10 Must-Watch Films About Comas

Description: This medical thriller, directed by Michael Crichton, follows a doctor who uncovers a sinister plot involving patients in comas. It's a gripping tale that explores the dark side of medical ethics and the vulnerability of the unconscious.

Fact: The film was based on a novel by Robin Cook, and it was one of the first major roles for actress Genevieve Bujold.

Description: After waking from a coma, a schoolteacher gains the ability to see the future, leading him on a path to prevent disasters. This film explores the psychological and moral dilemmas of foresight and fate.

Fact: The film is based on a novel by Stephen King, and it was one of the first major roles for Christopher Walken.

Description: Inspired by true events, this film features Robin Williams as a doctor who uses an experimental drug to awaken catatonic patients from their decades-long comas. It's a heartwarming yet bittersweet look at the human condition and the quest for connection.

Fact: The film is based on Oliver Sacks' memoir of the same name, and it earned Robert De Niro an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Description: Medical students experiment with near-death experiences, inducing comas to explore what lies beyond. This thriller delves into the ethical and psychological ramifications of playing with life and death.

Fact: The film was remade in 2017 with a new cast but retained the original's premise.

Description: While not directly about a coma, the film deals with time travel and memory, where the protagonist's blackouts lead to him altering past events, exploring themes of fate, choice, and the consequences of our actions.

Fact: The film had multiple endings, with the theatrical release being one of the more optimistic ones.

Description: Christian Bale stars as Trevor Reznik, an insomniac machinist who hasn't slept in a year, leading to a psychological breakdown where reality and dreams blur. While not strictly about a coma, it explores similar themes of mental disconnection and isolation.

Fact: Bale lost an astonishing 62 pounds for the role, showcasing his commitment to the character's physical and mental state.

Description: While not about a coma, the film deals with a young girl's spirit watching over her family from a sort of in-between state, similar to the limbo of a coma, as she tries to help solve her own murder.

Fact: The film was directed by Peter Jackson, known for his work on "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Description: Based on the memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby, this film tells the story of a man who suffers a massive stroke and is left with locked-in syndrome, able to communicate only by blinking his left eye. It's a poignant exploration of resilience and the power of the human spirit.

Fact: The film was shot from the perspective of Bauby, with the camera often positioned to mimic his limited field of vision.

Description: A group of researchers bring a subject back from death, only to find that the revived individual has changed in unexpected ways. This film touches on themes of life, death, and the afterlife, akin to the limbo state of a coma.

Fact: The film was originally titled "Reawakening" before being renamed to "The Lazarus Effect."

Description: This Russian film, available with English subtitles, follows a man who wakes up from a coma to find his life has changed dramatically. It's a psychological thriller that plays with the concept of reality versus perception.

Fact: The film uses a unique visual style to differentiate between the protagonist's real life and his dream-like state.