bleak backdrop

Movies with bleak vibe

Small Things Like These

1. Small Things Like These

Drama History Historical Drama Social History
6.7
20241h 39min

Overview

In 1985, while working as a coal merchant to support his family, Bill Furlong discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent and uncovers truths of his own; forcing him to confront his past and the complicit silence of a small Irish town controlled by the Catholic Church.

Themes

Convent influence and complicity, Coal driven family economy, Barbershop community ties, Catholicism institutional control, Small town secrecy pressure

Available on

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

Heretic

2. Heretic

Thriller Horror Supernatural Horror Mind Game Thriller
7.0
20241h 51min

Overview

Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed, becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Religious hypocrisy, Belief as control, Indoctrination pressures, Power dynamics of faith

Available on

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

Number 24

3. Number 24

War History Drama World War II Historical Event
7.5
20241h 52min

Overview

On the brink of the Second World War, a young Norwegian man's drive to resist the Nazis sets a new course for his future – and the future of his country.

Themes

Resistance under pressure, National duty and identity, Collective memory and legacy, Wartime sacrifice and impact, Quiet courage in crisis, Civilian contribution to war

Available on

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

Juror #2

4. Juror #2

Drama Thriller Legal Drama Courtroom Thriller
7.0
20241h 54min

Overview

While serving as a juror in a high profile murder trial, family man Justin Kemp finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma…one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict—or free—the accused killer.

Themes

Moral dilemma under jury duty, Eyewitness testimony bias, High profile murder, Domestic violence framing, Political campaign influence, Personal sacrifice and risk

Available on

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

Time Cut

5. Time Cut

Horror Science Fiction Thriller Slasher Horror Time Travel Sci-Fi
5.0
20241h 30min

Overview

A teen in 2024 accidentally time-travels to 2003, days before a masked killer murders her sister. Can she change the past without destroying the future?

Themes

"movie: time cut. genres: horror, Science fiction, Thriller, Horror, Science fiction, Thriller main themes: high school, Time travel, Time machine, High school, Time travel, Time machine full keywords list: high school, Time travel, Time machine, Serial killer, Teenage girl, Woman director, Murder mystery, 2000s, Absurd, Cliché, 2020s. concept analysis: the film explores the complexities of time travel and the impact of choices on personal identity and relationships. it delves into themes of love, Acceptance, And the consequences of altering the past to forge a better future."

Available on

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

Conclave

6. Conclave

Drama Thriller Political Drama Political Thriller
7.4
20242h

Overview

After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with managing the covert and ancient ritual of electing a new one. Sequestered in the Vatican with the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders until the process is complete, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could lead to its downfall.

Themes

Election secrecy, Religion vs politics, Cardinal power struggles, Papal conclave dynamics, Covert and ancient ritual, Ethical accountability

Available on

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

Parthenope

7. Parthenope

Drama Tragic Drama
6.6
20242h 17min

Overview

Parthenope, born in the sea near Naples in 1950, is beautiful, enigmatic, and intelligent. She is shamelessly courted by many. However, beauty comes at a cost.

Themes

Privilege vs ambition, Wealth and familial obligation, Obsessive attachment and rivalry, Coercive power by authority, Ritual control and cultural impact, Artistic aspiration under exploitation

Available on

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

The Children's Train

8. The Children's Train

Drama Historical Drama
7.4
20241h 46min

Overview

In late 1940s Italy, a mother makes the difficult decision to send her son to the north, where he catches glimpses of a new life away from poverty.

Themes

Family loyalty vs survival, Poverty driven relocation, Impoverished status under pressure, Mother child tension, South to north mobility, Post-war italy backdrop

Available on

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

Canary Black

9. Canary Black

Action Thriller Crime Spy Action Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller
5.4
20241h 43min

Overview

Top level CIA agent Avery Graves is blackmailed by terrorists into betraying her own country to save her kidnapped husband. Cut off from her team, she turns to her underworld contacts to survive and help locate the coveted intelligence that the kidnappers want.

Themes

Deception under pressure, Blackmail as leverage, State security ethics, Betrayal and allegiance, Private power and contractors, Cyber threat escalation

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Apprentice

10. The Apprentice

History Drama Biographical History Psychological Drama
7.1
20242h 2min

Overview

A young Donald Trump, eager to make his name as a hungry scion of a wealthy family in 1970s New York, comes under the spell of Roy Cohn, the cutthroat attorney who would help create the Donald Trump we know today. Cohn sees in Trump the perfect protégé—someone with raw ambition, a hunger for success, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.

Themes

Real estate ambition, Power through mentor protégé relationship, Blackmail and bribery, Tax abatement politics, Discrimination and exploitation, Surveillance via wiretapping

Available on

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