The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
In this acclaimed 2007 film, actor Mathieu Amalric portrays Jean-Dominique Bauby, a magazine editor who suffers a massive stroke and is left with locked-in syndrome, including aphasia. The film offers a powerful look at the challenges of communication and inner life when language is lost.
My Beautiful Broken Brain
This 2014 Netflix documentary follows Lotje Sodderland after a hemorrhagic stroke leaves her with aphasia. Through intimate video diaries, it explores the emotional and cognitive challenges of rebuilding language and identity.
The Possibilities Are Endless
This visually poetic 2014 documentary tells the story of Scottish musician Edwyn Collins, who lost the ability to speak and write following a stroke. It charts his struggle with aphasia and his inspiring journey back to music and communication.
Aphasia: The Movie
In this 2010 short film, stroke survivor Carl McIntyre plays himself, portraying his experience living with aphasia. The film candidly shows his frustration, resilience, and gradual progress in relearning how to communicate.
The Inner World of Aphasia
Produced in 1968, this groundbreaking educational film follows a nurse who experiences aphasia after a brain injury. Known for its empathetic and innovative storytelling, it was added to the National Film Registry for its cultural significance.
Night Sky (Stage Play)
This play by Susan Yankowitz centers on an astronomer who develops aphasia after a car accident. It captures the disorientation and isolation that come with losing language and highlights the complexity of recovery.
House M.D. – “Failure to Communicate”
In this Season 2 episode of House M.D., a journalist develops symptoms resembling aphasia after a head injury. While dramatized for television, the episode raises awareness of the condition’s impact on language and expression.
“Forget Me Not” – Song by Livealie
Released in 2024, “Forget Me Not” by the band Livealie touches on memory loss and cognitive decline, with a reference to aphasia. The song’s emotional lyrics and soundscape bring artistic attention to the challenges of communication disorders.
Dept. Q – (Netflix Series)
In Dept. Q, actor Tom Bulpett portrays William Lingard, a character living with aphasia. His role brings visibility to the daily communication struggles faced by people with the condition, offering a rare depiction of aphasia in a suspense drama setting.