Living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be exhausting and isolating. If you’re a caregiver, it can be even harder. Even if you take good care of yourself, have support, and know that your loved one has the best possible treatment, it can feel like no one truly understands what you’re going through.

Watching movies with representations of Alzheimer’s and dementia can be a helpful way to feel understood. Fortunately, there are several good movies that accurately show what it’s like to love someone with that condition. Here’s a list of movies about dementia from various genres that can remind you that you’re not alone.

1. ‘All Through the Night’ (2023)

“All Through the Night” is a short film written and directed by Graham Marvin and starring Tim Daly. The film tells the story of a retired choir conductor with Alzheimer’s disease and his son. On the night before the father moves into a nursing home, the son recalls memories with his father through the years and tries to help his father remember what he has forgotten.

In an interview with the Alzheimer’s Association, Daly shared that the film is about family and change and that “one of the beautiful things about this story” is how it shows that “change is inevitable, but it can be navigated.” “All Through the Night” premiered at the Sedona International Film Festival in 2023.

2. ‘The Father’ (2020)

Directed by Florian Zeller and starring Olivia Coleman and Anthony Hopkins, “The Father” is about a man with dementia who pushes away his caretakers and resists help from his daughter. As his reality changes, he finds it harder to recognize the world around him. This leads to emotional moments as he confronts his confusion.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, this film is a good portrayal of how hard it can be for a person to seek a diagnosis and accept that they need help. If you and your loved one have faced similar challenges, this movie might help you feel understood in that part of your journey. It can also validate experiences where your loved one became confused or agitated. “The Father” won the César Award for Best Foreign Film in France in 2022 and was also nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards that same year.

3. ‘The Eternal Memory’ (2023)

“The Eternal Memory” is a documentary about a couple from Chile: a journalist, Augusto Góngora, and an actor, Paulina Urrutia. After Augusto was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the couple decided to make a film about their experience. Paulina became his caregiver until he died in 2023.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Urrutia described the film as beautiful and stated that it was about overcoming difficulties. This theme will resonate with both those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. “The Eternal Memory” captures how one couple loved each other until the very end.

4. ‘Safe House’ (1998)

“Safe House” is an action-packed thriller featuring Mace Sowell, a former government agent who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Mace, played by Patrick Stewart, believes his old supervisor has plans to kill him, but his daughter dismisses his fears due to his condition. Feeling threatened, he retreats to his home and adds security measures, while his daughter hires a psychiatrist for support.

While “Safe House” may not appeal to everyone, it accurately portrays the kind of fear that some people who live with Alzheimer’s disease experience. It also shows the extent to which people will go to protect themselves. If you’re looking for an entertaining movie that isn’t overly sad or dramatic and portrays Alzheimer’s accurately, this is a good choice.

5. ‘The Notebook’ (2004)

“The Notebook” is one of the best-known movies featuring a main character with dementia. It tells the story of a man who continues to love his wife as her memory fades.

Though some view the movie as an overly sappy love story, the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists points out the value in its portrayal of dementia. The film accurately depicts the short-term and long-term memory loss that many people with dementia face. It also shows the agitation that many people with dementia deal with, especially in later stages.

The movie can be helpful for caregivers and those with loved ones who have Alzheimer’s. It also offers insights for medical staff working with affected families affected by a dementia diagnosis. “The Notebook” shows how hard it can be to be a caregiver and make difficult decisions for someone you love.

6. ‘Still Alice’ (2014)

“Still Alice” offers a unique look at early-onset Alzheimer’s disease from the perspective of a diagnosed person. The movie follows a professor who starts to forget words, leading to her diagnosis. It explores the effects of her diagnosis on her family, especially her daughter. It also shows how hard she tries to stay connected to her identity. The movie stars Kristen Stewart and Julianne Moore and was produced by Maria Shriver, founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement.

The movie shows how devastating the disease can be on a person’s life, including their job, family, and sense of self, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, and highlights that Alzheimer’s tends to affect women more than men: Women are both more likely to get the disease and more likely to be caretakers for family members who have been diagnosed. The Alzheimer’s Forum notes that the film shows how strong people living with these diagnoses have to be every day.

7. ‘Relic’ (2020)

“Relic” is another movie that some may be surprised to find on this list. It follows Edna, a woman with Alzheimer’s disease who goes missing from her home. Her daughter and granddaughter search for her in the woods. When Edna comes back, she can’t remember where she’s been. As her daughter and granddaughter think about moving Edna into a long-term care facility, the movie becomes a horror film as the house begins to mirror what is happening in Edna’s mind.

The movie may not be for everyone. However, the writer and director, Natalie Erika James, wanted to portray the fear of losing someone when they are still alive. Many caregivers understand this feeling well. If you think seeing this on-screen might help your own process, “Relic” might be a good choice.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, you can connect with people with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones. More than 86,000 members come together on myALZteam to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s.

What movies about dementia have you found helpful or meaningful? If you’ve watched any of the movies mentioned, how did they resonate with you? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.