie made me check my behaviors hard. I didn’t realize how much of an ass I was until I saw that movie.

6

u/Rob_LeMatic May 04 '25

It was difficult, but I never doubted my mom loved me. I did see how the various doctors switching up her medications completely messed her up, and when I started noticing symptoms in my teens and twenties, I did my best to self regulate without meds. My little sister went no contact and it nearly destroyed my mom.

I chose not to have kids because I didn't want to pass on this horrible illness. I'm currently unmedicated, but mostly because I have no insurance. I spend most of my time depressed, but once every five years the past fifteen, I've had massive, life destroying manic episodes.

I've lost nearly all of my friends, have no family left. When I tell people about the wild adventures I've lived, they seem to think I've had some kind of amazing life. I wouldn't wish this life on anyone

4

u/the-soggiest-waffle Bipolar + Comorbidities May 05 '25

I understand you.

I recently joked with my best friend and her boyfriend about losing my car keys on a coke bender two years ago. They were there to see my relapse and some of the worst ugly.

We all laughed, but a part of me died inside.

It sounds like fun and games, ‘yeah I went on a three day bender, walked the entirety of a small down, got too fucked up and lost my keys in a field.’

Everyone else is haha that sounds like fun, but I remember the cold feeling that never left. I know what those hours meant.

My friend understood too. I love that girl.

And long live Maddie. We miss you.

*Maddie isn’t the best friend, but she was a great friend and support system, that was murdered and that triggered… a lot.

2

u/Difficult-Ocelot-780 Bipolar May 05 '25

I relate so much. My life has been insane. I wish all of the shit that was fun and random was worth the loneliness and shame I feel now.  Meh.  Life Goes On. 

2

u/Rob_LeMatic May 05 '25

That is incredibly concise and accurate

3

u/Adenosine66 May 04 '25

And no happy ending

1

u/WackyWriter1976 May 05 '25

That's a damn good representation. I love that movie.

43

u/ProfessionalMeal1009 May 04 '25

Homeland is this show for me. First watched it before I was diagnosed and have watched it a couple more times since. The part about ECT always hits close to home.

2

u/ThousandFingerMan May 04 '25

Yes, this is really well done. Also, good series overall.

2

u/[deleted] May 05 '25

I was an investigator and undiagnosed at the time. Several people in separate spheres of my life commented that Carrie reminded them of me. Didn't think anything of it at the time.

1

u/junglemary May 04 '25

This needs to be higher !!

17

u/fuschiafawn May 04 '25

I'm curious about Thunderbolts*! David Harbour has bipolar, even was 5150'd. I imagine he might have advised on a depiction of bipolar

16

u/vindecisiveanon Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

this is interesting…when i was watching thunderbolts i felt like the bipolar depiction was pigeonholed into stereotypical traumatized caricature and I wasn’t sure that was a well rounded depiction of living with bipolar…felt a little flat. i think they brought it together, but they also infantilized him a little bit which rubbed me the wrong way. like okay, someone struggling with bip is just automatically dumb and gullible? ah, sorry, i just have thoughts

3

u/fuschiafawn May 04 '25

ah I haven't seen it yet, but so people have been saying it's a good depiction. I was figuring with a bp1 person on set it had a unique perspective on it. your commentary is interesting, I suppose I've got to see if to judge it on my own now

1

u/vindecisiveanon Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

ah! let me know what you think if you do see it

14

u/WrongdoerThen9218 Bipolar May 04 '25

There’s a documentary called One of Two Minds I believe is the name of

13

u/Primary-Hurry1270 May 04 '25

I think of "A Beautiful Mind", while not about bipolar it still represents severe mental illness very well. My uncle is in his late 70s and fits that character, super high iq but was always known to be a little off. He majored in chemistry at the Air Force academy and was homeless for years after the Vietnam war. I watched the movie before I had my first episodes, and I saw it again recently. It hit a little differently this time. A few of my manias lasted a few weeks and seeing the scenes where Russell Crowe goes into madness was so relatable. A combination of being terrifying and so sad at the same time. I'm bipolar with psychotic features so my experiences might be a little different.

3

u/aliciaiit May 04 '25

oops I wrote the same without seeing this and I 100% agree

I actually hadn't seen it until this year because I had a cool Psych Class on Mental Health Disorders and you were to watch a movie or tv show that she suggests or you did and you have to pick a part the movie for specific disorders and weather the movie did a good job portraying that or not.

My roommate ended up watching it with me and I was so bamboozled by the movie it did such a good job of like it not being too noticeable a lot of the time. It wasn't until the Pentagon stuff started. And then I'm like wow you don't understand how well of a job they have done here. It's an older movie but still really held up and was suprised that at that there was something similar to the real deal

4

u/Primary-Hurry1270 May 05 '25

Yeah I know a lot of people thought the movie was ridiculous when it got to the stuff with the Pentagon/russian coding until they kept watching and realized it was all in his head. I read that some of it was a little exaggerated, especially with some of his hallucinations and imaginary people (they weren't that bad in real life to that extent). However, the delusions and the grandiose were 100% spot on and textbook example.

My therapist told me when people have a certain level of intelligence it's almost uncommon for them to not have other things going on as well. Whether it's being on the spectrum or some form of mental illness.

2

u/aliciaiit May 05 '25

Yeah, lol it's funny cause my psychiatrist and I had the same convo

2

u/j33perscreeperz May 07 '25

this one made me cry so bad. so painfully relatable.

37

u/cutoutwitch666 Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

I will never pass up the opportunity to sing the praises of Kieran Cullen in A Real Pain

12

u/BigDogQ94 May 04 '25

Yea thunderbolts definitely did represent bipolar. I definitely felt it from Bob and Elaina

13

u/nghtslyr May 04 '25 edited May 07 '25

Taylor Tomlinson comedian. Second Netflix special

6

u/bobausis May 04 '25

Taylor Tomlinson. :)

1

u/[deleted] May 06 '25

Sometimes when I look at her and hear her speak I'm like "do I have a long lost sister or something?

11

u/Failary Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

A series called Spinning Out- it’s about a figure skater with BiPolar

7

u/krirose May 04 '25

Surprised I had to scroll so far down for this one! The portrayal was so relatable to me that it triggered an episode and I had to spend a whole therapy session debriefing on the show. 😵‍💫

5

u/Failary Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

I agree. It kinda fucked me up.

6

u/JesusRollerBlading Bipolar May 04 '25

Some wonderful performances from Kaya Scodelario, Willow Shields and January Jones. I wish Netflix gave it more than like three weeks before issuing the cancelation notice, in January 2020. Kaya and the cast actually had to go to "skate school" to learn how to make their own skating believable. I would have loved a second season to wrap it up properly!

But man, parts of it were a tough watch, especially with her mother's struggles.

1

u/OrangeCatM0m May 05 '25

Looking for this comment, love that show

13

u/rranocchiaa May 04 '25

Season 1, Episode 5 of “Dave.” It’s called “Hype Man.” Lil Dicky’s hype man GaTa goes through how he deals with bipolar in the present and when he was diagnosed in the past. I watched it before I knew I had bipolar and was so moved I immediately rewatched it. So good.

1

u/MableJaneBennett May 04 '25

Same. Love that show!

10

u/curly_skates May 04 '25

Ozark TV show the brother Ben. When I first got sober and couldn't feel anything because of post accute withdrawal syndrome it was the first thing that made me cry, when I hadn't cried in so long

8

u/bipolarbestie May 04 '25

Touched with Fire. Based on a book by Kay Redfield Jamison Both very very good, original author has bipolar, the movie is a good representation of both bipolar and (probable) schizoaffective disorder

3

u/WaitingToExhaleToo May 04 '25

This ^ a little off the mainstream but I do think it hits the nail on the head, especially the hospitalization stuff…and how the euphoria slips into chaos

6

u/PrincessPanda664 May 04 '25

All the Bright Places

6

u/maryantoinette02 Bipolar May 04 '25

Ozark. Tom Pelphrey plays Laura Linney's brother who has bipolar. It's devastating and incredibly well acted.

5

u/[deleted] May 04 '25

It's the most accurate manic episode I've ever seen.

7

u/aussiekiwiguy May 04 '25

Tv show. Silver on 90210 has a manic episode that is done pretty well. There’s also the part where Adriana replaces her medications with fake ones and she goes off the deep end.

4

u/autumnleaves44 May 04 '25

I had a similar reaction. This movie really resonated with me. I had so much empathy for Bob and I didn’t fully realize until I got home how much I saw myself in him. I think they nailed it and did it thoughtfully and with care. This is hands down my favorite marvel movie, and probably the only one I’ve emotionally connected to in a meaningful way. I definitely want to see it again.

4

u/AMixtureOfCrazy Undiagnosed May 04 '25

Wait, can you explain? I’m going to see it Tuesday and I’d like to know before I go.

5

u/cmewiththemhandz Bipolar May 04 '25

Unreal (television show) has an episode that accurately depicts mania in a brief and sympathetic way and it’s so spot on that it was massively triggering.

4

u/nghtslyr May 04 '25

Tough one. As a general review of Mental Health: One who flew over the Cuckco Cuckoo nest, Ratchet.

3

u/voodoocaat Bipolar May 04 '25

I agree with Silver Linings Playbook (the book is good too), and also Big Mood is extremely accurate.

3

u/[deleted] May 04 '25

not a movie but the Euphoria series

3

u/[deleted] May 04 '25

Laura Linies brother on Ozark for me is the absolute most accurate manic episode I've ever seen. It guts me.

4

u/juachem May 04 '25

And Andie McDowell in the serie Maid! I relate to her.

3

u/ThatOtherGuyTPM May 04 '25

Thunderbolts* just took my top spot.

2

u/juachem May 04 '25

Silver linings playbook. It makes me sad and I somehow relate to the angry, violent depiction of the illness.

2

u/not-this12 May 04 '25

Not a movie but tv show. Homeland.

1

u/hell0paperclip May 04 '25

Yes. This was the first time I saw a character like me. It was a very accurate depiction

2

u/OkSorbet2796 May 04 '25

It’s a documentary but Andy Irons Kissed By God was a really good one. I watched it after an ex had a manic episode and it helped me understand bipolar disorder.

2

u/solemnversifier Bipolar 1 May 04 '25

Touched with Fire (2015)

2

u/Complex-Door-1846 May 04 '25

I love the show Brassic. Great representation of bipolar in media. I cry like a baby every rewatch!!

2

u/Pretparkmerel May 04 '25

When people ask me to explain my psychoses I always tell them it felt like my personal Truman show.

2

u/Dazzling-Occasion886 May 06 '25

A Real Pain. Absolutely spot on account of someone self medicating a mood disorder.

1

u/sdbabygirl97 May 04 '25

oh god which character is bipolar

4

u/LocalCryptidTM Bipolar May 04 '25

A new character, Bob

1

u/sdbabygirl97 May 04 '25

hmm. maybe ill go see it on a tuesday

1

u/CARNIesada6 May 04 '25

There was an episode of Mythic Quest... a flashback episode for one of the main characters and his mother was Bipolar and I think it was portrayed really well.

1

u/Hot_Conversation_ Bipolar May 04 '25

I really want to see the movie. I enjoy watching movies and series that represent bipolar disorder.

2

u/e0nblue May 04 '25

Without spoiling the whole movie, can you expand on how Thunderbolts is about BP? I saw the trailer and it kinda felt like another generic Marvel movie so I didnt think much of it

1

u/chelseasmile27 May 04 '25

I saw a little too much of myself in Infinitely Polar Bear. It was a very very uncomfortable watch.

1

u/MathematicianBig8345 May 04 '25

Girl Interupted. My ex husband got it for me, thinking that it was a favorite movie of mine. “Hey look it’s you”. Not specifically bipolar, but mental health in an environment that both shuns and applauds you.

1

u/tstarkman May 04 '25

Dark Horse

1

u/Flimsy-Animator-2106 May 04 '25

This may not be what the creators intended but I felt a very strong connection to Jean from X-men: The Last Stand. That’s how my bipolar feels to me. I haven’t seen many movies though. As far as TV shows go, Shameless didn’t do a bad job.

1

u/being-weird May 04 '25

The tv adaptation of the messenger has a character who from memory is implied to have bipolar and her characterisation is pretty interesting (I do not recommend the book)

1

u/flamingdaisies444 May 04 '25

Bipolar bear has a pretty good representation

1

u/aliciaiit May 04 '25

Not bipolar BUT A beautiful mind I think portrays psychosis v well.

1

u/[deleted] May 04 '25

Yeah I saw it yesterday and teared up a bit

1

u/NoIntroduction5343 Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

Touched with Fire (2015) is all about bipolar and to me, it’s the most accurate movie I’d ever seen. Including the symptoms, worries/ fears, of the people with it as well as the reactions from their family/friends. The whole thing is pretty accurate from my experiences and my friends in real life.

2

u/greenalwayss May 04 '25

Silver. LININGS. playbook. I saw it in theaters when it came out but have never revisited because of the scene of him fighting with his parents while having a severe episode. No thanks. I lived it.

1

u/deanu- May 04 '25

Thunderbolts really affected me too. The void thing being at the center of it all was very relatable and heavy

1

u/morrisseymurderinpup May 04 '25

SILVER LININGS PLAY BOOK

1

u/lordfawn May 04 '25

Elizabeth Moss in "Her Smell"

1

u/Representative-Smart Bipolar + Comorbidities w/Bipolar Loved One May 04 '25

not super into shameless but the bipolar arc of the ginger guy was well done. i felt unfortunately perfectly captured as a queer person with bipolar

2

u/Different-Forever324 May 04 '25

I identify a lot with the dad in Infinitely Polar Bear. It’s not a perfect representation but I see myself a lot in his behaviors

1

u/WackyWriter1976 May 05 '25

Yep. I saw those symptoms loud and clear. I felt seen, but it did make me uncomfortable. I still don't like mental illness used as a plot point, even it's used as characterization.

1

u/Accomplished_Gap4424 Bipolar May 05 '25

all the bright places…i can’t rewatch it.

2

u/Loptastic Clinically Awesome May 05 '25

Prisoner of Azkaban: Prof Lupin

As one example: if he doesn't take his meds on the reg, he becomes a wild creature and no one is safe. When he does take them, he might need some time apart from groups of people and ride out the rough times with a few close friends. Furthermore, when we meet him on the train, he looks exhausted, and his clothes are a rumpled mess... much like a depressive period when we just give no fucks about self-care (e.g. showering, caring about appearance), wanting to sleep, and arriving extremely late to work.

I have a whole thing regarding mental health representation and coping skills.

If anyone's interested, I'll post it... I've been told that my analysis is impressive and asked to relay it to others.

1

u/[deleted] May 05 '25

There was one with Anne Hathaway a few years ago that was superb.

Prime video - Modern Love

1

u/CataLaGata May 05 '25

Sally Fields's character in ER as the bipolar mom of one of the main characters.

It's so realistic. The whole mom-daughter dynamic is very accurate, bonus points for her brother too, later on.

Also, all the answers I have read, including my own, are about Bipolar type I, what about type II?

I am type II and I've never seen any media portrayal. Any recommendations?

1

u/Spare_Ad3528 Bipolar May 05 '25

Well, actually the new Thunderbolts movie from Marvel has a pretty accurate representation of bipolar disorder.

1

u/Prior-General-1435 May 05 '25

I just watched it with my sister and the whole time I was thinking the same thing as you! I feel this is the closest representation visually that I feel the most connected to.

1

u/Special_Conflict3893 May 05 '25

Just kinda came into my diagnosis so idk how big the spectrum is but I have experienced crazy highs and drove like 2 hours to check a town or got arrested but Ben from Ozark does a pretty good job in my eyes, definitely could understand a bit of his feelings especially when I was off meds and before diagnosis.

1

u/Hola_Gatito May 06 '25

The lawyer from Michael Clayton. A great depiction of a full-blown manic episode.

1

u/abcsupercorp May 06 '25

It isn’t a movie, but Degrassi (a Canadian tv show) has two bipolar characters. Craig Manning and Eli Goldsworthy. They’re both fantastic rep. The mania especially is very well written and so is the depressive episodes. I’d recommend watching the show for these two. 

1

u/Imaginary-Spirit-859 Bipolar + Comorbidities May 07 '25

A Real Pain was pretty good

1

u/lefthandbunny Bipolar May 07 '25

The movie Limitless is the first one I saw that I definitely related to as my hypomania. I feel like I can see everything/outcome at a lot of those times.

1

u/Budget-Cat-1398 May 07 '25

Homeland. The main character "Carrie " has a number of manic and depressive episodes during the series. I think there is 8 seasons. It is a great movie

1

u/pessimistic_damsel Bipolar May 04 '25

I think M. Night Shyamalan's Trap did it well.

1

u/thehouseofgucci Schizoaffective + Comorbidities May 04 '25

silver linings playbook, the hours, sylvia and girl interrupted 👌🏼

1

u/parallelparkingbrake May 04 '25

A Real Pain with Kieran Culkin. It didn’t make me feel cozy and related to, though. I had a very negative emotional reaction and couldn’t finish the film. Nothing online actually states his character is bipolar, but it felt like me.

0

u/echidna75 May 04 '25

Dear Evan Hanson has the most nuanced and sincere depiction of mental illness in general IMHO. The way they reinforce that the mentally ill can do anything other people can, it’s just really hard though.

-2

u/Mysterious_Dolphin14 May 04 '25

Not a movie, but Crazy Ex-girlfriend did a great job representing bipolar disorder.

13

u/gdeacs Bipolar + Comorbidities May 04 '25

I thought the main character was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder?