deliberate backdrop

Movies with deliberate vibe

The Hand of God

1. The Hand of God

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.3
20212h 10min

Overview

In 1980s Naples, Italy, an awkward Italian teen struggling to find his place experiences heartbreak and liberation after he's inadvertently saved from a freak accident by football legend Diego Maradona.

Themes

Coming of age, Survivor's guilt, Semi autobiographical perspective, Football fan culture, Poverty and family relationships, 1980s city life

Available on

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

House of Gucci

2. House of Gucci

Drama Crime History Biographical History Organized Crime
6.6
20212h 38min

Overview

When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately… murder.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Social climbing, Wealth and status, Family betrayal, Inheritance and control, Decadence and revenge

Available on

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

Bruised

3. Bruised

Drama Sports Competition
6.2
20212h 9min

Overview

Jackie Justice is a mixed martial arts fighter who leaves the sport in disgrace. Down on her luck and simmering with rage and regret years after the fight, she's coaxed into a brutal underground fight by her manager and boyfriend Desi and grabs the attention of a fight league promoter who promises Jackie a life back in the Octagon. But the road to redemption becomes unexpectedly personal when Manny - the son she gave up as an infant - shows up at her doorstep. A triumphant story of a fighter who reclaims her power, in and out of the ring, when everyone has counted her out

Themes

Motherhood under pressure, Economic precarity drives risk, Underground fighting exploitation, Control through mentorship, Identity under scrutiny, Reinvention through discipline

Available on

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

Belfast

4. Belfast

Drama History Historical Drama
7.2
20211h 38min

Overview

Buddy is a young boy on the cusp of adolescence, whose life is filled with familial love, childhood hijinks, and a blossoming romance. Yet, with his beloved hometown caught up in increasing turmoil, his family faces a momentous choice: hope the conflict will pass or leave everything they know behind for a new life.

Themes

Class inequality under pressure, North ireland division, The troubles fracture, August 1969 riots effect, Ulster loyalism tension, Migration as choice and consequence

Available on

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

Happening

5. Happening

Drama Historical Drama
7.4
20211h 39min

Overview

France, 1963. Anne is a bright young student with a promising future ahead of her. But when she falls pregnant, she sees the opportunity to finish her studies and escape the constraints of her social background disappearing. With her final exams fast approaching and her belly growing, Anne resolves to act, even if she has to confront shame and pain, even if she must risk prison to do so.

Themes

Social stigma and isolation, Academic pressure during pregnancy, Economic sacrifice for care, Legal abortion risk, Illicit medical access, Peer betrayal and coercion

Available on

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

Overview

On a post-apocalyptic Earth, a robot, built to protect the life of his dying creator's beloved dog, learns about life, love, friendship, and what it means to be human.

Themes

Isolation and resilience, Survival under duress, Human machine bond, Becoming human, Caregiving and duty, Trust and companionship

Available on

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

Spencer

7. Spencer

Drama History Biographical History Historical Drama
6.5
20211h 56min

Overview

During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles.

Themes

Class expectations, Public duty vs privacy, Gendered pressure, Haunting memories, Marital constraint, Family defiance

Available on

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

Paris, 13th District

8. Paris, 13th District

Drama Romance Relationship Drama Passionate Romance
7.0
20211h 46min

Overview

Émilie meets Camille who is attracted to Nora, who crosses paths with Amber. Three girls and a boy – They're friends, sometimes lovers and often both.

Themes

Professional life vs romance, Power dynamics in intimacy, Nontraditional relationships redefining boundaries, Economic precarity driving rent pressure, Boundary negotiation in romance, Deception through appearances shaping perceptions

Available on

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

Firebird

9. Firebird

Drama Romance War Historical Drama Passionate Romance
7.1
20211h 47min

Overview

At the height of the Cold War, a troubled soldier forms a forbidden love triangle with a daring fighter pilot and his female comrade amid the dangerous surroundings of a Soviet Air Force Base.

Themes

Forbidden romance under discipline, State policing of sexuality, Romance within strict hierarchy, Public deception in marriage, Loyalty under conflicting commitments, Artistry as escape and identity

Available on

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

The Shadow in My Eye

10. The Shadow in My Eye

War Drama History World War II Historical Drama
7.3
20211h 47min

Overview

On March 21st, 1945, the British Royal Air Force set out on a mission to bomb Gestapo's headquarters in Copenhagen. The raid had fatal consequences as some of the bombers accidentally targeted a school and more than 120 people were killed, 86 of whom were children.

Themes

Resistance under occupation, Duty vs humanity, Civilian casualties, War-time trauma, Moral ambiguity of orders, Deception in war

Available on

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