“Watching a film in a theater with an audience is an experience. We can laugh together, cry together. And in a time in which our world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever: It's a communal experience you simply don't get at home” Sean Baker, 2025
Movies have been a huge part of my life since I was about nine. I vividly remember every Friday, my mom would pick up my brother and me from school, and we'd head straight to the DVD store to pick out a movie for the weekend. Every other weekend, we’d go to the cinema too.
Media, but more specifically, movies, influence every aspect of my life, from my writing and thought processes to the way I see the world. What I love most about movies is the sense of community they create, the shared experience of watching something together and discussing it afterward and, as Sean Baker put it, ‘‘In a time when so many of us feel disconnected, that feeling of togetherness matters more than ever’’.
I could go on forever about the impact of movies, but for now, here is a list of movies that cross my mind when I hear the words life changing.
Scream by Wes Craven
Scream (1996) follows a group of high school students in a suburban town who are stalked and murdered by a masked killer.
Every horror movie lover will always talk your ear off about how good Scream is, and I am no different. Scream is my cinephile gateway drug, it took me by the hand and whispered, ‘‘Come with me’’.
Wes Craven’s films but more notably, Scream shaped the heck out of me and the kinds of movies I love today. It flips the overdone, crass teen slasher trope on its head. Craven was able to make horror more than just jump scares and gore, he made it thoughtful, clever, and funny, while also being a love letter to Halloween and Psycho.
His insight into human fear and the darker corners of human behavior gave Scream a depth that typical slasher films lacked in the 90s. I also love that the characters have seen all the movies and exist in a world where horror movies exist, which is just so fun and makes the film feel self-aware and true to the audience’s own experience of the genre. Another one of my favorite things about this movie is Matthew Lillard’s performance, it is crazy good.
Watching this movie for the first time will always be a defining moment for me because It’s the reason why I love movies so much.
Watch when: The leaves start browning.
If you loved scream you should watch: Serial Mom.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
a coming-of-age drama that follows introverted freshman Charlie as he navigates high school with the help of two seniors who take him under their wing.
This perks of being a Wallflower captures perfectly that period of life when everything changes, and you're trying to figure out what you want. The first time I watched The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, I was moved to the core. Charlie’s character resonated with me the most. His struggles with loneliness, belonging, and mental health felt real and relatable. This movie reminds me that I’m not alone in my experiences or the way that I feel.
It also speaks to the power of representation and the importance of seeing our own struggles and emotions reflected on a screen. The idea that others might feel the same way you do, is incredibly powerful and comforting. And isn't that one of the beautiful things about movies? The ability to make you feel less alone, more understood, and more connected to other people? It's almost magical how a story on a screen can do that.
Watch when: In a transitional phase.
Stand By Me by Rob Reiner
Stand by Me is a coming-of-age film about four young boys in 1950s Oregon who set out on an adventure to find the body of a missing boy. Along the way, they share their personal struggle and bond over their fears and dreams.
“I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?”
Ain't that the damn truth.
Stand by Me is a story about childhood and the quiet depth of being truly known before you even understand yourself. It’s about the kind of friendships that shape you, the ones that make the world feel less frightening. It’s about seeing something that changes you forever, it’s about bad parents, it’s about fear, and the friends who stand by you through it all. Friendship can truly be like magic. Each boy carries his own struggles, but together, for a moment, their problems disappear. This film is a masterpiece to me.
Watch when: In a nostalgic mood.
Synecdoche, New York by Charlie Kaufman
Synecdoche, New York (2008) is about theatre director, Caden Cotard, who tries to create a massive, realistic play about life by spending years building a detailed replica of New York inside a warehouse.
Essentially, this is a story about how we try to make sense of our own existence but never quite get it right. It is life changing, and much bigger and more personal than anything I've ever seen. This movie is too honest to put into words, It will give you a headache and make you depressed, but just know that it is objectively good.
Watch when: Feeling Introspective.
And there you have it - a list of films that I highly recommend. These movies aren't necessarily my all-time favorites, but they each hold a special place in my heart because they were part of my cinephile origin story.
I hope this list has inspired you to reflect on your own movie-watching experiences and the films that were pivotal in shaping your love for cinema. Please feel free to share the films that made you love movies!
City of God🎞️ best cinematography ever.