cynical backdrop

Movies with cynical vibe

Emily the Criminal

101. Emily the Criminal

Crime Drama Thriller Con Artist Crime Mind Game Thriller
6.7

20221h 37min

United States

Director: John Patton Ford

Desperate for income, Emily takes a shady gig buying goods with stolen credit cards supplied by a charismatic middleman named Youcef. Seduced by the quick cash and illicit thrills, they hatch a plan to take their business to the next level.

Themes

Debt as leverage, Deception and manipulation, Economic desperation, Illicit economy and risk, Crime as survival, Ambition vs legality

Available on

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

Day Shift

102. Day Shift

Action Fantasy Horror Comedy Thriller
6.1

20221h 53min

United States

Director: J.J. Perry

An LA vampire hunter has a week to come up with the cash to pay for his kid's tuition and braces. Trying to make a living these days just might kill him.

Themes

Loyalty vs obligation, Institutional power vs individuals, Economic pressure on families, Protecting loved ones under threat, Violence as survival, Manipulation of rules

Available on

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

Bullet Train

103. Bullet Train

Action Comedy Thriller Vehicle-Driven Action Dark Comedy
7.3

20222h 6min

United States

Director: David Leitch

A hitman plagued by a streak of bad luck is assigned to retrieve a suitcase aboard a Japanese high-speed train. However, the job becomes far more complicated when he discovers that five other assassins on the train are connected to the same mission.

Themes

Deception under pressure, Fragile alliances, Interwoven loyalties, Conflicting objectives, High speed chaos, Crime world power plays

Available on

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

Not Okay

104. Not Okay

Comedy Drama Satire Entertainment Industry Drama
6.1

20221h 43min

United States

Director: Quinn Shephard

An ambitious young woman, desperate for followers and fame, fakes a trip to Paris to up her social media presence. When a terrifying incident takes place in the real world and becomes part of her imaginary trip, her white lie becomes a moral quandary that offers her all the attention she’s wanted.

Themes

Social media performativity, Online shaming consequences, Viral notoriety, Performative deception, Fame versus integrity, Ethical boundaries of influence

Available on

Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Alienoid

105. Alienoid

Science Fiction Action Fantasy Adventure Time Travel Sci-Fi
6.3

20222h 22min

South Korea

Director: Choi Dong-hoon

Gurus in the late Goryeo dynasty try to obtain a fabled, holy sword, and humans in 2022 hunt down an alien prisoner that is locked in a human's body. The two parties cross paths when a time-traveling portal opens up.

Themes

Duty across eras, Hidden hosts and memory loss, Intertemporal conflict, Pursuit of a divine blade, Power source as weapon, Humanity under haava threat

Available on

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

Elvis

106. Elvis

Drama Music History Historical Drama Music Biopic
7.3

20222h 39min

Australia, United States

Director: Baz Luhrmann

The life story of Elvis Presley as seen through the complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

Themes

Image versus authenticity, Financial leverage and debt, Power dynamics in management, Career ascent vs control, Artist exploitation risks, Public scrutiny and polarization, Family tensions and loyalty

Available on

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

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

107. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Action Comedy Crime Satire Con Artist Crime
7.0

20221h 47min

United States

Director: Tom Gormican

Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, Nick Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones.

Themes

Class inequality, Deception and manipulation, Moral compromise, Performative identity, Risk and loyalty, Organized crime and corruption, Commodification of fame

Available on

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

The Bad Guys

108. The Bad Guys

Family Comedy Crime Adventure Animation
6.9

20221h 40min

United States

Director: Pierre Perifel

When the Bad Guys, a crew of criminal animals, are finally caught after years of heists and being the world’s most-wanted villains, Mr. Wolf brokers a deal to save them all from prison.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Societal expectations, Loyalty versus betrayal, Group cohesion under pressure, Public perception vs reform, Agency through action

Available on

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

The Contractor

109. The Contractor

Action Thriller Military Action Political Thriller
5.8

20221h 43min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Tarik Saleh

After being involuntarily discharged from the U.S. Special Forces, James Harper decides to support his family by joining a private contracting organization alongside his best friend and under the command of a fellow veteran. Overseas on a covert mission, Harper must evade those trying to kill him while making his way back home.

Themes

"movie: the contractor. genres: action, Thriller, Action, Thriller main themes: mission, Berlin, Germany, Betrayal, Mission, Berlin, Germany, Betrayal full keywords list: mission, Berlin, Germany, Betrayal, Debt, Best friend, Veteran, National security, Military discharge, Black ops, Ex military, Family man, Ex special forces, Reconnaissance, Terrorist threat, Private contractor, Army veteran, Airborne ranger, Covert mission. concept analysis: the film explores themes of betrayal and the moral complexities of loyalty in the face of corruption. it highlights the personal cost of war and the struggle for redemption amidst a backdrop of violence and deception."

Available on

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

The Weekend Away

110. The Weekend Away

Thriller Mystery Investigation Suspense Investigation Mystery
5.7

20221h 30min

United Kingdom

Director: Kim Farrant

When her best friend vanishes during a girls' trip to Croatia, Beth races to figure out what happened. But each clue yields another unsettling deception.

Themes

"movie: the weekend away. genres: thriller, Mystery, Thriller, Mystery main themes: infidelity, Based on novel or book, Croatia, Infidelity, Based on novel or book, Croatia full keywords list: infidelity, Based on novel or book, Croatia, Murder, Memory loss, Club, Weekend getaway. concept analysis: the film explores themes of betrayal and the fragility of trust within relationships, Highlighting how hidden truths can lead to devastating consequences. it also examines the lengths one will go to protect their secrets, Ultimately questioning the morality of love and loyalty."

Available on

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