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.

Lila Says

941. Lila Says

Crime Drama Romance Coming-of-Age Drama Dark Romance
6.9

20051h 29min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Ziad Doueiri

Chimo develops a crush on the pretty, blond Lila, a girl who recently moved into his Arab ghetto with her aunt. When the leader of a rival gang also falls for Lila, the ensuing love triangle initiates a journey of sexual discovery -- and sets off a chain of devastating events.

Themes

Urban violence, Economic disparity, Sexual exploitation, Power and coercion, Education as escape, Romantic obsession

Available on

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

Assault on Precinct 13

942. Assault on Precinct 13

Thriller Action Adventure Crime Mind Game Thriller
6.3

20051h 49min

United States, France

Director: Jean-François Richet

On New Year's Eve, inside a police station that's about to be closed for good, officer Jake Roenick must cobble together a force made up cops and criminals to save themselves from a mob looking to kill mobster Marion Bishop.

Themes

Police corruption, Prison transport tension, Drug abuse pressure, Snowstorm isolation, Undercover cop betrayal, Mexican standoff dynamics

Available on

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

Chaos

943. Chaos

Drama Action Crime Epic Action Heist
6.4

20051h 46min

Canada, United Kingdom

Director: Tony Giglio

In Seattle, detective Quentin Conners is unfairly suspended and his partner Jason York leaves the police force after a tragic shooting on Pearl Street Bridge, when the hostage and the criminal die. During a bank heist with a hostage situation, Conners is assigned in charge of the operation with the rookie Shane Dekker as his partner. The thieves, lead by Lorenz, apparently do not steal a penny from the bank. While chasing the gangsters, the police team disclose that they planted a virus in the system, stealing one billion dollars from the different accounts, using the principle of the Chaos Theory. Further, they find that Lorenz is killing his accomplices.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Loyalty under pressure, Power and control, Chaos vs order, Police accountability, Internal corruption, Evidence integrity

Available on

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

Pusher II

944. Pusher II

Crime Drama Prison Crime Tragic Drama
7.3

20041h 40min

Denmark, United Kingdom

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Tonny is released from prison - again. This time he has his mind set on changing his broken down life, but that is easier said than done.

Themes

Parent child relationship fracture, Prison debt pressure, Substance abuse cycles, Family ties under pressure, Crime and loyalty tension

Available on

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

The Woodsman

945. The Woodsman

Drama Crime Tragic Drama Prison Crime
7.1

20041h 27min

United States

Director: Nicole Kassell

After twelve years in prison, Walter returns home. His family has abandoned him, save for his brother-in-law. Few know he's a sex offender and pedophile. Walter finds an apartment and is regularly visited by his parole officer. He gets a job at a lumber mill and starts seeing a coworker. Then his new world begins to unravel; as his past becomes known, he strikes up a high-risk friendship with a young girl and realizes that a man loitering near a schoolyard is a child molester prowling for his next victim.

Themes

Stigma of sex offense, Parole supervision pressure, Ostracism after conviction, Workplace rumor and aggression, Self-blame after trauma, Romantic relationship under scrutiny

Available on

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

My Uncle Killed a Guy

946. My Uncle Killed a Guy

Adventure Comedy Crime
6.6

20041h 27min

Brazil

Director: Jorge Furtado

Éder is arrested after confessing the murder of a man. Duca, his nephew, is sure that his uncle confessed the crime to protect his girlfriend, Soraya, ex-wife of the deceased, so he enlists two of his friends to help prove his theory.


Ocean's Twelve

947. Ocean's Twelve

Thriller Crime Heist Mind Game Thriller
6.5

20042h 5min

United States

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Despite pulling off one of the biggest heists in Las Vegas history and splitting the $160 million take, each of the infamous Ocean's crew have tried to go straight, lay low and live a legit life ... but that's proven to be a challenge. Casino owner Terry Benedict demands that Danny Ocean return the money, plus millions more in interest. Unable to come up the cash, the crew is forced to come together to pull off another series of heists, this time in Rome, Paris, and Amsterdam – but a Europol agent is hot on their heels.

Themes

Debt as leverage, Trust under pressure, Competition among thieves, Deception as strategy, Stock certificate leverage, Risk and reward, Faberge egg gambit

Available on

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

36th Precinct

948. 36th Precinct

Crime Drama Thriller
7.1

20041h 51min

France

Director: Olivier Marchal

In Paris, two cops are competing for the vacant job of chief of police, in the middle of the search for a gang of violent thieves. The movie is directed by Olivier Marchal, a former police officer who spent 12 years with the French police before creating this story, taken in part from real events of the 1980s.


After the Sunset

949. After the Sunset

Action Comedy Crime Drama Heist
6.2

20041h 37min

United States

Director: Brett Ratner

An FBI agent is suspicious of two master thieves, quietly enjoying their retirement near what may - or may not - be the biggest score of their careers.

Themes

Deception in partnerships, Island enticement and crime, Suspicion and loyalty under pressure, Professional vs personal loyalties, Staged heists and control dynamics, Fake plans real stakes

Available on

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

3-Iron

950. 3-Iron

Drama Romance Crime Relationship Drama Bittersweet Romance
7.9

20041h 28min

South Korea, Japan

Director: Kim Ki-duk

A drifter lives in people's houses while they are away and repays them by doing chores for them. His life changes when he meets a beautiful woman who wants to escape her unhappy marriage.

Themes

Moral ambiguity, Domestic abuse, Silent romance, Stealth and concealment, Nomadic dwelling, Reality vs illusion

Available on

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