high-stakes backdrop

Movies with high-stakes vibe

171. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'
Action Animation Science Fiction Epic Action Anime
7.1
20151h 33minJapan
Director: Tadayoshi Yamamuro

Overview

One peaceful day on Earth, two remnants of Frieza's army named Sorbet and Tagoma arrive searching for the Dragon Balls with the aim of reviving Frieza. They succeed, and Frieza subsequently seeks revenge on the Saiyans.

Themes

Loyalty vs autonomy, Enduring imperial pressure, Invasion and resistance, Power form transformation, Warning and mobilization, Time manipulation and consequence

Available on

Apple TV
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

172. Spooks: The Greater Good

Spooks: The Greater Good
Thriller Action Political Thriller Spy Action
6.2
20151h 44minUnited Kingdom
Director: Bharat Nalluri

Overview

During a handover to the head of counter-terrorism of MI5, Harry Pearce, a terrorist escapes custody. When Harry disappears soon after, his protégé is tasked with finding out what happened as an impending attack on London looms, and eventually uncovers a deadly conspiracy.

Themes

Institutional corruption, Political intrigue, Insider betrayal, Disobeying orders, Covert operations, Conspiracy dynamics

Available on

Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

173. Woman in Gold

Woman in Gold
Drama Historical Drama
7.3
20151h 49minUnited Kingdom
Director: Simon Curtis

Overview

Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover a world famous painting of her aunt plundered by the Nazis during World War II, she believes rightfully belongs to her family. She did so not just to regain what was rightfully hers, but also to obtain some measure of justice for the death, destruction, and massive art theft perpetrated by the Nazis.

Themes

Postwar restitution pressures, Familial ownership claim, Nazi-era restitution, Transnational court proceedings

Available on

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

174. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
Family Comedy Adventure Animation Fantasy
6.0
20151h 33minUnited States
Director: Paul Tibbitt

Overview

Burger Beard is a pirate who is in search of the final page of a magical book that makes any evil plan he writes in it come true, which happens to be the Krabby Patty secret formula. When the entire city of Bikini Bottom is put in danger, SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, Sandy, and Plankton need to go on a quest that takes them to the surface. In order to get back the recipe and save their city, the gang must retrieve the book and transform themselves into superheroes.

Themes

Courage under pressure, Trust and deception, Mentorship vs manipulation, Friendship loyalty under stress, Self worth through action, Role expectations and improvisation

Available on

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

175. Kingsman: The Secret Service

Kingsman: The Secret Service
Crime Comedy Action Adventure Spy Action
7.7
20152h 9minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: Matthew Vaughn

Overview

The story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

Themes

Mentorship under pressure, Technology as weapon, Elite vs street talent, Private power versus public risk, Loyalty under selection, Global threat response

Available on

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

176. Blackhat

Blackhat
Crime Thriller Action Organized Crime Computer Threat Thriller
5.5
20152h 13minUnited States
Director: Michael Mann

Overview

Nicholas Hathaway, a furloughed convict, and his American and Chinese partners hunt a high-level cybercrime network from Chicago to Los Angeles to Hong Kong to Jakarta. As Hathaway closes in, the stakes become personal as he discovers that the attack on a Chinese nuclear power plant was just the beginning.

Themes

Technology as weapon, Betrayal under pressure, Race against time, Cross border pursuit, Rogue networks, Conspiracy and deception

Available on

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

177. The Interview

The Interview
Action Comedy Satire Spy Action
6.5
20141h 52minUnited States
Director: Evan Goldberg

Overview

Dave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapaport run the celebrity tabloid show "Skylark Tonight". When they land an interview with a surprise fan, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, they are recruited by the CIA to turn their trip to Pyongyang into an assassination mission.

Themes

Loyalty under manipulation, Deception under pressure, Foreign intervention ethics, Authority under threat, Media sensationalism versus risk, Image management in crisis

Available on

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

178. The Bélier Family

The Bélier Family
Comedy Music Drama Narrative Musical Family Drama
7.3
20141h 45minFrance
Director: Eric Lartigau

Overview

The whole Bélier family is deaf, except for sixteen year old Paula who is the important translator in her parents' day to day life especially when it comes to matters concerning the family farm. When her music teacher discovers she has a fantastic singing voice and she gets an opportunity to enter a big Radio France contest the whole family's future is set up for big changes.

Themes

Coming of age tension, Family duty versus ambition, Talent as identity, Deaf family dynamics, Communication as lifeline, Artistic aspiration vs obligation

Available on

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

179. Taken 3

Taken 3
Thriller Action One-Person Army Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller
6.0
20141h 49minFrance, United States
Director: Olivier Megaton

Overview

Ex-government operative Bryan Mills finds his life is shattered when he's falsely accused of a murder that hits close to home. As he's pursued by a savvy police inspector, Mills employs his particular set of skills to track the real killer and exact his unique brand of justice.

Themes

False accusation and pursuit, Protective father figure, Deception and exposure, Loyalties under pressure, Family safety versus risk, Restraint and justice

Available on

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

180. Beyond the Lights

Beyond the Lights
Romance Drama Passionate Romance Entertainment Industry Drama
6.8
20141h 56minUnited States
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Overview

Noni Jean is a hot new rising star. But not all is what it seems, and the pressure causes Noni to nearly fall apart - until she meets Kaz Nicol, a promising young cop and aspiring politician who's been assigned to her detail. Can Kaz's love give Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be?

Themes

Vulnerability and agency, Parental influence and ambition, Creative autonomy against industry control, Pressure of fame, Public image vs private voice, Power dynamics of fame

Available on

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