Drama backdrop

Drama movies

Emotional and character-driven narratives that explore the complexities of the human condition and relationships.

Subgenres include: Psychological Drama, Professional Drama, Entertainment Industry Drama.

Tokyo Sonata

1251. Tokyo Sonata

Drama Family Drama
7.5

20082h

Japan, Netherlands

Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Every morning, salaryman Ryuhei Suzuki straightens his tie, leaves his modest Tokyo home, and pretends he still belongs to the orderly corporate world that has quietly discarded him. As his secret unemployment collides with Takashi’s restless rebellion and young Kenji’s hidden piano lessons, their carefully arranged family routine begins an inexorable slide toward heartbreak and reckoning.

Themes

Class inequality, Economic precarity, Emotional isolation, Parental distance, Secrecy and ambition, Family disintegration

Available on

Amazon Video
Tubi TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Jack Reacher

1252. Jack Reacher

Crime Drama Thriller Action One-Person Army
7.0

20122h 10min

United States

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

One morning in an ordinary town, five people are shot dead in a seemingly random attack. All evidence points to a single suspect: an ex-military sniper who is quickly brought into custody. The interrogation yields one written note: 'Get Jack Reacher!'. Reacher, an enigmatic ex-Army investigator, believes the authorities have the right man but agrees to help the sniper's defense attorney. However, the more Reacher delves into the case, the less clear-cut it appears. So begins an extraordinary chase for the truth, pitting Jack Reacher against an unexpected enemy, with a skill for violence and a secret to keep.

Themes

Deception and framing, Family ties under pressure, Lone investigator ethics, Mob influence on justice, Evidence ambiguity, Duty vs accountability

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Chronicle

1253. Chronicle

Science Fiction Drama Thriller Bio-Genetic Sci-Fi Coming-of-Age Drama
7.0

20121h 24min

United States

Director: Josh Trank

Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over.

Themes

Coming of age pressures, Unbalanced telekinesis power, Found footage aesthetics, Loneliness and friendship, Abuse and family strain, Outcast and assertiveness

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Words

1254. The Words

Drama Thriller Entertainment Industry Drama Mind Game Thriller
7.0

20121h 36min

United States

Director: Brian Klugman

The Words follows young writer Rory Jansen who finally achieves long sought after literary success after publishing the next great American novel. There's only one catch - he didn't write it. As the past comes back to haunt him and his literary star continues to rise, Jansen is forced to confront the steep price that must be paid for stealing another man's work, and for placing ambition and success above life's most fundamental three words.

Themes

Memory and loss, Integrity under pressure, Authorship and ownership, Deception and ambition, Fame at any cost, Blurred boundaries between life and fiction

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Robot & Frank

1255. Robot & Frank

Science Fiction Comedy Drama Crime AI Sci-Fi
7.0

20121h 29min

United States

Director: Jake Schreier

Curmudgeonly old Frank lives by himself. His routine involves daily visits to his local library, where he has a twinkle in his eye for the librarian. His grown children are concerned about their father’s well-being and buy him a caretaker robot. Initially resistant to the idea, Frank soon appreciates the benefits of robotic support – like nutritious meals and a clean house – and eventually begins to treat his robot like a true companion. With his robot’s assistance, Frank’s passion for his old, unlawful profession is reignited, for better or worse.

Themes

Family obligation vs autonomy, Trust and manipulation, Ageing and care, Crime as bonding, Technology as companion, Memory and autonomy

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Holy Motors

1256. Holy Motors

Drama Fantasy Dark Fantasy Psychological Drama
7.0

20121h 56min

Germany, France

Director: Leos Carax

We follow 24 hours in the life of a being moving from life to life like a cold and solitary assassin moving from hit to hit. In each of these interwoven lives, the being possesses an entirely distinct identity: sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes youthful, sometimes old. By turns murderer, beggar, company chairman, monstrous creature, worker, family man.

Themes

Performative identities, Commodification of work, Blurred boundaries of roles, Obsession with appearance, Spectacle vs reality, Impermanence of art

Available on

Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

People Like Us

1257. People Like Us

Drama Family Drama
7.0

20121h 54min

United States

Director: Alex Kurtzman

After flying home to L.A. for the funeral of his estranged record-producer father, a struggling man discovers that the will stipulates that he must deliver $150,000 in cash to a 30-year-old alcoholic sister he never knew existed, and her troubled 12-year-old son.

Themes

Loyalty versus self-interest, Family obligation pressure, In cash leverage, 30-year-old alcoholic sister tensions, Deception in kinship, 12-year-old son bonds, Playground surprise memory

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Now Is Good

1258. Now Is Good

Drama Romance Coming-of-Age Drama Passionate Romance
7.0

20121h 43min

United Kingdom

Director: Ol Parker

A girl dying of leukemia compiles a list of things she'd like to do before passing away. Topping the list is her desire to lose her virginity.

Themes

Romance under pressure, Caregiver burden, Bucket list pressure, Cancer under strain, Age vs prognosis, Family time vs health

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Angels' Share

1259. The Angels' Share

Drama Comedy Family Drama Buddy Comedy
7.0

20121h 41min

United Kingdom, France

Director: Ken Loach

Narrowly avoiding jail, new dad Robbie vows to turn over a new leaf. A visit to a whisky distillery inspires him and his mates to seek a way out of their hopeless lives.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Cycles of violence, Mentorship and influence, Illicit opportunity vs legitimacy, Pursuit of a new life, Social stigma and responsibility

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Magic of Belle Isle

1260. The Magic of Belle Isle

Drama Comedy Family Drama Buddy Comedy
7.0

20121h 49min

United States

Director: Rob Reiner

In an effort to tap into his original talent, a wheelchair-bound author moves to a rural town, where he befriends a single mother and her three kids, who help reignite his passion for writing.

Themes

Mentorship and growth, Grief and renewal, Resilience through art, Mother-daughter bonds, Addiction and recovery, Community-based inspiration

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.