Films about Freud (fiction and documentaries): Top 15

George Alvarez 03-10-2023
George Alvarez

PorantoFreud, known to this day as the father of psychoanalysis, was a neurologist who created theories about the human mind. Leaving a legacy on the study of the psyche, he was a character in several documentaries and movies, even though fictional. In this article you will see which are the most famous movies about Freud .

In this sense, to have an immersion in "Freud's world", here is a list of films and documentaries that, between fiction and reality, show the story of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), one of the most influential names of the 20th century. A neurologist physician and researcher, he was the creator of Psychoanalysis, using it as a method to treat mental diseases.

1. film: Freud, Beyond the Soul

This is one of the classic films about Freud, in which the story of Freud is described, from his undergraduate medical studies at the University of Vienna, showing the development of his early psychoanalytic theories .

Further, the film seeks to show his discoveries about the secrets of the unconscious mind, in a practical experience treating a young girl. Diagnosed as a hysterical and sexually repressed girl, Freud, played by Montgomery Clift, creates the concept of the Oedipus Complex.

2. fictional Netflix series: Freud

In a mix of fiction and reality, the Freud series, available on Netflix, shows the union between psychoanalyst Freud and a medium, named Fleur Salomé.

Together, they, throughout the season, are in search of a serial killer With 8 episodes, the series is set in 19th century Vienna, the period when Freud's first theories were developed.

BBC Documentary: The Century of the Ego

The Century of the Ego is a documentary that, with 4 episodes, shows Sigmund Freud's theories, used in governments and companies to mass manipulation Theories developed also by the psychoanalyst's daughter, Anna Freud, and by his nephew Edward Bernays.

However, to those who want to understand more about how lives are manipulated by techniques used in advertisements, governments, and companies, The Century of the Self shows what strategies are then used to convince the population. Where strategies are used to reach the human unconscious to manipulate the masses.

4. film: When Nietzsche Cried

A fictional novel, When Nietzsche Cried, based on the book by psychotherapist Irvin D. Yalom, tells the life story of Dr. Jose Breuer and philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, set in 1880s Vienna. Both of them, colleagues of the famous Sigmund Freud, draw on their teachings during the film.

The plot shows an evaluation of the history of the application of psychoanalysis, allied to philosophy. In this sense, the most diverse human feelings and behaviors are explored, applying techniques for curing mental illness.

5. documentary: Freud, Analysis of a Mind

In 50 minutes, this documentary shows the main events of Sigmund Freud's (1856-1939) life, being among the main films about Freud. From his childhood, where he was called "golden boy", to the development of his profession as a psychoanalyst .

The documentary Freud, Analysis of a Mind also emphasizes Freud's study to bring psychology into science, and also shows his relationship with Carl Jung, including the conflicts they faced in their respective studies, which led, in a way, to a rivalry.

6. film: Anonymous

The film Anonymous shows discussions among the most brilliant minds of Elizabethan England. The masters Mark Twain, Charles Dickens and Sigmund Freud argue about who, in fact, created the works credited to William Shakespeare.

In other words, scholars dedicate their lives to protecting, or even disproving, theories about the authorship of one of the most illustrious works of English literature.

YouTube Documentary: The Invention of Psychoanalysis

In short, this documentary seeks to explain how the creation of analytical method of the human mind It also shows the psychoanalyst's life story, until his death.

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The documentary "The Invention of Psychoanalysis" is available for free on YouTube, with narration and commentary by Elisabeth Roudinesco, historian and psychoanalyst, together with Peter Gay, Freud's biographer.

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8. film: A Dangerous Method

A young psychoanalyst, Carl Jung, during a new treatment for his patient's hysteria, has the guidance of his master Sigmund Freud. However, at a certain moment, some ideas began to conflict between the psychoanalysts during their studies about the mysteries of the human mind.

YouTube Documentary: Exploring the Unconscious

Similarly, the documentary, "Exploring the Unconscious," can also be viewed for free on YouTube, and briefly tells the story of Freud's life and work. The documentary is just over 20 minutes long, tells about Freud's life and how he developed his theories on Psychoanalysis.

10. documentary: Meeting Lacan

Although it is not among the films about Freud specifically, it is appropriate to quote this documentary, by Jacques Lacan, currently considered the most controversial psychoanalyst to Freud's theories.

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Thus, in this documentary, there is a reading about the mysteries of the unconscious mind, demonstrating how the history of psychoanalysis developed, through Lacan's experiences, including by psychiatry, for the development of psychoanalytic theories.

11. documentary: Contemporary Thought

Available on the Prime Video platform, this documentary series features the participation of today's great thinkers: Leandro Karnal, Christian Dukner, and Clóvis de Barros Filho.

Where, in the 6th episode, entitled "Sob o Domínio o Vício", brings a social diagnosis of Brazil's suffering, under the Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan's view of psychoanalysis .

12. film: Breath of the Heart

This film presents the Oedipus Complex, a theory created by Freud, in which the psychoanalyst explains the importance of the presence, under the analysis of pleasure linked to the sexual organs.

Analyzing the relationship between children and their parents, in the aspect of children's needs for satisfaction of their sexual needs, vs, to threats suffered during education.

13. film: Babadook

Released in 2014, in fiction form, the movie Babadook shows a caring mother facing problems with her son, who cannot sleep because he believes a monster is chasing him. This fact results in numerous negative behaviors of the child, but that the mother, Amelia, refuses to see as a problem of her son's psyche.

In this fiction film, through a metaphor of the monster called "Babadook", he relates his upbringing amidst the trauma suffered by the child, Samuel, to his father's fort. In other words, this is, in fact, the "monster" that disturbs him so much.

In Freud's 1915 text "Mourning and Melancholy", he explains the reactions of people in mourning situations, where there are unconscious behaviors of denial to the loss, remaining fixed on the deceased person, that is, the refusal to face death is so intense that the subject has hallucinations.

14. film: Melancholy

Lars Von Trier's film approaches melancholy from the point of view of psychoanalysis, with a melancholic discourse that, according to Freud, results from the human being's condition of helplessness.

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The film Melancholia can be considered among the films about Freud, because it demonstrates the problematic about psychic issues I think that it is a good idea to make a list of all the things that I have seen in the past, both political and aesthetic, relating them to people's fear of helplessness.

15. malèna

In short, relating to the Oedipus Complex, a theory created by Freud, this fiction shows how the young man named Amoroso, represses his sexual desires and fantasies for the beautiful Malèna.

In addition, it shows Amoroso's psychosocial development in his adolescence amidst the ego structure, to progress to adulthood, which relates to Freud's 1921 text called "Group Psychology and Ego Analysis."

So, tell us if you liked these indications of films about Freud And, also, if you want to know more about the depths of the unconscious mind, get to know our training course in psychoanalysis.

In this sense, you will learn about various psychoanalytic theories, under which you will learn, for example, techniques for self-knowledge and for improving interpersonal relationships.

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George Alvarez

George Alvarez is a renowned psychoanalyst who has been practicing for over 20 years and is highly regarded in the field. He is a sought-after speaker and has conducted numerous workshops and training programs on psychoanalysis for professionals in the mental health industry. George is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books on psychoanalysis that have received critical acclaim. George Alvarez is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and has created a popular blog on Online Training Course in Psychoanalysis that is widely followed by mental health professionals and students around the world. His blog provides a comprehensive training course that covers all aspects of psychoanalysis, from theory to practical applications. George is passionate about helping others and is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of his clients and students.