What happens when we lose our memories and then entire identities? That existential question, a sad stepping stone many of us might travel in the later stages of life, gets creatively explored with three releases, available on streaming platforms starting Friday.

Some address the issue better than others, and some address it with a mix of black humor and drama.

Here’s a look at some new streaming movie options.

“Little Fish”: Relatable and romantic, Chad Hartigan’s lightly futuristic love story is a less manipulative, powerfully cinematic hard cry along the lines of “The Notebook.” Set during a pandemic of NIA (neuroinflammation) — a disease that devours the mind like Alzheimer’s, only at an accelerated pace — Mattson Tomlinson’s sensitive screenplay hits a global nerve for obvious reasons. “Fish” reels us into a heartbreaking scenario from the get-go, dancing us through the relationship of two endearing but flawed souls, the musician Jude (Jack O’Connell) and the veterinarian assistant Emma (Olivia Cooke). It’s a class act — from the devoted acting to the touching screenplay, and is one of the most genuine love stories I’ve seen this decade. And what a the surprise that it was made pre-COVID-19. Details: 3½ stars out of 4; available to stream Feb. 5 on multiple platforms.

“Apples”: Greece chose Christos Nikou’s deadpan comedy as its entry in the 2021 Best International Film Oscar sweepstakes. Nikou’s feature debut has impressed Hollywood so much that he’s already signed on to direct Carey Mulligan’s next feature. You’ll understand why once you watch this understated fable, uncannily similar to “Little Fish’s” setup. In hard-hit Athens, an affliction sweeps through and wipes out memories, including those of Aris (Aris Servetalis), a sad-sack case whose identity is reduced to No. 14843. Doctors respond to the crisis by cooking up a dorky and misguided how-to-live manual that sticks to dubious tropes and sexist ways. Nikou and co-screenwriter Stavros Raptis take their satirical jab at the establishment a step further by casting doubt on whether Aris is indeed memory free. “Apples” is subtle throughout, but delivers a complex existential journey with deep meaning. Details: 3½ stars; available to screen as part of the “For Your Consideration” film series at the Smith Rafael Film Center.

“Bliss”: We’re not that deep into 2021 yet, but we already have a candidate for biggest headscratcher of the year. Director/writer Mike Cahill’s surreal urban fantasy finds divorced, bored-at-his-job Greg (Owen Wilson) losing a fragile grip on reality when he enters the bizarro world of a homeless woman (Salma Hayek) who claims there’s an alternate reality where life is great. The two disparate worlds, of course, collide while Greg’s daughter (Nesta Cooper) tries to reel dad back. Cahill’s curiosity is determinedly non-mainstream, a wild parable about recovery and mental illness that takes cues from the David Foster Wallace absurdity handbook. I found it equally compelling and frustrating, but did appreciate how passionate it is about what it’s attempting to say. Details: 2½ stars; available Feb. 5 on Amazon Prime.

“Falling”: Viggo Mortensen remains one of my favorite contemporary actors, a Renaissance guy dedicated to his craft and to supporting the arts. That said, his directorial debut is a mess, an endurance test that bludgeons you with endless and horrific rants from one of its hate-spewing characters. Mortensen plays nice-guy John, the estranged gay son of a vile, abusive father Willis (Lance Henriksen) who’s a rancher. When Willis undergoes a health scare, he’s coerced into staying in Los Angeles with John, his partner Eric (Terry Chen) and their precocious daughter. Willis takes the prize for most ungrateful house guest ever, spitting out racial and gay slurs over breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even his daughter (Laura Linney) avoids him. Mortensen’s film draws on elements from his family’s past and while that’s commendable, but the result is excessive, with some scenes feeling very stage-like at times. By the time “Falling” reaches its gut-punching conclusion, you’re exhausted, depleted and ready to binge on Netflix’s “Nailed It!” Details: 1½ stars; available to stream Feb. 5 on various platforms, also available as part of the Virtual Cinema series at Smith Rafael Film Center.

“Two of Us”: In his polished feature debut, director Filippo Meneghetti presents actress Barbara Sukowa with one meaty tigress role, that of the longtime lesbian lover of a closeted “next-door neighbor.” A debilitating health issue leaves Nina (Sukowa) shut off from her bedridden lover and best friend (Martine Chevallier). But Nina will stop at nothing to be with her soulmate. It’s a gripping, visceral journey into an intense hidden love and how someone can go feral to defend and protect it. Details: 3 stars; available to stream Feb. 5 through the Virtual Cinema series at Elmwood Rialto Cinemas and the Smith Rafael Film Center.

“#Like”: Similar to “Hard Candy,” this film by director/screenwriter Sarah Pirozek aims to make audiences uncomfortable and conflicted. Here, an out-for-blood teen targets the creep who lured her younger sister into ultimate darkness. Pirozek comes up with no easy answers when Rosie (Sarah Rich) chains a handyman (Marc Menchaca) — whom she assumes is the man responsible — down in the basement. There’s a lot to like about the shot-on-the-cheap “#Like,” a confident debut from Pirozek. Details: 3 stars; available to stream on various platforms.

“Climate of the Hunter”: Filmmaker Mickey Reece may not be a familiar to many, but he is a master of innovative indies shot on a tiny budget. In “Hunter,” he goes retro with a weird, sensual sorta vampire tale that is truly unlike anything you’ll ever see. Two sisters vie for the attention of the mysterious and erudite Wesley (Ben Hall), a charmer with questionable motivations. Reece’s film is a horror throwback that can leave you howling at the screen. Details: 3 stars; available on various streaming platforms.

“A Nightmare Wakes”: Poor Mary Shelley. Why is it so hard to pin her down as a character in films? In 2017, Elle Fanning played the “Frankenstein” author in the ineffective “Mary Shelley” and in 1986 artsy director Ken Russell toyed around with her friendships and loves in the slightly better “Gothic.” Now comes this unexceptional tale of the “Frankenstein” author (Alix Wilton Regan), focusing on her fevered creative mind and unpleasant relationship with poet Percy Shelley (Giullian Yao Gioiello). Unlike Frankenstein’s monster, this one never comes alive. Details: 1½ stars; available Feb. 5 on Shudder.

Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.