A study published in 2014 found that movies failed to show dementia accurately and may reinforce stereotypes.Yet more recent efforts, from the warm humor of “The Leisure Seeker” to the dark mission of “Elizabeth Is Missing,” are reflecting the complexity of memory loss in an aging population.
This article presents 15 films that have made the effort to portraythe reality of Alzheimer’s and dementiafor people living with the diagnosis and their loved ones.
Verywell Health/ Laura Porter
1The Leisure Seeker (2017)Sony PicturesFilm legends Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren, playing the roles of John and Ella Spencer, are off on a road trip from Massachusetts to Florida in their RV. They’ve been together more than 50 years. Ella has stopped treatments for cancer and John has Alzheimer’s disease.Their illnesses are evident as they make one last adventure together, running away from their doctors and their kids and stopping at roadside tourist attractions and diners.“My John is charming, educated,” says Ella one night in an RV park, dealing with her confused husband. “You stole him from me and I want you to give him back.“John reaches for her hand and answers, “Whoever stole him from you, stole him from me, too.” The film reflects their love and determination as they face end-of-life changes.
1
The Leisure Seeker (2017)Sony PicturesFilm legends Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren, playing the roles of John and Ella Spencer, are off on a road trip from Massachusetts to Florida in their RV. They’ve been together more than 50 years. Ella has stopped treatments for cancer and John has Alzheimer’s disease.Their illnesses are evident as they make one last adventure together, running away from their doctors and their kids and stopping at roadside tourist attractions and diners.“My John is charming, educated,” says Ella one night in an RV park, dealing with her confused husband. “You stole him from me and I want you to give him back.“John reaches for her hand and answers, “Whoever stole him from you, stole him from me, too.” The film reflects their love and determination as they face end-of-life changes.
The Leisure Seeker (2017)
Sony Pictures
Film legends Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren, playing the roles of John and Ella Spencer, are off on a road trip from Massachusetts to Florida in their RV. They’ve been together more than 50 years. Ella has stopped treatments for cancer and John has Alzheimer’s disease.
Their illnesses are evident as they make one last adventure together, running away from their doctors and their kids and stopping at roadside tourist attractions and diners.
“My John is charming, educated,” says Ella one night in an RV park, dealing with her confused husband. “You stole him from me and I want you to give him back.”
John reaches for her hand and answers, “Whoever stole him from you, stole him from me, too.” The film reflects their love and determination as they face end-of-life changes.
2
The Father (2020)
His daughter Anne (Olivia Colman) moves to London to assist with his care. As the film evolves, though, it becomes clear that there are many aspects of his life that Anthony misperceives, and the audience experiences this confusion along with him.
“The Father” captures both Anthony’s pain at losing his sense of self through the lens of a blurred reality, and the sorrow of those who love him.
For his work, Hopkins won awards for the leading actor role from both the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and the Academy Awards in the United States. The film has been used to educate medical students about dementia.
3
What They Had (2018)
Bleecker Street / Official Trailer
Actor Blythe Danner, playing the role of Ruth, first wanders off into the snow in the 2018 film “What They Had.”
4
Remember (2015)
The late Christopher Plummer starred in “Remember” as a man who survived the Holocaust at Auschwitz. But, in his twilight years in New York City, he realizes that dementia will prevent him from finishing a mission to avenge the World War II deaths of his family.
So he begins his quest to kill the man rumored to be responsible.
The 2015 film from director Atom Egoyan is a thriller rather than a “feel good” film. Yet that’s partly why the film succeeds at capturing the complexity of Zev Guttman, whose mission is often as unclear as his thoughts.
5Elizabeth is Missing (2019)BBC OneGlenda Jackson stars as Maud, a woman living with dementia, in the 2019 film “Elizabeth Is Missing” from film director Aisling Walsh. It aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom rather than as a box office release.It snagged numerous awards and nominations, including a 2020 International Emmy Award for Jackson and another leading actress award from BAFTA. The film follows Maud’s journey as she tries to understand a mystery about her missing friend, and how the mists of memory about a long-lost sister shape her experience.People in the United States can catch “Elizabeth Is Missing” on PBS Masterpiece.
5
Elizabeth is Missing (2019)BBC OneGlenda Jackson stars as Maud, a woman living with dementia, in the 2019 film “Elizabeth Is Missing” from film director Aisling Walsh. It aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom rather than as a box office release.It snagged numerous awards and nominations, including a 2020 International Emmy Award for Jackson and another leading actress award from BAFTA. The film follows Maud’s journey as she tries to understand a mystery about her missing friend, and how the mists of memory about a long-lost sister shape her experience.People in the United States can catch “Elizabeth Is Missing” on PBS Masterpiece.
Elizabeth is Missing (2019)
BBC One
Glenda Jackson stars as Maud, a woman living with dementia, in the 2019 film “Elizabeth Is Missing” from film director Aisling Walsh. It aired on BBC One in the United Kingdom rather than as a box office release.
It snagged numerous awards and nominations, including a 2020 International Emmy Award for Jackson and another leading actress award from BAFTA. The film follows Maud’s journey as she tries to understand a mystery about her missing friend, and how the mists of memory about a long-lost sister shape her experience.
People in the United States can catch “Elizabeth Is Missing” on PBS Masterpiece.
6
Still Alice (2014)
In this American movie based on Lisa Genova’s 2007 bestselling book of the same name, Julianne Moore stars as Alice Howland, a professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which affects people younger than 65 years old.
Life Expectancy for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
7
Away From Her (2007)
Mongrel Media
In “Away From Her,” Julie Christie was Oscar-nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Fiona, a woman with Alzheimer’s who voluntarily enters along-term care facilityto avoid being a burden on Grant, her husband of 50 years.
Grant must draw upon the pure love and respect he has for Fiona to choose what will ensure his wife’s happiness.
Christie won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) for her performance in this movie. It’s among the films studied for their depiction of dementia diseases.
8
Lovely, Still (2008)
North Sea Films, Parts and Labor, and Sterling Productions
The film takes place leading up to the Christmas season and goes through the couples blooming romance. However, it soon becomes clear that Robert is struggling.
9The Savages (2007)Fox Searchlight PicturesLaura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman play siblings in this tragic comedy about adult children who are caring for a parent with dementia. Laura Linney was Oscar-nominated for Best Actress, and Tamara Jenkins was Oscar-nominated for Best Original Screenplay.Philip Seymour Hoffman was Golden Globe-nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for playing the neurotic professor who begrudgingly unites with his sister for the sake of their father—a performance given with a rare combination of humility,dignity, and humor.
9
The Savages (2007)Fox Searchlight PicturesLaura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman play siblings in this tragic comedy about adult children who are caring for a parent with dementia. Laura Linney was Oscar-nominated for Best Actress, and Tamara Jenkins was Oscar-nominated for Best Original Screenplay.Philip Seymour Hoffman was Golden Globe-nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for playing the neurotic professor who begrudgingly unites with his sister for the sake of their father—a performance given with a rare combination of humility,dignity, and humor.
The Savages (2007)
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman play siblings in this tragic comedy about adult children who are caring for a parent with dementia. Laura Linney was Oscar-nominated for Best Actress, and Tamara Jenkins was Oscar-nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
Philip Seymour Hoffman was Golden Globe-nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for playing the neurotic professor who begrudgingly unites with his sister for the sake of their father—a performance given with a rare combination of humility,dignity, and humor.
10
Aurora Borealis (2005)
Entitled Entertainment, Rick Bieber Productions, and Front & Centre Prod. Inc.
Critics considered this movie a well-crafted independent film that was released under the radar.
Stars Donald Sutherland (again) and Louise Fletcher steal the show—Sutherland plays a grandfather with dementia whorequires more carethan his wife (Fletcher) can take on.
11
The Notebook (2004)
New line Cinema
Based on Nicholas Sparks’s best-selling novel, “The Notebook,“this film stars James Garner as Noah, the loving husband of Allie (Gena Rowlands), who has Alzheimer’s and isliving in a nursing home. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams play the couple in their younger years.
How Reminiscing Can Benefit People With Alzheimer’s
12A Song For Martin (2001)Film i Väst, Helkon Media, and Moonlight FilmprodSven Wollter and Viveka Seldahl (who were married in real life) play spouses Martin and Barbara in this Swedish movie with English subtitles.Martin is a conductor and composer while Barbara is a violinist. They meet and marry in middle age, but soon after, they discover that Martin has Alzheimer’s.This moving story is considered one of the most realistic depictions of caregiving on film.How Music Therapy Can Benefit People Living With Alzheimer’s or Dementia
12
A Song For Martin (2001)Film i Väst, Helkon Media, and Moonlight FilmprodSven Wollter and Viveka Seldahl (who were married in real life) play spouses Martin and Barbara in this Swedish movie with English subtitles.Martin is a conductor and composer while Barbara is a violinist. They meet and marry in middle age, but soon after, they discover that Martin has Alzheimer’s.This moving story is considered one of the most realistic depictions of caregiving on film.How Music Therapy Can Benefit People Living With Alzheimer’s or Dementia
A Song For Martin (2001)
Film i Väst, Helkon Media, and Moonlight Filmprod
Sven Wollter and Viveka Seldahl (who were married in real life) play spouses Martin and Barbara in this Swedish movie with English subtitles.
Martin is a conductor and composer while Barbara is a violinist. They meet and marry in middle age, but soon after, they discover that Martin has Alzheimer’s.
This moving story is considered one of the most realistic depictions of caregiving on film.
How Music Therapy Can Benefit People Living With Alzheimer’s or Dementia
13
Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch (2001)
BBC
Jim Broadbent won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Bayley in his later years.
Judi Dench and Kate Winslet were nominated for Academy Awards and Golden Globes (Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively) for their portrayals of Murdoch at different points in her life.
14Firefly Dreams (2001)100m FilmsThis Japanese film with English subtitles won several international film festival awards. It tells the story of Naomi (Maho), a troubled teen who gets sent to the country for the summer to work for her aunt and uncle.Naomi is asked to care for an aging neighbor with Alzheimer’s. She is initially unhappy about the arrangement but soon connects with the woman in a transformative way.
14
Firefly Dreams (2001)100m FilmsThis Japanese film with English subtitles won several international film festival awards. It tells the story of Naomi (Maho), a troubled teen who gets sent to the country for the summer to work for her aunt and uncle.Naomi is asked to care for an aging neighbor with Alzheimer’s. She is initially unhappy about the arrangement but soon connects with the woman in a transformative way.
Firefly Dreams (2001)
100m Films
This Japanese film with English subtitles won several international film festival awards. It tells the story of Naomi (Maho), a troubled teen who gets sent to the country for the summer to work for her aunt and uncle.
Naomi is asked to care for an aging neighbor with Alzheimer’s. She is initially unhappy about the arrangement but soon connects with the woman in a transformative way.
15
Age Old Friends (1989)
HBO
While there, John befriends Michael (Vincent Gardenia), who starts showing signs of dementia. When John’s daughter extends an offer to live with her again, he must decide between leaving the rigid structure of the retirement home and staying to help his friend cope.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gerritsen DL, Kuin Y, Nijboer J.Dementia in the movies: The clinical picture.Aging Ment Health. 2014;18(3):276-280. doi:10.1080/13607863.2013.837150
Baminiwatta A, Fernando R, Williams S.Improving medical students' understanding of dementia using a movie (The Father).Educ Prim Care. 2023;34(2):109. doi:10.1080/14739879.2023.2178333.
AARP.org. “What They Had”: A film about love, family, and Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Association.Younger/early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Schweda M.Medical gazes and meteorological metaphors: Representations of dementia in contemporary motion pictures.Isr J Health Policy Res. 2019;8(1):18. doi:10.1186/s13584-018-0283-3.
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