For decades, Hollywood has created films depicting tormented, drug addicted, and disturbed youths. Although the content can be hard to watch sometimes, it is a real topic that deserves to be discussed. Growing up is never easy, and being influenced by bad surroundings can make it much more difficult. Films like Boyz N The Hood and Menace II Society showed us the influence that gangs can have on young individuals. Harmony Korine showed us with his breakout script, Kids, that sex and drug-use can have detrimental effects on young teens. Unfortunately, we live in a world with many temptations, and it can be hard for kids growing up to resist them.

Films such as these have given the opportunity for many young actors to break through in Hollywood. It is not easy for a young actor to portray drug addiction or what it's like being roped into violent circumstances. With that said, we have seen many young actors rise to the challenge, who have given us memorable performances. Many of these films depict the drug epidemic, addiction, and violence that have been sweeping our nation for years and years. At the same time, they show how these things negatively affect young teens. These films raise the question of what we can do better to protect the youth and teach them to live beneficial lives. It is a complicated subject, but very much worth taking into consideration. Let's take a look at the best films depicting troubled youth.

Related: Best Coming-of-Age Movies of the 2000s

9 Thirteen

thirteen-2003
Fox Searchlight Pictures 

Catherine Hardwicke's film, Thirteen, follows a young girl named Tracy (Evan Rachel Wood) who enters a life of drugs, crime, and sexual behavior after meeting a troubled teen named Evie (Nikki Reed). The film is a clear description of the temptations for young teens. It also shows you how peer pressure can have devastating effects. The controversial film features several other great performances from Holly Hunter, Brady Corbet, and more.

8 Boyz N The Hood

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Columbia Pictures

John Singleton's feature directorial debut follows a group of young men and women growing up in Inglewood, California. Boyz N The Hood is a deep film that shows you the negative impact that gang violence has on young individuals. At the same time, it discusses many thought-provoking topics including race, parenthood, and education. The film is still watched by many to this day, and it features several great performances from Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, and more. The film was nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay at the 64th Academy Awards.

7 Elephant

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Fine Line Features 

Gus Van Sant's poetic and ambitious film Elephant follows a group of high school students over the course of one day prior to a school shooting. We also follow the lives of the two shooters. It shows you the devastating effects that bullying can have on high school students. The film showcases themes that many people can resonate with, especially with the rise in mass shootings in recent years. It is a topic that has unfortunately become a reality in American society, and Van Sant portrayed it brilliantly in this artistic film.

6 Brick

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Focus Features 

Brick was Rian Johnson's directorial debut and showcased his sheer talents as a filmmaker. It gives a neo-noir mystery twist on a film depicting high school students. The film follows Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who investigates an underworld of crime at his high school after his girlfriend goes missing. It is a captivating detective story that features a great performance from Gordon-Levitt. At the same time, it showcases the detrimental effects that drugs and violence can have on young individuals.

Related: Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Play Jim Jones in Jonestown Massacre Movie White Night

5 Bully

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Lions Gate Films

Larry Clark is known for telling stories about troubled youths. His brutal film, Bully, depicts the true story of the murder of high school student Bobby Kent, and the group of teens who planned the murder. The story is hard to watch at many points and showcases the effects that sex, peer pressure, and bullying have on young individuals. What is so disturbing to watch is how these young teens were convinced so easily to kill a young man. It is a ruthless depiction of violence among troubled teens.

4 We Need To Talk About Kevin

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Oscilloscope Laboratories

We Need To Talk About Kevin is another film depicting the events around a mass-killing in a high school. This film shows you the years leading up to the tragedy while focusing on the murderer's (Ezra Miller) dysfunctional relationship with his mother (Tilda Swinton). It also shows you the aftermath of such a tragedy and the detrimental effects it can have on parents. It is a thought-provoking film depicting mental illness in young adults as well as complicated family dynamics.

3 Heathers

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New World Pictures 

This classic film follows high school student Veronica (Winona Ryder) as she navigates the social constructs of high school life. At the same time, she befriends a disturbed young man, J.D. (Christian Slater), who has a deadly plan of murdering several students. This black comedy depicts the negative social aspects of high school that can bring students to their breaking points. It is an interesting take on cliques, bullying, and violence within high school. Heathers became a cult classic and has since been adapted into a Broadway musical.

2 Rebel Without A Cause

Are Any Rebel Without a Cause Cast Members Still Alive?

Rebel Without A Cause is a classic coming-of-age film that features James Dean, one of the greatest actors who ever lived. The film follows the rebellious Jim Stark (Dean) who finds trouble while navigating a new high school. It was an innovative film that showcases the turmoils of young adults and how poor parenting can lead to violence. It also shows you the negative effects that peer pressure and cliques have on teens.

1 Kids

kids
Shining Excalibur Films

Larry Clark's Kids was adapted from a screenplay by Harmony Korine and depicted the lives of New York City teenagers over the course of one day. The film focuses on an HIV-positive teenager (Leo Fitzpatrick) and his irresponsible behavior. It is a frightful look into a group of youths who are consumed by drugs, sex, and crime. Although the film can be hard to watch at many points, it is a very thought-provoking movie that shines light onto troubled youth, while also kick-starting the career of Harmony Korine.