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.

Fast & Furious

1861. Fast & Furious

Action Crime Drama Thriller Vehicle-Driven Action
6.5

20091h 47min

Japan, United States

Director: Justin Lin

When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Conner. But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him. And the two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what's possible behind the wheel.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Risk and reward, Deception and trust, Family ties under strain, Competition and alliance, Crime and law tension

Available on

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

Antichrist

1862. Antichrist

Drama Horror Thriller Psychological Horror Relationship Drama
6.5

20091h 44min

Denmark, France

Director: Lars von Trier

A grieving couple retreats to their cabin 'Eden' in the woods, hoping to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage. But nature takes its course and things go from bad to worse.

Themes

Marital strain under crisis, Violence as control, Grief under isolation, Fear of nature, Ritual symbolism and despair, Gendered fear and guilt

Available on

Kanopy
MUBI
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

American Psycho

1863. American Psycho

Thriller Drama Crime Mind Game Thriller Psychological Drama
7.6

20001h 42min

Canada, United States

Director: Mary Harron

Young and wealthy investment banker Patrick Bateman seems to have the perfect life: money, a prestigious apartment, designer clothes, and influential connections. However, behind this flawless facade hides an embittered and mentally unstable killer who unleashes his rage on his victims and sinks deeper and deeper into madness.

Themes

White collar violence, Alienation in affluence, Appearance versus reality, Satire of consumer culture, Class and status pressure, Deceptive self image

Available on

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

Peppermint Candy

1864. Peppermint Candy

Drama Psychological Drama
7.6

20002h 11min

Japan, South Korea

Director: Lee Chang-dong

In the spring of 1999, a group of old friends gather to celebrate their 20 year reunion. Among the group is Yeong-ho, a cold, unhappy man, whose demeanor puts a damper on the festivities. The seriousness of Yeong-ho's depression becomes apparent when he climbs a railroad bridge and looks like he might jump. At this crucial moment, memories of seven crucial episodes from Yeong-ho's past flood his mind.

Themes

Political violence and memory, Moral injury under authority, State repression and trauma, Collective memory and reunion, Loyalty and complicity, Intimate betrayals and power dynamics

Available on

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

Casino

1865. Casino

Crime Drama Organized Crime Psychological Drama
8.2

19952h 59min

France, United States

Director: Martin Scorsese

In Las Vegas, two best friends--a casino executive and a Mafia enforcer--compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.

Themes

Deception and betrayal, Loyalty under pressure, Crime and wealth dynamics, Rise and fall of empire, Media scrutiny and control, Risk and corruption

Available on

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

Mean Girls

1866. Mean Girls

Drama Comedy Parody
7.1

20041h 36min

United States

Director: Mark Waters

Cady Heron is a hit with The Plastics, the A-list girl clique at her new school, until she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Social hierarchy, Peer pressure, Reputation and belonging, Clique culture, Bullying and gossip

Available on

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

Closer

1867. Closer

Drama Romance Relationship Drama Passionate Romance
7.1

20041h 44min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Mike Nichols

The relationships of two couples become complicated and deceitful when the man from one couple meets the woman of the other.

Themes

Trust and betrayal, Infidelity and desire, Deception and appearances, Love square, Memory and fiction, Publicity vs privacy

Available on

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

Kinsey

1868. Kinsey

Drama Historical Drama
7.1

20041h 58min

Germany, United Kingdom

Director: Bill Condon

Kinsey is a portrait of researcher Alfred Kinsey, driven to uncover the most private secrets of a nation. What begins for Kinsey as a scientific endeavor soon takes on an intensely personal relevance, ultimately becoming an unexpected journey into the mystery of human behavior.

Themes

Funding and research independence, Scientific inquiry vs social norms, Moral panic and censorship, Public sex education debate, Personal life vs professional duty, Taboos and acceptance dynamics

Available on

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

The Woodsman

1869. The Woodsman

Drama Crime Tragic Drama Prison Crime
7.1

20041h 27min

United States

Director: Nicole Kassell

After twelve years in prison, Walter returns home. His family has abandoned him, save for his brother-in-law. Few know he's a sex offender and pedophile. Walter finds an apartment and is regularly visited by his parole officer. He gets a job at a lumber mill and starts seeing a coworker. Then his new world begins to unravel; as his past becomes known, he strikes up a high-risk friendship with a young girl and realizes that a man loitering near a schoolyard is a child molester prowling for his next victim.

Themes

Stigma of sex offense, Parole supervision pressure, Ostracism after conviction, Workplace rumor and aggression, Self-blame after trauma, Romantic relationship under scrutiny

Available on

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

Mean Creek

1870. Mean Creek

Crime Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.1

20041h 30min

United States

Director: Jacob Aaron Estes

Teenagers living in small-town Oregon take a boat trip for a birthday celebration. When they get an idea to play a mean trick on the town bully, it suddenly goes too far. Soon they're forced to deal with the unexpected consequences of their actions.

Themes

Birthday pressure toward belonging, Prank as group deception, Lake setting instability, Video diary accountability, Bully presence shaping group dynamics, Loneliness and social danger

Available on

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