Good films to keep you company as you navigate this change in your life.
Related: 8 Rom-Coms With Less Than 50% On Rotten Tomatoes That You Should Definitely Watch
Breakups are tough. But surround yourself with good friends and open yourself up to a good time with this mix of movies, and hopefully you’ll get through it safe and sound.
SOMEONE GREAT (2019)
The raw pain of a fresh breakup and the power of female friendships take center stage in this reverse rom-com starring Gina Rodriguez as Jenny, Brittany Snow as Blair, and DeWanda Wise as Erin. Jenny, fresh from a breakup with longtime boyfriend Nate (Lakeith Stanfield), embarks on one last hurrah with her girlfriends before she leaves for a job across the country while navigating a life without whom she thought was the love of her life. The film is honest and hilarious, and cathartic to watch.
BEGIN AGAIN (2013)
Gretta (Keira Knightley) is a singer-songwriter who recently broke up with longtime partner, successful musician Dave (Adam Levine), after he admitted to cheating on her with an assistant. As she performs at a bar, recently-fired music producer Dan (Mark Ruffalo) sees potential in a partnership, and they begin production on her solo album as they work through problems in their own personal lives. With charming performances and a beautiful soundtrack, Begin Again will hopefully inspire you to do exactly what its title suggests.
LOVE AND MONSTERS (2020)
This is not your typical watch after a breakup, but Love and Monsters is a fantastical monster adventure with themes of companionship, family, and of course, love. Dylan O’Brien stars as Joel, a survivor of the monster apocalypse, who embarks on a journey to reconnect with Aimee (Jessica Henwick), his girlfriend he was separated from seven years ago. Fun, thrilling, and original, Love and Monsters will keep you entertained but emotional enough to process your feelings after your breakup.
HOW TO BE SINGLE (2016)
“The thing about being single is…you should cherish it.” Preach it, Dakota Johnson. In this comedy, Alice (Johnson) tries to relish her newly-single life, guided by the wild Robin (Rebel Wilson). Other relationship hijinks ensue between Lucy (Alison Brie) and Paul (Colin Jost), who break up because Paul was seeing other people thinking it was what they were doing, and a pregnant Meg (Leslie Mann) and seemingly uncommitted Ken (Jake Lacy). It’s awkward and funny and just a lighthearted watch perfect for a girls’ night.
LA LA LAND (2016)
By now we all pretty much know how La La Land ends. The musical film is an ode to classic Hollywood and a commentary on the perpetual question of love vs. dreams. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are incredible as Mia and Sebastian, and the film progresses with so much heart. Its whimsical, romantic premise gives way to the realities of life and the sacrifices we have to make to achieve our dreams. Whether you relate or not, La La Land will get you right in the feels.
DO REVENGE (2022)
Revenge never felt so good. Kind of. Do Revenge sees Drea (Camilla Mendes) and Eleanor (Maya Hawke) strike a deal to “do revenge” on each other’s enemies. Drea is the victim of a video leak allegedly done by her ex-boyfriend Max (Austin Abrams), and Eleanor is the subject of a false rumor spread about her years ago. Light, funny, and playful, this movie will hopefully lift your spirits.
TICK, TICK…BOOM! (2021)
Tick, Tick…Boom! is a movie adaptation of the musical by the same name. It follows the story of real-life musician and composer Jonathan Larson (played by Andrew Garfield) as he navigates life as a struggling artist trying to make it in the theater industry. In his obsession with a successful career, he struggles with his relationships—with his partner Susan (Alexandra Shipp), and his friends, particularly Michael (Robin de Jesus). Despite technically not a breakup movie, Tick, Tick…Boom! is a poignant and moving tribute that will make your heart soar. The musical is also currently being staged in the Philippines by 9 Works Theatrical.
THAT THING CALLED TADHANA (2014)
A journey driven by heartbreak and an unusual situation that brings two people together marks the premise of classic Filipino movie That Thing Called Tadhana. Angelica Panganiban stars as Mace, a heartbroken, traveling woman, who finds a friend and maybe something more in kind, empathetic Anthony (JM de Guzman). Filled with endless hugot, charming chemistry, and beautiful settings, this movie is an ode to moving on, new beginnings, and hope. If you’d like, embark on a similar trip that they took in the movie from Manila to Baguio to Sagada in an effort to find out where broken hearts go.
BIRDS OF PREY (2020)
A wild superhero romp starring Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn fresh from a breakup with the Joker makes for a night of action, powerful women, and colorful, crazy antics. Birds of Prey sees a team-up between an ensemble cast of vigilantes and a detective trying to stop the plans of an evil crime lord. This engaging, thrilling, female-led film filled with fun performances is the perfect distraction from wallowing.
LEGALLY BLONDE (2001)
The entire premise of Legally Blonde literally centers on a strong, independent woman who needs no man to succeed. Despite no one believing in her, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) gets into Harvard and excels at law school with her signature pink everything and out-of-the-box thinking. A forever classic, Legally Blonde has taught us to celebrate independence and the capabilities of women.
STARTING OVER AGAIN (2014)
The adorable, hilarious, and very real Starting Over Again asks painful questions and rehashes hopes of a love lost. Starring Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga as Marco and Ginny, respectively, the movie sees the two former lovers meet again long after a rough, abrupt end to their relationship. Stellar performances make for emotional and heartwrenching scenes that will get you laughing and crying all the while.
THE LAST FIVE YEARS (2014)
Told through song and a nonlinear narrative, The Last Five Years chronicles the ill-fated relationship of Cathy (Anna Kendrick) and Jamie (Jeremy Jordan) and everything they went through in the five years they were together. The Last Five Years is based on a musical, and the Philippines will actually be staging it this September and October, starring Gab Pangilinan as Cathy and Myke Salomon as Jamie. Reliving pleasures and pains is cathartic in its own right, and we hope the wonderful songs and dynamic story in this film carries you through it all.
Continue Reading: 13 Female-Directed Filipino Movies to Watch
