There’s nothing better than getting the chance to finally relax and get away from the week’s stress and worries. One of the ways that I like to destress from the week is by cuddling my dogs and watching a good movie. The challenge however, is determining what to watch. Streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu have thousands of different options for movies, and it can be difficult to just choose one of those options. And like many others, I’m very indecisive, so it’s difficult for me to choose just one movie to watch. So, I always appreciate it when someone recommends something new for me to watch, or when I find a helpful post online. Therefore, I’ve decided to compile a list of five films that range in genre, from total romance to suspenseful horror. I absolutely treasure these films, and my hope is that they reach an audience who loves them as much as I do!
The Lovely Bones (2009)
Directed by Pete Jackson and starring Saoirse Ronan, this film will take the audience on a huge emotional rollercoaster. After being murdered, 14 year old Susie Salmon watches over her family from Heaven – as well as her killer. She observes their daily lives and must learn to maintain her thirst for revenge against her killer as well as balance the desire to heal her family from grief. Honestly, I thought the movie sounded a little bit corny at first, since I’m the type of person who thoroughly enjoys horror and thriller movies. However this movie took some unexpected leaps. One minute I was angry, the next I was sobbing – I recommend it to anyone who wants just a little bit of everything in a movie, as well as an ending that will shock all.
Lady bird (2017)
This film was directed by Greta Gerwig and also stars Saoirse Ronan, as well as Beanie Feldstein and of course, Timothee Chalamet. It’s about Christine McPherson (played by Ronan) who also goes by ‘Lady Bird’. McPherson has dreams of leaving her hometown of Sacramento, California and attending a college in the Big Apple. However, it’s difficult for her to pursue her dreams due to average grades, a family who’s struggling to keep up, and having a mother who’s protective, obsessive, and pessimistic. Lady Bird must find a way in order to purse her goal while overcoming romantic quests and bumps in the road. All and all, the film is daring, distinctive, empowering, while also being extremely personal and intimate. It’s easy to connect with characters in the film, which makes it easy to fall in love with it.
Twilight (2009)
Okay okay, hear me out on this one. There have been a lot of controversies and opinions surrounding Twilight, but personally, it has to be one of my top ten favorite films of all time. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke and based off the novel by Stephenie Meyer, it stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. The story focuses on Bella Swan (played by Stewart) and her romantic relationship between vampire Edward Cullen (played by Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob Black (played by Lautner). Although it can be cringey at times, this film is the perfect example of the stereotypical love triangle, but with a little extra flare. Not only are there many attractive characters, but the scenic views are to die for.
It Follows (2014)
This film is perfect for those who love horror and thriller films. Directed by David Robert Mitchell and starring Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, and Lili Sepe, this film is bound to leave the audience on the edge of their seats. Carefree teenage girl Jay (played by Monroe) sleeps with her boyfriend Hugh for the very first time, and soon she finds out that she’s the next victim of a fatal curse that’s passed through sex. Death is inevitable through the curse, and Jay must find a way to stop it before it’s too late, but not without paranoid ravings and phantom assassins along the way. Overall, this film is extremely disturbing, and is perfect for anyone who’s looking for a good scare. I wouldn’t say there are a lot of jump scares necessarily, but the overarching vibe that this film illuminates is enough to leave audiences spooked.
Before I fall (2017)
Last, but certainly not least, is one of director Ry Russo-Young’s latest films, Before I Fall. This film stars Zoey Deutch, Halston Sage, and Logan Miller, and is about teenager Samantha Kingston (played by Deutch). Samantha seems to have everything that a teen girl could want: popularity, a cute boyfriend, and an ideal, successive future. However, all of this seemingly disappears in the blink of an eye when she gets into a severe car crash. The consequence of the crash results in her living the same day over and over again for the rest of her life. Samantha must figure out why this is happening, and while doing so she uncovers some of her family and friends’ darkest secrets along the way. This film is incredibly well done, and does a magnificent job in pulling in the audience. I felt as if I was in Samantha’s shoes at one point! I recommend this film to anyone who wants to be submerged into a familiar setting but with an unsettling twist.