Adolescence is a prime source of conflict, with its multitude of terrors like puberty, first love, high school, and parents who just never seem to get it. These conflicts give rise to a plethora of amazing films. Here are 6 unforgettable stories of tormented teenagers.
#1 The Hate U Give (2018)
Angie Thomas’ novel “The Hate U Give” explores universal themes despite its focus on teenage characters. Starr Carter, a black teen attending a mostly white school, finds herself torn between two worlds and unable to fully commit to either. However, when a tragic incident results in the death of her friend, she must take a stand. “The Hate U Give” confronts sensitive and complex issues of racial injustice and police brutality, offering a poignant portrayal through the eyes of a teenager witnessing these injustices unfold.
#2 Brick (2005)
This hard boiled neo-noir is set in a high school and features the captivating swagger of Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He portrays Brendan, a brooding loner with the panache of a wisecracking gumshoe (similar to Humphrey Bogart as a high-school senior). This film exudes indie perfection, reminiscent of Dashiell Hammett’s style.
All these movies about teenagers’ problems are quite colorful and sometimes overdo the problems, but they accurately describe what modern youth are worried about. You can watch all the movies on Fire TV and there’s a good chance you’ll find a character similar to your teen. If you have any problems accessing content, simply install a VPN for FireStick and connect to a remote server in another country. Most of the films are available in the US or UK, so it’s worth starting with those regions.
#3 Thirteen (2003)
Catherine Hardwicke directed the film “Thirteen,” which depicts the journey of Tracy (played by Evan Rachel Wood), a young girl enticed into a world of drugs, crime, and sexual behavior after befriending troubled teen Evie (Nikki Reed). It effectively portrays the challenges and temptations faced by young teenagers, highlighting the destructive impact of peer pressure.
#4 A Clockwork Orange (1971)
A certain kind of teenager undergoes a rite of passage when they come across Stanley Kubrick’s movie (or Anthony Burgess’ book for the Nerds). Its allure is multifaceted, ranging from circumventing parental age restrictions to the rebellious style and the carefree nihilism of teenage terror Alex DeLarge and his ragtag gang engaging in some good old ultra-violence. It’s a depiction of the teenager as a sociopath.
#5 RBG (2018)
While you may not share the same political views as Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, watching this film will help you appreciate her strong work ethic, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to taking a stand, regardless of its popularity. The film raises important moral issues, so it is worth watching with a teenager to better understand their feelings. If necessary, download a free VPN and you can get acquainted with this and similar films in detail. In today’s polarized political climate, the film offers a significant lesson.
#6 Heavenly Creatures (1994)
Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey made their big-screen debuts in what is considered director Peter Jackson’s finest film (with all due respect to the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy). The movie revolves around New Zealand’s infamous 1954 Parker-Hulme murder case. Both teenagers immerse themselves in the obsession and hysteria of their best friendship and first love. They create their own world, depicted through a series of psychedelic and borderline-terrifying dream sequences featuring animated clay figures, in order to escape the strict moral constraints imposed by disapproving parents and 1950s society.
#7 Less Than Zero (1987)
This adaptation of provocateur Bret Easton Ellis’ debut novel may be misleadingly mistaken for its target: excessive and amoral. College freshman Clay (played by Andrew McCarthy) returns to LA for Christmas to visit his girlfriend and friend Julian, portrayed hauntingly young by Robert Downey, Jr. This story captures the lives of wayward Southern California youth in the most decadent of decades. However, beneath the veneer of cocaine and sex lies substance, particularly evident in Downey’s riveting performance as he spirals into substance abuse—a retrospect that would be even more unbearable if he hadn’t reformed and become Iron Man.
#8 Heavenly Creatures (1994)
What remains the best movie director Peter Jackson has ever made (respectfully acknowledging the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy), is the one where Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey had their big-screen debuts. The story focuses on the obsession and hysteria of two teenagers who experience both intense friendship and first love. In their attempt to escape the oppressive moral standards set by their disapproving parents and society in the 1950s, they create an alternate world. This world is brought to life through psychedelic, and borderline-terrifying dream sequences featuring animated clay figures.
Conclusion
Adolescence is often associated with difficulties and many people change greatly during this period. To understand the cause of aggression or depression, it is worth digging a little deeper. Perhaps the original reason is peer pressure. Psychological difficulties can be overcome if you understand their nature. The task of good parents is to understand the cause of the problem and help overcome the difficulty. The films will help to better understand what teenagers face in the modern world.
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