5 movies to watch that are based on real-life events

Throughout cinema's history, many films have been made based on real-life events. They took inspiration from true stories and brought them to the screen in compelling ways. Whether it's Lawrence of Arabia, Erin Brockovich, or 12 Years a Slave, such films offer a representation of actual people, historical chapters, or incidents.

Some films remain faithful to the actual incidents and portray them mostly as they happen in real life. Whether 127 Hours or All the President's Men, such films try to present them as close to real life. However, some films based on real-life events take creative liberties to convey their deeper themes.

The Social Network makes significant changes to its original story, whereas Zodiac introduces some characters to cover an actual investigation. On the other hand, I, Tonya, Spencer, and Priscilla offer distinct perspectives into the lives of their real-life characters. So, it's difficult to pin down the choices to only five films based on real-life events. That's why we have curated a list to represent different languages, cultures, and perspectives.

Disclaimer: This article contains the author's opinion about films based on real-life events. Reader discretion is advised.

Here are a few movies based on real-life events that you should watch:

1) Memories of Murder (2003)

Before receiving an Oscar for Parasite, the South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho was widely known for his 2003 film Memories of Murder. It's a visceral crime thriller loosely inspired by an investigation to find a serial killer. Bong's film depicts the mysterious case from the detectives' perspective. It shows the efforts that went into finding the culprit and his horrifying impact on the locals at the time. The real-life culprit, Lee Choon-jae, later confessed to his crimes.

2) The Big Short (2015)

Adam McKay co-wrote and directed The Big Short, a film based on real-life events. It offers a fictionalized account of the events that led to the 2007 housing market crash. However, it takes a unique approach to follow the people and incidents that led to this tragedy. Instead of boring the viewers with monotonous financial jargon, it uses hysterical cameo appearances of celebrities to explain it. Margot Robbie, Selena Gomez, and Anthony Bourdain briefly appear in such scenes.

Still, the film understands the devastating nature of this crisis and remains respectful of its victims.

3) Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Shaka King's Judas and the Black Messiah is based on real-life events from the life of Fred Hampton, a Black Panther Party chairman who was betrayed by someone he considered a close ally. This politically charged film offers a soaring account of Hampton's life even through its brief chapter. It conveys his dedication to the values of social justice and his remarkable influence. The film was nominated for six Oscars and won two, one of which was for Daniel Kaluuya's powerful performance as Hampton.

4) Persepolis (2007)

Marjane Satrapi co-wrote and co-directed Persepolis, a multi-lingual animated film based on real-life events from the time of the Iranian Revolution. It uses an animation style similar to the graphic novel Satrapi wrote, which serves as the film's source material. At its core, it is a coming-of-age tale about a young girl. However, Satrapi's involvement offers a uniquely personal window into a part of the world and history.

5) The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is a French biographical drama based on an eponymous memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby. It follows his life after a massive stroke left him with a locked-in syndrome. It's a condition where a patient cannot communicate or move but is aware. For most of the film's duration, writer-director Julian Schnabel uses his camera to show the world through Bauby's eyes. This film, based on real-life events, deserves to be seen simply for its use of the first-person point-of-view technique.