tense backdrop

Movies with tense vibe

Barking Dogs Never Bite

3971. Barking Dogs Never Bite

Comedy Crime Drama Dark Comedy Organized Crime
6.9

20001h 50min

South Korea

Director: Bong Joon Ho

An idle part-time college lecturer is annoyed by the yapping sound of a nearby dog. He decides to take drastic action.

Themes

Routine disruption, Ethics under pressure, Noise intrusion, Humor from friction, Personal boundary violation, Unintended escalation

Available on

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

Pitch Black

3972. Pitch Black

Thriller Science Fiction Action Space Sci-Fi Survival Thriller
7.0

20001h 48min

United States

Director: David Twohy

When their ship crash-lands on a remote planet, the marooned passengers soon learn that escaped convict Riddick isn't the only thing they have to fear. Deadly creatures lurk in the shadows, waiting to attack in the dark, and the planet is rapidly plunging into the utter blackness of a total eclipse. With the body count rising, the doomed survivors are forced to turn to Riddick with his eerie eyes to guide them through the darkness to safety. With time running out, there's only one rule: Stay in the light.

Themes

Trust under duress, Survival under pressure, Fear of the unknown, Moral ambiguity in leadership, Conflict over loyalty, Deception under threat

Available on

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

Boiler Room

3973. Boiler Room

Crime Drama Thriller Con Artist Crime Professional Drama
7.0

20001h 58min

United States

Director: Ben Younger

A college dropout gets a job as a broker for a suburban investment firm and is on the fast track to success—but the job might not be as legitimate as it sounds.

Themes

Deception of investors, Loyalty vs disapproval, Class ascent through deceit, Deceptive sales culture, Risk of quick wealth, Systemic fraud risk

Available on

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

The Whole Nine Yards

3974. The Whole Nine Yards

Comedy Crime Parody Organized Crime
6.7

20001h 38min

United States

Director: Jonathan Lynn

After a mobster agrees to cooperate with an FBI investigation in order to stay out of prison, he's relocated by the authorities to a life of suburban anonymity as part of a witness protection program. It's not long before a couple of his new neighbours figure out his true identity and come knocking to see if he'd be up for one more hit—suburban style.

Themes

Deception in relationships, Witness protection strain, Money-driven manipulation, Loyalty vs survival, Suburban disguise, Crime and family ties

Available on

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

Ju-on: The Curse

3975. Ju-on: The Curse

Horror Mystery Haunting Horror Investigation Mystery
6.9

20001h 10min

Japan

Director: Takashi Shimizu

When elementary school teacher Kobayashi investigates the absence of one of his young pupils from the classroom, he finds himself at the doorstep of an anonymous suburban house that harbours a horrible secret, and into which all who enter are doomed.

Themes

Family fracture, Violence and aftermath, Haunted space anxiety, Possession and control, Deception and infidelity, Secrecy and obligation

Available on

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

Uzumaki

3976. Uzumaki

Mystery Fantasy Horror Supernatural Horror Mindbender Mystery
6.1

20001h 30min

Japan

Director: Higuchinsky

The inhabitants of a small Japanese town become increasingly obsessed with and tormented by spirals.

Themes

Spiral obsession, Phobia and control, Social coercion, Mass contagion

Available on

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

The Beach

3977. The Beach

Drama Adventure Romance Thriller Globetrotting Adventure
6.6

20001h 59min

United Kingdom

Director: Danny Boyle

On a remote, isolated island, two lighthouse keepers slowly lose their minds. The weather, the booze, and a private struggle for power turn their duty into a nightmare.

Themes

Desire and belonging, Isolation versus community, Secrecy and exposure, Leadership and control, Illusion of paradise, Trust and betrayal

Available on

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

Happy Accidents

3978. Happy Accidents

Comedy Romance Science Fiction Romantic Comedy Time Travel Sci-Fi
7.1

20001h 50min

United States

Director: Brad Anderson

A comedy that pays tribute to the science fiction genre -- specifically, the sub-genre of time travel. But here the alternate reality is contemporary New York City where past and future experiences of trust, commitment and denial are cleverly put to the test. Just as Ruby is beginning to relish her first-ever healthy relationship, Sam begins muttering about being a time traveler from the year 2470.

Themes

Trust under pressure, Time travel ethics, Reality versus illusion, Future obsession, Manipulation across timelines, Commitment and doubt

Available on

Amazon Video
History Vault
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Saving Grace

3979. Saving Grace

Crime Comedy Narcotics Crime Satire
6.9

20001h 33min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Nigel Cole

Unexpectedly widowed, prim and proper housewife Grace Trevethyn finds herself in dire financial straits when she inherits massive debts her late husband had been accruing for years. Faced with losing her house, she decides to use her talent for horticulture and hatches a plan to grow potent marijuana which can be sold at an astronomical price, thus solving her financial crisis.

Themes

Community scrutiny and interference, Risk driven entrepreneurship, Marginal ascent through illicit means, Loyalty under conflicting relationships, Economic precarity under debt, Resourcefulness and improvisation

Available on

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

American Psycho

3980. American Psycho

Thriller Drama Crime Mind Game Thriller Psychological Drama
7.6

20001h 42min

Canada, United States

Director: Mary Harron

Young and wealthy investment banker Patrick Bateman seems to have the perfect life: money, a prestigious apartment, designer clothes, and influential connections. However, behind this flawless facade hides an embittered and mentally unstable killer who unleashes his rage on his victims and sinks deeper and deeper into madness.

Themes

White collar violence, Alienation in affluence, Appearance versus reality, Satire of consumer culture, Class and status pressure, Deceptive self image

Available on

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