cynical backdrop

Movies with cynical vibe

Calvary

381. Calvary

Drama Tragic Drama
7.4

20141h 41min

Ireland, United Kingdom

Director: John Michael McDonagh

Overview

After being threatened during a confession, a good-natured priest must battle the dark forces closing in around him.

Themes

Institutional failure fuels isolation, Doubt within faith, Abuse legacy and accountability, Community grievances and blame, Violence refracts justice, Wealth detachment and moral decay

Available on

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

Better Living Through Chemistry

382. Better Living Through Chemistry

Drama Comedy Dark Comedy
6.2

20141h 31min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: David Posamentier

Overview

A straight-laced pharmacist's uneventful life spirals out of control when he starts an affair with a trophy wife customer who takes him on a joyride involving sex, drugs and possibly murder.

Themes

Deception in relationships, Wealth and control dynamics, Risk and moral compromise, Social aspiration and emptiness, Desire and consequence, Transformation through chemistry

Available on

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

The Grand Budapest Hotel

383. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Comedy Drama Satire Historical Drama
8.1

20141h 40min

United States, Germany

Director: Wes Anderson

Overview

The Grand Budapest Hotel tells of a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars and his friendship with a young employee who becomes his trusted protégé. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting, the battle for an enormous family fortune and the slow and then sudden upheavals that transformed Europe during the first half of the 20th century.

Themes

Class inequality, Social climbing, Deception and betrayal, Loyalty under pressure, Ownership and control, Institutional influence

Available on

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

Date and Switch

384. Date and Switch

Comedy Buddy Comedy
5.7

20141h 31min

United States

Director: Chris Nelson

Overview

Two guys who make a pact to lose their virginity before prom find their friendship tested when one of them comes out of the closet.

Themes

Loyalty under strain, Deception and exposure, Coming-out pressure, Public judgment of sexuality, Identity vs friendship, Self-acceptance under pressure

Available on

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

Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead

385. Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead

Horror Action Comedy Zombie Horror Parody
6.8

20141h 40min

Iceland, Norway

Director: Tommy Wirkola

Overview

The gruesome Nazi Zombies are back to finish their mission, but our hero is not willing to die. He is gathering his own army to give them a final fight.

Themes

Loyalty under strain, Gore as spectacle, Sequel escalation, Enduring threat of nazi zombies, Nazi zombies threaten communities, Aftercreditsstinger tension

Available on

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

Endless Love

386. Endless Love

Drama Romance Passionate Romance Relationship Drama
6.2

20141h 43min

United States

Director: Shana Feste

Overview

A girl from a wealthy family falls for an ordinary guy. Her father and the big gap in their families’ social status immediately create serious obstacles for the relationship.

Themes

Loyalty under strain, Intergenerational conflict, Forbidden romance, Parental pressure, Privilege and control, Youth autonomy under scrutiny

Available on

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

The Pretty One

387. The Pretty One

Comedy Drama Relationship Drama Dark Comedy
6.3

20141h 30min

United States

Director: Jenée LaMarque

Overview

When her idolized twin sister Audrey dies in a car accident, Laurel decides to take her place. But, as she eases into the life she has always wanted, she must decide between continuing the lie or revealing herself.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Appearance vs self, Social performance under scrutiny, Twin sister dynamics, Family longing and belonging, Accident-driven deception

Available on

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

The Monuments Men

388. The Monuments Men

War Drama History Action World War II
6.1

20141h 58min

Germany, United States

Director: George Clooney

Overview

Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, The Monuments Men is an action drama focusing on seven over-the-hill, out-of-shape museum directors, artists, architects, curators, and art historians who went to the front lines of WWII to rescue the world’s artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their rightful owners. With the art hidden behind enemy lines, how could these guys hope to succeed?

Themes

Shared labor across disciplines, Cultural heritage under threat, Duty in wartime, Power dynamics in occupation, Moral ambiguity of rescue, Restitution and ownership

Available on

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

The Voices

389. The Voices

Comedy Crime Horror Fantasy Dark Comedy
6.3

20141h 44min

Germany, United States

Director: Marjane Satrapi

Overview

A mentally unhinged factory worker must decide whether to listen to his talking cat and become a killer, or follow his dog's advice to keep striving for normalcy.

Themes

Voices guiding behavior, Therapy and medication, Mental illness pressures, Dual impulses and control, Pursuit of normalcy, Family trauma legacy

Available on

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

The Nut Job

390. The Nut Job

Animation Comedy Family Adventure Family Animation
5.7

20141h 25min

Canada, South Korea

Director: Peter Lepeniotis

Overview

Surly, a curmudgeon, independent squirrel is banished from his park and forced to survive in the city. Lucky for him, he stumbles on the one thing that may be able to save his life, and the rest of park community, as they gear up for winter - Maury's Nut Store.

Themes

Villain leadership challenge, Heist as social conflict, Park resource competition, Squirrel outsider resilience, Community rebuilding after exile, Deception within criminal world

Available on

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