brutal backdrop

Movies with brutal vibe

Dog Pound

381. Dog Pound

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.0

20101h 31min

Canada, France

Director: Kim Chapiron

Overview

Three juvenile delinquents arrive at a correctional center and are put under the care of an experienced guard.

Themes

Violence as control, Power dynamics in confinement, Desire for second chances, Trauma and silent despair, Survival under coercive systems, Authority versus vulnerability

Available on

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

Kick-Ass

382. Kick-Ass

Action Crime Superhero Action Organized Crime
7.6

20101h 58min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Overview

Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a super-hero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Consequences of violence, Power and accountability, Rumor-driven belonging, Underdog vigilantism, Family vengeance dynamics

Available on

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

Harry Brown

383. Harry Brown

Thriller Crime Drama Action Revenge Thriller
7.2

20091h 43min

United Kingdom

Director: Daniel Barber

Overview

An elderly ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend's murder by doling out his own form of justice.

Themes

Vigilante justice, Aging veteran trauma, Estate violence, Police riot response, Drug dealing economy, Self-defense justification

Available on

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

Cell 211

384. Cell 211

Action Thriller Drama Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller Psychological Drama
7.6

20091h 48min

France, Spain

Director: Daniel Monzón

Overview

The story of two men on different sides of a prison riot -- the inmate leading the rebellion and the young guard trapped in the revolt, who poses as a prisoner in a desperate attempt to survive the ordeal.

Themes

Loyalty under duress, Moral ambiguity of authority, Political bargaining under pressure, Survival through deception, Power struggles under confinement

Available on

Netflix
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
AMC+ Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Afro Samurai: Resurrection

385. Afro Samurai: Resurrection

Animation Action Adventure Drama Fantasy
7.1

20091h 41min

United States, Japan

Director: Fuminori Kizaki

Overview

Afro Samurai avenged his father and found a life of peace. But the legendary master is forced back into the game by a beautiful and deadly woman from his past. The sparks of violence dropped along Afro’s bloody path now burn out of control – and nowhere are the flames of hatred more intense than in the eyes of Sio.

Themes

Loyalty and betrayal, Adoptive kin tension, Cycle of revenge, Forbidden resurrection, Identity and surrogate family, Vengeance vs detachment, Power through legacy

Available on

Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Pandorum

386. Pandorum

Action Horror Mystery Science Fiction Thriller
6.7

20091h 48min

Germany, United Kingdom

Director: Christian Alvart

Overview

Two crew members wake up on an abandoned spacecraft with no idea who they are, how long they've been asleep, or what their mission is. The two soon discover they're actually not alone – and the reality of their situation is more horrifying than they could have imagined.

Themes

Isolation and amnesia, Fear-driven coalition, Survival under scarcity, Betrayal and leadership strain, Ethics of leadership under crisis, Panic and factionalism

Available on

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

Orphan

387. Orphan

Horror Thriller Psychological Horror Domestic Thriller
7.0

20092h 2min

United States

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Overview

After losing their baby, a married couple adopt 9-year old Esther, who may not be as innocent as she seems.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Trust vs suspicion, Psychological manipulation, Violence within family, Adoption complications, Parental strain

Available on

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

The Collector

388. The Collector

Horror Thriller Home Invasion Horror Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller
6.3

20091h 30min

United States

Director: Marcus Dunstan

Overview

Desperate to repay his debt to his ex-wife, an ex-con plots a heist at his new employer's country home, unaware that a second criminal has also targeted the property, and rigged it with a series of deadly traps.

Themes

Survival under threat, Debt-driven crime, Traps and danger, Competing intruders, Predator in domestic space, Home invasion peril

Available on

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

Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

389. Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

Animation Science Fiction Action Drama Anime
7.9

20091h 52min

Japan

Director: Masayuki

Overview

Under constant attack by monstrous creatures called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind, U.N. Special Agency NERV introduces two new EVA pilots to help defend the city of Tokyo-3: the mysterious Makinami Mari Illustrous and the intense Asuka Langley Shikinami. Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari and SEELE proceed with a secret project that involves both Rei and Shinji.

Themes

Trust under strain, Duty versus autonomy, Humanity under siege, Authority and manipulation, Parental bonds under strain, Identity in crisis

Available on

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

City of Life and Death

390. City of Life and Death

Drama History War Historical Drama Historical Event
7.7

20092h 12min

China, Hong Kong SAR China

Director: Lu Chuan

Overview

In 1937, during the height of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Imperial Japanese Army has just captured Nanjing, then-capital of the Republic of China. What followed was known as the Nanking Massacre, or the Rape of Nanking, a six week period wherein tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed.

Themes

Survival under occupation, Duty versus humanity, Safety zones under pressure, War crimes against civilians, Gendered vulnerability in war, Moral ambiguity in soldiers

Available on

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