tense backdrop

Movies with tense vibe

Robot & Frank

2561. Robot & Frank

Science Fiction Comedy Drama Crime AI Sci-Fi
7.0

20121h 29min

United States

Director: Jake Schreier

Curmudgeonly old Frank lives by himself. His routine involves daily visits to his local library, where he has a twinkle in his eye for the librarian. His grown children are concerned about their father’s well-being and buy him a caretaker robot. Initially resistant to the idea, Frank soon appreciates the benefits of robotic support – like nutritious meals and a clean house – and eventually begins to treat his robot like a true companion. With his robot’s assistance, Frank’s passion for his old, unlawful profession is reignited, for better or worse.

Themes

Family obligation vs autonomy, Trust and manipulation, Ageing and care, Crime as bonding, Technology as companion, Memory and autonomy

Available on

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

Premium Rush

2562. Premium Rush

Crime Action Thriller Organized Crime Vehicle-Driven Action
6.5

20121h 31min

United States

Director: David Koepp

In Manhattan, a bike messenger picks up an envelope that attracts the interest of a dirty cop, who pursues the cyclist throughout the city.

Themes

Identity under pressure, Urban corruption and pursuit, Deception and shifting loyalties, Street networks and mob influence, Law versus street justice, Risk vs reward in pursuit

Available on

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

Compliance

2563. Compliance

Drama Thriller Mind Game Thriller Psychological Drama
6.4

20121h 30min

United States

Director: Craig Zobel

On a particularly busy day at a suburban Ohio fast food restaurant, manager Sandra receives a phone call from a police officer saying that an employee has stolen money from a customer.

Themes

Power dynamics, Surveillance and control, Social pressure, Workplace coercion, Obedience to authority, Ethical ambiguity

Available on

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

The Conspiracy

2564. The Conspiracy

Thriller Horror Cover-Up Thriller Psychological Horror
6.2

20121h 25min

Canada

Director: Christopher MacBride

A documentary about conspiracy theories takes a horrific turn after the filmmakers uncover an ancient and dangerous secret society.

Themes

Media manipulation, Secret society influence, Paranoia and investigation, Found footage realism, Disappearance and surveillance, Infiltration and deception

Available on

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

Broken

2565. Broken

Drama Tragic Drama
7.2

20121h 31min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Rufus Norris

Three suburban English families' lives intertwine with tragic consequences.

Themes

Family dynamics, Mental health stigma, Bullying and social pressure, False accusations and consequences, Diabetes under stress, Parental relationship tension

Available on

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

Hit & Run

2566. Hit & Run

Action Comedy Romance Vehicle-Driven Action Buddy Comedy
6.1

20121h 40min

United States

Director: David Palmer

When former getaway driver Charlie Bronson jeopardises his Witness Protection Plan identity in order to help his girlfriend get to Los Angeles, the feds and Charlie's former gang chase them on the road.

Themes

Trust under surveillance, Romance under threat, Deception under pressure, Pursuit and escape, Loyalty versus betrayal, Protective identity pressure

Available on

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

The Seasoning House

2567. The Seasoning House

Horror Psychological Horror
6.1

20121h 29min

United Kingdom

Director: Paul Hyett

The Seasoning House - where young girls are prostituted to the military. An orphaned deaf mute is enslaved to care for them. She moves between the walls and crawlspaces, planning her escape. Planning her ingenious and brutal revenge.

Themes

Resilience through solidarity, Survival under surveillance, Violence as control, Gendered exploitation, Power and profit, Oppression in captivity

Available on

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

Side by Side

2568. Side by Side

Documentary Biographical Documentary
7.6

20121h 39min

United States

Director: Christopher Kenneally

Since the invention of cinema, the standard format for recording moving images has been film. Over the past two decades, a new form of digital filmmaking has emerged, creating a groundbreaking evolution in the medium. Keanu Reeves explores the development of cinema and the impact of digital filmmaking via in-depth interviews with Hollywood masters, such as James Cameron, David Fincher, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Steven Soderbergh, and many more.

Themes

Digital vs film, Future vision, Artistic revolution, Workflows and craft, Artistic legacy, Technological impact

Available on

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

No

2569. No

Drama History Historical Drama Political History
7.4

20121h 58min

Chile, United States

Director: Pablo Larraín

In 1988, Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet, due to international pressure, is forced to call a plebiscite on his presidency. The country will vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to Pinochet extending his rule for another eight years. Opposition leaders for the ‘No’ vote persuade a brash young advertising executive, René Saavedra, to spearhead their campaign. Against all odds, with scant resources and while under scrutiny by the despot’s minions, Saavedra and his team devise an audacious plan to win the election and set Chile free.

Themes

Democracy under pressure, Oppression under scrutiny, Referendum branding, Propaganda as civic tool, Legitimacy through advertising, Mass messaging and turnout

Available on

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

The Campaign

2570. The Campaign

Comedy Satire
6.1

20121h 25min

United States

Director: Jay Roach

Two rival politicians compete to win an election to represent their small North Carolina congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.

Themes

Political corruption, Media manipulation, Election rigging, Outsourcing and jobs, Image-driven campaigning, Public trust and accountability

Available on

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