Film Therapy: Can watching movies improve mental health?

Many of us enjoy sitting down to watch a good film because of the way movies can make us feel. A sad film might help us release our emotions or a comedy might lift our mood. Movies can also offer a chance to connect with and explore our emotions in a safe way.

Because of the effect that films can have, there’s growing interest in using them as a therapeutic tool. Although this field is still very new, my review of the research so far shows that film therapy can be effective at helping people process difficult emotions – which may help improve mental health.

I found that film engages people emotionally in ways that can be therapeutic. Talking about movie characters can feel more comfortable than discussing issues directly as it gives the person some emotional distance from what they’re going through. Films can also help people learn life skills from how movie characters deal with their challenges.

My review also found that film therapy reduced conflict between parents and teenagers, increased empathy and dialogue between them, and helped improve communication skills. It’s also shown to reduce anxiety and make therapy more appealing.

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