films for the thought daughter

films for you to sit and think about while staring at the wall, since that's probably your only hobby.

We’ve been exposed to the term “thought daughter” for a long time now. As much as I am not a lover of labeling everything such as aesthetics and attaching subjects to them, I believe a thought daughter is a girl who loves to explore her media and really digest it as a whole.

These movies have grotesque themes that are difficult but absolutely have something to say.

Here are some movies that had me laugh, cry and want to throw up.

Y Tu Mama También (2001, Cuaron)

We all love and know Challengers. Let me raise you a Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001, Cuaron)

Taking place in Mexico, this film follows two boys’ summer before college as they compete for the love of an older woman who takes a chance and goes on vacation with them after finding out her husband cheated on her.

With nothing to lose, these three people form a connection and an unusual bond. It is messy, a hard watch and absolutely beautiful portrayal of human connection, betrayal and loneliness.

Christiane F (1981, Edel)

Christiane F is one of those stories of children playing adults.

A part documentary, part drama biographical story of a 14 year old Christiane F’s struggle with addiction in 1970s Berlin. This is an absolute gut wrenching film that really makes you pause and think about what you watched. This is exposing the exploitation of teenagers of Zoo Station’s struggle with addiction and prostitution.

The Lure (2015, Smoczynska)

I have an whole analytical essay of how this film truly impacted me, if you’d like to check that out before or after continuing reading, here is the link: The Lure Article

The Lure is a Polish masterpiece, part horror, part musical. Following the story of two siren sisters who get entrapped in a Cabaret almost as a presentation of a freak show. These sisters have very different desires on Earth, while one is in search of love and affirmation, the other hungers. This explores the nature of beauty standards, drugs, sexual exploitation, female rage, dissatisfaction in life and greed.

Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror (2022, Jin-sung)

I sometimes can’t sleep at night thinking of how strongly this documentary impacted me.

A very gut-wrenching Korean documentary that follows cyber police as they unwrap the case of Nth Room. This is exploring the lives of young women who have been blackmailed into an online sex-trafficking world. One of the worst cases of sex crimes committed in Korea that was a lead cause of many female underage suicides. This film made sure I would never send nudes online!!! Traumatized my cyber existence to my core.

Pleasure (2021, Thyberg)

This was one of those films I quite literally never heard about. My documentary professor recommended this one to me and WOW. Another hard watch, but so so important.

This is following our protagonist Linnéa who has left Sweden to pursue a dream of becoming a porn star in LA. This unravels the truth of what most women experience in order to achieve “success” in the porn industry. Her dream quickly turns into a nightmare, she is left with nothing but trauma, especially after putting her body through extremes. This was beautifully raw and extremely thought provoking.

This concludes my thought daughter film list which in reality, is truly endless. If you have recommendations of your own, I would love to hear it. Comment what is your favorite “thought daughter” film.

Signing off,

Your lonely sister.