Abortion is a serious topic that is meant to be treated in a delicate manner. It seems that many cultures around the world either demonize the practice or see it as a sometimes necessary medical operation in order to save the mother’s life. Whichever side of the divide you may fall under, anyone can benefit from learning more about the practice and seeing different stories that revolve around it in movies about abortion.
The following films do their best to have abortion be either the focal point of their story or an event that sets the rest of the story in motion.
Movies About Abortion
1. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Set in 1980s Romania, this drama revolves around two friends who venture out in search of a doctor that will perform an abortion on the pregnant Gabita. Anamaria Marinca and Laura Vasiliu play the roles of Otilia Mihartescu and Gabita Dragut respectively. A chilling and harrowing tale.
2. Vera Drake
This crime drama centers around the protagonist Vera Drake. An abortionist finds her very ideological fabric questioned and challenged in 1950s Britain. The consequences of Vera Drake’s actions lead to a great personal tragedy for her family. The titular character is played by Imelda Staunton.
3. If These Walls Could Talk
An excellent drama thriller that examines the medical practice of abortions through three different stories. Each story takes place in a different era, namely 1952, 1974, and finally 1996. Demi Moore and Shirley Knight take the lead as Claire and Mary Donnelly respectively. The most complete view of abortion on this list.
4. October Baby
Rachel Hendrix stars in this drama that was directed by Andrew Erwin. A college freshman finds her life turned upside down and her sense of security shattered when it is revealed to her that she is not only adopted but a failed abortion. Rachel Hendrix dons the role of Hannah, the aforementioned college freshman.
5. Citizen Ruth
Perhaps the big outlier in this list is a comedy-drama that stars Laura Dern and Swoosie Kurtz. A recently impregnated woman who is also a drug addict. The irresponsible woman is the center of an abortion debate as opposing sides attempt to get her to join their respective armies. Protagonist Ruth Stoops is played by Laura Dern.
6. A Private Matter
A short drama directed by Joan Silver centers around Sherri Finkbie. Sherri, played by Sissy Spacek, is a woman who seeks out an abortion after being recommended to do so by her doctor. But the public so finds out and is whipped into a frenzy. This is an excellent film on the topic of abortion due to the main character being recommended an abortion instead of being yet another pregnant teen story.
7. Happening
A recently released drama that does not shy away from the topic of abortion. This film is an adaptation of Annie Ernaux’s novel which centers around her experiences with abortion in 1960s France when the practice was banned. Anamaria Vartolomei plays the role of Annie Ernaux in this semi-autobiographical picture.
8. Never Rarely Sometimes Always
From rural Pennsylvania to New York, two teenage girls embark on an odyssey in order to get an abortion. Their reason for doing so is due to an unexpected and unwanted pregnancy. Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder play the roles of the appropriately named Autumn and Skylar in this drama. A gripping tale.
9. Juno
Former internet darling, Elliot Page plays the role of Juno Macguff. Juno gets pregnant and must now deal with her unwanted future child. Throughout the film, she grapples with the various choices that she must make in regards to the child, including abortion. Micheal Cera plays the role of Paulie Bleeker.
10. Dogma
An adventure comedy that sees Ben Affleck and Matt Damon play the roles of Bartleby and Loki respectively. The film is about an abortion clinic worker that must save the world by stopping two renegade angels from getting back into heaven. A much more light-hearted affair that has Linda Fiorentino dazzling audiences.
Hopefully, with the movies about abortions listed above, you are better able to understand the practice and the controversy surrounding it.