tense backdrop

Movies with tense vibe

United States President Lex Luthor uses the oncoming trajectory of a Kryptonite meteor to frame Superman and declare a $1 billion bounty on the heads of the Man of Steel and his ‘partner in crime’, Batman. Heroes and villains alike launch a relentless pursuit of Superman and Batman, who must unite—and recruit help—to try and stave off the action-packed onslaught, stop the meteor Luthors plot.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Abuse of power, Deception in leadership, Accountability under crisis, Weaponized authority, Public distrust in governance

Available on

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

Ninja Assassin

2902. Ninja Assassin

Action Adventure Thriller Martial Arts Action Revenge Thriller
6.3

20091h 39min

United States, France

Director: James McTeigue

Ninja Assassin follows Raizo, one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge.

Themes

Power and secrecy, Loyalty under coercion, Duty vs autonomy, Secret society control, Justice through violence, Trauma and training

Available on

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

Lebanon

2903. Lebanon

Drama War Modern Conflicts Political Drama
6.9

20091h 33min

France, Germany

Director: Samuel Maoz

During the First Lebanon War in 1982, a lone tank and a paratroopers platoon are dispatched to search a hostile town.

Themes

Leadership under pressure, Claustrophobic warfare, Ethical compromises in combat, Unreliable information in battle, Physical strain of tank warfare, Moral injury in war

Available on

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

The Girl Who Played with Fire

2904. The Girl Who Played with Fire

Drama Action Thriller Crime Mystery
7.1

20092h 9min

Denmark, Germany

Director: Daniel Alfredson

Mikael Blomkvist, publisher of Millennium magazine, has made his living exposing the crooked and corrupt practices of establishment Swedish figures. So when a young journalist approaches him with a meticulously researched thesis about sex trafficking in Sweden and those in high office who abuse underage girls, Blomkvist immediately throws himself into the investigation.

Themes

Power dynamics, Investigative persistence, Institutional corruption, Sex trafficking exposure, Surveillance and privacy, Domestic abuse aftermath

Available on

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

[REC]²

2905. [REC]²

Thriller Horror Found Footage Horror
6.5

20091h 24min

Spain

Director: Paco Plaza

The action continues from [REC], with the medical officer and a SWAT team outfitted with video cameras are sent into the sealed off apartment to control the situation.

Themes

Faith and authority in crisis, Containment under threat, Secrecy and power manipulation, Crowd panic and confinement, Ethical boundaries in emergencies, Fear of contagion

Available on

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

Fish Tank

2906. Fish Tank

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.3

20092h 3min

Netherlands, United Kingdom

Director: Andrea Arnold

Fifteen-year-old Mia is in a constant state of war with her family and the world around her. When she meets her party-girl mother’s charming new boyfriend Connor, she is amazed to find he returns her attention, and believes he might help her start to make sense of her life.

Themes

Economic precarity, Deception and secrecy, Exploitation and manipulation, Mother-daughter tension, Adolescent rebellion, Escape through art, Belonging and isolation

Available on

fuboTV
The Roku Channel
Kanopy
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Prison Break: The Final Break

2907. Prison Break: The Final Break

Action Drama Thriller Epic Action Relationship Drama
7.9

20091h 29min

United States

Director: Kevin Hooks

Michael and Sara wed, but the happiness is short-lived when the Feds apprehend her for the murder of Michael's mother, Christina. Once a hit is ordered on Sara, the team reunite to break out the increasingly vulnerable target.

Themes

Gang dynamics, Prison constraints, Prison escape, Murder stakes, Prison planning, Love under pressure

Available on

Amazon Video
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Soul Kitchen

2908. Soul Kitchen

Drama Comedy Entertainment Industry Drama Workplace Comedy
7.2

20091h 39min

France, Germany

Director: Fatih Akin

In Hamburg, German-Greek chef Zinos unknowingly disturbs the peace in his locals-only restaurant by hiring a more talented chef.

Themes

Economic precarity, Ownership and control, Redevelopment pressures, Artistic ambition vs clientele, Institutional power and taxation, Familial loyalty under strain

Available on

Kanopy
MUBI
MUBI Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Dorian Gray

2909. Dorian Gray

Fantasy Drama Thriller Dark Fantasy Tragic Drama
6.2

20091h 52min

United Kingdom

Director: Oliver Parker

Seduced into the decadent world of Lord Henry Wotton, handsome young aristocrat Dorian Gray becomes obsessed with maintaining his youthful appearance, and commissions a special portrait that will weather the winds of time while he remains forever young. When Gray's obsession spirals out of control, his desperate attempts to safeguard his secret turn his once-privileged life into a living hell.

Themes

Obsession with youth, Portrait as self-image, Societal pressure and vanity, Decadence and corruption, Consequences of indulgence, Mentor influence and decadence

Available on

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

Michael Moore comes home to the issue he's been examining throughout his career: the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world).

Themes

Economic inequality, Corporate dominance, Foreclosure and labor action, Plutocracy risk, Democracy over capitalism, Financial exploitation

Available on

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