tense backdrop

Movies with tense vibe

The Words

2551. The Words

Drama Thriller Entertainment Industry Drama Mind Game Thriller
7.0

20121h 36min

United States

Director: Brian Klugman

The Words follows young writer Rory Jansen who finally achieves long sought after literary success after publishing the next great American novel. There's only one catch - he didn't write it. As the past comes back to haunt him and his literary star continues to rise, Jansen is forced to confront the steep price that must be paid for stealing another man's work, and for placing ambition and success above life's most fundamental three words.

Themes

Memory and loss, Integrity under pressure, Authorship and ownership, Deception and ambition, Fame at any cost, Blurred boundaries between life and fiction

Available on

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

Girl Most Likely

2552. Girl Most Likely

Comedy Dark Comedy
5.7

20121h 43min

United States

Director: Robert Pulcini

A failed New York playwright stages a suicide in an attempt to win back her ex, only to wind up in the custody of her gambling-addict mother.

Themes

Creative resilience under setback, Family influence shapes choices, Deception fuels performance, Ambition versus talent, Career failure drives reinvention, Absent father figure

Available on

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

Wrong

2553. Wrong

Comedy Mystery Awkward Comedy Mindbender Mystery
6.2

20121h 33min

United States, France

Director: Quentin Dupieux

Dolph Springer wakes up one morning to realize he has lost the love of his life, his dog, Paul. During his quest to get Paul (and his life) back, Dolph radically changes the lives of others -- risking his sanity all the while.

Themes

Consequences of obsession, Craving normalcy under pressure, Disruption of daily life, Responsibility amid chaos, Surreal intrusion into ordinary spaces, Impact on others through actions

Available on

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

Cockneys vs Zombies

2554. Cockneys vs Zombies

Action Comedy Horror Thriller Zombie Horror
5.9

20121h 28min

United Kingdom

Director: Matthias Hoene

A group of Cockneys arm themselves to rescue their elderly relative and his retirement home friends who are trapped and fighting off a zombie attack during a zombie apocalypse in the East End of London.

Themes

Trust under pressure, Protecting vulnerable elders, Group loyalty vs self-interest, Urban crisis resilience, Resource scarcity and theft, Survival through collective effort

Available on

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

Fire with Fire

2555. Fire with Fire

Action Crime Drama Thriller Undercover Sting Crime
5.6

20121h 37min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: David Barrett

A fireman takes an unexpected course of action when a man whom he's been ordered to testify against—after being held up at a local convenience store—threatens him.

Themes

Trust under pressure, Witness protection strain, Duty versus danger, Legal maneuvering, Violence escalation under threat, Identity erasure anxiety

Available on

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

The Possession

2556. The Possession

Horror Thriller Supernatural Horror Domestic Thriller
5.9

20121h 32min

United States, Canada

Director: Ole Bornedal

A young girl buys an antique box at a yard sale, unaware that inside the collectible lives a malicious ancient spirit. The girl's father teams with his ex-wife to find a way to end the curse upon their child.

Themes

Family loyalty under exorcism threat, Dybbuk box paranoia, Exorcism ritual pressure, Divorce-driven dybbuk box strain, Possession dybbuk box tests trust, Knowledge vs superstition exorcism

Available on

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

Lawless

2557. Lawless

Crime Drama Western Organized Crime Historical Drama
7.2

20121h 55min

United States

Director: John Hillcoat

In 1931, the Bondurant brothers of Franklin County, Virginia, run a multipurpose backwoods establishment that hides their true business — bootlegging. Middle brother Forrest is the brain of the operation; older Howard is the brawn, and younger Jack, the lookout. Though the local police have taken bribes and left the brothers alone, a violent war erupts when a sadistic lawman from Chicago arrives and tries to shut down the Bondurants operation.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Violence as control, Corruption and bribery, Prohibition era crime, Front business deception, Transition to legitimacy

Available on

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

Starship Troopers: Invasion

2558. Starship Troopers: Invasion

Animation Action Science Fiction Military Action Alien Invasion Sci-Fi
5.8

20121h 29min

Japan, United States

Director: Shinji Aramaki

The troopers of two starships have joined forces to terminate a massive bug attack at a Federation outpost. Before the mission can be completed and the survivors evacuated, one ship abruptly departs and goes inexplicably dark. The remaining battle-hardened troopers race to the rescue only to discover that the threat from the bugs is about to hit home.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Solidarity under pressure, Authority versus survival, Technology dependence under threat, Crisis leadership under fire, Control versus autonomy

Available on

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

Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins

2559. Rurouni Kenshin Part I: Origins

Adventure Action Fantasy War History
7.4

20122h 14min

Japan

Director: Keishi Otomo

In 1868, after the Bakumatsu war ends, the ex-assassin Kenshin Himura traverses Japan with an inverted sword, to defend the needy without killing.

Themes

Trauma from violence, Restraint in violence, Protecting the vulnerable, Duty vs mercy, Oppression by wealth, Loyalty and crime

Available on

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

Kon-Tiki

2560. Kon-Tiki

Adventure History Exploration Adventure Biographical History
7.1

20121h 58min

Denmark, Germany

Director: Joachim Rønning

The true story about legendary explorer Thor Heyerdahl and his epic crossing of the Pacific on a balsa wood raft in 1947, in an effort to prove it was possible for South Americans to settle in Polynesia in pre-Columbian times.

Themes

Risk and resilience, Ambition vs tradition, Theory vs evidence, Cross-cultural contact anxiety, Collective effort under pressure, Science vs belief

Available on

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