10 Films You Loved As A Teen, But Should Never Watch Again

3. The Beach

20th Century Fox

Leonardo DiCaprio's tendency to be typecast as a brilliant but troubled outsider can be traced all the way back to The Beach. Adapted from Alex Garland's novel of the same name, the film is about a group of backpackers who join a community of outcasts on an island off the coast of Thailand.

The movie adaptation of The Beach was essentially a coming-of-age story about an drifting, strange kid who manages to fit in with a cool hippie community, and steal a gorgeous French girl from the arms of a classic alpha male. It made an adolescent you want to pack your backpack and seek exotic adventures as soon as you came of age.

From today's perspective, The Beach is pretty scatty; a bit 'Heart of Darkness' here, a bit 'Swiss Family Robinson' there, with DiCaprio emptily narrating some drivel about love and destiny. Adults going back to the film today will be far too wise and cynical to buy into the story, although they can still enjoy the cinematography and stunning scenery of the then-untarnished Koh Phi Phi island.

There's no point going back to it as an adult (read the book instead), but this is worth adding to your present or future child's 'moody adolescent movies' list.

Contributor
Contributor

Gamer, Researcher of strange things. I'm a writer-editor hybrid whose writings on video games, technology and movies can be found across the internet. I've even ventured into the realm of current affairs on occasion but, unable to face reality, have retreated into expatiating on things on screens instead.