Most of the movies we watch for entertainment are works of fiction. Some of them are inspired by real people, yet they are highly exaggerated to incorporate a cinematic touch. However, every once in a while, we hear of a movie that is based on real-life events. There’s a different kind of hype around such films, and they tend to bring out strong emotions.
Movies that represent actual incidents can be inspiring, spine-chilling, heartrending, or simply good food for thought. When I’m watching a movie that is based on real-life events, I pay more attention to details and attempt to virtually embody the main character.
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Netflix has a great collection of non-fiction movies, and today I’ll be talking about some good ones from the 2020s.
Movies Based on Real-Life Events
- The Good Nurse (2022)
- Dog Gone (2023)
- The Swimmers (2022)
- Society of the Snow (2023)
- True Spirit (2023)
The Good Nurse (2022)
The Good Nurse is a crime thriller about the infamous American serial killer, Charles Edmund Cullen. The movie is an adaptation of the book written by Charles Graeber, which covers the real course of events in detail. Cullen was a nurse who worked at several New Jersey and Pennsylvania medical centers for 16 years and killed many patients during this period.
Two local detectives begin to suspect Cullen after the mysterious death of a patient under his care. His colleague, Amy Loughren, is questioned about his character, but she is quick to defend him as she views him as a trustworthy friend.
Later, another patient dies, and Amy notices the similarities; she investigates on her own and is shocked to learn the truth about Cullen. Amy then alerts the detectives and plays an important role in bringing the murderer down.
The real Cullen is confined at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton and is sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences; this means he is not entitled to parole till the year 2403.
Dog Gone (2023)
Dog Gone is a family adventure film full of highs and lows. The main character is a young college student named Fielding who is socially awkward and struggles with relationships. He adopts a yellow lab puppy from the local pound and develops a deep bond with it in a short time. He names him Gonker, who accompanies him everywhere and they become an inseparable duo.
After college, Fielding doesn’t know what to do with his life, so he moves in with his worried parents. Shortly, Gonker is diagnosed with Addison’s disease, so he needs a life-saving shot every month to survive. During a hiking trip with an old friend from college, Gonker runs off after a fox and cannot be found.
The loss of his dog makes Fielding panic and his health starts to deteriorate. His parents do everything in their power to retrieve Gonker, and their efforts pay off eventually. The movie ends on a positive note with the dog and his best friend safe and sound together.
The Swimmers (2022)
The Swimmers is a true and inspiring story about two teenage sisters, Yusra and Sarah, from war-torn Syria. This is a sports drama movie, which will keep you on your toes from beginning to end. The sisters decide to take on a risky journey to flee their homeland and seek asylum in Greece.
To escape a terrible fate, they swam across the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The girls helped several refugees on the way and ultimately made it to the Rio 2016 Olympics for their mad swimming skills.
This movie is about staying strong in the face of challenges and striving to live your dream.
Society of the Snow (2023)
Society of the Snow is a Spanish movie with an adventure thriller theme. It follows the traumatic tale of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight that crashed in 1972. The plane carried members of a rugby team and their supporters, making a total of 45 passengers.
Following the crash, 29 survived but they were stranded in the Andes Mountains for almost two and a half months. The harsh conditions of the isolated region brought about more deaths over time. Those alive had to resort to cannibalism by feeding on their dead mates to survive; in the end, 16 made it.
True Spirit (2023)
The last on my list is another true adventure story inspired by an incredible 16-year-old girl harboring a love for the open seas. She aims to become the youngest sailor to travel the world alone; this entails a continuous unassisted voyage that is estimated to last roughly 200 days.
A disgraced retired coach and the girl’s family prepare her for the journey. She makes some major mistakes during the training period, which makes the media question her aptitude for the mission. Even so, the girl is determined and sets off; despite severe challenges along the way, she emerges successful.
Final Thoughts
Most movies based on real-life events revolve around harrowing circumstances, which compel individuals to test their limits. These movies focus on how we perform under pressure and what we are willing to do when the stakes are high. Each one of these holds a valuable lesson to help us understand life better.