There’s nothing like a good indie movie to really put you in your feels. They pick and pull at your emotions like nothing else and the characters are more relatable than in most movies. They’re realistic and their plots attack real issues like what heartbreak is really like, mental illness issues, and not everyone is perfect. They’re honest and that’s what makes them the best. So, I’ve compiled a list of what I believe to be some of the best indie movies out there (in no order), and luckily they’re all on Netflix!
First up we have the ever so popular Stuck In Love. This movie will make you laugh. This movie will make you cry. It follows three different love stories that are all intertwined, dealing with high school relationships all the way up to adult love. You will have the line “I remember that it hurt. Looking at her hurt.” stuck in your head for days. And oh yeah, did I mention Nat Wolff is the main character? *heart eyes*
Next we have a movie called Slow Learners. This one was recommended to me by a friend and was worth every second. This one’s about Jeff and Anne, who both work at the same school, who both are exceptionally unlucky at finding love. Over their summer break, they hatch a plan to remodel themselves, find confidence, and discover themselves by having lots of sex and drinking lots of alcohol. The bluntness and witty banter of the film will make you laugh out loud, I promise.
Onto number three, we have About Alex. Alex is a troubled, young man who just recently tried to commit suicide. In turn, six of his twenty-something year old friends from college hold a reunion over a long weekend to help him heal and move on, however this brings about old issues to shine the light on. This movie gives an honest insight to the ever-changing nature of grown up relationships during the technology generation.
The Road Within is hands-down the best road trip movie you will ever see (and this is including Britney Spears’ infamous Crossroads). This movie is about Vincent, who has Tourette’s Syndrome, who takes his love interest, Marie, who suffers from Anorexia, and his roommate Alex, who had extreme OCD, on a road trip. To the ocean. With his mother’s ashes. In a (technically) stolen car. This movie will pull at your heart strings and make you think a little differently about the world.
Have you ever thought about who you would want by your side if you were alive when the world ends? If so, then Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is for you! Even if you haven’t thought about that scenario then this movie is still for you, too. Here we follow Kiera Knightley and everybody’s favorite, Steve Carrell in their hilarious, dramatic, romantic journey in a movie that could not have a more perfect cast (including the dog).
Everybody remembers (and probably grew up watching) Mary Kate and Ashley movies (I know I did) so welcome their younger sister Elizabeth Olsen to the big screen! This is the story of 35-year-old Jesse (Josh Radnor of HIMYM) coming back to his alma mater for a speaking event, where he meets, the spirited Zibby. He’s feeling nostalgic and consumed by this girl and we follow him through the odd process of becoming and adult and growing up.
Up next we have the classic and very cliché tale of good girl meets bad boy and reconsiders every decision she’s ever made. Keith is full of cute boys, witty dialogue, and just enough sadness to keep you interested. I can’t give too much away without ruining it but I will mention that Jesse McCartney plays the main character. *heart eyes x2*
See You in Valhalla is a clichéd family reunion after the strange death of one of the brothers. There’s Johanna, an artist who skipped town when we found out she was pregnant as a teen, Barry, the gay psychologist who’s highly insecure, who brings along his hippie boyfriend, Don and his daughter who would tie in a contest for who’s the most pretentious and condescending, and Maxwell aka Magnus, who thinks he is a Viking and overdoses on drugs, reuniting this troubled family. PLUS, Matty McKibben from Awkward makes a few appearances.
If you love Josh Hutcherson (and I know you do) then go ahead and add The Kids are Alright to your list right now. This story follows a lesbian couple, and their two kids who are finally old enough to find their sperm donor “dad.” Watch as they try to incorporate him into their crazy family lives and ruin everything but then put it all back together.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, featuring a young Leo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp *heart eyes x1,000* is about Gilbert, who has to decide between taking care of his obese mother and troubled family, which includes his mentally ill younger brother, or finding love with the girl who can help him escape, both mentally and physically. This movie is full of love, self-awareness, and possibilities. And you will love it.