oppressive backdrop

Movies with oppressive vibe

281. Freaks Out

Freaks Out
Adventure Fantasy Drama Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy
6.9
20212h 21minBelgium, Italy
Director: Gabriele Mainetti

Overview

Four super-powered circus freaks find themselves trapped in war-torn Rome after their foster father is captured by the Nazis.

Themes

Survival through solidarity, Hidden powers risk, Italian resistance dynamics, Power under control, Circus under occupation, Spectacle as weapon

Available on

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

282. The Power of the Dog

The Power of the Dog
Drama Western Revisionist Western Tragic Drama
6.8
20212h 7minAustralia, Canada
Director: Jane Campion

Overview

A domineering but charismatic rancher wages a war of intimidation on his brother's new wife and her teen son, until long-hidden secrets come to light.

Themes

Toxic masculinity, Gender roles, Mentor protégé dynamics, Repressed sexuality, Long-hidden secrets, Domineering authority

Available on

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

283. The Electrical Life of Louis Wain

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
Drama History Comedy Historical Drama Biographical History
6.8
20211h 51minUnited Kingdom
Director: Will Sharpe

Overview

The extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain, whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped to transform the public's perception of cats forever.

Themes

Creativity under constraint, Caregiving and loss, Economic precarity and debt, Illness and institutionalization, Public fame through art, Class bias and scandal

Available on

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

284. Lost Illusions

Lost Illusions
Drama Romance History Historical Drama Passionate Romance
7.4
20212h 29minBelgium, France
Director: Xavier Giannoli

Overview

Lucien de Rubempré, a young, lower-class poet, leaves his family's printing house for Paris. Soon, he learns the dark side of the arts business as he tries to stay true to his dreams.

Themes

Class inequality, Social climbing, Media manipulation, Artistic integrity under pressure, Deception in the arts economy, Precarious reputation

Available on

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

285. Vortex

Vortex
Drama Relationship Drama
7.4
20212h 22minBelgium, France
Director: Gaspar Noé

Overview

Lui, a struggling author with a heart condition, and his wife Elle, a retired psychiatrist, find their idyllic life shattered when Elle begins to succumb to the effects of dementia.

Themes

Alzheimer's disease burden, Elderly couple strain, Dementia dependency, Heart condition impact, End of life pressure, Drug addict legacy

Available on

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

286. The Last Duel

The Last Duel
History Drama Action Historical Event Historical Drama
7.3
20212h 33minUnited States
Director: Ridley Scott

Overview

King Charles VI declares that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire, Jacques Le Gris, by challenging him to a duel.

Themes

Class and land politics, Legal ritual and dueling culture, Patriarchal authority in marriage, Sexual violence and consent, Social judgment and reputation, Patronage and favoritism dynamics

Available on

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

287. Injustice

Injustice
Animation Science Fiction Fantasy Action Adult Animation
6.4
20211h 18minUnited States
Director: Matt Peters

Overview

When Lois Lane is killed, an unhinged Superman decides to take control of the Earth. Determined to stop him, Batman creates a team of freedom-fighting heroes. But when superheroes go to war, can the world survive?

Themes

Betrayal and shifting loyalties, Fear as political tool, Authoritarian peacekeeping, Post conflict reconstruction, Divided hero coalition, Mass casualty consequences

Available on

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

288. Parallel Mothers

Parallel Mothers
Drama Relationship Drama
7.1
20212h 3minSpain
Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Overview

Two unmarried women who have become pregnant by accident and are about to give birth meet in a hospital room: Janis, in her late-thirties, unrepentant and happy; Ana, a teenager, remorseful and frightened.

Themes

Deception and secrecy, Class and social expectations, Identity through motherhood, Maternal secrecy under pressure, Forensic memory and evidence, Betrayal and trust dynamics

Available on

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

289. My Best Friend Anne Frank

My Best Friend Anne Frank
History War Drama Biographical History Historical Drama
6.3
20211h 43minNetherlands
Director: Ben Sombogaart

Overview

Based on the real-life friendship between Anne Frank and Hannah Goslar, from Nazi-occupied Amsterdam to their harrowing reunion in a concentration camp.

Themes

Survival under occupation, Loss and separation, Fragile friendship under pressure, Children in wartime, Displacement and endurance, Hope amid upheaval

Available on

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

290. Dear Evan Hansen

Dear Evan Hansen
Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
6.1
20212h 17minJapan, United States
Director: Stephen Chbosky

Overview

Evan Hansen, a high schooler with social anxiety, unintentionally gets caught up in a lie after the family of a classmate who committed suicide mistakes one of Hansen’s letters for their son’s suicide note.

Themes

Grief processing, Mental health stigma, Peer pressure, Romance amid deception, Online rumor spread, Family dynamics strain

Available on

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