procedural backdrop

Movies with procedural vibe

271. The Skeleton Key

The Skeleton Key
Drama Horror Mystery Thriller Psychological Horror
6.5
20051h 44minGermany, United States
Director: Iain Softley

Overview

A hospice nurse working at a spooky New Orleans plantation home finds herself entangled in a mystery involving the house's dark past.

Themes

Deception and betrayal, Belief vs skepticism, Racial violence and memory, Haunted house legacy, Ritual power dynamics, Plantation ownership and exploitation

Available on

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

272. A Cock and Bull Story

A Cock and Bull Story
Comedy History Satire Biographical History
6.7
20051h 34minUnited Kingdom
Director: Michael Winterbottom

Overview

Steve Coogan, an arrogant actor with low self-esteem and a complicated love life, is playing the eponymous role in an adaptation of "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman" being filmed at a stately home. He constantly spars with actor Rob Brydon, who is playing Uncle Toby and believes his role to be of equal importance to Coogan's.

Themes

Arrogant actor rivalry, Stately home production, Based on novel adaptation, Co-lead dynamic, Film in film layering, Ensemble collaboration pressure

Available on

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

273. The Longest Yard

The Longest Yard
Drama Comedy Crime Sports Competition Parody
6.4
20051h 53minUnited States
Director: Peter Segal

Overview

Disgraced pro football quarterback Paul Crewe lands in a Texas federal penitentiary, where manipulative Warden Hazen recruits him to advise the institution's football team of prison guards. Crewe suggests a tune-up game which lands him quarterbacking a crew of inmates in a game against the guards. Aided by incarcerated ex-NFL coach and player Nate Scarborough, Crewe and his team must overcome not only the bloodthirstiness of the opposition, but also the corrupt warden trying to fix the game against them.

Themes

Institutional corruption, Loyalty under threat, Corruption in sport, Coercive power dynamics, Performance under pressure, Group identity and prejudice

Available on

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

274. Hostage

Hostage
Action Thriller Crime Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller Organized Crime
6.5
20051h 53minGermany, United States
Director: Florent-Emilio Siri

Overview

When a mafia accountant is taken hostage on his beat, a police officer – wracked by guilt from a prior stint as a negotiator – must negotiate the standoff, even as his own family is held captive by the mob.

Themes

Duty under life-threatening stakes, Trauma from hostage crisis, Deception in legal enforcement, Crime finance exposure, Moral ambiguity of negotiations, Coercion and leverage dynamics

Available on

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

275. Innocent Voices

Innocent Voices
Drama War Coming-of-Age Drama Modern Conflicts
7.8
20052hUnited States, Mexico
Director: Luis Mandoki

Overview

A young boy, attempting to have a normal childhood in 1980s El Salvador, is caught up in a dramatic fight for his life when he desperately tries to avoid the war that is raging all around him.

Themes

Moral ambiguity in justice, El salvador context, Child soldier dynamics, Guerrilla warfare backdrop, Catholic priest influence, 1980s era social strain

Available on

The Roku Channel
VIX
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

276. Infection

Infection
Horror Drama Psychological Horror Psychological Drama
6.0
20041h 38minJapan
Director: Masayuki Ochiai

Overview

Infection takes place in a dark, isolated hospital, where one doctors mistake has led to dire consequences for a patient. In a hospital death is just a breath away.

Themes

Institutional cover-up pressure, Mass contagion, Deception under pressure, Fear and moral ambiguity, Care under resource strain, Guilt and accountability in teams


277. Layer Cake

Layer Cake
Drama Thriller Crime Narcotics Crime Investigation Suspense
7.2
20041h 45minUnited Kingdom
Director: Matthew Vaughn

Overview

When a seemingly straight-forward drug deal goes awry, XXXX has to break his die-hard rules and turn up the heat, not only to outwit the old regime and come out on top, but to save his own skin...

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Betrayal within crime networks, Informant deception, Ambition versus safety, Power dynamics in criminal hierarchies, Deception as business strategy

Available on

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

278. I, Robot

I, Robot
Action Science Fiction Dystopian Sci-Fi Epic Action
7.1
20041h 55minUnited States, Germany
Director: Alex Proyas

Overview

In 2035, where robots are commonplace and abide by the three laws of robotics, a technophobic cop investigates an apparent suicide. Suspecting that a robot may be responsible for the death, his investigation leads him to believe that humanity may be in danger.

Themes

Surveillance and manipulation, Humans versus machines, Ethics of free will, Control vs autonomy, Trust in artificial intelligence, Fear of technological governance

Available on

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

279. Metallica: Some Kind of Monster

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster
Documentary Music Music Documentary Backstage & Showbiz Music
7.5
20042h 21minUnited States
Director: Bruce Sinofsky

Overview

After bassist Jason Newsted quits the band in 2001, heavy metal superstars Metallica realize that they need an intervention. In this revealing documentary, filmmakers follow the three rock stars as they hire a group therapist and grapple with 20 years of repressed anger and aggression. Between searching for a replacement bass player, creating a new album and confronting their personal demons, the band learns to open up in ways they never thought possible.

Themes

Group therapy dynamics, Recording studio pressure, Fear of abandonment, Creative collaboration under constraint, Fan backlash influence, Bassist replacement tension

Available on

Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

280. Spartan

Spartan
Mystery Action Drama Thriller Crime
6.5
20041h 42minGermany, United States
Director: David Mamet

Overview

U.S. government agent Scott is assigned to rescue the daughter of a high-ranking government official. As willing as he is to bend the rules to get things done, though, Scott is shocked to find that others are willing to go even further to protect a political career.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Sex trafficking networks, Deception within protection, Political coverups, Power and rule bending, Elite accountability

Available on

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