14-05-2025
10 movies that don't sugarcoat the realities of solo travel and what we can learn from them
2. '127 Hours' (2010)
Danny Boyle's retelling of Aron Ralston's harrowing ordeal in the Utah canyons is visceral and claustrophobic. What starts as an adrenaline-fuelled solo travel experience turns into a nightmare of survival, isolation and profound psychological reckoning. The film strips away the romantic veneer of adventuring alone, reminding viewers that nature doesn't care about your spiritual journey—it just is, and it can be brutal.
What it teaches us: When you travel solo, be prepared to rely only on yourself. 3. 'Wild' (2014)
Reese Witherspoon's portrayal of Cheryl Strayed on the Pacific Crest Trail is far from glossy. Wild acknowledges the grit, exhaustion and mental unravelling that come with solo travel, especially when done as a form of emotional healing. This isn't a neatly packaged 'finding oneself' narrative—it's a raw exploration of grief, addiction and the uncomfortable silence that descends when you're truly alone with your thoughts.
What it teaches us: Healing on the road is possible, but it's slow, painful and entirely self-led. 4. 'The Beach' (2000)
Leonardo DiCaprio plays a backpacker in search of paradise in Thailand, only to find a utopian community that devolves into paranoia and violence. The Beach is less about the logistics of solo travel and more about the toxic allure of escapism. It captures the darker side of Western travellers chasing authenticity abroad: selfishness, cultural blindness and the naïve belief that isolation equals enlightenment.
What it teaches us: Not all solo travel is noble. Sometimes, solo travellers are just running from reality. 5. 'All Is Lost' (2013)
With barely any dialogue, Robert Redford delivers a haunting performance as a man lost at sea. This is solo travel at its starkest. No support network, no rescue, no inner transformation arc—just survival. The film's realism lies in its refusal to give its protagonist a backstory or emotional payoff. It's a masterclass in portraying solitude as a place of fragility.
What it teaches us: Solitude is often romanticised, but it's not always a place of peace and enlightenment. 6. 'The Shallows' (2016)
A shark thriller may seem an odd entry, but The Shallows captures the vulnerability of being alone in a foreign place. When a surfing trip turns deadly, Blake Lively's character must rely entirely on herself in an environment that's both beautiful and lethal. Beneath the suspense lies a cautionary tale: solo travel doesn't come with lifeguards, literal or metaphorical.
What it teaches us: Independence is different from isolation. 7. 'Red Eye' (2005)
Wes Craven's psychological thriller unfolds almost entirely on a red-eye flight, where a solo female traveller finds herself ensnared in a terrorist plot. The film plays on the unsettling truth that travel can expose one to unpredictable danger. It's a reminder that vulnerability doesn't just come from nature or circumstance, but from human malice hiding in plain sight.
What it teaches us: Safety is a myth when you're alone, and danger can look charming. 8. 'The Martian' (2015)
Though set on Mars, Ridley Scott's film is ultimately a story about radical solitude. Mark Watney's survival hinges on intellect, humour and sheer willpower, but the psychological toll of being truly alone in an unfamiliar place is made plain. While more optimistic in tone, The Martian doesn't gloss over the intense loneliness and mental strain that can come with solo travel in any form—even interplanetary.
What it teaches us: Survival is about more than tools. It's about mental resilience in total isolation. 9. 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' (2013)
This might seem like an odd pick—Ben Stiller's globe-trotting adventure is undeniably whimsical—but underneath the visual charm is a man whose first solo trip is propelled by fear and regret. Walter Mitty is about stepping into the unknown when unprepared, socially awkward and emotionally repressed. It quietly shows that solo travel isn't always romantic. Sometimes, it can be awkward, disorienting and surprisingly hard to enjoy.
What it teaches us: Messy and magical can co-exist when stepping out of one's comfort zone. 10. 'Tracks' (2013)
Robyn Davidson's real-life trek across the Australian desert with camels is stripped of sentimentality. Tracks is harsh, unglamorous and deeply introspective. It shows the physical toll of long-term solo travel and the loneliness of walking away from people, not toward them. Davidson's journey is a face-off with self-imposed isolation.
What it teaches us: Solitude has a cost, and only you can decide if it's worth paying.
