tense backdrop

Movies with tense vibe

The Death of Stalin

1421. The Death of Stalin

Comedy Drama History Satire Political Drama
7.3

20171h 47min

Belgium, Canada

Director: Armando Iannucci

When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains — just who is running the government?

Themes

Deception and betrayal, Power struggles within leadership, Succession pressure, Military influence in politics, Bureaucratic power play, Satirical portrayal of authoritarian governance

Available on

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

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

1422. The Killing of a Sacred Deer

Drama Thriller Mystery Mind Game Thriller Unreliable Perspective Mystery
7.0

20172h 1min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Dr. Steven Murphy is a renowned cardiovascular surgeon who presides over a spotless household with his wife and two children. Lurking at the margins of his idyllic suburban existence is Martin, a fatherless teen who insinuates himself into the doctor's life in gradually unsettling ways.

Themes

Coercive manipulation, Deception and trust, Power under pressure, Family under siege, Ethics of professional authority, Moral duty vs violence

Available on

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

Same Kind of Different as Me

1423. Same Kind of Different as Me

Drama Family Drama
6.6

20171h 59min

United States

Director: Michael Carney

International art dealer Ron Hall must befriend a dangerous homeless man in order to save his struggling marriage to his wife, a woman whose dreams will lead all three of them on the journey of their lives.

Themes

Illness and mortality, Homelessness and empathy, Class vs charity, Marriage resilience, Outsider inclusion, Storytelling as outreach

Available on

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

Wheelman

1424. Wheelman

Action Crime Thriller Vehicle-Driven Action Heist
6.4

20171h 22min

United States

Director: Jeremy Rush

A getaway driver for a bank robbery realizes he has been double crossed and races to find out who betrayed him.

Themes

Family protection under threat, Pursuit and escape, Urban crime networks, Professional isolation under pressure, Money as motive and risk, Betrayal and double-cross

Available on

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

1922

1425. 1922

Horror Crime Drama Psychological Horror Organized Crime
6.2

20171h 42min

United States

Director: Zak Hilditch

A simple yet proud rancher conspires to murder his wife for financial gain, convincing his teenage son to participate.

Themes

Deception sustains crime, Pride precedes ruin, Greed causes murder, Guilt haunts the living, Loyalty tested under strain, Consequences outlive the act

Available on

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

Cold Skin

1426. Cold Skin

Horror Fantasy Drama Monster Horror Dark Fantasy
6.0

20171h 46min

France, Spain

Director: Xavier Gens

A young man who arrives at a remote island finds himself trapped in a battle for his life.

Themes

Isolation and captivity, Power and domination, Survival under threat, Uneasy companionship, Resistance to rescue, Otherness and boundaries

Available on

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

Creep 2

1427. Creep 2

Horror Thriller Psychological Horror Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller
6.4

20171h 20min

United States

Director: Patrick Brice

After finding an ad online for “video work,” Sara, a video artist whose primary focus is creating intimacy with lonely men, thinks she may have found the subject of her dreams. She drives to a remote house in the forest and meets a man claiming to be a serial killer. Unable to resist the chance to create a truly shocking piece of art, she agrees to spend the day with him. However, as the day goes on, she discovers she may have dug herself into a hole from which she can’t escape.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Power dynamics and control, Voyeurism and consent, Ethics of documentary, Remote isolation danger, Media exploitation

Available on

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

Breathe

1428. Breathe

Drama Romance Tragic Drama Passionate Romance
7.2

20171h 58min

Switzerland, United Kingdom

Director: Andy Serkis

Based on the true story of Robin, a handsome, brilliant and adventurous man whose life takes a dramatic turn when polio leaves him paralyzed.

Themes

Based on true story, True story framing, Polio resilience, True story legacy, Biography inspired care, Polio driven innovation

Available on

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

The unconventional life of Dr. William Marston, the Harvard psychologist and inventor who helped invent the modern lie detector test and co-created Wonder Woman in 1941.

Themes

Media representation, Censorship and expression, Gender equality tensions, Nontraditional family structures, Social backlash and conformity, Feminist movement influence

Available on

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

The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)

1430. The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)

Comedy Drama Family Drama Awkward Comedy
6.9

20171h 52min

United States

Director: Noah Baumbach

An estranged family gathers together in New York for an event celebrating the artistic work of their father.

Themes

Intergenerational conflict, Aging and legacy, Caregiving burden, Art vs money, Family dysfunction under pressure, Private family decisions

Available on

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