high-stakes backdrop

Movies with high-stakes vibe

Overview

Undercover Las Vegas police officer Vincent Downs, who has a lot of enemies, is caught in a high stakes web of corrupt cops and the mob-controlled casino underground. When a heist goes wrong, a crew of homicidal gangsters kidnap Downs’ teenage son T. In one sleepless night, Downs will have to rescue his son, evade an internal affairs investigation, and bring the kidnappers to justice.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Institutional corruption, Deception within institutions, Power dynamics in crime networks, Mistrust inside law enforcement, Family stakes in crime

Available on

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

The Last Face

2. The Last Face

Drama Political Drama
5.0
20172h 10min

Overview

Miguel, a heroic Spanish doctor, puts himself in harm's way to deliver medical treatment to the victims of military uprisings in Africa.

Themes

Trust under strain, Risk in humanitarian care, Loyalty vs professional obligation, Duty under legacy pressure, Romantic conflict vs work, Gendered leadership expectations

Available on

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

Miss Sloane

3. Miss Sloane

Drama Crime Thriller Political Drama Political Thriller
7.5
20162h 13min

Overview

An ambitious lobbyist faces off against the powerful gun lobby in an attempt to pass gun control legislation.

Themes

Media manipulation, Power and accountability, Ethics vs lobbying, Gendered political strategy, Personal risk and exposure, Transparency and influence

Available on

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

Life on the Line

4. Life on the Line

Drama Action Thriller Epic Action Family Drama
5.2
20161h 37min

Overview

As a huge electrical storm sweeps towards Texas, lineman Beau Ginner is haunted by memories of his brother's death by lightning years earlier. Since that tragic day, he has raised his niece Bailey and risen to foreman of a lineman team. However, there is friction when Bailey's on-off boyfriend Duncan joins the crew, while another new recruit is hiding PTSD symptoms. Beau and his team are soon putting their lives at risk in a race to replace miles of power cables to keep the electrical grid running before the deadly lightning storm strikes. Based on a true story; this film is a tribute to the heroes who risk it all to keep us safe.

Themes

Loyalty under strain, Trauma and resilience, Duty under danger, Teamwork under risk, Leadership sacrifice, Memory and memorials

Available on

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

Trespass Against Us

5. Trespass Against Us

Action Crime Drama Organized Crime Family Drama
5.8
20161h 39min

Overview

Three generations of the rowdy Cutler family live as outlaws in some of Britain's richest countryside – hunting hares, ram-raiding stately homes, and taunting the police. Struggling to retain a way of life fast becoming extinct, Chad Cutler ends up caught between his father's archaic principles and trying to do right by his kids, whilst the full force of the law is finally catching up with him.

Themes

Parent child relationship strain, Poacher ethics, Ram-raiding stately homes, Police pressure on family, Country estate conflict, Three generations tension

Available on

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

The Accountant

6. The Accountant

Crime Thriller Drama Con Artist Crime Mind Game Thriller
7.3
20162h 8min

Overview

As a math savant uncooks the books for a new client, the Treasury Department closes in on his activities and the body count starts to rise.

Themes

Money laundering ethics, Embezzlement awareness, Accountant morality under pressure, Numbers as leverage, Forensic accountant pressure, Brother relationship tension

Available on

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

Operation Avalanche

7. Operation Avalanche

Thriller Mystery Comedy Cover-Up Thriller Investigation Mystery
6.1
20161h 34min

Overview

In 1967, four undercover CIA agents were sent to NASA posing as a documentary film crew. What they discovered led to one of the biggest conspiracies in American history.

Themes

Found footage realism, Moon landing deception, Central intelligence agency oversight, Conspiracy within agency, Mockumentary framing

Available on

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

Goodbye Berlin

8. Goodbye Berlin

Drama Comedy Coming-of-Age Drama Buddy Comedy
6.9
20161h 33min

Overview

Maik, a fourteen-year-old teenager, sets out on a road trip during summertime with Tschick, a new classmate, in a stolen car. The two share life changing experiences during the eventful journey.

Themes

Risk and improvisation, Family dysfunction, Coming of age tensions, Outsider solidarity, Road trip friendship, Escape through travel

Available on

The Roku Channel
Shout! Factory Amazon Channel
Tubi TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Mechanic: Resurrection

9. Mechanic: Resurrection

Action Crime Thriller One-Person Army Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller
5.7
20161h 39min

Overview

Arthur Bishop thought he had put his murderous past behind him when his most formidable foe kidnaps the love of his life. Now he is forced to travel the globe to complete three impossible assassinations, and do what he does best, make them look like accidents.

Themes

Deception as leverage, Loyalty under pressure, Romance under threat, Staged killings, Global pursuit, Arms-trade rivalry

Available on

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

Zero Days

10. Zero Days

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
7.7
20161h 56min

Overview

Alex Gibney explores the phenomenon of Stuxnet, a self-replicating computer virus discovered in 2010 by international IT experts. Evidently commissioned by the US and Israeli governments, this malware was designed to specifically sabotage Iran’s nuclear programme. However, the complex computer worm ended up not only infecting its intended target but also spreading uncontrollably.

Themes

Secrecy vs transparency, State sponsored cyber operation, Investigation under uncertainty, Governance of cyber tools, Collateral disruption risk, Lifecycle of malware

Available on

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