By Dr Luke Barracliffe, 08/02/25
The Psychology of Movies
Bring your favourite movie to mind. Have you noticed how it can speak to you on a personal level? Maybe it involves intense action, explosions and car chases. Or maybe its a moving love story set centuries ago. It might be a crime thriller or a fantasy sci-fi. Or it might explore a taboo you don’t broach in real life.
It may have a happy, neutral or sad ending. Think about why it’s your favourite. Is it the protagonist, theme or era that attracts you most? Is it similar or different to your own life?
There’s something truly transformative about the way films of all genres can touch our hearts and minds. A movie isn’t only a way to pass the time, though it can be that too — it can evoke powerful emotions, spark deep reflections, and even offer comfort when we need it most.
Sparking Personal Reflection
For instance, Good Will Hunting (1997) is about a troubled young man, Will Hunting, realising his potential and facing his trauma through the help of a father-figure therapist played by Robin Williams. This story is emotional and touching to some people on the surface.
It can be fruitful to be intentionally mindful of why a film like this moves us, or equally why it doesn’t. Without realising it, films can meet an unmet need for us at that time — perhaps a need for escape, connection, mourning, inspiration, distraction or excitement. The art of cinema can therefore be used as a tool for personal growth and introspection.
By witnessing characters like Will Hunting overcome obstacles, celebrate victories, or simply navigate the complexities of life, we can begin to envisage our own struggles and triumphs reflected on screen.
A character’s whole lifetime can be condensed into a couple of hours, allowing us to experience their birth, childhood, older age and sometimes death, perhaps pondering our own life journey in comparison. Anecdotally, some people have noted they feel like a “different person” leaving the cinema, almost imagining they are the main character. This reflective process not only enriches our understanding of ourselves but also invites us to engage in a more mindful journey once we leave the cinema or our sofa.
The Power of Mindfulness in Watching Films
Mindfulness can be a key tool to help us utilise movies as not only entertainment, but a conduit for personal growth. Movies use a range of techniques (music, sound effects, framing, colours, pacing etc.) to enhance our emotional reactions. At its core, mindfulness is paying deliberate curious, non-judgemental attention to the present, both to these internal reactions (our emotions, thoughts and bodily experiences) and externally (our environment explored via our senses- vision, hearing, touch etc.).
Draw your attention to your feet right now, if you can. Notice how they feel, the weight of them on the floor, the texture of the socks you may be wearing, maybe they are hot or cold. Your feet were there the whole time, yet now you are more mindful of them.
Mindfulness enhances our ability to be introspective, control our spotlight of attention and ultimately to better emotionally regulate when concerning our feelings. When applied to enjoying movies, it can turn a sometimes passive experience into a more mindfully rich activity.
Here are some soothing exercises and approaches to help you experience your favourite movie in potentially a more therapeutic way:
How to watch Movies Mindfully: Practical Exercises
Mindful Watching:
- Before you press play, set aside distractions—turn off your phone and focus solely on the movie. As you watch, notice without judgment or pressure how your body reacts and which emotions arise.
- Try to gently label and even locate these feelings physically. Imagine you are almost a curious scientist observing your internal experiences as the film’s storyline unfolds.
- Allow yourself to be fully present, absorbing not just the story but also your inner responses. This mindful approach can deepen your self-awareness and create a space for honest reflection on how you are connecting with the movie. You might learn something about yourself in the process.
Identify Emotional Triggers:
- During the film, take note of any scenes that stir emotions, whether joy, sadness, excitement or nostalgia. Gradually lean into these rather than shying away; engage rather than avoid.
- Acknowledge these moments and ask yourself why they resonated with you. Perhaps they were reminiscent of your own memories or aspirations.
- This simple exercise can again encourage you to connect with the movie in a deeper way. An example might be a bittersweet farewell scene; you notice this raises a feeling of regret or longing in you.
- Without fighting these emotions, you notice with intrigue that an old friend enters your mind and the last goodbye you had. You realise this is one reason why this scene resonated deeply with you. You allow yourself the opportunity to appreciate this past friendship, imagine the good times and validate your human reaction to a challenging event with compassion.
Reflect on Characters' Journeys:
- Pay attention to the characters’ transformations and journeys. Is there someone on screen whose challenges or growth mirrors your own life or future goals? Consider how their story might offer insights into your personal journey. Did they cope or react differently or similarly to you?
- If possible, acknowledge with compassion the myriad of reasons or pressures that may have led them to acting in a particular way, then turn that feeling towards yourself.
- Reflecting on these parallels can help further clarify your own struggles and aspirations, inspiring you to pursue growth and change.
Conclusions
Whether you are more familiar with mindfulness or a newcomer eager to explore your inner world, consider your next movie as not just entertainment, but as an invitation to embark on a more reflective journey. You are also likely to notice rich details in the film you may never have appreciated before. Or if that sounds quite taxing today, equally just collapse into your sofa after work and have a simple laugh or cry at the new blockbuster; there’s value in that too.