cynical backdrop

Movies with cynical vibe

Starbuck

471. Starbuck

Comedy Dark Comedy
7.2

20111h 43min

Canada

Director: Ken Scott

Overview

David Wozniak is a perpetual adolescent who discovers that, as a sperm donor, he has fathered 533 children. He is advised that more than 100 of his offspring are trying to force the fertility clinic to reveal the true identity of "Starbuck," the pseudonym he used when donating his sperm. To make matters worse, his girlfriend Valérie is pregnant with his child, but doesn't feel that he is mature enough to be a father.

Themes

Unplanned fatherhood pressure, Privacy versus exposure, Legal action and settlements, Debt driven risk taking, Donor offspring solidarity, Redefinition of family

Available on

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

Horrible Bosses

472. Horrible Bosses

Comedy Crime Dark Comedy Con Artist Crime
6.9

20111h 38min

United States

Director: Seth Gordon

Overview

For Nick, Kurt and Dale, the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con, the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers... permanently.

Themes

Moral compromise under pressure, Abusive workplace dynamics, Workplace harassment, Illegal schemes and deception, Complicity under pressure, Power dynamics in employment

Available on

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

The Guard

473. The Guard

Action Comedy Thriller Crime Buddy Action
7.3

20111h 36min

Ireland, United Kingdom

Director: John Michael McDonagh

Overview

When a small-town Irish cop with a crass personality is partnered with a straight-laced FBI agent to bust an international drug-trafficking ring, they must settle their differences in order to take down a dangerous gang.

Themes

Deception and misdirection, Duty vs loyalty, Local policing and corruption, Shadow networks within ranks, Violence as consequence

Available on

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

Bad Teacher

474. Bad Teacher

Comedy Satire
5.7

20111h 32min

United States

Director: Jake Kasdan

Overview

A lazy, incompetent middle school teacher who hates her job and her students is forced to return to her job to make enough money for a boob job after her rich fiancé dumps her.

Themes

Deception in the workplace, Money-driven decisions, Power dynamics and status, Moral ambiguity in education, Appearance vs integrity, Selfish ambition

Available on

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

Midnight in Paris

475. Midnight in Paris

Fantasy Comedy Romance Time-Rule Fantasy Fantasy Romance
7.6

20111h 34min

France, Spain

Director: Woody Allen

Overview

While on a trip to Paris with his fiancée's family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight.

Themes

Nostalgia vs reality, Artistic longing, Past-era idealization, Time travel longing, Creative ambition vs relationship, Romance vs commitment

Available on

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

The Ledge

476. The Ledge

Drama Thriller Mind Game Thriller Relationship Drama
6.5

20111h 41min

United States, Germany

Director: Matthew Chapman

Overview

A thriller in which a battle of philosophies between a fundamentalist Christian and an atheist escalates into a lethal battle of wills.

Themes

Infidelity and loyalty, Battle of beliefs, Family duty vs faith, Public coercion and risk, Moral tension under scrutiny, Betrayal and consequences

Available on

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

Hanna

477. Hanna

Action Thriller Adventure Spy Action Survival Thriller
6.7

20111h 51min

Germany, United States

Director: Joe Wright

Overview

Raised by her father, an ex-CIA agent, in the wilds of Finland, Hanna's upbringing has been geared to making her the perfect assassin. Sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys across Europe, eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative. As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence.

Themes

Deception and loyalty, Female empowerment, Training under pressure, Secret program ethics, Agency under manipulation, Parentage and belonging

Available on

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

Submarine

478. Submarine

Drama Comedy Romance Coming-of-Age Drama Bittersweet Romance
7.3

20111h 37min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Richard Ayoade

Overview

15-year-old deep-thinking Welsh schoolboy Oliver Tate struggles to initiate and maintain a relationship with Jordana, his devilish, dark-haired classmate at their Swansea high school. As his parents' marriage begins to fall apart, similar problems arise in his relationship with Jordana.

Themes

Coming of age, Peer pressure and belonging, Parental strain, Secret romance dynamics, Family instability and trust, Bullying and reputation

Available on

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

The Adjustment Bureau

479. The Adjustment Bureau

Science Fiction Thriller Romance Simulation & Reality-Shift Sci-Fi Political Thriller
7.0

20111h 46min

United States

Director: George Nolfi

Overview

A man glimpses the future Fate has planned for him – and chooses to fight for his own destiny. Battling the powerful Adjustment Bureau across, under and through the streets of New York, he risks his destined greatness to be with the only woman he's ever loved.

Themes

Free will vs plan, Time and fate, Destiny vs choice, Covert control, Power and ambition, Personal agency under manipulation

Available on

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

Drive Angry

480. Drive Angry

Fantasy Thriller Action Crime Supernatural Fantasy
5.4

20111h 44min

United States

Director: Patrick Lussier

Overview

Milton is a hardened felon who has broken out of Hell, intent on finding the vicious cult who brutally murdered his daughter and kidnapped her baby. He joins forces with a sexy, tough-as-nails waitress, who's also seeking redemption of her own. Caught in a deadly race against time, Milton has three days to avoid capture, avenge his daughter's death, and save her baby before she's mercilessly sacrificed by the cult.

Themes

Survival under threat, Deception and impersonation, Race against time, Redemption arc, Revenge via violence, Supernatural punishment

Available on

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