(Credit: Netflix)

Mondays are a quick and easy option that tops the list of ten things you hate. They come after a weekend, are only the beginning of a long stretch of the week, and demand more energy than any other day. By the time it’s evening, there is usually a dull ache, both in the mind and body, hence one of the few options to cure it is a comforting Netflix film paired with your favourite meal.

You see, Monday nights call for a film that does not just entertain but imbibes some energy for the rest of the week. Something that lifts the weight instead of adding to it, and we have the perfect recommendation for you.

You should start your week with a timeless story that will give you something to think about and help you relate to the main character as you follow their journey through varying landscapes and find a resolution in their ability to overcome hardships. And something that fits the bill is a pick from the magical library of Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away. It is not just a story; it is a journey into a world that feels alive in every detail, as is always the case with all Studio Ghibli features.

Have you ever noticed that reality feels harsher than usual on Mondays? That is exactly the feeling that comes into play when watching ten-year-old Chihiro stumble into a strange spirit world. Chihiro, slowly finding her courage, feels like a gentle reminder that even the scariest days can be transformed. You might never have or never will travel into the world of spirits, but in that moment, you see yourself inside young Chihiro.

The film begins with uncertainty. Our lead is a young girl who is moving to a new home. In that moment, she is quite unsure of where she belongs. It is hard to deal with big changes at a young age, and a simple shift of homes might feel as life-altering as travelling into space. That feeling of moving from the home that you grew up in alone resonates deeply after a Monday, when so many of us question whether and where we fit in the lives we are building.

But then the story shifts, and suddenly, Chihiro’s parents are turned into pigs. The poor girl is forced to fend for herself in a world ruled by witches, spirits, and strange creatures to regain her parents, and she is all alone. Of course, it is terrifying by all means, yet it feels oddly comforting because we see her grow. She keeps on adapting to all the challenges she faces, such that by the end, she is not the same frightened girl who began the story and was afraid of switching homes.

Beyond its message, the world of Spirited Away is pure balm for the senses. Mondays are generally filled with emails, deadlines, and traffic, and the film offers a great escape from that, as its frames and colours feel like breathing in fresh air. There are quiet moments in the film that feel meditative. like when soot sprites are carrying coal and the train is gliding silently across water. The writing as well as the visualisation of the film is done in such a manner that, though the twists give you anxiety at times, the moments of peace really calm you down.

And then there is the music! Joe Hisaishi’s score is full of wonder and matches the theme of the movie perfectly, where each note carries you deeper into the theme of the film. Silence generally feels louder on a school night, but this soundtrack sits in the perfect middle. It soothes you without numbing, and it lifts without overwhelming.

The best part about Spirited Away is that it ends on hope. Chihiro does not defeat her fears by running away from them. Instead, she does that by moving through them steadily and with determination. When she returns to her world, she’s changed and grown into someone who is steadier and ready to face whatever comes next, and that is exactly the energy we all need at the start of a week.

You do not want another tiring session of scrolling if the day has left you drained. All you need to do is press play on Spirited Away on Netflix. Just let yourself be carried into its world of spirits, magic, and quiet bravery, so that by the time the credits roll, the Monday blues will feel a little lighter. In fact, you might end up looking forward to the week, which then might not seem so daunting. Just do not forget to make yourself a warm bowl of ramen along with it.