cynical backdrop

Movies with cynical vibe

Head in the Clouds

631. Head in the Clouds

Drama Romance War Historical Drama Bittersweet Romance
6.5

20042h 1min

Canada, United Kingdom

Director: John Duigan

Gilda Bessé shares her Paris apartment with an Irish schoolteacher, Guy Malyon, and Mia, a refugee from Spain. As the world drifts toward war, Gilda defiantly pursues her hedonistic lifestyle and her burgeoning career as a photographer. But Guy and Mia feel impelled to join the fight against fascism, and the three friends are separated.

Themes

Betrayal and trust, Class differences, Romance under pressure, Resistance vs collaboration, Diaspora and allegiance, Wartime loyalties

Available on

Plex Channel
Darkroom
IndiePix Unlimited Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Kill Bill: Vol. 2

632. Kill Bill: Vol. 2

Action Crime Thriller Epic Action Serial Killer Crime
8.0

20042h 16min

United States

Director: Quentin Tarantino

The Bride unwaveringly continues on her roaring rampage of revenge against the band of assassins who had tried to kill her and her unborn child. She visits each of her former associates one-by-one, checking off the victims on her Death List Five until there's nothing left to do … but kill Bill.

Themes

Revenge and justice, Vigilante justice, Mother daughter bonds, Sibling relationship under strain, Martial arts mastery, Survival under captivity, Training under mockery

Available on

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

Terkel in Trouble

633. Terkel in Trouble

Animation Comedy Mystery Thriller Family Animation
7.1

20041h 17min

Denmark

Director: Thorbjørn Christoffersen

6th-grader Terkel begins experiencing a streak of bad luck after sitting on a black spider. His teacher dies and is replaced by the strange Justin. At home, Terkel's Uncle Stewart erupts in sporadic fits of rage, and at school Terkel is bullied by two boys after they learn that fat Doris likes him. On a school camping trip, Terkel begins receiving death threats and must figure out who wants to kill him.

Themes

Peer loyalty under pressure, Bullying dynamics in school, Social isolation and anxiety, Unfair adult authority, Family dysfunction under stress, Danger from hidden agendas

Available on

Viaplay Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Bad Education

634. Bad Education

Drama Crime Historical Drama Narcotics Crime
7.4

20041h 45min

Spain

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

An examination on the effect of Franco-era religious schooling and sexual abuse on the lives of two longtime friends.

Themes

Institutional abuse in schooling, Sexual identity and performance, Deception within artistic collaboration, Power dynamics in mentorship, Trauma resurfacing and memory, Manipulation and blackmail in relationships

Available on

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

Coffee and Cigarettes

635. Coffee and Cigarettes

Comedy Drama Ensemble Comedy
7.0

20041h 37min

United States, Italy

Director: Jim Jarmusch

An anthology of eleven vignettes featuring star-studded casts of extremely unique individuals who all share the common activities of conversing while drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes.

Themes

Casual conversations under caffeine, Addiction and restraint, Coffee culture rituals, Fame and performativity, Music as social glue, Unfamiliar encounters

Available on

HBO Max
HBO Max Amazon Channel
Criterion Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Starsky & Hutch

636. Starsky & Hutch

Comedy Crime Buddy Comedy Undercover Sting Crime
6.1

20041h 41min

United States

Director: Todd Phillips

Join uptight David Starsky and laid-back Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson as they're paired for the first time as undercover cops. The new partners must overcome their differences to solve an important case with help from street informant Huggy Bear and persuasive criminal Reese Feldman.

Themes

Undercover deception, Partnership under pressure, Informant collaboration risk, Untraceable cocaine threat, Crime underworld exposure, Suspension and reconciliation

Available on

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

Employee of the Month

637. Employee of the Month

Action Comedy Workplace Comedy
6.1

20041h 38min

United States

Director: Mitch Rouse

"Employee of the Month" is about a guy whose day spirals from bad to worse when he gets fired from his dream job at the bank and is dumped by his fiancée Sara. David's best friend Jack tries to convince him it's for the best, but the opposite occurs when bank robberies and millions of dollars become part of his day from hell.

Themes

Loyalty under strain, Risk and consequence, Trust and betrayal, Economic pressure, Identity concealment, Deception within a scheme

Available on

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

Chasing Liberty

638. Chasing Liberty

Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy High-Concept Comedy
6.1

20041h 51min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Andy Cadiff

The President's daughter, unable to experience life like a normal 18 year-old, escapes from her entourage of Secret Service agents while traveling in Europe. She falls in love with a handsome British stranger, who also happens to be working undercover for her father.

Themes

Trust under pressure, Duty versus desire, Freedom under surveillance, Travel as rebellion, Deception and romance, Generational protection pressures

Available on

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

The Cooler

639. The Cooler

Romance Drama Bittersweet Romance Psychological Drama
6.9

20031h 41min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Wayne Kramer

Bernie works at a Las Vegas casino, where he uses his innate ability to bring about misfortune in those around him to jinx gamblers into losing. His imposing boss, Shelly Kaplow, is happy with the arrangement. But Bernie finds unexpected happiness when he begins dating attractive waitress Natalie Belisario.

Themes

Deception in romance, Casino dynamics, Bad luck manipulation, Card game stakes, Voyeurism tension, Drug abuse leverage

Available on

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

Kontroll

640. Kontroll

Comedy Crime Drama Thriller Serial Killer Crime
7.6

20031h 47min

Hungary

Director: Nimród Antal

A tale about a strange young man, Bulcsú, and the fellow ticket inspectors on his team who work aboard the subterranean Budapest Metro. A tale about racing along the tracks, and about a mysterious serial killer. And a tale about love.

Themes

Urban claustrophobic paranoia, Violence and anxiety in daily life, Rivalries and loyalties at work, Routine policing under pressure, Underground pursuit dynamics, Love amid danger

Available on

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