cynical backdrop

Movies with cynical vibe

Vatel

731. Vatel

History Drama Romance Passionate Romance
6.6

20002h 5min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Roland Joffé

In 1671, with war brewing with Holland, a penniless prince invites Louis XIV to three days of festivities at a chateau in Chantilly. The prince wants a commission as a general, so the extravagances are to impress the king. In charge of all is the steward, Vatel, a man of honor, talent, and low birth. The prince is craven in his longing for stature: no task is too menial or dishonorable for him to give Vatel. While Vatel tries to sustain dignity, he finds himself attracted to Anne de Montausier, the king's newest mistress. In Vatel, she finds someone who's authentic, living out his principles within the casual cruelties of court politics. Can the two of them escape unscathed?

Themes

Low birth constraint, Royal cuisine display, Penniless prince ascent, Newest mistress tension, Royal court dynamics, Three days ritual

Available on

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

28 Days

732. 28 Days

Comedy Drama Psychological Drama Dark Comedy
6.1

20001h 43min

United States

Director: Betty Thomas

After getting into a car accident while drunk on the day of her sister's wedding, Gwen Cummings is given a choice between prison or a rehab center. She chooses rehab, but is extremely resistant to taking part in any of the treatment programs they have to offer, refusing to admit that she has an alcohol addiction.

Themes

Addiction and rehab, Wedding day tensions, Car crash aftermath, Withdrawal and relapse risk, Group therapy dynamics, Autonomy in sobriety

Available on

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

High Fidelity

733. High Fidelity

Drama Comedy Romance Music Romantic Comedy
7.4

20001h 53min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Stephen Frears

After his long-time girlfriend dumps him, a thirty-year-old record store owner seeks to understand why he is unlucky in love while recounting his "top five breakups of all time".

Themes

Insecurity in relationships, Fear of commitment, Deception in relationships, Top five fixation, Artistic identity vs romance, Music culture influence

Available on

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

Final Destination

734. Final Destination

Horror Supernatural Horror
6.7

20001h 38min

United States

Director: James Wong

After a teenager has a terrifying vision of him and his friends dying in a plane crash, he prevents the accident only to have Death hunt them down, one by one.

Themes

Survival under threat, Investigation and doubt, Fate vs control, Premonition influence, Time-triggered danger, Collective hazard response

Available on

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

Water Drops on Burning Rocks

735. Water Drops on Burning Rocks

Drama Romance Comedy Passionate Romance Relationship Drama
6.7

20001h 26min

France, Japan

Director: François Ozon

In 1970s Germany, Léopold, a 50-year-old businessman, picks up and seduces 20-year-old Franz, who swiftly moves into his apartment. The dynamic between them intensifies with the sudden arrival of their ex-girlfriends.

Themes

Ex-girlfriend influence, Trans woman dynamics, Sexual identity tensions, Bisexuality complexities, Gay theme tensions, 1970s mores

Available on

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

If These Walls Could Talk 2

736. If These Walls Could Talk 2

Romance Drama Passionate Romance Family Drama
6.9

20001h 36min

United States

Director: Jane Anderson

The stories of three lesbian couples -- who live in the same house at different periods of time -- who are at a crossroads in their lives. In 1961, Edith loses her lover, Abby, to a stroke. Linda and Amy struggle with feminist issues in 1972. And, in 2000, Kal and Fran try to have a baby with the help of sperm donor.

Themes

Feminist group dynamics, Generational attitudes toward sexuality, Ownership of home, Discrimination in parenting, Donor anonymity and reproduction, Lesbian relationships across eras


The Taste of Others

737. The Taste of Others

Drama Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy Awkward Comedy
7.2

20001h 52min

France

Director: Agnès Jaoui

Unpolished and ultra-pragmatic industrialist Jean-Jacques Castella reluctantly attends Racine's tragedy "Berenice" in order to see his niece play a bit part. He is taken with the play's strangely familiar-looking leading lady Clara Devaux. During the course of the show, Castella soon remembers that he once hired and then promptly fired the actress as an English language tutor. He immediately goes out and signs up for language lessons. Thinking that he is nothing but an ill-tempered philistine with bad taste, Clara rejects him until Castella charms her off her feet.

Themes

Extramarital affair, Marital strain, Teacher student tension, Class vs art, Art and business collide, Language lessons romance

Available on

Netflix
Google Play Movies
Orange VOD
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Boiler Room

738. Boiler Room

Crime Drama Thriller Con Artist Crime Professional Drama
7.0

20001h 58min

United States

Director: Ben Younger

A college dropout gets a job as a broker for a suburban investment firm and is on the fast track to success—but the job might not be as legitimate as it sounds.

Themes

Deception of investors, Loyalty vs disapproval, Class ascent through deceit, Deceptive sales culture, Risk of quick wealth, Systemic fraud risk

Available on

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

The Whole Nine Yards

739. The Whole Nine Yards

Comedy Crime Parody Organized Crime
6.7

20001h 38min

United States

Director: Jonathan Lynn

After a mobster agrees to cooperate with an FBI investigation in order to stay out of prison, he's relocated by the authorities to a life of suburban anonymity as part of a witness protection program. It's not long before a couple of his new neighbours figure out his true identity and come knocking to see if he'd be up for one more hit—suburban style.

Themes

Deception in relationships, Witness protection strain, Money-driven manipulation, Loyalty vs survival, Suburban disguise, Crime and family ties

Available on

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

American Psycho

740. American Psycho

Thriller Drama Crime Mind Game Thriller Psychological Drama
7.6

20001h 42min

Canada, United States

Director: Mary Harron

A wealthy New York investment banking executive hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he escalates deeper into his illogical, gratuitous fantasies.

Themes

White collar violence, Alienation in affluence, Appearance versus reality, Satire of consumer culture, Class and status pressure, Deceptive self image

Available on

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