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Choose Your Aesthetic: Dark Academia Films

Films to watch in your dorm room, that is obviously in a large gothic building, as you sit next to a pile of classic literature and poetry. Better wear a sweater.

User from Alameda County Library

9 items

  • This one definitely has the school (prep school) and darkness (issues with racism/antisemitism), and it also has some top tier actors.
    DVD, 1999Hollywood, Calif. : Paramount, c1999 — DVD Fiction SCHOOL
  • As you may gather from the title, this one has the poetry covered. It also contains a prep school and the darkness you might expect. Robin Williams is amazing in this.
    Blu-ray Disc, 2012[United States] : Touchstone Home Entertainment, [2012] — BluRay Fiction DEAD
  • The title of this one should give you a hint as to the content of this one. It's about J.R.R. Tolkien, after all. Expect Oxford, Darkness (WWI), and the life classics loving man himself.
    DVD, 2019Beverly Hills, CA : Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, [2019] — DVD Fiction TOLKIEN
  • Mysterious disappearances. An early 1900s Girls' boarding school. Dark themes.
    DVD, 1998[U.S.] : Criterion Collection, c1998 — DVD Fiction PICNIC
  • Come for the excellent 80s soundtrack. Stay for that fine Saturday detention agnst.
    Blu-ray Disc, 2015Universal City, CA : Universal Studios Home Entertainment, [2015] — BluRay Fiction BREAKFAST
  • Robin Williams got a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in this film. If that isn't enough to tempt you, may I offer a genius working as a custodian in a university, who then upsets the status quo.
    Blu-ray Disc, 2012[United States] : Lionsgate, 2012 — BluRay Fiction GOOD
  • To be fair, this one is actually a tv series. But Time Magazine named it one of the 100 Best TV Shows of All-Time, if that helps. It features a university friendship, visiting the friend's manor house, the usual drama found in these sorts of shows,…
    DVD, 2011Silver Spring, MD : Acorn Media [distributor], 2011 — DVD Fiction BRIDESHEAD
  • Dangerous Liaisons but with rich high schoolers. In effect, this *is* classic literature as it is based on a book from 1782.
    DVD, 1999Culver City, Calif. : Columbia Pictures : [Distributed by] Columbia Tristar Home Video, 1999 — DVD Fiction CRUEL
  • A period piece that takes place in 1950s Baltimore. It deals with racism, forbidden relationships, and legal difficulties. Also high school.
    DVD, 2000Burbank, CA : Warner Home Video, c2000 — DVD Fiction LIBERTY