• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
People agree cult classic probably has the 'saddest character in the history of cinema'

Home> Film & TV> News

Published 16:15 18 Jan 2025 GMT

People agree cult classic probably has the 'saddest character in the history of cinema'

The cult classic released 30 years ago

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

Featured Image Credit: Columbia Pictures

Topics: Film and TV, Social Media, Mental Health, Entertainment

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

People on social media have come to the agreement that this cult classic has the 'saddest character in the history of cinema'.

While many film fanatics will watch movies for the comedy and even enjoyment factor, there's no doubt films that provide a tear or two have their fair share of fans.

The Shawshank Redemption, a much-loved iconic movie, has become the talk of the town on social media, and it will for sure make viewers get emotional.

Advert

Released in 1994, The Shawshank Redemption follows Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a successful banker who is arrested for the murders of his wife and her lover.

The Shawshank Redemption is much-loved by fans (Columbia Pictures)
The Shawshank Redemption is much-loved by fans (Columbia Pictures)

He is sentenced to life imprisonment at the Shawshank prison despite knowing he didn't commit the awful crimes.

But while behind bars, he forms an unlikely friendship with Red (Morgan Freeman), while also dealing with the harsh reality of prison life.

Advert

Viewers are also told Brooks Hatlen's (James Whitmore) story, who spends decades in prison before release.

But Brooks quickly realizes the outside world is very different to what he remembered, and struggles to adapt to normal life.

Brooks even wrote a letter to his pals in prison explaining how he'd been astounded at the changes to the outside world compared to his youth.

He became very lonely and his accommodation didn't provide much comfort.

Advert

Amid his ongoing difficulties, the former prisoner dies by suicide.

"The saddest character in the history of cinema," one person penned on Facebook's Netflix Bangers.

"Ugh-still brings tears my eyes after all these years," a second wrote while a third quipped: "Certainly heartbreaking."

Meanwhile, a fourth said: "One of the Best films ever."

Advert

The cult classic is 30 years old (Columbia Pictures)
The cult classic is 30 years old (Columbia Pictures)

While it may have released 30 years ago, many say The Shawshank Redemption still holds up well to this day.

The movie sits at an impressive 89 percent Rotten Tomatoes score in 2025, suggesting it's handled the incredibly sensitive topics well.

Lizzie Francke, from Sight & Sound, wrote: "The towering Tim Robbins has a solidity and gentle interiority that occasionally reminds one here of Burt Lancaster. Of equal excellence is Morgan Freeman as Red, who holds the film together with his poetic, often quipping narration."

Advert

While Newsday's review said: "You've never seen a prison movie quite like it, and I found its eccentric rhythms and the performances of co-stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman nearly irresistible."

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.

You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.

  • People are saying 'disturbing' 90's classic is 'one of the most traumatic and realest movies' ever made
  • Scene from classic Julia Roberts romcom has people wondering the same thing
  • People are saying this notable film has 'one of the most horrifying plot twist in the history of cinema'
  • Explosive first trailer for Avatar 3 has been released

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
11 hours ago
16 hours ago
  • 3 hours ago

    Jason Momoa leaves fans speechless after shaving off beard for first time in six years

    Jason Momoa has shaved his beard for the first time in six years to tell an important message

    Film & TV
  • 3 hours ago

    Netflix confirms that '10/10' limited series people binged in a day was so popular it's getting a second season

    Netflix viewers are excited that the series is getting an unexpected second season

    Film & TV
  • 11 hours ago

    ‘Addictive’ Netflix series with 100% Rotten Tomatoes score rockets up most-watched charts in just two days

    Fans have applauded the show's 'intricate' plot

    Film & TV
  • 16 hours ago

    Happy Gilmore 2 director defends movie's shocking twist that left fans 'extremely disappointed'

    Kyle Newacheck has spoken out about Adam Sandler's decision to kill off Happy's wife in the movie

    Film & TV