7 Best Drama-Crime Movies like Himizu

Himizu is a Japanese film directed by Sion Sono. It’s a dark coming-of-age story about two teenagers trying to survive in post-tsunami Japan.

The film deals with themes of trauma, survival, love exposure and the search for meaning in a world that seems hopeless.

If you liked Himizu, here are ten other movies that you should enjoy.

Requiem for a Dream

Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky. The film is based on the novel and play of the same name by Hubert Selby Jr. and follows four characters whose lives are consumed by addiction, crime and murder.

Similar to Himizu, Requiem for a Dream is a dark and intense film that deals with themes of addiction, murder, trauma, mental illness and the search for meaning in a hopeless world.

Both films follow characters who are struggling to survive in difficult circumstances and must confront their own inner demons in order to move forward.

Requiem for a Dream is a raw and powerful exploration of the destructive nature of addiction and the toll it takes on individuals and their relationships.

The film stars Jared Leto as Harry, Jennifer Connelly as Marion, Marlon Wayans as Tyrone, and Ellen Burstyn as Sara. Burstyn received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Sara, a lonely widow who becomes addicted to prescription pills.

The film also features a haunting and unforgettable score by Clint Mansell, performed by the Kronos Quartet.

Blue is the Warmest Color

Blue is the Warmest Color is a 2013 French romantic drama film directed by Abdellatif Kechiche. The film is an adaptation of a graphic novel of the same name by Julie Maroh and explores the intense and complicated relationship between a boy and two young women.

The same as Himizu, Blue is the Warmest Color is a coming-of-age story about youth that deals with complex themes of identity, love, and loss.

Both films explore the intense emotions and struggles of young people trying to find their place in the world, often against difficult odds from parents.

Blue is the Warmest Color is a beautiful and raw portrayal of the complexities of love and the pain of growing up, with powerful performances from its two leads.

The movie follows their relationship from their first meeting to their eventual breakup, with a focus on the emotional ups and downs of a teenager and their love affair.

The film won the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and was praised for its realistic portrayal of a same-sex relationship.

The film stars Léa Seydoux as teenager Emma, a confident and rebellious art student, and Adèle Exarchopoulos as her girlfriend Adèle, a high school student struggling to find her place in the world.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring is a 2003 South Korean film directed by Kim Ki-duk.

The film follows the life of a Buddhist monk and his relationship with his mother and young apprentice as we watch as they live through the changing seasons in a floating temple on a beautiful lake.

As with Himizu, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring is a contemplative film that deals with themes of spirituality, personal growth, and the cyclical nature of life.

The film’s plot is structured around five episodes, each one set in a different season and named after it. The film’s plot explores the themes of life, death, love, and suffering through the eyes of the two monks, who represent different stages in the cycle of life.

Both films follow a group of characters who are searching for meaning and understanding in a world that can seem chaotic and unpredictable.

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring is a beautifully shot and meditative film that explores the complexities of the human experience with grace and sensitivity.

James Berardinelli of ReelViews said, “the film successfully argues that “artistic” films do not have to be boring.”

If you’ve watched Squid Game recently on Netflix, you may just recognize one of the actors.

The film stars Oh Yeong-su as the older monk and Kim Jong-ho as the young apprentice.

The Elephant Man

The Elephant Man is a 1980 British-American biographical drama film directed by David Lynch.

The film and plot is based on the true story of Joseph Merrick, a severely deformed man who becomes a sideshow attraction in Victorian-era London before being rescued by his friends and a compassionate doctor.

The film explores the themes of beauty, empathy, love exposure and the human spirit as it tells the story of Merrick’s journey from outcast and criminal to beloved figure.

The Elephant Man deals with themes of identity, trauma, and the struggle for acceptance just as with Himizu.

Both movies follow characters who are struggling to overcome the limitations placed upon them by society and the world around them.

The Elephant Man is a powerful and emotional film that celebrates the beauty of the human spirit and the capacity for empathy and compassion in the face of adversity.

The film stars John Hurt as Joseph Merrick and Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Frederick Treves, the doctor who takes Merrick under his wing.

The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is a 2011 American experimental drama film directed by Terrence Malick. The film explores the nature of life, the universe, and the human experience, with a particular focus on the lives of a family living in Texas in the 1950s.

The film weaves together images and sequences of the natural world, the cosmos, and the human experience to create a poetic and visually stunning exploration of the meaning of life.

The Tree of Life deals with big, existential questions about the human experience, death and our place in the world which is similar to Himizu.

The movies explore themes of trauma, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that can seem senseless and chaotic. The Tree of Life is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that celebrates the beauty and mystery of the natural world and the human spirit.

The film stars Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain as Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien, parents of a daughter and three boys, and Sean Penn as one of the grown-up sons.

A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 dystopian crime film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the novel of the same name by Anthony Burgess.

The film is set in a bleak, futuristic society in which a gang of young thugs terrorize the city and are forced to engage in acts of murder and extreme violence.

The movie follows Alex’s arrest, incarceration, and eventual rehabilitation through a controversial and experimental technique known as the Ludovico Technique, which leaves him unable to commit acts of crime or violence.

A Clockwork Orange is a dark and disturbing exploration of the human psyche complex power dynamics, and the nature of violence.

Adam Nayman of The Ringer said, “Even by today’s standards, it’s a ferocious film staged for maximum discomfort.”

Both movies feature characters as teenagers who are struggling to find meaning and purpose in their lives in a world that is cruel and violent. A Clockwork Orange is a thought-provoking film that explores themes of free will, morality, and the corrupting influence of power.

The film’s dystopian setting and themes of violence and trauma make it similar to Himizu, a movie which also deals with the aftermath of a traumatic event and its impact on young people.

Both films feature complex and morally ambiguous characters who are struggling to come to terms with the world around them.

The film stars Malcolm McDowell as Alex, the charismatic and sadistic leader of the gang.

The Fountain

The Fountain is a 2006 American science fiction film directed by Darren Aronofsky. The film follows three parallel storylines set in different time periods and explores themes of love, death, and the search for eternal life.

The movie weaves together these three stories to create a complex and visually stunning meditation on life, death, and the nature of existence.

As with Himizu, The Fountain is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that explores big, existential questions about the human experience. Both films deal with themes of identity, mortality, and the search for meaning in a world that can seem overwhelming and confusing.

The film’s use of multiple time periods and complex storytelling structure make it similar to Himizu, which also weaves together multiple storylines to create a rich and multifaceted narrative.

Both films feature characters who are searching for answers to the big questions of life, often against seemingly insurmountable odds.

The film stars Hugh Jackman as three different characters: Tom, a conquistador in 16th-century Spain; Tommy, a neuroscientist in present-day America; and a futuristic traveler floating in space.

What do you think of the movies on the list? Let me know in the comments section below as I would love to find out.