Evaluation of Films That Depict People With Dementia

Abstract

Aims

Films are known to influence the public's perception about mental health conditions. Dementia's prevalence in society has been increasing due to the ageing population. Cinema has long struggled with its depiction of mental health as seen with the depiction of schizophrenia, autism and psychosis in many blockbusters and award winning films. However, the depiction of dementia in films has not been as widely explored. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the depiction of dementia in films to assess its clinically accuracy.

Methods

A systematic search of keywords related to dementia was completed on the Internet Movie Database. The search was conducted in May 2022. Non-foreign language feature films were used in this paper. Films from 2000 and onwards were used. The films were analysed on the type of dementia they portrayed. 8 themes and tropes were assessed for each film. The portrayal of healthcare was also assessed. Each film was measured against the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire.

Results

42 films were used from an initial sample of 1,320. Alzheimer's was found to be the most frequently portrayed cause of dementia. Time-shifting was the most common theme. There was a predominantly negative portrayal of care homes with a positive portrayal of carers. The films, measured against the NPI-Q, produced on average a lower severity of neuropsychiatric symptom score and carer distress score.

Conclusion

The depiction of dementia was mild in comparison to dementia's clinical manifestation. Films showed a positive portrayal of healthcare workers which can be considered rare when looking at cinema's history with psychiatry. Overall, films did not accurately portray the clinical aspect of dementia as they tended to focus more on the early stages of the diagnosis. However, films were realistic in their depiction of the emotional challenges that comes with a diagnosis of dementia. Film's powerful role in influencing the public's perception could be used to help reduce stigma and misunderstanding. Filmmakers could work with clinicians to help produce accurate portrayals of dementia. Patients experience the emotive aspect of their diagnosis but also equally experience the symptomatic aspects and cinema should be able to embody that. An accurate portrayal can still maintain the appeal of cinema and at the same time help with reducing misunderstanding and stigma held by the public about dementia which can help improve health outcomes.