Legal Drama movies

Vibe

Realistic Tense Deliberate Clinical Relentless

Overview

In this David vs. Goliath drama based on a true story, college professor Robert Kearns goes up against the giants of the auto industry when they fail to give him credit for inventing intermittent windshield wipers. Kearns doggedly pursues recognition for his invention, as well as the much-deserved financial rewards for the sake of his wife and six kids.

Themes

Pursuit of recognition, Ownership vs credit, Corporate appropriation fear, Patent disputes, Personal sacrifice under pressure, Legal battles

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Vibe

Realistic Tense Atmospheric Procedural Dry

Overview

A law firm brings in its "fixer" to remedy the situation after a lawyer has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multi-billion dollar class action suit.

Themes

Legal ethics under pressure, Deception and cover-up, Business ethics, Corporate malfeasance, Power and influence, Class action stakes

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Vibe

Tense Claustrophobic Atmospheric Procedural Restrained

Overview

When an armed, masked gang enter a Manhattan bank, lock the doors and take hostages, the detective assigned to effect their release enters negotiations preoccupied with corruption charges he is facing.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Corruption and complicity, Tainted wealth origins, Hostage dynamics, Negotiation under pressure, Control of information

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Vibe

Tense Steady Claustrophobic Bleak Dry

Overview

Based on the true story of Jack DiNorscio, a mobster who defended himself in court for what would be the longest mafia trial in U.S. history.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Self representation challenges, Witness credibility manipulation, Marathon courtroom battles, Power dynamics in trial, Plea bargain pressure

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Vibe

Tense Claustrophobic Bleak Procedural Restrained

Overview

When a younger girl called Emily Rose dies, everyone puts blame on the exorcism which was performed on her by Father Moore prior to her death. The priest is arrested on suspicion of murder. The trial begins with lawyer Erin Bruner representing Moore, but it is not going to be easy, as no one wants to believe what Father Moore says is true.

Themes

Science versus faith, Public scrutiny of belief, Legal accountability of clergy, Institutional pressure, Medical explanation vs spiritual claim, Reliance on testimony and evidence

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Vibe

Realistic Steady Claustrophobic Brutal Bleak

Overview

A fictionalized account of the first major successful sexual harassment case in the United States — Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines, where a woman who endured a range of abuse while working as a miner filed and won the landmark 1984 lawsuit.

Themes

Sexual harassment, Courtroom accountability, Lawsuit driven change, Woman director presence, Based on true story, Miner bias

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Vibe

Realistic Tense Raw Claustrophobic Bleak

Overview

Behrani, an Iranian immigrant buys a California bungalow, thinking he can fix it up, sell it again, and make enough money to send his son to college. However, the house is the legal property of former drug addict Kathy. After losing the house in an unfair legal dispute with the county, she is left with nowhere to go. Wanting her house back, she hires a lawyer and befriends a police officer. Neither Kathy nor Behrani have broken the law, so they find themselves involved in a difficult moral dilemma.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Power and control, Economic desperation, Immigrant displacement, Housing injustice, Legal ownership conflict

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Vibe

Realistic Claustrophobic Bleak Dry Deliberate

Overview

A man against capital punishment is accused of murdering a fellow activist and is sent to death row.

Themes

Deception and framing, Institutional bias, Death penalty debate, Media accountability, Activism vs punishment, Reputation vulnerability

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Vibe

Realistic Tense Claustrophobic Procedural Dry

Overview

After a workplace shooting in New Orleans, a trial against the gun manufacturer pits lawyer Wendell Rohr against shady jury consultant Rankin Fitch, who uses illegal means to stack the jury with people sympathetic to the defense. But when juror Nicholas Easter and his girlfriend Marlee reveal their ability to sway the jury into delivering any verdict they want, a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game begins.

Themes

Legal ethics under pressure, Juror manipulation, Corporate influence, Mass shooting liability, Jury selection dynamics, Surveillance and coercion

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Vibe

Tense Dry Fast-paced Stylish Witty

Overview

Murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.

Themes

Media manipulation, Press influence, Fame as leverage, Performative identity, Gendered justice system, Public appetite for scandal

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