tense backdrop

Movies with tense vibe

The Bélier Family

2041. The Bélier Family

Comedy Music Drama Narrative Musical Family Drama
7.3

20141h 45min

France

Director: Eric Lartigau

The whole Bélier family is deaf, except for sixteen year old Paula who is the important translator in her parents' day to day life especially when it comes to matters concerning the family farm. When her music teacher discovers she has a fantastic singing voice and she gets an opportunity to enter a big Radio France contest the whole family's future is set up for big changes.

Themes

Coming of age tension, Family duty versus ambition, Talent as identity, Deaf family dynamics, Communication as lifeline, Artistic aspiration vs obligation

Available on

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

Taken 3

2042. Taken 3

Thriller Action One-Person Army Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller
6.0

20141h 49min

France, United States

Director: Olivier Megaton

Ex-government operative Bryan Mills finds his life is shattered when he's falsely accused of a murder that hits close to home. As he's pursued by a savvy police inspector, Mills employs his particular set of skills to track the real killer and exact his unique brand of justice.

Themes

False accusation and pursuit, Protective father figure, Deception and exposure, Loyalties under pressure, Family safety versus risk, Restraint and justice

Available on

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

An ancient myth of a massive creature sparks the curiosity of Tinker Bell and her good friend Fawn, an animal fairy who’s not afraid to break the rules to help an animal in need. But this creature is not welcome in Pixie Hollow — and the scout fairies are determined to capture the mysterious beast, who they fear will destroy their home. Fawn must convince her fairy friends to risk everything to rescue the NeverBeast.

Themes

Leadership under pressure, Acceptance of difference, Care for misunderstood beings, Rules vs compassion, Protecting a shared home, Trust through empathy

Available on

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

Inherent Vice

2044. Inherent Vice

Drama Mystery Comedy Investigation Mystery Satire
6.6

20142h 29min

United States

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

In Los Angeles at the turn of the 1970s, drug-fueled detective Larry "Doc" Sportello investigates the disappearance of an ex-girlfriend.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Money as motive, Drug trade networks, Counterculture disillusionment, Militia intrigue and power, Frame and deception

Available on

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

Top Five

2045. Top Five

Drama Comedy Romance Satire Romantic Comedy
6.4

20141h 42min

United States

Director: Chris Rock

Though he began in stand-up comedy, Andre Allen hit the big-time as the star of a trilogy of action-comedies about a talking bear but now he wants to be taken seriously. His passion project about the Haitian Revolution, a movie called Uprize, was panned by the NY Times film critic. A couple days before the wedding to his reality star fiancée, he's forced to spend the day with Chelsea Brown, a profile writer for the New York Times. Unexpectedly, he opens up to her, and as they wind their way across New York, he tries to get back in touch with his comedic roots.

Themes

Media scrutiny, Marriage expectations, Addiction and recovery, Career vs criticism, Celebrity image pressure, Artistic authenticity vs fame

Available on

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

Timbuktu

2046. Timbuktu

Drama War Political Drama Modern Conflicts
7.1

20141h 36min

France

Director: Abderrahmane Sissako

Just outside of the Malian city of Timbuktu, now occupied by militant Islamic rebels who impose the Sharia on civilians and inconvenience their daily life, a cattleman kills a fisherman.

Themes

Authority and accountability, Punishment and control, Religious coercion, Cultural survival under occupation, Civilian vulnerability in war, State-imposed rules

Available on

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

The Last: Naruto the Movie

2047. The Last: Naruto the Movie

Action Romance Animation Epic Action Romantic Epic
7.6

20141h 54min

Japan

Director: Tsuneo Kobayashi

Two years after the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War, the moon that Hagoromo Otsutsuki created long ago to seal away the Gedo Statue begins to descend towards the world, threatening to become a meteor that would destroy everything on impact. Amidst this crisis, a direct descendant of Kaguya Otsutsuki named Toneri Otsutsuki attempts to kidnap Hinata Hyuga but ends up abducting her younger sister Hanabi. Naruto and his allies now mount a rescue mission before finding themselves embroiled in a final battle to decide the fate of everything.

Themes

Power and control, Duty vs loyalty, Trust under manipulation, Rescue mission ethics, Moon as looming threat, Legacy burden

Available on

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

Still Alice

2048. Still Alice

Drama Psychological Drama
7.5

20141h 41min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Richard Glatzer

Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children, is a renowned linguistics professor who starts to forget words. When she receives a devastating diagnosis, Alice and her family find their bonds tested.

Themes

Caregiving within illness, Memory erosion in aging, Professional identity under strain, Genetic risk and testing, Communication challenges within a family, Caregiving boundaries and roles

Available on

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

Black Sea

2049. Black Sea

Adventure Drama Thriller Treasure Hunt Survival Thriller
6.4

20141h 55min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Kevin Macdonald

A rogue submarine captain pulls together a misfit crew to go after a sunken treasure rumored to be lost in the depths of the Black Sea. As greed and desperation take control on-board their claustrophobic vessel, the increasing uncertainty of the mission causes the men to turn on each other to fight for their own survival.

Themes

Trust under pressure, Betrayal and manipulation, Risk and consequence, Greed vs survival, Cross-cultural crew dynamics, Isolation and claustrophobia

Available on

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

Life Partners

2050. Life Partners

Romance Comedy Romantic Comedy Awkward Comedy
6.2

20141h 35min

United States

Director: Susanna Fogel

A 29-year-old lawyer and her lesbian best friend experience a dramatic shift in their longtime bond after one enters a serious relationship.

Themes

Family pressure, Career vs relationship, Social expectations in dating, Romance vs friendship, Jealousy and exclusion, Ambition and identity

Available on

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