Domestic abuse movies and TV shows
The list contains the best, new and most relevant domestic abuse movies ordered by relevance. The recommendation service has sorted out psychological, captivating, intense, suspense, suspenseful and realistic films and TV shows about / with domestic abuse, domestic violence, female protagonist, husband wife relationship, violence, psychological drama, abusive husband, life is a bitch, abuse and dysfunctional family plots mostly in Drama, Thriller and Romance genres shot in USA, UK, Belgium and other countries.
532
TOP 10 movies tagged as domestic abuse: Where the Crawdads Sing (2022), Lovelace (2013), It Ends with Us (2024), Til Death Do Us Part (2017), An Unfinished Life (2005), Bad Sisters (2022), 52-Hertz Whales (2024), Men Don't Tell (1993), The Girl on the Train (2016), When No One Would Listen (1992).
Best films
New films
| In Her Place (2024) | 6.3 | |
| Bring Her Back (2025) | 7.1 | |
| The Dogs (2025) | 4.6 | |
| The Old Bachelor (2024) | 7.4 | |
| RIWAJ (2025) | 5.6 |
List of domestic abuse movies
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 125 min.
Story:
Abandoned by her family, Kya raises herself all alone in the marshes outside of her small town. When her former boyfriend is found dead, Kya is instantly branded by the local townspeople and law enforcement as the prime suspect for his murder.
Style:
suspense, romantic drama, psychological, suspenseful, captivating ...
Audience:
date night, adult
Plot:
coming of age, murder mystery, swamp, secret relationship, lonely, woman, twists and turns, nature, outcast, abusive father, teenage girl, domestic abuse ...
Time:
1950s, year 1953, year 1968, year 1969, year 1962 ...
Place:
north carolina
Is relevant?
44K
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min.
Story:
Story of Linda Lovelace, who is used and abused by the porn industry at the behest of her coercive husband, before taking control of her life.
Style:
sexual, sexy, erotic, erotic drama, entertaining ...
Audience:
teens, adult
Plot:
sexual abuse, porn actress, redemption, sex, nudity, husband wife relationship, porn star, female nudity, orgasm, porn industry, skinny dipping, prostitution ...
Time:
80s, 70s, 20th century, year 2002, year 1970
Place:
usa, miami, new york, malibu california, florida ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min.
Story:
Lily Bloom overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in ...
Style:
romantic drama, satirical, absurd
Audience:
chick flick
Plot:
abusive relationship, domestic abuse, love, domestic violence, male female friendship, neurosurgeon, love triangle, defiant, macabre, florist, trauma, adaptation ...
Place:
maine, boston
Is relevant?
Genre: Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min.
Story:
Michael and Madison Roland had planned to spend the rest of their lives together, until one day Michael's controlling ways turned their perfect marriage. With the help of her best friend, Madison decides to get away. After adopting a new ...
Style:
psychological, captivating, suspense, tense, psycho sexual ...
Plot:
marital abuse, marriage, misogynist, abusive husband, abusive relationship, unplanned pregnancy, hospital, black, waitress, neighbor, danger, couples ...
Time:
21st century
Place:
usa, california
Is relevant?
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Genre: Drama, Family, Romance
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 108 min.
Story:
Stoic and heartbroken, Einar Gilkyson quietly lives in the rugged Wyoming ranchlands alongside his only trusted friend, Mitch Bradley. Then, suddenly, the woman he blames for the death of his only son arrives at his door broke, desperate, and with a ...
Style:
inspirational, sweet, touching, sincere, sentimental ...
Plot:
beautiful scenery, starting over, redemption, farm, small town, family in crisis, countryside, domestic abuse, relationships, family problems, hopes, friendship ...
Time:
year 2005, 21st century
Place:
wyoming, montana, iowa, ireland
Is relevant?
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Belgium, UK, Ireland
Duration: 53 min.
TV show
Story:
The tight-knit Garvey sisters have always looked out for each other. When their brother-in-law winds up dead, his life insurers launch an investigation to prove malicious intent—and set their sights on the sisters, all of whom had ample reason to ...
Style:
dark comedy, humorous, witty, entertaining, captivating ...
Plot:
sister sister relationship, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, lesbian, family relations, parents, sister, narcissism, investigation, death, husband, murder of husband ...
Time:
2020s
Place:
ireland, dublin ireland, europe
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 135 min.
Story:
Mishima Kiko was exploited by her own family. When she was little, her mother neglected her. After her mother remarried, Kiko was abused mentally and physically by her mother, stepfather, and younger stepbrother. She didn't belong to this ...
Style:
thrilling, captivating, psychological, melancholic, heartbreaking ...
Plot:
domestic abuse, abuse, trauma, domestic violence, neglect, bullying, dysfunctional family, social problems, life is a bitch, traumatic past, violence, family problems ...
Place:
japan
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min.
Story:
This movie shows another side to spousal abuse that not too many people thought is possible--the husband being abused and the wife the abuser.
Style:
sad, emotional
Plot:
abusive wife, abuse, abusive relationship, domestic violence, domestic abuse, abusive husband, men's rights, marital abuse, husband wife relationship, victim, abusive parent, sexualized violence ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA, India
Duration: 112 min.
Story:
Rachel Watson, devastated by her recent divorce, spends her daily commute fantasizing about the seemingly perfect couple who live in a house that her train passes every day, until one morning she sees something shocking happen there and becomes ...
Style:
suspense, twist ending, psychological, suspenseful, psychological thriller ...
Audience:
chick flick, girls' night
Plot:
train, murder mystery, obsession, infidelity, police investigation, adultery, psychopath, investigation, missing person, female protagonist, flashback, learning the truth ...
Time:
year 2016, 2010s, 21st century
Place:
new york, america, usa, london
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min.
Story:
Jessica has been married to her controlling husband Gary for years. She began dating him at the age of fifteen and has two kids, Maggie and Pete. After some career trouble Gary moves the family out to a New York suburb. Anyway, at first Gary seems ...
Style:
tense, realistic, suspense, sad
Plot:
domestic violence, domestic abuse, female protagonist, family drama, emotional manipulation, victimization, psychological abuse, survival, women's rights, escape, resilience, survivor ...
Time:
90s
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min.
Story:
John Ritter plays a family man who puts his wife through domestic violence and his children through emotional torture. After leaving his family and almost killing his new girlfriend in one of his rages, he is ordered to seek professional help ...
Style:
serious, intense
Plot:
group therapy, domestic violence, marital abuse, anger management, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, trauma, character study, rehabilitation, violent outburst, social commentary, redemption ...
Time:
90s
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min.
Story:
Because he's the oldest, Jake has been the man of the house, since his parents divorce. When Mom starts seeing Sam, who always seems to be trying some new way to get rich quick, and declares he's the man of the house now, Jake puts up with ...
Style:
tension, serious, psychological, realistic, biting ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
child abuse, teenager, drug addiction, domestic abuse, domestic violence, brother brother relationship, abusive boyfriend, emotional abuse, secret relationship, little brother, mother child relationship, physical abuse ...
Time:
80s
Place:
new jersey
Is relevant?
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Genre: Drama
Country: Spain
TV show
Story:
Miren goes to the police station with her lawyer and denounces her husband for continuous rape during a marriage, perfect for everyone who knows them, which has lasted more than 30 years. Her husband claims not to have done anything wrong and feels ...
Style:
tense, heartbreaking, intense, dark
Plot:
domestic abuse, marital rape, psychological trauma, survivor, family drama, legal battle, social commentary, reputation, intimate, moral ambiguity, courtroom, household ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min.
Story:
An abused battered wife has had enough of husband beating up on her. Everywhere she turns for help, there's not much anyone will do. After he rapes her one night, she sets the bed on fire with him in it asleep.
Style:
crime drama, disturbing, psychological, non fiction, biting ...
Audience:
chick flick
Plot:
domestic violence, marital rape, abusive relationship, junior high school, feminist, sexualized violence, courtroom drama, abusive husband, mental health, wife beater, resistance, mental illness ...
Time:
80s, 70s
Place:
usa, michigan
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 95 min.
Story:
High school teacher Cheng looks back to his repressed childhood memories, as he finds an anonymous suicide note in the classroom. He strives hard to prevent another tragedy from happening, meanwhile facing a series of family problems, his wife is ...
Style:
psychological, captivating, thrilling, melancholic, poignant ...
Plot:
teacher, suicide, memories, domestic abuse, school, school teacher, student, memory, problem, traumatic memory, life is a bitch, coming of age ...
Place:
hong kong
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: Thailand
TV show
Story:
This is a story of four curious girls each of whose problems originates from family problems and lack of familial love. The only remedy for them is friendship that helps unwound their trauma.
Style:
thrilling, captivating, suspenseful, psychological
Plot:
domestic abuse, dysfunctional family, troubled teen, family drama, problem, teenager, violent, drug, life is a bitch, social problems, teen angst, bullying ...
Time:
90s
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: Thailand
TV show
Story:
An ex-actress who is now the wife of a famous politician is suddenly caught in a murder case. After a party goes haywire, the wife wakes up to the dead body of the stripper her friends hired. The same day she's being questioned, a man turns ...
Style:
suspenseful, captivating, thrilling, psychological, tense ...
Plot:
female protagonist, motivational speaker, dead body, investigation, murder, domestic abuse, corpse, problem, secret, secrets, scandal, guilt ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 141 min.
Story:
An adaptation of the Broadway musical The Color Purple, based on the acclaimed novel and its film adaptation.
Style:
period drama, complex, queer cinema
Plot:
domestic abuse, sister sister relationship, domestic violence, forgiveness, wife abuse, violence, husband wife relationship, african american protagonist, black american, black, racism, lgbt ...
Time:
1900s, edwardian era, 1910s, 20th century, 1930s ...
Place:
georgia, southern usa, tennessee, memphis, africa
Is relevant?
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Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min.
Story:
A young woman fakes her own death in an attempt to escape her nightmarish marriage, but discovers it is impossible to elude her controlling husband.
Style:
suspense, psychological, sexy, suspenseful, tense ...
Audience:
chick flick, teens, girls' night
Plot:
obsession, domestic violence, stalking, violent husband, woman in danger, starting over, abusive husband, psychopath, marital abuse, abusive relationship, dangerous attraction, revenge ...
Time:
year 1990, 20th century, 90s
Place:
africa, usa, iowa, san francisco, boston
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story:
When two women plot to end an abusive marriage through murder, an unexpected visitor arrives — threatening to shatter everything they've carefully planned.
Style:
suspense, psychological thriller, tension, dark drama, intense ...
Plot:
murder, domestic abuse, female friendship, guilt, moral ambiguity, suspicion, betrayal, mature, ethical dilemma, paranoia, vengeance, survival ...
Is relevant?
313
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min.
Story:
Glamour model Diane Shepherd is routinely being beaten by her husband Tim, who accuses her of infidelity. When she can't take it anymore, she finds shelter with photographer Mark and his girlfriend Carrie. They introduce Diana to Millie, who is ...
Style:
dark, suspense, bleak, intense, crime drama ...
Plot:
violence, domestic abuse, abusive relationship, battered wife, fashion model, escape, victimization, psychological abuse, survival, stalking, exploitation, friendship ...
Time:
70s
Place:
england
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 99 min.
Story:
A portrait of youth in bloom; a tale of one family's dissolution; a reflection upon the danger and the mystery in living. Sandrine Bonnaire plays Suzanne, a free spirit and the vessel for an almost Brontëan choler. She's 16, and men ...
Style:
erotic, sexual, crying, retro, anthology ...
Audience:
teens, pre-teens
Plot:
female nudity, infidelity, bare breasts, dysfunctional family, looking for sex, extramarital affair, coming of age, promiscuous daughter, sexual promiscuity, man hits a woman, nudity, domestic abuse ...
Time:
year 1983, 80s
Place:
france, europe, paris france
Is relevant?
380K
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 165 min.
Story:
The film tells a story of a divorced couple trying to raise their young son. The story follows the boy for twelve years, from first grade at age 6 through 12th grade at age 17-18, and examines his relationship with his parents as he grows.
Style:
philosophical, melancholic, cerebral, touching, depressing ...
Audience:
teens, kids, chick flick, girls' night, teen drama
Plot:
coming of age, childhood, teenager, high school, adolescence, domestic abuse, family drama, youth, divorced parents, stepsister stepsister relationship, relationships, marriage ...
Time:
2010s, year 2014, 2000s, 90s, near future ...
Place:
texas, ethiopia, houston texas, austin texas, usa
Is relevant?
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Genre: Drama, Family
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min.
TV show
Story:
Break in the Sun is a British television serial made by the BBC in 1981.
The series, written by Bernard Ashley, was considerably more gritty and controversial than standard BBC children's serial fare up until that time, dealing with a young ...
Style:
tense, realistic, emotional, suspenseful, melancholic ...
Plot:
runaway, domestic abuse, escape, journey, coming of age, resilience, social issues, survival, getting home, friendship, intimate, coastal town ...
Place:
london, england
Is relevant?
Genre: Action, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min.
Story:
Joanne is married to Bradley, who's a cop and who abuses her. One day she decides to run away. She then meets Sam, who is separated from his wife, who is obsessed with him. Bradley finds Joanne and the lead takes him to Sam's boat. Now his ...
Style:
crime thriller, dark, suspenseful, tense
Plot:
domestic violence, abusive relationship, domestic abuse, betrayal, police corruption, murder mystery, escape, female protagonist, stalker, secrets, suspicion, false accusation ...
Time:
90s
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: France, Italy
Duration: 93 min.
Story:
Alain Revent, a seductive and refined man, derives a peculiar satisfaction from debasing his wives. The first, driven to the brink of despair, throws herself out of a window. Enlisting the help of an equally perverse casual acquaintance, Dino, the ...
Style:
dark, disturbing, psychological thriller, bleak, intense ...
Plot:
murder, sadism, mature, domestic abuse, toxic relationship, manipulation, victimization, obsession, suicide, sexual abuse, perversion, depravity ...
Time:
70s
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Sport, Thriller
Country: Italy, UK
Duration: 90 min.
Story:
Major Charles Forsythe (Carradine) is a Vietnam veteran U.S. Army officer stationed near Rome. He is a brutal, if effective, commander who was "fragged" by his own men in Vietnam. When he is denied promotion because of the number of men ...
Style:
emotional, suspense, period drama
Plot:
revenge, running, domestic abuse, determination, physical abuse, marathon, grief, resilience, female protagonist, empowerment, recovery, competition ...
Time:
80s
Place:
rome italy, italy, vietnam
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: Sweden
Duration: 92 min.
Story:
Lena lives a safe and happy life with her husband Alf and together they run a fish shop. No one who sees her can imagine what kind of hell she has gone through with her former husband Hannes. One day, her life turns upside down as a random meeting ...
Style:
emotional, thrilling, captivating, psychological, intense ...
Plot:
female protagonist, new love, domestic abuse, trauma, love affair, couple relations, family relations, problem, male female relationship, relationship problems, husband wife relationship, family life ...
Place:
eastern europe
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 77 min.
Story:
A male chauvinist guru guides his best prodigy through the art of controlling women, only for the student to find out he is not everything that he seems.
Style:
thrilling, captivating, psychological, dark, disturbing ...
Plot:
misogyny, psychopath, bad guy, male chauvinism, misogynist, abuse, sexism, manipulation, toxic masculinity, control, domestic abuse, emotional abuse ...
Time:
90s
Place:
los angeles
Is relevant?
2K
Genre: Drama
Country: Belgium, Netherlands
Duration: 105 min.
Story:
The story of Liam, a neglected teenager who lives in a family where alcohol, violence and sex play the main role. He grows up to be a confused youngster which ends in a very aggressive act to break with his past.
Style:
psychological, thrilling, captivating, dark, realistic ...
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
teenager, family relations, domestic abuse, alcoholism, trauma, troubled past, foster home, life is a bitch, tragic past, confronting the past, dysfunctional family, young adult ...
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
