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- The Dark Horse (2016) This film is based on the life of the brilliant Kiwi chess player, Genesis Potini. Potini suffered from a severe case of bipolar disorder.
- Shine (1996) This film is based on the life of the accomplished pianist David Helfgott who was institutionalised after he suffered a chronic mental breakdown.
- Silver Linings Playbook (2012) The film that got Jennifer Lawrence an Academy Award and shot her to the fame she now enjoys, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ is perhaps the best-known film about bipolar disorder.
- Infinitely Polar Bear (2014) This film tells the story of a man who suffers from bipolar disorder. Due to his psychotic episodes, he is let go from his job because of which his family’s financial situation becomes unstable.
- Overview
- ‘Silver Linings Playbook’
- ‘Homeland’
- ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’
- ‘Michael Clayton’
- ‘Infinitely Polar Bear’
- ‘Mr. Jones’
- ‘Touched with Fire’
- ‘The Informant!’
- ‘Bipolar Rock ‘N’ Roller’
Research estimates about 4.4% of adults in the United States will experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives.
It’s important for people living with bipolar disorder to be represented in film and TV. Yet, the media often exaggerates the emotional highs and lows of the condition.
People with bipolar disorder can look like anyone. They’re old and young, work fulfilling jobs, and have loving friends and families. A more accurate representation can help raise awareness of the condition and reduce the stigma around mental illness.
The following are some movies and TV shows that include a character with bipolar disorder and do it well. They show what it’s like to experience episodes of mania as well as the incredibly low moods that can be part of bipolar disorder.
These characters have families, friends, and co-workers who care about their well-being. Some of these movies and shows address the challenge of caring for a loved one with bipolar disorder.
In several of these shows and movies, treatment decisions are explored and challenged. Just as in real life, it can be quite a journey to find the right care and treatment options for you or your loved one.
This 2012 movie is based on the book written by Matthew Quick. It’s about a man named Pat who gets into trouble with the law and is admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
At the hospital, he’s diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Pat has trouble accepting this diagnosis. After leaving the hospital, he moves back in with his parents.
Pat was married and working as a teacher before going into the hospital. He’s determined to get this life back. Pat doesn’t like how the medication makes him feel and doesn’t think he needs it. He wants to manage his bipolar disorder on his own.
The movie accurately depicts manic episodes: Pat comes up with complex plans to win back his wife. At times, he speaks rapidly, blurts out whatever ideas pop into his head, and barely sleeps.
“Homeland” is a show that ran from 2011–2020. It features a CIA agent named Carrie who has bipolar disorder.
Carrie, played by Claire Danes, believes that an American prisoner of war is actually an Al-Qaeda spy. Many people celebrate this prisoner as a hero, but Carrie’s instincts tell her otherwise.
The series is a thrilling game of cat and mouse, with brilliant Carrie at the top of her game. Carrie thinks quickly, pulls off complex plans, and is spontaneous. These traits may be associated with bipolar disorder, and they serve her well as a CIA agent.
The constant stress of her position takes a toll, however, and makes it more difficult to manage her bipolar disorder.
This Canadian TV series ran from 2001–2015. It’s the newest installment of the “Degrassi” shows that aired in the 1980s and 1990s.
The show follows a group of students who deal with a variety of challenges typical to teenagers. It’s praised for having real-life characters tackle tough themes.
The series features two characters with bipolar disorder: Eli Goldsworthy and Craig Manning. They are otherwise typical teenagers with friends, relationships, and dreams. The viewer gets to see how living with bipolar disorder affects their lives and the people around them.
In every “Degrassi” series, in fact, there are characters living with mental health conditions.
This 2007 movie is an intense legal thriller about a law firm tasked with defending a giant, very guilty corporation. The class-action suit is worth billions of dollars, so stakes and tension are high.
Tom Wilkinson plays Arthur Edens. He’s a senior lawyer at the firm who’s living with bipolar disorder. He’s not taking his medication, however, and has a manic episode while in court. He’s removed from the case.
This 2014 movie is based on the childhood of writer and director Maya Forbes.
The movie takes place in the 1970s. The father, Cameron (Mark Ruffalo), lives with bipolar disorder. When the mom gets into grad school, she moves away and Cameron takes on the care of their daughters.
“Infinitely Polar Bear” shows how bipolar disorder can disrupt a family.
During his episodes of mania, Cameron is creative and spontaneous. He’s full of life and ideas. This is both charming and frustrating for his family.
Life with their dad is not easy for the girls. Cameron sometimes stops taking his medication and tries to self-medicate with alcohol instead.
There are lots of challenges, but also lots of love.
This 1993 movie is about a man who is admitted to an inpatient treatment center for his bipolar disorder.
The film conveys the highs and lows of living with bipolar disorder. The main character, played by Richard Gere, doesn’t want to take medication.
The things he does during an episode of mania make perfect sense to him. He doesn’t want to give up the freedom and euphoria he feels during manic episodes.
In treatment, his therapist falls in love with him. She knows the rules about falling for a patient but can’t resist his charm.
This intense 2016 movie invites the audience to experience the episodes of mania and depression that, in some cases, may both be experienced with bipolar disorder.
“Touched with Fire” is about two talented poets living with bipolar disorder. They meet in a treatment facility when they’re both experiencing episodes of mania.
They believe these episodes are fueling their creativity and that going back on medication would suppress their passion, which feels unthinkable to them.
The two poets continue their romance after they leave the facility. However, their loved ones worry the two lovers aren’t managing their condition properly.
This 2009 movie is based on a true story about a whistleblower in a big company.
Mark Whitacre, played by Matt Damon, is an executive at Archer-Daniels-Midland who lives with bipolar disorder.
He agrees to provide inside information to the FBI for an investigation. At the same time, he’s taking millions of dollars from the company for himself.
Being in a state of mania helps him keep this incredibly complicated plan going for a while. However, the stress and strain of this elaborate scheme worsen his condition.
This movie gives the viewer some insight into the inner workings of Whitacre’s incredible brain during an episode of mania.
The real-life Whitacre now works to reduce the stigma around mental illness.
This is a 2018 documentary about Mauro Ranallo.
He’s been a sports broadcaster since he was 16 years old and has made history in the combat sports world as the only broadcaster to call all televised combat sports. This includes boxing, mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and professional wrestling.
Along with his remarkable career, Mauro has lived with bipolar disorder since his teens. He created this documentary to share his journey and hardships.
In it, he reflects on the intensity of his career and how it affected his bipolar disorder. People in Mauro’s life also share their experiences. They talk about his emotional outbursts, intense rage, and deep depression.
- Bipolar Rock ’n’ Roller. The 2018 Showtime documentary Bipolar Rock ’n’ Roller, featuring the life story of popular combat sports announcer Mauro Ranallo, follows the commentator’s exciting career path and how bipolar disorder has influenced both his job and his life.
- The Ghost and the Whale. Maurice Benard (Sonny of General Hospital) stars as Joseph Hawthorne, a man whose wife was lost overboard when they were sailing.
- Touched With Fire. Two people, each having bipolar (expertly played by Katie Holmes and Luke Kirby), meet in a psychiatric hospital and fall in love. Directed by Paul Dalio and produced by Spike Lee, Touched with Fire (2015) captures the intensity of their romance and the ebb and flow of beautiful highs and tormented lows.
- Infinitely Polar Bear. Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana play a mixed-race couple raising two daughters in 1970s Boston. The father doesn’t work because of his bipolar disorder, so the mother decides to accept a scholarship to graduate school in New York City so she can make more money for the family.
Apr 19, 2024 · These portrayals can influence public understanding and stigma which in turn impacts bipolar disorder treatment, diagnosis, and everyday experiences of people living with the disorder. Bipolar disorder is a complex condition, and the fact is, movies can only capture certain aspects of it.
- Shameless (2011) Showtime’s Shameless does an excellent job of accurately portraying Ian Gallagher’s bipolar disorder. In the early seasons, he is in denial of his condition, though it’s apparent in many ways.
- King of the Hill (1997) On the surface, Kahn Souphanousinphone is the absolute last person you want to have as your neighbor. His condescending tone and overall air of superiority is often a source of conflict on King of the Hill.
- Law and Order: Organized Crime (2021) Years after what took place on Law and Order: SVU, we see stabler connecting with his mother Bernadette once again, and her illness has only gotten worse in Law and Order: Organized Crime.
- Law and Order: SVU (1999) In season 10 of Law and Order: SVU, we learn that Elliot Stabler’s daughter potentially has bipolar disorder, which is later confirmed.
Jul 14, 2022 · These movies about bipolar disorder can provide you with a better understanding of bipolar disorder.
19 titles. Sort by List order. 1. Infinitely Polar Bear. 2014 1h 30m R. 6.9 (17K) Rate. 64 Metascore. A father struggling with bipolar disorder tries to win back his wife by attempting to take full responsibility of their two young, spirited daughters, who don't make the overwhelming task any easier.
