Crime backdrop

Crime movies

A deep dive into the underworld of gangsters, detectives, and heists where the line between right and wrong blurs.

Subgenres include: Organized Crime, Heist, Con Artist Crime.

L.I.E.

1081. L.I.E.

Drama Crime Coming-of-Age Drama Heist
7.1

20011h 37min

United States

Director: Michael Cuesta

With his mother dead and his father busy at work, Howie feels adrift in his New York suburb. He and his friend Gary spend their time burglarizing their neighbors' homes — until they make the mistake of robbing the house of Big John, a macho former Marine who is also an unrepentant pedophile. He propositions Howie, who declines, but the two eventually develop an unlikely and dangerous friendship.

Themes

Coming of age, Juvenile delinquency, Male prostitution, Death of mother

Available on

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

Birthday Girl

1082. Birthday Girl

Comedy Crime Thriller Dark Comedy Con Artist Crime
6.0

20011h 33min

United Kingdom

Director: Jez Butterworth

John is a mild-mannered banker who has never been lucky in love. Fed up with waiting for the right girl to come along, John takes a chance on a Russian mail-order bride arranged via the Internet, where he is introduced to Nadia. John's fondness for Nadia grows... until the sudden arrival of Nadia's gregarious cousins makes John realize that he's in over his head.

Themes

Deception and con, Romance fraud, Economic vulnerability, Power dynamics in relationships, Crime and coercion, Trust and betrayal

Available on

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

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion

1083. The Curse of the Jade Scorpion

Comedy Crime Romance Romantic Comedy Workplace Comedy
6.7

20011h 43min

United States, Germany

Director: Woody Allen

CW Briggs is a veteran insurance investigator, with many successes. Betty Ann Fitzgerald is a new employee in the company he works for, with the task of reorganizing the office. They don't like each other - or at least that's what they think. During a night out with the rest of the office employees, they go to watch Voltan, a magician who secretly hypnotizes both of them.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Trust under pressure, Power of suggestion, Professional vs personal life, Memory as weapon, Hypnosis as crime driver

Available on

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

The Parole Officer

1084. The Parole Officer

Crime Comedy Parody Detective Mystery Crime
6.3

20011h 33min

United Kingdom

Director: John Duigan

A hapless parole officer is framed for murder by a crooked police chief. To prove his innocence he must entice his former clients away from the law abiding lives they are now living to recover the evidence that will save him.

Themes

Abuse of power, Surveillance and control, Collective action under pressure, Framing and deception, Social mobility strain


Rush Hour 2

1085. Rush Hour 2

Action Comedy Crime Buddy Action Buddy Comedy
6.7

20011h 30min

United States, Hong Kong SAR China

Director: Brett Ratner

It's vacation time for Carter as he finds himself alongside Lee in Hong Kong wishing for more excitement. While Carter wants to party and meet the ladies, Lee is out to track down a Triad gang lord who may be responsible for killing two men at the American Embassy. Things get complicated as the pair stumble onto a counterfeiting plot. The boys are soon up to their necks in fist fights and life-threatening situations. A trip back to the U.S. may provide the answers about the bombing, the counterfeiting, and the true allegiance of sexy customs agent Isabella.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Interracial friendship, Buddy cop, Criminal investigation, Counterfeiting plot, Action hero

Available on

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

The Score

1086. The Score

Action Crime Thriller Mystery Drama
6.8

20012h 4min

Germany, United States

Director: Frank Oz

An aging thief hopes to retire and live off his ill-gotten wealth when a young kid convinces him into doing one last heist.

Themes

Trust under surveillance, Deception under pressure, Retirement pressure, Risk vs reward, Betrayal anxiety, Loyalty and leverage

Available on

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

Made

1087. Made

Comedy Crime Buddy Comedy Organized Crime
6.3

20011h 35min

United States

Director: Jon Favreau

Two aspiring boxers and lifelong friends get involved in a money-laundering scheme through a low-level organized crime group.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Deception in deals, Risk through improvisation, Crime and friendship, Restraint vs ambition, Money and morality

Available on

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

Kiss of the Dragon

1088. Kiss of the Dragon

Action Crime Thriller Martial Arts Action Narcotics Crime
6.6

20011h 38min

France, United States

Director: Chris Nahon

Liu Jian, an elite Chinese police officer, comes to Paris to arrest a Chinese drug lord. When Jian is betrayed by a French officer and framed for murder, he must go into hiding and find new allies.

Themes

Drug smuggling conspiracy, Police corruption pressure, Framed for murder, Betrayal under surveillance, Surveillance manipulation risk, Prostitute involvement exposure

Available on

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

Baby Boy

1089. Baby Boy

Crime Drama Romance Thriller Coming-of-Age Drama
6.5

20012h 10min

United States

Director: John Singleton

The story of Jody, a misguided, 20-year-old African-American who is really just a baby boy finally forced-kicking and screaming to face the commitments of real life. Streetwise and jobless, he has not only fathered two children by two different women-Yvette and Peanut but still lives with his own mother. He can't seem to strike a balance or find direction in his chaotic life.

Themes

Deception and betrayal, Loyalty under threat, Family protection, Crime and consequence, Fatherhood pressure, Resilience and responsibility

Available on

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

The Fast and the Furious

1090. The Fast and the Furious

Action Crime Thriller Vehicle-Driven Action Undercover Sting Crime
6.8

20011h 46min

Germany, United States

Director: Rob Cohen

Dominic Toretto is a Los Angeles street racer suspected of masterminding a series of big-rig hijackings. When undercover cop Brian O'Conner infiltrates Toretto's iconoclastic crew, he falls for Toretto's sister and must choose a side: the gang or the LAPD.

Themes

Risk and consequence, Law enforcement pressure, Undercover loyalty conflict, Street racing culture, Trust and betrayal within crews, Deception and allegiance

Available on

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