Movies often mirror human emotions, especially grief, in their rawest forms. Here, we explore five film moments that powerfully reflect the depths of grief.
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
In ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,‘ we see the grief of a father, Amos Diggory. Portrayed by Jeff Rawle, his character has a heart-wrenching realization of his son Cedric’s death. The scene unfolds as Cedric, played by Robert Pattinson, dies following the sinister events of the Triwizard Tournament. After seeing his son’s dead body, we hear the chilling words from a grieving father: ‘That’s my son! My boy! MY BOY!’
4. Little Miss Sunshine
‘Little Miss Sunshine‘ presents a different shade of grief. Paul Dano’s character, Dwayne Hoover, discovers his colorblindness, dashing his dreams of becoming a pilot. This revelation leads to a raw outburst where he screams in frustration. The family’s individual struggles and eventual mutual support throughout the film add layers to this moment. So, sometimes grief is not just about losing a loved one but also about losing a part of oneself.
3. Hereditary
Toni Collette’s portrayal of Annie Graham in ‘Hereditary‘ delivers a haunting depiction of a mother’s grief. Known for its eerie atmosphere, the film reaches a peak of emotional intensity when Annie finds her daughter Charlie’s decapitated body.
2. The Mist
‘The Mist‘ takes a tragic turn towards the end when Thomas Jane’s character, David Drayton, faces the ultimate grief. In a desperate act amidst apocalyptic chaos, he ends the lives of his son and fellow survivors, only to realize rescue was moments away. This agonizing revelation and David’s scream of despair reflect the unbearable weight of guilt and irreversible loss.
1. Midsommar
At the top of this list is ‘Midsommar,‘ with Florence Pugh delivering a heart-wrenching performance as Dani. The film opens with her character learning about the death of her parents and sister, leading to an emotionally charged breakdown. Pugh’s portrayal of grief is worth praise for its authenticity and raw and genuine depiction of a person grappling with a tragedy.
