Topics: Netflix, Anime, Film and TV, Streaming
Netflix subscribers who unknowingly watched one of the saddest movies of all time have been left 'emotionally wrecked.'
The streaming service is home to 7,000-plus titles - and not all of them will leave you feeling warm and tingly after watching.
In fact, this 100 per cent Rotten Tomatoes rated movie is so brutal, people are refusing to re-watch it. It’s widely regarded as one of the most powerful anti-war films ever made - and also one of the saddest.
Although on first appearances, that's not what you'd expect, and that's exactly why Netflix users were caught off guard.
Advert
The movie in question is from Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio which is famous for its fairytale-like art style and family-friendly fantasy stories.
Although this one is certainly not for children, as actual adults were traumatized for years after watching.
Set in Japan during the final months of World War II, it follows two siblings: a teenage boy, Seita, and his little sister, Setsuko.
After their home is destroyed in a US firebombing raid and their mother dies from severe burns, the two are left to fend for themselves.
Their father, a naval officer, is away at war, and they receive little help from relatives or neighbors, who are also struggling to survive.
The siblings move into an abandoned shelter and try to survive on their own, but with food shortages and their health deteriorating, their situation becomes increasingly desperate.
The film in question is called Grave of the Fireflies - and despite its deeply sad theme, Rotten Tomatoes critics scored it a perfect 100 per cent.
"An achingly sad anti-war film, Grave of the Fireflies is one of Studio Ghibli's most profoundly beautiful, haunting works," they say in their consensus.
Taking to the R/NetflixBestOf community on Reddit, one recent viewer admitted they were 'devastated' after watching the movie.
"I wasn’t prepared for the emotional punch this movie delivered," they said. "I had heard it was sad, but nothing could’ve prepared me for this.
"It is a beautifully made film, but honestly I don't think I could ever rewatch it. I'm still crying."
Other social media users agreed, as one shared: "I watched it last week, not knowing what I was getting into. I just thought, oh, a Ghibli movie I haven't seen, amazing! Yeah... I was totally destroyed. Turned off the TV and went to stare at a wall for a bit."
One parent admitted: "My daughters we're young when I first watched it. Messed me up for a few days and I haven't had the courage to watch it again."
"Absolutely wrecked me. There are certain things you only watch once. This is one of them," somebody else said.
Another fan claimed it was the 'most powerful' film they've ever watched, but cautioned: "It was more than 25 years ago but there‘s no way I could ever rewatch it. It took me weeks to get over it."
Grave of the Fireflies is streaming now on Netflix.
