tense backdrop

Movies with tense vibe

The Upside

1141. The Upside

Comedy Drama Buddy Comedy Family Drama
7.1

20192h 6min

United States

Director: Neil Burger

Phillip is a wealthy quadriplegic who needs a caretaker to help him with his day-to-day routine in his New York penthouse. He decides to hire Dell, a struggling parolee who's trying to reconnect with his ex and his young son. Despite coming from two different worlds, an unlikely friendship starts to blossom.

Themes

Class differences, Social difference tension, Disability and independence, Friendship across worlds, Caregiver and employer bond, Art as transformation, Pursuit of purpose

Available on

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

Polaroid

1142. Polaroid

Horror Mystery Thriller Supernatural Horror Whodunit
5.2

20191h 28min

Canada, Norway

Director: Lars Klevberg

High school loner Bird Fitcher has no idea what dark secrets are tied to the mysterious Polaroid vintage camera she stumbles upon, but it doesn't take long to discover that those who have their picture taken meet a tragic end. Bird and her friends must survive one more night as they race to solve the mystery of the haunted Polaroid before it kills them all.

Themes

"movie: polaroid. genres: horror, Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Mystery, Thriller main themes: high school, 1970s, Camera, High school, 1970s, Camera full keywords list: high school, 1970s, Camera, Undead, Antique, Polaroid, Polaroid camera, Haunted. concept analysis: the film explores the consequences of trauma and the haunting nature of guilt, As characters confront their past actions and the ripple effects they have on others. it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unresolved grief and the cycle of violence that can ensue from it."

Available on

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

The Vanishing

1143. The Vanishing

Thriller Mystery Survival Thriller Investigation Mystery
5.9

20191h 48min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Kristoffer Nyholm

Three lighthouse keepers on an uninhabited island off the coast of Scotland discover something that isn't theirs to keep.

Themes

"movie: the vanishing. genres: thriller, Mystery, Thriller, Mystery main themes: scotland, Shipwreck, Affectation, Scotland, Shipwreck, Affectation full keywords list: scotland, Shipwreck, Affectation, Lighthouse, Based on true story, Lighthouse keeper, Remote island, Curious, Vanished, 1900s, Complex, Anxious, Furious, Adoring, Ambiguous, Antagonistic, Audacious, Complicated, Dubious, Euphoric, Ghoulish. concept analysis: the film explores the corrosive effects of guilt and the moral dilemmas faced in extreme isolation. it serves as a meditation on how desperation can lead individuals to betray their own humanity."

Available on

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

Rust Creek

1144. Rust Creek

Thriller Drama Action Crime Survival Thriller
5.9

20191h 48min

United States

Director: Jen McGowan

When an overachieving college senior makes a wrong turn, her road trip becomes a life-changing fight for survival in rural Kentucky.

Themes

"movie: rust creek. genres: thriller, Drama, Action, Crime, Thriller, Drama, Action, Crime main themes: sheriff, Kentucky, Woods, Sheriff, Kentucky, Woods full keywords list: sheriff, Kentucky, Woods, Survival, Murder, Meth lab, Woman director, Corrupt police, Rural america, Criminal enterprise. concept analysis: the film explores the themes of survival against overwhelming odds and the moral complexities of human nature when faced with desperation. it highlights the struggle for autonomy and the fight against both physical and societal threats in a hostile environment."

Available on

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

Giant Little Ones

1145. Giant Little Ones

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.2

20191h 33min

Canada, United States

Director: Keith Behrman

Two popular teen boys, best friends since childhood, discover their lives, families, and girlfriends dramatically upended after an unexpected incident occurs on the night of a 17th birthday party.

Themes

Coming of age tensions, Homophobia stigma, Sexuality pressure, Bullying exclusion, Best friend conflict, Divorced parents tensions

Available on

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

Escape Room

1146. Escape Room

Horror Thriller Mystery Survival Thriller Locked-Room Mystery
6.4

20191h 39min

United States

Director: Adam Robitel

Six strangers find themselves in circumstances beyond their control, and must use their wits to survive.

Themes

Group dynamics under pressure, Deception and control, Puzzle based survival, Spectator driven risk, Echoes of trauma, Targeted by design

Available on

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

Piercing

1147. Piercing

Horror Thriller Psychological Horror Erotic Thriller
5.5

20191h 22min

France, United States

Director: Nicolas Pesce

After kissing his wife and baby goodbye for a seemingly normal business trip, Reed checks himself into a hotel room to accomplish something he’s always dreamed of: the perfect murder. As his sinister plans unfold, he soon realizes he might be in over his head with a mysteriously unhinged call girl named Jackie.

Themes

"movie: piercing. genres: horror, Thriller, Horror, Thriller main themes: hotel, Prostitute, Based on novel or book, Hotel, Prostitute, Based on novel or book full keywords list: hotel, Prostitute, Based on novel or book, Diary, Hallucination, Surrealism, Escort service, Hospital, Psychological thriller, Married man, Apartment, Violence. concept analysis: the film delves into the duality of human nature, Exploring the thin line between desire and violence. it presents a harrowing examination of psychological turmoil and the lengths one might go to confront their darkest impulses."

Available on

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

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

1148. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

Science Fiction Mystery Drama Horror TV Movie
7.1

20181h 30min

United Kingdom

Director: David Slade

In 1984, a young programmer begins to question reality as he adapts a dark fantasy novel into a video game. A mind-bending tale with multiple endings.

Themes

Free will under pressure, External manipulation of agency, Technology-driven control through choice, Work life conflict, Surveillance and monitoring, Perception shaped by simulation


Vice

1149. Vice

Drama Comedy Political Drama Satire
7.2

20182h 12min

United States

Director: Adam McKay

George W. Bush picks Dick Cheney, the CEO of Halliburton Co., to be his Republican running mate in the 2000 presidential election. No stranger to politics, Cheney's impressive résumé includes stints as White House chief of staff, House Minority Whip and Defense Secretary. When Bush wins by a narrow margin, Cheney begins to use his newfound power to help reshape the country and the world.

Themes

Political ascent under pressure, War on terror power, Unitary executive theory influence, White house power, Iraq war policy control, Gulf war diplomacy, Plame affair exposure

Available on

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

Welcome to Marwen

1150. Welcome to Marwen

Drama Comedy Psychological Drama
6.2

20181h 56min

Canada, Japan

Director: Robert Zemeckis

When a devastating attack shatters Mark Hogancamp and wipes away all memories, no one expected recovery. Putting together pieces from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town named Marwen where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation — a testament to the most powerful women he knows — through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one.

Themes

Memory loss and recovery, Fantasy as coping mechanism, Art-based healing, Delusions and mental illness, Art installation as therapy, Resilience after trauma

Available on

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