Crime backdrop

Crime movies

A deep dive into the underworld of gangsters, detectives, and heists where the line between right and wrong blurs.

Subgenres include: Organized Crime, Heist, Con Artist Crime.

Shottas

1061. Shottas

Action Adventure Crime Drama Organized Crime
6.1

20021h 35min

Jamaica, United States

Director: Cess Silvera

A raw urban drama about two friends raised on the dangerous streets of Kingston, Jamaica. Biggs and Wayne take on the "Shotta" way of life to survive. As young boys, they begin a life of crime, eventually moving to the US where they begin a ruthless climb from the bottom. They remain bound to each other by their shottas loyalty as they aggressively take control of the Jamaican underworld.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Street violence and survival, Crime world power struggles, Deportation consequences, Extortion and coercion, Violence as currency

Available on

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

John Q

1062. John Q

Drama Thriller Crime Family Drama Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller
7.1

20021h 56min

United States

Director: Nick Cassavetes

John Quincy Archibald is a father and husband whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and then finds out he cannot receive a transplant because HMO insurance will not cover it. Therefore, he decides to take a hospital full of patients hostage until the hospital puts his son's name on the donor's list.

Themes

Healthcare access inequality, Insurance coverage limitations, Public debate on healthcare policy, Ethical conflict in life-saving decisions, Family resilience under crisis, Systemic flaws in medical funding

Available on

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

The Salton Sea

1063. The Salton Sea

Crime Drama Mystery Thriller Narcotics Crime
7.0

20021h 43min

United States

Director: D.J. Caruso

After the murder of his beloved wife, a man in search of redemption is set adrift in a world where nothing is as it seems. On his journey, he befriends slacker Jimmy "The Finn", becomes involved in rescuing his neighbor Colette from her own demons, and gets entangled in a web of deceit full of unexpected twists and turns.

Themes

Deception as strategy, Police corruption, Vengeance and loyalty, Dual identities under pressure, Betrayal within criminal networks, Addiction shaping choices

Available on

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

Heaven

1064. Heaven

Drama Thriller Romance Crime Relationship Drama
6.9

20021h 36min

France, Germany

Director: Tom Tykwer

A woman takes the law into her own hands after police ignore her pleas to arrest the man responsible for her husband's death, and finds herself not only under arrest for murder but falling in love with an officer.

Themes

Power and corruption, Loyalty under pressure, Consequences of violence, Duty and danger, Private justice vs institutional neglect, Romance amid crime

Available on

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

Public Enemy

1065. Public Enemy

Action Crime
7.1

20022h 18min

Director: Kang Woo-suk

A notorious dirty cop makes an honest attempt to catch a serial killer who even murdered his own parents.


NARC

1066. NARC

Crime Drama Mystery Thriller Narcotics Crime
7.1

20021h 45min

United States, Germany

Director: Joe Carnahan

When the investigation into a police officer’s murder hits a dead end, a narcotics cop who was previously suspended is brought in. His task is to track down the killer and, in the end, solve the crime.

Themes

Past trauma resurfacing, Moral ambiguity in policing, Loyalty vs duty, Police corruption and cover-up, Trauma shaping judgment, Systemic pressure and politics

Available on

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

Ichi the Killer

1067. Ichi the Killer

Action Crime Horror Serial Killer Crime Gore Horror
6.9

20012h 9min

Japan

Director: Takashi Miike

As sadomasochistic yakuza enforcer Kakihara searches for his missing boss he comes across Ichi, a repressed and psychotic killer who may be able to inflict levels of pain that Kakihara has only dreamed of.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Violence against women, Trauma and false memory, Cycles of violence, Power in underworld networks, Absurd brutality

Available on

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

Ocean's Eleven

1068. Ocean's Eleven

Thriller Crime Heist
7.7

20011h 56min

United States

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Less than 24 hours into his parole, charismatic thief Danny Ocean is already rolling out his next plan: In one night, Danny's hand-picked crew of specialists will attempt to steal more than $150 million from three Las Vegas casinos. But to score the cash, Danny risks his chances of reconciling with ex-wife, Tess.

Themes

Deception and misdirection, Loyalty versus profit, Manipulation of security systems, Romantic entanglements under pressure, High-stakes risk and reward, Expertise through collaboration

Available on

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

The 51st State

1069. The 51st State

Thriller Action Comedy Crime Narcotics Crime
6.3

20011h 33min

Canada, United Kingdom

Director: Ronny Yu

An American master chemist plans to score big on a once in a lifetime drug deal. All does not go as planned and he is soon entangled in a web of deceit.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Alliances and betrayals, Organized crime networks, Drug market volatility, Power and leverage, Crime and law enforcement tension

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
The Roku Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Knockaround Guys

1070. Knockaround Guys

Crime Thriller Organized Crime
6.1

20011h 32min

United States

Director: Brian Koppelman

Four sons of well-known New York mobsters must retrieve a bag of cash from a small Montana town ruled by a corrupt sheriff.

Themes

Trust under strain, Family loyalty under pressure, Loyalty vs betrayal, Deception within alliances, Power and belonging, Ambition within criminal networks

Available on

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