Approaching autism through the screen
Since the 1980s, autism has been reflected in various films (some of them blockbusters) and, currently, since the rise of digital platforms, in many series, treating it as a main theme or in a secondary way through some of its characters.
The first appearances of characters with autism on screen usually reflected only some aspects of this condition, mostly negative, showing an image sometimes far removed from reality, very pessimistic or even falling into myths and stereotypes that generated stigmas that further hindered the social inclusion of people with autism.
Throughout this time, the audiovisual medium has become increasingly sensitive to neurodiversity and has promoted a more heterogeneous, respectful and realistic image of the autism spectrum condition.
Below we recommend some of the films, series and documentaries that have best contributed to the understanding of autism spectrum disorder in a more reliable and realistic way.
Movies
Specials . France 2019. Directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano. Duration: 108 minutes.
It tells the story of two educator friends who create an exceptional association, outside of traditional environments, for people with autism.
Available on Netflix.
The Lighthouse of the Orcas . Spain 2016. Directed by Gerardo Olivares. Running time: 110 minutes.
A mother and her son with autism travel to Argentina seeking to improve his situation through the special relationship he has with orcas and nature.
Available on Netflix.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close . USA 2011. Directed by Stephen Daldry. Running time: 129 minutes.
An adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's novel of the same name, this film tells the story of Oskar Schell, a nine-year-old boy who has just lost his father in the September 11 attacks. Oskar finds a key he believes belonged to his father and embarks on a quest to find the lock it can open.
Available on Prime Video.
Temple Grandin . USA 2010. Directed by Mick Jackson. Running time: 103 minutes.
Biographical film about Temple Grandin, a woman with autism, scientist and expert in animal behavior.
Available on HBO Max.
My name is Khan . India 2010. Directed by Karan Johar. Running time: 160 minutes.
A film starring a Muslim boy with autism and his wife, after the 9/11 attacks.
Available on Prime Video.
The Black Balloon . Australia 2008. Directed by: Elisa Down. Running time: 97 minutes.
Thomas longs for a normal teenage life, but his autistic brother, Charlie, stifles any semblance of independence. Only the help of Thomas's girlfriend, Jackie, can make him see that he must accept his brother for who he is.
Available on Google Play.
Mozart and the Whale (Crazy in love) . United States 2005. Directed by: Petter Naess. Running time: 92 minutes.
Donald is a young taxi driver with Asperger's Syndrome, very skilled with numbers and with a fondness for birds. Donald manages a group of people with the same condition. Isabel's arrival in the group will turn his life and his heart upside down.
Available on Prime Video.
A Midwinter Night's Dream . Serbia and Montenegro 2004. Directed by: Goran Paskaljevic. Running time: 95 minutes.
Lazar returns home after ten years in prison. He finds his apartment occupied by a woman who has fled Bosnia and her daughter, a twelve-year-old girl with autism.
Available on Filmin.
Who's Eating Gilbert Grape? United States 1994. Directed by: Lasse Hallström. Duration: 118 minutes.
Gilbert Grape, a young grocery store employee, is overwhelmed by his family responsibilities: he has to take care of his morbidly obese mother, his two sisters, and his autistic brother, Arnie. His life will change with the arrival of Becky.
Available on Prime Video.
Rain Man . United States 1988. Directed by: Barry Levinson. Running time: 129 minutes.
Charlie Babbitt receives the news that his father has died, but the million-dollar family inheritance is in the name of his brother Raymond, an adult with autism, whom he was unaware of until that moment.
Available on Filmin.
Mater Amatísima . Spain 1980. Directed by: José Antonio Salgot. Running time: 110 minutes.
Clara, an intelligent and independent woman, becomes pregnant and gives birth to Juan, a baby with autism. As Juan grows, he requires so much attention that it pathologically strains the mother-son relationship.
Not available on digital platforms
Documentaries
Peixos d'aigua dolça (in salt water) . Spain 2018. Directed by: Biel Mauri and Marc Serena. Duration: 56 minutes.
The documentary narrates the situation of people with autism in Catalonia by following the daily lives of Marc, 10 years old and with great support needs, and Mariona, 23 years old and with less intense support needs, and their families.
Available on Filmin and TV3 on demand
Life Animated . United States 2016. Directed by: Roger Ross Williams. Running time: 89 minutes. Documentary based on the book Life, Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism , by journalist Ron Suskind, which tells the story of his son Owen, who learned to communicate through his devotion to Disney movies.
Available on Prime Video
Maria and I. Spain 2010. Directed by: Félix Fernández de Castro. Running time: 80 minutes.
María Gallardo, a teenager with autism, travels to Gran Canaria to spend her holidays with her father at a resort. This documentary offers a natural approach to autism through the experiences of María and her father, Miguel, an illustrator and comic book artist, who recently passed away.
Available on RTVE
Series*
Lisa . Spain 2022. Directed by: Raquel Barrera and Ingride Santos. One season with 4 ten-minute episodes.
This web series tells the story of Lisa, an 18-year-old girl with autism who arrives at the University of Vic (Barcelona) to study for a degree in Mechatronics Engineering.
As We See It . USA 2022. Directed by: Jason Katims. One season with 8 episodes of 35 minutes each.
Jack, Harrison, and Violet are three roommates with autism who are looking to become independent, get a job, expand their friendships, and fall in love.
Available on Prime Video.
Love on the Spectrum . Australia 2019. Directed by: Cian O'Clery. 2 seasons with 11 episodes of 45 minutes each.
Several young people with autism are venturing into the unpredictable world of dating and the challenges it entails.
Available on Netflix
Atypical . United States 2017. Directed by: Robia Rshid. 4 seasons with 38 episodes of 45 minutes.
Sam is an 18-year-old with autism who seeks to get to know himself, become independent from his family, work, and find love.
Available on Netflix
The Good Doctor . USA 2017. Directed by: David Shore. 4 seasons with 70 episodes of 45 minutes each.
Shaun is a young surgeon with autism who will have to prove his worth in the face of his colleagues' prejudices.
Available on Netflix
The A Word . United Kingdom 2016. Directed by: Peter Cattaneo, Dominic Leclerc, Susan Tully. 3 seasons with 18 episodes of 58 minutes each.
Joe is a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with autism. Joe's problems will be compounded by those of his dysfunctional family.
Available on Amazon
The Bridge (Bron/Broen ). Sweden, 2011. Directed by: Hans Rosenfeldt. 4 seasons with 38 episodes of 58 minutes each.
A horrific crime committed on the border bridge between Denmark and Sweden forces Dane Martin Rohde and Swede Saga Norén to work together. Despite Saga's lack of social skills, she is brilliant at her job, and a collaborative and mutually enriching relationship develops between them.
Not available on digital platforms.
Sherlock . United Kingdom 2010. Directed by: Steven Moffat. 4 seasons with 12 episodes of 90 minutes each.
Sherlock Holmes is a famous detective with characteristics typical of the autism spectrum who, together with his partner Watson, solves complicated crimes and conspiracies.
Available on Prime Video
Parenthood . United States 2010. Directed by: Jason Katims. 6 seasons with 103 episodes of 40 minutes each.
The series tells the story of the Braverman family, which consists of the father, mother, and the families of their four children. Adam, one of the four children, has a son with autism named Max.
Available on Prime Video
The Big Bang Theory . United States 2007. Directed by: Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. 12 seasons with 280 episodes of 12 minutes each.
Although its creators have never confirmed that its main character has autism, it's a landmark series. Leonard and Sheldon are two scientist roommates who are fans of comics and science fiction. Despite being brilliant minds, they struggle with relationships and finding love. Sheldon, the main character, exhibits several characteristics of autistic individuals.
Available on HBO Max
The IT Crowd. (The IT Crowd) . United Kingdom 2006. Directed by: Graham Linehan. 5 seasons with 25 episodes of 25 minutes each .
Roy and Maurice, with typical characteristics of autism, work as computer programmers in the basement of a large company alongside their new boss Jen.
Available on Netflix
Pablo . United Kingdom 2017. Directed by: Grainne McGuinness and David McGrath. Animated series. 1 season of 104 eleven-minute episodes.
Pablo is a child with autism who uses his friends and his imaginary world to cope with different situations.
Available on Netflix
*Some of these series have been selected from the article "Asperger's Syndrome in TV Series" by Ramon Cererols, published on the website of Autism Spain.
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