bleak backdrop

Movies with bleak vibe

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring

1701. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
8.0

20031h 43min

South Korea, Germany

Director: Kim Ki-duk

An isolated lake, where an old monk lives in a small floating temple. The monk has a young boy living with him, learning to become a monk. We watch as seasons and years pass by.

Themes

Cycles of life and renewal, Nature as teacher, Ascetic discipline and desire, Isolation and contemplation, Apprenticeship and authority, Mortality and ritual

Available on

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

Saints and Soldiers

1702. Saints and Soldiers

War Drama Action Adventure History
6.6

20031h 30min

United States

Director: Ryan Little

Five American soldiers fighting in Europe during World War II struggle to return to Allied territory after being separated from U.S. forces during the historic Malmedy Massacre.

Themes

Loyalty under strain, Duty under fire, Faith under pressure, Trust under stress, Survival under duress, Teamwork amid danger

Available on

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

The Corporation

1703. The Corporation

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
8.0

20032h 25min

Canada

Director: Mark Achbar

Since the late 18th century American legal decision that the business corporation organizational model is legally a person, it has become a dominant economic, political and social force around the globe. This film takes an in-depth psychological examination of the organization model through various case studies. What the study illustrates is that in the its behaviour, this type of "person" typically acts like a dangerously destructive psychopath without conscience. Furthermore, we see the profound threat this psychopath has for our world and our future, but also how the people with courage, intelligence and determination can do to stop it.

Themes

Corporate personhood debate, Corporate social responsibility, Economic externalities, Democracy vs markets, Limited liability concept, Private power public welfare

Available on

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

Nothing

1704. Nothing

Comedy Fantasy Science Fiction Dark Comedy High-Concept Fantasy
6.1

20031h 30min

Canada

Director: Vincenzo Natali

The film tells the story of two good friends who live together, Andrew, an agoraphobic travel agent who works from his home, and Dave, a loser who works in an office where he is treated with contempt. Just when it seems things can't get any worse for the two, the entire world outside of their house disappears and is replaced with an endless white void.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Isolation and dependence, Trauma and growth, Erasure through hate, Confinement and conflict, Self-definition through adversity


21 Grams

1705. 21 Grams

Drama Crime Thriller Relationship Drama Mind Game Thriller
7.6

20032h 4min

United States

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Paul Rivers, an ailing mathematician lovelessly married to an English émigré; Christina Peck, an upper-middle-class suburban housewife and mother of two girls; and Jack Jordan, a born-again ex-con, are brought together by a terrible accident that changes their lives.

Themes

Class inequality, Family instability, Grief and guilt, Trauma and memory, Bodily integrity, Moral responsibility

Available on

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

Zatoichi

1706. Zatoichi

Adventure Drama Action Martial Arts Action Adventure Epic
7.4

20031h 56min

France, Japan

Director: Takeshi Kitano

Blind traveler Zatoichi is a master swordsman and a masseur with a fondness for gambling on dice games. When he arrives in a village torn apart by warring gangs, he sets out to protect the townspeople.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Protection money coercion, Revenge and justice, Gang violence and control, Duty to protect, Hidden identity tension

Available on

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

Code 46

1707. Code 46

Drama Science Fiction Thriller Dystopian Sci-Fi Investigation Suspense
6.1

20031h 33min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Michael Winterbottom

In a dystopian future, insurance fraud investigator William Gold arrives in Shanghai to investigate a forgery ring for "papelles", futuristic passports that record people's identities and genetics. Gold falls for Maria Gonzalez, the woman in charge of the forgeries. After a passionate affair, Gold returns home, having named a coworker as the culprit. But when one of Gonzalez's customers is found dead, Gold is sent back to Shanghai to complete the investigation.

Themes

Deception within institutions, Forbidden romance, Biopolitical class divide, Papeles governance, Memory erasure ethics, Surveillance borders

Available on

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

Time of the Wolf

1708. Time of the Wolf

Drama Family Drama
6.4

20031h 53min

France, Austria

Director: Michael Haneke

When Anna and her family arrive at their holiday home, they find it occupied by strangers. This confrontation is just the beginning of a painful learning process.

Themes

Holiday home tension, Railway station dynamics, Armed man threat, Goat theft betrayal, Barter and coercion, Rape exposure, Survival struggle

Available on

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

Seabiscuit

1709. Seabiscuit

Drama History Historical Drama
7.3

20032h 21min

United States

Director: Gary Ross

True story of the undersized Depression-era racehorse whose victories lifted not only the spirits of the team behind it but also those of their nation.

Themes

Mentorship and collaboration, Regional rival competition, Depression era resilience, Underdog ascent, Public spectacle and media reach, Injury and rehabilitation

Available on

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

Wonderful Days

1710. Wonderful Days

Animation Science Fiction Dystopian Sci-Fi Anime
6.6

20031h 26min

South Korea

Director: Moon-saeng Kim

Civilization has been destroyed by war and pollution, but the survivors have built the last city of Ecoban. As most natural resources have been exhausted, Ecoban is powered by pollution. The citizens of Ecoban need to continue creating this pollution leading them into conflict with the inhabitants of Marr while one man just wants to clear away the clouds and see the sky.

Themes

Class inequality, Urban isolation, Resource scarcity, Outsider marginalization, Pollution as power, Environmental conflict

Available on

Bbox VOD
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.