People Agree This Classic Is 'The Most Heart-wrenching Film' They've Ever Watched

A 'powerful' film from the 2000s featuring several well-known actors has left Netflix users calling it 'heartwrenching' and 'harrowing'.

Everyone enjoys a good laugh with a light-hearted comedy now and then, but there are times when you just need a deep, emotional release.

Netflix offers a variety of films that can bring viewers to tears, yet it’s a particular 2008 film that has recently captured attention.

Set during World War II, the movie features Asa Butterfield from "Sex Education," David Thewlis of "Harry Potter" fame—known for his role as Lupin—and Vera Farmiga from "Up In The Air."

Asa Butterfield stars in the tragic movie. Miramax

The film, titled "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," is adapted from the 2006 novel by John Boyne.

It tells the poignant tale of a young boy named Bruno (Butterfield) who forms a friendship with Shmuel, a boy his age who is imprisoned in a concentration camp.

Bruno is oblivious to the true nature of the camp, naively thinking the uniforms worn by the inmates are just pajamas.

Thewlis portrays Bruno’s father, Ralf, an SS officer who relocates his family to rural occupied Poland near the camp following a promotion.

As Bruno and Shmuel’s friendship deepens, it triggers a chain of tragic events that have lasting impacts.

Despite being over 15 years old, the film continues to resonate powerfully today, as evidenced by comments in the Facebook Group Netflix Bangers.

"This was the most heartwrenching film I have ever watched," commented one viewer.

Another viewer echoed this sentiment, stating: "I watched this film once 10 years ago and it still haunts me to this day."

Many viewers have 'highly recommended' the film, agreeing that while it is a 'great' film, it is definitely one where 'you will need tissues'.

Viewers are still haunted by the movie after years. Miramax

John Boyne, the author of the book on which the film is based, has shared that he wrote the entire first draft in just a few days.

In an article for The Irish Times, he wrote: "[It was] Tuesday, April 27th, 2004 when an image came into my head of two little boys sitting on either side of a fence."

"I knew where the fence was, I knew what each boy represented, and I wanted to write about them."

"I began the next morning, not knowing whether I was writing a story, a novel, or something in between."

"I wrote a lot that day and, by evening, was certain that if I walked away, I would lose my momentum."

"And so I wrote through Wednesday night and through the 24 hours that followed and on Friday, at lunchtime – my 33rd birthday – I completed a first draft."

"On a scrap of paper, I scribbled six final words, a title I had come up with early on: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas."

"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" is available for streaming now.