10 Emotionally Gutting Films That Wrecked Their Audiences

10. Cast Away

First up on our list is Cast Away, an early 2000s flick mostly revolving around one character. It begins fairly straightforward at first, with FedEx employee Chuck Noland, played by Tom Hanks, well accustomed to travelling the world and conducting systems analysis, sometimes at the expense of his long term relationship. All of that changes when his latest flight crashes in the Pacific ocean, leaving him the only survivor. He finds himself marooned on an uninhabited island with no way of returning home; this single setting plays host to a simple yet vastly effective story.

From here, we focus solely on Noland's perspective, as he struggles with survival, loneliness, and failed attempts at escape. Lost at sea for years, Cast Away's gut-wrenching power stems from Tom Hanks' superb performance and incredibly moving final act. The distance he spends from his loved ones and the ultimate outcome delivers its emotional gut-punch. Aspects of the film may stand out as corny to some, but it's difficult to deny the lasting effect it had on audiences, even almost twenty years after its release. It was certainly a large success at the time, grossing a high amount and earning an Academy Award nomination for best actor.