Movies Similar to Diary of a Serious Offender

Scum(1979)

Powerful, uncompromising drama about two boys' struggle for survival in the nightmare world of Britain's notorious Borstal Reformatory.

Offenders(2018)

Guided by their maverick sociology professor, three students set up separate experiments around the city to prove his "Tetris" theory of chaos: that human nature inevitably deteriorates from order to anarchy.

La réparation(2025)

Indictment: The Crimes of Shelly Chartier(2017)

Sensationalized in the media as a high profile catfishing case involving an NBA superstar and an aspiring model, Shelly Chartier was portrayed as a master manipulator who used social media as her weapon. Through the sensitive and intelligent lens of Indigenous directors Lisa Jackson and Shane Belcourt, the sensationalism is swept aside to reveal something much more compelling and complex - the story of a young woman caught in historical circumstances beyond her control and how she struggles to rebuild her life after incarceration.

Pull of Gravity

North Philadelphia, PA – Kev, El and Andy are three men united by one struggle: they are trying to defy gravity. As part of the 700,000 prisoners released into society every year, they find themselves faced with a chilling outlook: 67% of ex-offenders re-offend within three years. What explains this invisible force that keeps former inmates in a seemingly unending cycle of incarceration? Filmed on the street over the course of two years, Pull of Gravity is an intimate portrait of these three men that confronts head-on the gritty details of lives cut short by poverty and drugs, where dealing is seen as the only route to economic prosperity, where using offers an escape from powerlessness, and where prison is too often the next stop. The film’s unfiltered lense captures its subjects as they lay bare their stories, fears, and tentative dreams.

Forgive(2005)

This film about betrayal and forgiveness shows how the sacred bonds of family can be irreparably broken, and the trust and feelings of family members are shattered. The film shows a husband's attempt to convince his wife to forgive him, leading to his suicide.

Missing: Keti Harayeko Suchana(2025)

A gripping tale of two young people from contrasting worlds who are thrust together by a twist of fate. A man from Nepal's Terai plains accidentally abducts a woman from the northern hills, bringing her to his rural village in Janakpur. What begins as a clash of personalities slowly transforms into a journey of shared understanding, bridging deep-seated social and cultural divides.

Tobakkens uheldige virkninger(1963)

Aokigahara: Suicide Forest(2012)

A short documentary on the famous Aokigahara Forest in Japan. The forest is known to be prone to people looking to commit suicide

Sham(2025)

When a young student shows signs of trauma, his parents act swiftly against his middle school teacher. But all may not be as it seems, leading the scales of justice to tip in fascinating, heartbreaking ways.

The Ozu Diaries(2025)

Unveiling Yasujiro Ozu’s legacy through his personal diaries, letters, and interviews, the documentary delves into his life, creative process, and lasting impact on filmmaking.

Last Call(2022)

Round the Island(1956)

The pleasures of sailing off the Isle of Wight are described by Uffa Fox, while Ralph Wightman tells of the peaceful life of its farms and villages.

The Travel Game(1958)

A light and somewhat satirical look at the problems and pleasures of Continental holiday travel. A passenger on the Hook Continental Express from Liverpool St. imagines the possible destinations of his fellow passengers.

Freightliner and Merry Go Round(1965)

A British Transport Film, in German!