stark backdrop

Movies with stark vibe

The People vs. Fritz Bauer

1. The People vs. Fritz Bauer

History Drama Mystery Political History Legal Drama
7.1
20151h 45min

Overview

It is the late 1950s. Flourishing under the economic miracle, Germany grows increasingly apathetic about confronting the horrors of its recent past. Nevertheless, Fritz Bauer doggedly devotes his energies to bringing the Third Reich to justice. One day Bauer receives a letter from Argentina, written by a man who is certain that his daughter is dating the son of Adolph Eichmann. Excited by the promising lead, and mistrustful of a corrupt judiciary system where Nazis still lurk, Bauer journeys to Jerusalem to seek alliance with Mossad, the Israeli secret service. To do so is treason — yet committing treason is the only way Bauer can serve his country.

Themes

Postwar accountability, Political interference, Legal manipulation, International cooperation, Coercive pressure, Institutional inertia

Available on

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

Beasts of No Nation

2. Beasts of No Nation

Drama War Coming-of-Age Drama Modern Conflicts
7.7
20152h 17min

Overview

Based on the experiences of Agu, a child fighting in the civil war of a West African country. Follows Agu's journey as he's forced to join a group of soldiers. While he fears his commander and many of the men around him, his fledgling childhood has been brutally shattered by the war raging through his country, and he is at first torn between conflicting revulsion and fascination.

Themes

Loyalty under threat, Childhood under siege, Survival through violence, Dehumanization in war, Militia recruitment and coercion, Trauma and withdrawal

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Eye in the Sky

3. Eye in the Sky

Drama Thriller War Political Thriller Modern Conflicts
7.3
20151h 42min

Overview

A UK-based military officer in command of a top secret drone operation to capture terrorists in Kenya discovers the targets are planning a suicide bombing and the mission escalates from “capture” to “kill.” As American pilot Steve Watts is about to engage, a nine-year old girl enters the kill zone, triggering an international dispute reaching the highest levels of US and British government over the moral, political, and personal implications of modern warfare.

Themes

Political decision making under pressure, Civilian risk and collateral damage, Moral implications of warfare, Due diligence and proportionality, Command hierarchy and accountability, Legal counsel influence

Available on

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

Overview

A soon-to-be bride on her way to a wedding rehearsal is having second thoughts and decides to take a detour. Her car breaks down and a hitch-hiker offers help. Could it be fate?

Themes

Hostage dynamics, Survival under threat, Fate vs choice, Deception and control, Violence as coercion, Isolation drives tension

Available on

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

The Wave

5. The Wave

Action Thriller Drama Epic Action Survival Thriller
6.6
20151h 45min

Overview

Although theorised, no one is really ready when a mountain pass above the scenic and narrow Geiranger fjord in Norway collapses and creates a tsunami over 300 feet high. A geologist is one of those caught in the middle of it.

Themes

Family in peril resilience, Avalanche risk management, Hotel evacuation ethics, Bomb shelter safety, Tsunami response timing, Tourism vulnerability

Available on

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

Son of Saul

6. Son of Saul

War Drama Thriller World War II Historical Drama
7.4
20151h 47min

Overview

In the horror of 1944 Auschwitz, a prisoner forced to burn the corpses of his own people finds moral survival trying to save from the flames the body of a boy he takes for his son, seeking to give him a proper Jewish burial.

Themes

Disguise and deception, Resistance under oppression, Survival under atrocity, Duty vs kin, Rituals under duress, Sonderkommando role

Available on

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

Return to Sender

7. Return to Sender

Drama Thriller Revenge Thriller Tragic Drama
5.1
20151h 35min

Overview

A nurse mistakes a stranger who pays her a visit for her blind date and soon, the man rapes her and turns her life upside down. The woman works to reclaim her life and exact revenge on her assailant after he's paroled from prison.

Themes

Control and autonomy, Revenge and consequence, Manipulation in relationships, Boundaries under duress, Power dynamics after trauma, Deception and attachment

Available on

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

San Andreas

8. San Andreas

Action Drama Thriller Epic Action Survival Thriller
6.1
20151h 54min

Overview

In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter.

Themes

Scientific responsibility under pressure, Crisis-driven family bonds, Duty vs personal risk, Infrastructure collapse and rescue, Looting and social fragmentation, Survival under catastrophic disruption

Available on

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

Spooks: The Greater Good

9. Spooks: The Greater Good

Thriller Action Political Thriller Spy Action
6.2
20151h 44min

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.

The Harvest

10. The Harvest

Horror Thriller Mystery Psychological Horror Investigation Mystery
6.1
20151h 44min

Overview

After becoming orphaned, a lonely girl moves in with her grandparents and tries to befriend a sick, bed-ridden boy next door, despite his mother’s strong objections. Her persistence leads to a friendship, but during secret visits, she uncovers dark secrets in the boy's home.

Themes

State violence and fear, Class oppression through policy, Collective punishment of peasants, Family resilience under duress, Displacement and hopeful migration, Women-led revolt

Available on

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