shadowy backdrop

Movies with shadowy vibe

Batman Begins

211. Batman Begins

Drama Crime Action Superhero Action Organized Crime
8.2

20052h 20min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Christopher Nolan

Driven by tragedy, billionaire Bruce Wayne dedicates his life to uncovering and defeating the corruption that plagues his home, Gotham City. Unable to work within the system, he instead creates a new identity, a symbol of fear for the criminal underworld - The Batman.

Themes

Fear as power, Institutional corruption and reform, Public persona vs private self, Underworld infiltration, Tech-driven city control, Vigilante justice dynamics

Available on

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

The Wayward Cloud

212. The Wayward Cloud

Comedy Drama Romance Romantic Comedy Adult Comedy
6.5

20051h 54min

Taiwan, France

Director: Tsai Ming-liang

Hsiao-Kang, now working as an adult movie actor, meets Shiang-chyi once again. Meanwhile, the city of Taipei faces a water shortage that makes the sales of watermelons skyrocket.

Themes

Resource scarcity, Commodification of bodies, Performative sexuality, Urban voyeurism, Private/public boundaries, Misperception of identity

Available on

Amazon Video
BFI Player
BFI Player Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Mysterious Skin

213. Mysterious Skin

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.6

20051h 45min

United States, Netherlands

Director: Gregg Araki

A teenage hustler and a young man obsessed with alien abductions cross paths, together discovering a horrible, liberating truth.

Themes

Childhood trauma and memory, Sexual exploitation and agency, Identity under stigma, Alienation through dream imagery, Abuse of power and trust, Trauma shaping relationships

Available on

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

Documentary depicting the lives of child prostitutes in the red light district of Songachi, Calcutta. Director Zana Briski went to photograph the prostitutes when she met and became friends with their children. Briski began giving photography lessons to the children and became aware that their photography might be a way for them to lead better lives.

Themes

Economic precarity, Child exploitation, Education as opportunity, Outsider mentorship, Marginalization of youth, Art as empowerment

Available on

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

Million Dollar Baby

215. Million Dollar Baby

Drama Professional Drama
8.1

20042h 12min

Switzerland, United States

Director: Clint Eastwood

Despondent over a painful estrangement from his daughter, trainer Frankie Dunn isn't prepared for boxer Maggie Fitzgerald to enter his life. But Maggie's determined to go pro and to convince Dunn and his cohort to help her.

Themes

Gender barriers in sport, Mentorship under pressure, Ambition vs family welfare, Sacrifice for career, Exploitation in sport, Resilience through injury

Available on

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

Inside I'm Dancing

216. Inside I'm Dancing

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.7

20041h 44min

France, Ireland

Director: Damien O'Donnell

Michael is a 24-year-old who has cerebral palsy and long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, run by the formidable Eileen. His life is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea moves in.

Themes

Agency within care, Caregiver search and loyalty, Disability and autonomy, Rebellion as catalyst, Independence within constraints, Economic and housing pressures

Available on

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

Shall We Dance?

217. Shall We Dance?

Drama Romance Comedy Feel-Good Romance Awkward Comedy
6.2

20041h 46min

United States

Director: Peter Chelsom

A bored estate lawyer spots a beautiful woman in the window of a ballroom dance studio. He secretly starts taking dancing lessons to be near her, and then over time discovers how much he loves dancing. His wife, meanwhile, has hired a private detective to find out why he has started coming home late smelling of perfume.

Themes

Dissatisfaction and longing, Jealousy and secrecy, Discipline and passion, Pursuit of art vs home life, Privacy concerns, Romantic attraction vs commitment

Available on

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

Halloweentown High

218. Halloweentown High

Adventure Comedy Family Fantasy TV Movie
6.0

20041h 22min

United States

Director: Mark A.Z. Dippé

Marnie puts her magic on the line to get several Halloweentown teenagers transferred to her high school in the mortal world. But soon, Marnie and her new friends are in trouble and out of luck when the evil Knight Of The Iron Dagger appears. He's determined to destroy all things magical, and it's up to Marnie to save her high school, the human world and her magic.

Themes

Integration pressures, Disguise and exposure, Isolation versus openness, Authority manipulation, Belonging and acceptance, Carnival as social bridge

Available on

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

Shutter

219. Shutter

Horror Mystery Thriller Haunting Horror Investigation Mystery
7.0

20041h 36min

Thailand

Director: Parkpoom Wongpoom

When Jane and Tun run over a girl in a car accident, they speed away immediately from the crime scene. However, Tun, a photographer, soon discovers strange shadows in his photos, which unsettles them.

Themes

Peer pressure and complicity, Secret relationship consequences, Revenge beyond the grave, Haunting memories and guilt, Bystander accountability and shame, Obsession with photographs

Available on

Kanopy
Hoopla
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Nobody Knows

220. Nobody Knows

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
8.0

20042h 21min

Japan

Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda

In a small Tokyo apartment, twelve-year-old Akira must care for his younger siblings after their mother leaves them and shows no sign of returning.

Themes

Economic precarity, Urban isolation, Sibling caregiving, Parental abandonment, Reliance on strangers, Resilience under hardship

Available on

Apple TV
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
AMC+ Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.