The symbolism behind iconic rainy scenes in cinema

Through iconic films like Shutter Island, Parasite, Shree 420, and more, discover how rain adds depthand emotion, making cinematic moments unforgettable.

As a kid, rain brought so much joy—school reopening, new stationery, running through knee-deep sewage water with friends. Joy needed no aesthetic reason. Over the years, however, my perception changed. Rain now represents gloom, symbolizing waterlogging, delayed trains, and wet seats. Yet, there is one place where rain still appeals to me—in cinema. I don't mean in a cheesy, romantic way, but when rain acts as a character. Geography and weather might not be obvious in movies, but they play a crucial role. When you picture a poor hero toiling on his farm, a harsh sun accompanies that image. When two lovers are cozy by the fireplace, the snow outside is implied. Similarly, rain can enhance a scene dramatically. There are moments where removing the rain changes the scene for the worse. And I live for such scenes. So, here I am, exploring iconic rainy scenes and what they convey to us.

Also Read: 10 murder mysteries to obsess over on a rainy day!

Here you go!

Reckless, wholesome abandon - Singing in the Rain

What I mean by reckless, wholesome abandon is letting go of etiquette. In the iconic musical, Singing in the Rain, Gene Kelly, as Hollywood actor Don Lockwood, sings and dances in the rain without caring about his celebrity status. Everything is going well for Don—movies now have sound, and he has found the girl of his dreams. He is so happy that he sends his driver home, dances in the rain, stands smiling under the drainpipe, jumps in puddles, and even teases a police officer. Music follows his heart and echoes all the emotions he is feeling while being freshly in love. Singing in the Rain is the perfect enactment of how one feels when they fall in love. And Kelly's iconic tap dance makes the scene mesmerizing and captivating. Even though the scene has been enacted seamlessly by Kelly, the hard work shows if one looks closely.

Reality check - Parasite

Bong Joon Ho uses rain to give the characters in Parasite a harsh reality check. The Kim family, having tricked the wealthy Park family into hiring them, believes they have made it. With the Parks on vacation, the Kims enjoy the rich lifestyle. But when the old housekeeper Moon-gwang returns, their secrets are exposed. The Parks' return forces the Kims back to their poor reality, symbolized by their walk down the stairs. The family realizes that no amount of hard work or deception will make them equal to the Parks. They will always return to their slum and its struggles. When the streets flood, Ki-taek and Ki-woo ignore others’ plea for help when they see their house submerged; we are all on our own here. On this night, the class difference becomes starkly apparent. The next morning, Yeon-gyo opens the window to clear the smell from Ki-taek and thanks the rain for cleaning the air. This moment not only makes Ki-taek recognize the deep inequality but also generates anger within him. The rain didn’t only clear the air, it cleared the Kim family’s delusion too.

Victory, cleansing - The Shawshank Redemption

One of the most iconic scenes in cinema history, Andy Dufresne's escape in The Shawshank Redemption feels almost religious. Wrongly convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, Andy is sentenced to life in prison. The justice system fails and exploits him at every turn. Thus, it is only fitting that Andy travels through a tunnel and swims through sewage to finally claim the justice that the system denied him. What’s striking is that when Andy emerges from the sewage, his pose resembles that of Jesus. Just like Christ, he was crucified and just like Christ, he has resurrected. Despite the hopeless environment, he held onto hope, dug a tunnel over 20 years, and finally escaped. Andy has earned every right to think that he is god, especially of his fate. As he stands in the rain, shedding his prison clothes, the rain washes him clean, as if nature itself welcomes him back. 

Reality, antidote to fantasy - Shutter Island

In Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island, fire and water are key symbols. When Teddy dreams of his wife, he sees fire. When he meets Edward, Edward lights his match, and when he meets George, he lights a match to see George in the dark. Water, on the other hand, represents his reality, the antidote to his fantasies. His wife and kids drowned in a lake, which is a central part of the story. Did you notice that every time Dr. Sheehan, Dr. John Cawley, and other police officers are around, it is almost always raining? Especially in scenes when the doctors or police are trying to manipulate him, a storm always rages around. Because water, like the staff at the hospital, is his reality which he is desperate to escape.

Pathway to freedom - Monster

Very few films are as courageous and emotionally intelligent as Kore Eda’s Monster. The movie’s climax, even though devastatingly heartbreaking, is proof of the film’s brilliance. Towards the climax, as Yori’s father gets increasingly abusive, the kids Minato and Yori take refuge in the abandoned railcar. The kids seem to be ready to accept their homosexuality. The rain, thus, seems to be indicative of the chaos within them and the frustrations that they are fed up of. But rain always gives way to sunshine, and Minato and Yori also see sunshine. Whether they went missing or drowned is up for interpretation. What we know is that something changed in that railcar. The storm passed, and the kids are now running free in a sunny field, away from societal pressure and the rain.

Realisation and acceptance of love - Shree 420, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Wake Up Sid

In India, rain is often linked with love. One of the most memorable rainy songs is "Pyaar Hua Ikraar Hua" from Shree 420, where Vidya finally accepts her love for Raj. They quickly fall in love, going from giving each other the umbrella to sharing it, their fingers touching. The umbrella, thus, becomes the medium of intimacy. Similarly, in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Anjali realizes she still loves Rahul during a dramatic rainy scene. The scene goes from dancing, playful teasing, slight lust, and longing to shock, guilt, chaos and even acceptance pretty quick. Even Aisha and Sid accepted their love in Mumbai’s rain, didn’t they?

Introducing the manic pixie dream girl - Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Guru

In Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Reena steps out of her car, teases the kids, and dances in the rain—something not all girls would do. This makes Maddy fall in love with her. First, he loves her attitude, then her silhouette, and finally, when there's lightning, her face. In 'Barso Re Megha' from Guru, Sujata is shown as a carefree village girl. She dances with kids and animals, swims in the lake, and climbs rocks without fear. This reflects her impulsive nature. She seeks pleasure over logic. Like the rain, she is beautiful and carefree.

Sex, lust, pleasure - Mohra, Mr. India

Lastly, rain and sex often go together in Bollywood. The most famous examples are Mohra’s 'Tip Tip Barsa Paani' and Mr. India’s 'Kaate Nahi Katte.' In both songs, the women seem almost possessed with desire, inviting their lovers while the men watch. These songs have very suggestive scenes and choreography. The rain adds to the sensual and lustful atmosphere, making the women appear drenched not just in rain but in pleasure as well.

Which icnonic rainy scene do you like the most? Tell us in the comments below.

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