Movies about doctors and medicine are a staple in cinema. Directors worldwide have crafted thrillers, heartwarming comedies, and inspiring dramas on this theme. We’ve compiled a list of 7 films about doctors and medicine that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Content
- Knock
- The Skin I live in
- Something the Lord Made
- The Physician
- Gifted Hands
- The Autopsy of Jane Doe
- Concussion
Knock
IMDb: 6.1/10
2017, Comedy, Drama
France, Belgium, Unrated
Director: Lorraine Lévy
Top cast: Omar Sy, Alex Lutz, Ana Girardot
Based on the satirical play Knock, or The Triumph of Medicine by playwright Jules Romains, the story of Knock takes place in the 1950s. Knock, a pickpocket and adventurer, is hiding from his former associates in the small French town of Saint-Maurice. There, he pretends to be a licensed doctor. This new role provides him with an alibi and a clever way to make a living: treating healthy people for illnesses they don’t actually have. Knock, a master of manipulation and persuasion, is on the verge of achieving his goal, but a few complications arise. First, he falls in love. Second, a friend from his past unexpectedly shows up, threatening to reveal the truth about him.
The Skin I live in
IMDb: 7.6/10
2011, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
USA, Spain, R
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Top cast: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet
World-renowned surgeon Robert Ledgard has discovered how to create artificial human skin. He tells his colleagues that he is conducting experiments on mice, but the truth is quite different. He secretly holds a young woman named Vera captive in his country house, where she serves as the main subject of his experiments. In his absence, an elderly servant Marilia watches over her. One day, while the doctor is away, Marilia’s son, Zeca, asks her to hide him from the police and suddenly bursts into the mysterious captive’s room. The film is based on Thierry Jonquet’s novel Tarantula, or The Skin I Live In. Filming took place in Santiago de Compostela, Madrid, La Estrada, and the surrounding areas of Toledo.
Something The Lord Made
IMDb: 8.1/10
2004, Biography, Drama
USA, TV-PG
Director: Joseph Sargent
Top cast: Cliff Mc Mullen, Yasiin Bey, Luray Cooper
In the 1940s, a talented doctor named Alfred Blalock, known for his challenging personality, recognized the potential of a skilled Black lab technician, Vivien Thomas. Thomas quickly rises through the ranks, becoming Blalock’s colleague, indispensable assistant, and best friend. However, societal attitudes threaten not only their relationship but also their collaborative research. Something the Lord Made tells the story of Dr. Blalock, a pioneer in modern cardiac surgery. He is portrayed by the renowned British actor Alan Rickman, while his partner is played by musician Dante Terrell Smith, known by his stage name Mos Def.
The Physician
IMDb: 7.2/10
2013, Adventure, Drama, History
Germany, R
Director: Philipp Stölzl
Top cast: Tom Payne, Stellan Skarsgård, Olivier Martinez
The story of The Physician is set in 11th-century England and intersects with historical events. Ten-year-old Rob Cole is devastated when his mother dies in agony from an unknown illness, with no cure in sight. Determined to unravel this mystery, Rob embarks on a long journey from England to Persia. His first mentor is the charlatan Barber, followed by the great physician Avicenna. Avicenna sees Rob’s extraordinary talent for medicine but warns him not to rush into things beyond his time. Unwilling to accept this, Rob defies societal prejudices by using the human body for scientific research and by falling in love with a woman promised to another man, putting his own life at risk. The film is based on the novel of the same name by American author Noah Gordon. Filming took place in Morocco and East Germany.
Gifted Hands
IMDb: 7.5/10
2009, Drama
USA, Not rated
Director: Thomas Carter
Top cast: Cuba Gooding Jr., Kimberly Elise, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Gifted Hands tells the story of Ben, a boy who grew up in a poor African American family. Despite struggling in school, he overcomes all obstacles to become the world’s leading pediatric neurosurgeon. Now, he faces the challenge of performing a complex surgery that no one has attempted before. This television drama chronicles the journey of the renowned American neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who was the first to separate conjoined twins joined at the back of the head. The film highlights an important message: the secret to success is not only natural talent and hard work but also the support of a loving family. Another reason to watch this drama is a brief cameo by the real Ben Carson in a hospital corridor scene.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe
IMDb: 7.4/10
2016, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
UK, R
Director: André Øvredal
Top cast: Brian Cox, Emile Hirsch, Ophelia Lovibond
In a small town, pathologists receive the well-preserved body of a young, beautiful girl discovered under mysterious circumstances. There are no visible signs of how she died. The doctors work to uncover her identity and cause of death, finding increasingly strange clues that reveal the secrets of her life and death. The film’s original title translates to The Autopsy of Jane Doe. The terms John Doe and Jane Doe are used in English law to refer to an unknown or anonymous party, often a plaintiff. The terms later transitioned into medicine, where they are used to identify unidentified corpses or unknown patients. The film leaves a lasting impression. Even author Stephen King called it his favorite horror movie of 2016.
Concussion
IMDb: 7.1/10
2015, Biography, Drama, Sport
USA, UK, Australia, PG-13
Director: Peter Landesman
Top cast: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks
A young pathologist discovers that American football causes irreversible brain damage in players. However, not everyone is ready to face this harsh truth, and the National Football League responds by launching a smear campaign against him. Directed by Peter Landesman, the film tells the true story of neuropathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu, convincingly portrayed by the popular actor Will Smith. The movie addresses important social issues such as corruption, racism, and discrimination, and it effectively explores the theme of one man’s fight against injustice.
