weighty backdrop

Movies with weighty vibe

The Brutalist

1. The Brutalist

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
7.3
20243h 35min

Overview

When an innovative modern architect flees post-war Europe, he is given the opportunity to rebuild his legacy. Set during the dawn of the modern United States (in Pennsylvania), his wife joins him, and their lives are forever changed by a demanding, wealthy patron.

Themes

Displacement and belonging, Gendered power dynamics, Class aspiration and assimilation, Postwar reconstruction pressures, Trauma and memory in design, Patronage and ambition, Immigrant reinvention through architecture

Available on

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

We Live in Time

2. We Live in Time

Romance Drama Passionate Romance Relationship Drama
7.0
20241h 48min

Overview

A man on the brink of divorce collides with a former figure skater turned chef, crashing his orderly breakup into her chaotic, dream-chasing world. As their decade-spanning romance ignites, his craving for family collides with her uncertain future, and their love story hangs on a life neither of them planned for.

Themes

Career versus family, Commitment under pressure, Illness and romance, Parenthood and sacrifice, Ambition shaping life, Mortality testing love

Available on

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

Bob Marley: One Love

3. Bob Marley: One Love

Music History Drama Music Biopic Biographical History
6.2
20241h 44min

Overview

Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley overcomes adversity to become the most famous reggae musician in the world.

Themes

Family loyalty under strain, Public image vs private life, Peace amid political pressure, Health vs career, Fame vs responsibility, Creative resilience under disruption

Available on

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

The Eight Mountains

4. The Eight Mountains

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.7
20222h 27min

Overview

An epic journey of friendship and self-discovery set in the breathtaking Italian Alps, The Eight Mountains follows over four decades the profound, complex relationship between Pietro and Bruno.

Themes

Self reinvention, Longstanding friendship, Creative ambition, Belonging and dislocation, Parental tensions, Mountain lifeworld

Available on

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

Vortex

5. Vortex

Drama Relationship Drama
7.4
20212h 22min

Overview

Lui, a struggling author with a heart condition, and his wife Elle, a retired psychiatrist, find their idyllic life shattered when Elle begins to succumb to the effects of dementia.

Themes

Alzheimer's disease burden, Elderly couple strain, Dementia dependency, Heart condition impact, End of life pressure, Drug addict legacy

Available on

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

The Two Popes

6. The Two Popes

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
7.6
20192h 5min

Overview

Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio requests permission to retire in 2012 from Pope Benedict. Instead, facing scandal and self-doubt, the introspective Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to reveal a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church.

Themes

Papal conclave pressure, Cardinal duty under doubt, Sistine chapel authority, Pope succession politics, Public scrutiny within church, Confessional accountability

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

7. The Art of Racing in the Rain

Drama Romance Family Drama Bittersweet Romance
7.6
20191h 49min

Overview

A family dog – with a near-human soul and a philosopher's mind – evaluates his life through the lessons learned by his human owner, a race-car driver.

Themes

Duty vs family, Family resilience, Dog loyalty, Brain tumor impact, Race car driver ambition, Child custody

Available on

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

Welcome to Marwen

8. Welcome to Marwen

Drama Comedy Psychological Drama
6.2
20181h 56min

Overview

When a devastating attack shatters Mark Hogancamp and wipes away all memories, no one expected recovery. Putting together pieces from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town named Marwen where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation — a testament to the most powerful women he knows — through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one.

Themes

Memory loss and recovery, Fantasy as coping mechanism, Art-based healing, Delusions and mental illness, Art installation as therapy, Resilience after trauma

Available on

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

Where Hands Touch

9. Where Hands Touch

War Drama Romance World War II Historical Drama
6.6
20182h 2min

Overview

Germany, 1944. Leyna, the 15-year old daughter of a white German mother and a black African father, meets Lutz, a compassionate member of the Hitler Youth whose father is a prominent Nazi soldier, and they form an unlikely connection in this quickly changing world.

Themes

Family loyalty under pressure, Coming of age, Jew persecution, Interracial romance, State sanctioned racism, Displacement and motherhood

Available on

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

Risen

10. Risen

Action Adventure Drama History Mystery
6.3
20161h 47min

Overview

Clavius, a powerful Roman military tribune, and his aide, Lucius, are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.

Themes

Political manipulation, Deception and rumor, Belief under pressure, Authority vs doubt, Loyalty under fear, Transformation through doubt

Available on

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