What to Watch While You Wait for Season 2 of ‘13 Reasons Why’
Need to feel more of the feels?
Surrounded by controversy, liked by the critics, blowing up twitter… the Young-Adult-novel-turned-“it”-TV-show 13 Reasons Why has certainly left it’s mark on this spring’s television landscape. When Hannah Baker killed herself she changed everything for her small town, especially the people she blamed on the tapes she left beyond. And when 13 Reasons Why was released it gave us thirteen hours of watching her friend Clay unravel the mystery behind why Hannah killed herself.
If season one got its hooks in you (and you can’t bare to wait until March for season two), you may be at a loss of what to watch. Instead of re-watching the series again (…and again), here’s a list of books and films that won’t feel too far away from Hannah’s story.
The Big Chill
Ah, a nice reunion for old college friends. Or maybe not so nice. These friends come together for a weekend after a member from their group killed themselves. What ensues from that weekend is fun, sadness, and healing from the best friend they just lost. This would be like if all the people on Hannah’s tapes took a weekend away to recover from Hannah’s death together (Not that that would ever happen, seeing as only a couple of them were actually friends). Also like 13 Reasons Why, the playlist is amazing — you won’t be able to stop listening.
Click below to stream The Big Chill now on Tribeca Shortlist.
Ordinary People
With this title you can either read the book, written by Judith Guest, or watch the Oscar-winning film directed by Robert Redford. Either way, the story follows a family in recovery from their son and brother’s death. The death in this film may not be a suicide but, just like 13 Reasons Why, it’s all about recovery. Additionally, Timothy Hutton’s performance bares quite a similarity to Dylan Minette’s turn as a socially awkward teen grieving over a loved one’s death. This film might be darker than the season of 13 Reasons Why, but does it actually have a happier ending?
Wristcutters: A Love Story
Imagine if 13 Reasons Why was told from Hannah’s perspective once she was in the afterlife. That’s (sort of) the idea behind Wristcutters: A Love Story. This story takes you into a mythical land that’s reserved for people who have already killed themselves. The film takes a comedic tone to what would happen if you commit suicide, so think of it like a bit of fan fiction if you’re wondering where Hannah is now. As an added bonus, the song Love Will Tear us Apart, by Joy Division, is in both 13 Reasons Why and Wristcutters: A Love Story, which makes us wonder: is that just an awesome track? Or are the 13 Reasons people sending a little nod back to Wristcutters?
Click below to stream Wristcutters: A Love Story now on Tribeca Shortlist.
Thirteen Reasons Why
Before 13 Reasons Why there was… Thirteen Reasons Why, the novel by Jay Asher. Sure, including this on the list may seem like a cheat, but even if you already know what happens from watching the series, try out the book to see where the series got its start. You’d be surprised with how many differences there may be, including the way Hannah killed herself. And don’t worry about it taking too long to read, I promise you can read faster than Clay listened to the tapes.
What Richard Did
Although this film is not about a suicide, it focuses around Richard, Conor, and Lara. Similar to 13 Reasons Why, tensions come to a head all at a party much like Jessica’s party. In addition it shows the struggle between guilt, responsibility, denial, love, and privilege just like Clay, Bryce, Justin, and the rest of the people on Hannah’s tapes faced. What Richard Did comes to the same conclusion as 13 Reasons Why: that not everything is as perfect as it seems, and peer pressure, bullying, social media, and teenage life only add to the difficulties.
Click below to stream What Richard Did now on Tribeca Shortlist.
If I Stay
If I Stay is both a book by Gayle Forman and a film directed by R.J. Cutler. When Mia gets in a car crash and ends up in a coma she’s forced to decide if she wants to continue living or if she wants to die. Much like with 13 Reasons Why the story’s divided between flashbacks and present day. In the flashbacks you watch Mia in her former life just like you got to see Hannah living day to day in 13 Reasons. Additionally, in the present day you watch how Mia’s loved ones are coping just like you watched Hannah’s family and Clay cope. There’s also the added factor in If I stay that since Mia is having an out of body experience, she actually gets to see how her loved ones react to her in a coma state.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
With the last title on this list you have a choice to read the book by Jesse Andrews or watch the movie directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. When social outcast Greg is forced to befriend a dying Rachel he doesn’t realize what an impact it will have on his life. Greg has to deal with grief and anger over Rachel’s impending death and not being able to stop it, just like Clay had to deal with his grief and anger over not being able to help Hannah. And like 13 Reasons Why, this film will definitely make you feel all your feelings… so make sure to have your tissue box located near by.
The wait for 13 Reasons Why to return may still be nine months away, but hopefully some of these titles hold you over until then.
