driven backdrop

Movies with driven vibe

Magic Mike

1. Magic Mike

Drama Comedy Entertainment Industry Drama Adult Comedy
6.1
20121h 50min

Overview

Mike, an experienced stripper, takes a younger performer called The Kid under his wing and schools him in the arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy money.

Themes

Strip club economy, Brother sister relationship, Novice to pro, Based on true story framing, Muscled body image, Gay interest under pressure

Available on

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

Larry Crowne

2. Larry Crowne

Comedy Romance Drama Romantic Comedy Workplace Comedy
6.1
20111h 38min

Overview

When he suddenly finds himself without his long-standing blue-collar job, Larry Crowne enrolls at his local college to start over. There, he becomes part of an eclectic community of students and develops a crush on his teacher.

Themes

Loss of job reinvention, Local college immersion, Scooter riders club, Economics class insights, Diner job transition

Available on

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

Overview

Against his father Odin's will, The Mighty Thor - a powerful but arrogant warrior god - recklessly reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Legitimacy versus rebellion, Exile and belonging, Hubris and responsibility, Duty and sacrifice, Power and governance

Available on

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

Win Win

4. Win Win

Drama Comedy Relationship Drama
7.1
20111h 46min

Overview

When down-on-his-luck part-time high school wrestling coach Mike agrees to become legal guardian to an elderly man, his ward's troubled grandson turns out to be a star grappler, sparking dreams of a big win -- until the boy's mother retrieves him.

Themes

Family obligation, Financial instability, Custody dispute, Guardianship ethics, Estate dispute, Talent-driven opportunity

Available on

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

Overview

The life of an unsuccessful writer is transformed by a top-secret 'smart drug' that allows him to use 100% of his brain and become a perfect version of himself. His enhanced abilities soon attract shadowy forces that threaten his new life.

Themes

Self-improvement through drugs, Ambition and danger, Dependence and withdrawal, Power and knowledge, Manipulation by unseen forces, Ethical cost of enhancement

Available on

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

The Karate Kid

6. The Karate Kid

Action Adventure Drama Family Martial Arts Action
6.3
20102h 20min

Overview

12-year-old Dre Parker could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying but the cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make him an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is a kung fu master. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.

Themes

Cultural adjustment pressures, Outsider belonging struggle, Authority versus aggression, Mentorship through discipline, Humility through practice, Trauma shaping mentorship

Available on

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

Nowhere Boy

7. Nowhere Boy

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.1
20091h 38min

Overview

A rebellious teenager, future Beatle John Lennon lives with his Aunt Mimi in working-class mid-1950s Liverpool, England. Mimi's husband suddenly dies, and John spies his mother Julia at the funeral. Despite Mimi's misgivings, John intends to have a real relationship with his mother. Julia introduces him to popular music and the banjo and, though a family conflict looms, young John is inspired to form his own band.

Themes

Intergenerational mentorship, Family custody tensions, Early fame pressures, Mother absence longing, Trauma and anger, Creative identity formation, Band formation dynamics

Available on

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

Dogtooth

8. Dogtooth

Drama Psychological Drama
7.1
20091h 38min

Overview

Three teenagers are confined to an isolated country estate that could very well be on another planet. The trio spend their days listening to endless homemade tapes that teach them a whole new vocabulary. Any word that comes from beyond their family abode is instantly assigned a new meaning. Hence 'the sea' refers to a large armchair and 'zombies' are little yellow flowers. Having invented a brother whom they claim to have ostracized for his disobedience, the uber-controlling parents terrorize their offspring into submission.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Sexual exploitation, Family control, Linguistic indoctrination, Isolation pressures, Parental coercion

Available on

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

Julie & Julia

9. Julie & Julia

Romance Drama Romantic Comedy Professional Drama
7.0
20092h 3min

Overview

Julia Child and Julie Powell – both of whom wrote memoirs – find their lives intertwined. Though separated by time and space, both women are at loose ends... until they discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible.

Themes

Cookbook publishing pressure, French cuisine tradition, Blog influence on ambition, Cooking as professional identity, 9/11 context shaping careers, Celebrity chef visibility

Available on

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

Coco Before Chanel

10. Coco Before Chanel

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
6.6
20091h 50min

Overview

Several years after leaving the orphanage, to which her father never returned for her, Gabrielle Chanel finds herself working in a provincial bar. She's both a seamstress for the performers and a singer, earning the nickname Coco from the song she sings nightly with her sister. A liaison with Baron Balsan gives her an entree into French society and a chance to develop her gift for designing.

Themes

Class inequality, Women independence, Fashion as rebellion, Social status pressure, Self determination, Entrepreneurial ambition

Available on

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