tense backdrop

Movies with tense vibe

Every morning in a quiet Lugano hotel, Titta Di Girolamo dresses in the same suit, solves the same chess puzzles, and hides in the same silence, as if routine were a punishment he has agreed to serve forever. But when his gaze lingers too long on the bar’s elegant waitress and the mafia money he couriers demands absolute invisibility, Titta must choose between the safety of his prison and the dangerous possibility of being seen—and loved—at last.

Themes

Money as leverage, Crime networks and coercion, Social isolation and routine, Hidden past, Deception and pawned agency, Monotony vs longing

Available on

Criterion Channel
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Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

3452. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

Mystery Action Thriller Science Fiction Adventure
6.1

20041h 47min

Italy, United Kingdom

Director: Kerry Conran

When gigantic robots attack New York City, "Sky Captain" uses his private air force to fight them off. His ex-girlfriend, reporter Polly Perkins, has been investigating the recent disappearance of prominent scientists. Suspecting a link between the global robot attacks and missing men, Sky Captain and Polly decide to work together. They fly to the Himalayas in pursuit of the mysterious Dr. Totenkopf, the mastermind behind the robots.

Themes

Scientific hubris and control, Master race ideology, Survival under external pressure, Labor exploitation and coercion

Available on

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

Downfall

3453. Downfall

Drama History War Historical Drama Historical Event
8.2

20042h 35min

Austria, Germany

Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel

In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Russian Army closing in from the east and the Allied Expeditionary Force attacking from the west. In Berlin, capital of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his generals and advisers to fight to the last man. When the end finally does come, and Hitler lies dead by his own hand, what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin, and lay down their arms in surrender.

Themes

Ideology vs reality, Despair under bunker pressure, Dictator ideology vs reality, Morality under tyranny, Collapse of leadership

Available on

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

A Good Woman

3454. A Good Woman

Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy Awkward Comedy
6.4

20041h 34min

Italy, Luxembourg

Director: Mike Barker

Fleeing 1930s New York and leaving behind a chequered past, the giltzy divorcee Mrs Stella Erlynne travels to Italy's sun-dappled Amalfi coast. Mrs Erlynne's appearance causes a stir amongst the visiting aristocracy. Based on the Oscar Wilde play "Lady Windemere's Fan."

Themes

Social reputation and gossip, Motherhood and money, Aristocratic prestige vs private desire, Social climbing and scandal, Deception and extortion, Marriage and infidelity

Available on

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

The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

3455. The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things

Drama Tragic Drama
6.2

20041h 38min

France, Italy

Director: Asia Argento

Young Jeremiah lives in a stable environment with loving foster parents until the day his troubled mother, Sarah, returns to claim him. Jeremiah becomes swept up in his mother's dangerous world of drugs, seedy hotels, strip joints and revolving lovers. Salvation comes in the form of the boy's ultrareligious grandparents, but soon Jeremiah's mother returns. Maternal love binds the pair together on the road until Sarah's desperate and depraved lifestyle finally consumes her.

Themes

Child exploitation, Caregiver neglect, Drug dependency, Religious manipulation, Deception and control, Foster care trauma

Available on

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

Wimbledon

3456. Wimbledon

Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy Parody
6.3

20041h 38min

United Kingdom

Director: Richard Loncraine

Britain’s Peter Colt has never quite lived up to his dreams of tennis stardom. Once ranked as high as number 11 in the world, the journeyman veteran has watched his number slip to 119 as his confidence on the court slowly ebbs away.  Now, on the eve of his leaving the world of professional tennis, he’s granted a wild card, allowing him to play his final Wimbledon tournament…make that his final tournament ever.

Themes

Wildcard entry opportunity, Aging athlete pressure, Public adulation burden, Romantic distraction, Rival mentorship tension, National identity through sport, Family influence on goals

Available on

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

Saving Face

3457. Saving Face

Comedy Romance Drama Romantic Comedy Family Drama
7.4

20041h 37min

United States

Director: Alice Wu

A Chinese-American lesbian and her traditionalist mother are reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations.

Themes

Intergenerational conflict, Cross-cultural romance, Cultural expectation vs desire, Closet vs outness, Family concealment and revelation, Parental pressure in romance

Available on

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

It's All Gone Pete Tong

3458. It's All Gone Pete Tong

Drama Comedy Music Entertainment Industry Drama Parody
7.2

20041h 30min

Canada, United Kingdom

Director: Michael Dowse

A comedy following the tragic life of the legendary Frankie Wilde. The story takes us through Frankie's life from being one of the best DJs alive, through a subsequent battle with a hearing disorder, culminating in his mysterious disappearance from the scene.

Themes

Creativity under constraint, Disability through adaptation, Identity via performance perception, Industry exploitation through marketing, Trust and deception in teams, Social reception shaping artistry

Available on

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

The Ferpect Crime

3459. The Ferpect Crime

Comedy Thriller Dark Comedy Domestic Thriller
7.0

20041h 42min

Spain, Italy

Director: Álex de la Iglesia

A playboy has the tables turned on him when he finds himself being used as a plaything by an undesirable woman.

Themes

Social climbing, Blackmail and leverage, Workplace manipulation, Performative media power, Deception and survival, Coercive marriage

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
Runtime
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Criminal

3460. Criminal

Action Comedy Thriller High-Concept Comedy Mind Game Thriller
6.4

20041h 27min

United States

Director: Gregory Jacobs

Needing a new partner capable of intricate cons, Richard Gaddis, recruits Rodrigo, a crook with a perfect poker face. The two plan a big-time scam: selling a fake Silver Certificate to currency collector William Hannigan. Rodrigo distrusts his new associate, but needs money to help out his ill father. The situation becomes more complicated when Rodrigo falls for Gaddis' sister, Valerie, drawing another player into the game.

Themes

Deception under pressure, Calculated risk and reward, Precarious alliances, Loyalty under temptation, Financial duty vs desire, Performance and appearance

Available on

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