nerve-wracking backdrop

Movies with nerve-wracking vibe

Hungry Hearts

361. Hungry Hearts

Drama Relationship Drama
6.5

20151h 49min

Italy, United States

Director: Saverio Costanzo

Overview

The relationship of a couple who meet by chance in New York City is put to the test when they encounter a life or death circumstance.

Themes

Medical autonomy conflict, Parental authority clash, Caregiving under siege, Legal custody tension, Isolation as control, Ethical disagreement within family

Available on

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

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis

362. Justice League: Throne of Atlantis

Science Fiction Action Animation Adventure Superhero Action
6.7

20151h 12min

United States

Director: Ethan Spaulding

Overview

After the events of Justice League: War, Ocean Master and Black Manta have declared a war against the surface in retaliation of the aftermath of Apokoliptian-tyrant Darkseid's planetary invasion. Queen Atlanna seeks out her other son, Ocean Master’s half-brother Arthur Curry, a half-human with aquatic powers with no knowledge of his Atlantean heritage, to restore balance. Living with powers he doesn’t understand and seeing the danger around him, Curry takes steps to embrace his destiny, joining the Justice League, and with his new teammates he battles to save Earth from total destruction.

Themes

Alliance under pressure, Interrealm conflict, Legacy vs legitimacy, Power and sovereignty, Duty vs destiny, Heritage and belonging

Available on

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

Selma

363. Selma

History Drama Political History Political Drama
7.5

20142h 8min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Ava DuVernay

Overview

"Selma," as in Alabama, the place where segregation in the South was at its worst, leading to a march that ended in violence, forcing a famous statement by President Lyndon B. Johnson that ultimately led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act.

Themes

Civil rights pressure, Voting rights struggle, Federal intervention debate, State force deployment, Protest visibility, Legal process tension

Available on

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

The Last: Naruto the Movie

364. The Last: Naruto the Movie

Action Romance Animation Epic Action Romantic Epic
7.6

20141h 54min

Japan

Director: Tsuneo Kobayashi

Overview

Two years after the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War, the moon that Hagoromo Otsutsuki created long ago to seal away the Gedo Statue begins to descend towards the world, threatening to become a meteor that would destroy everything on impact. Amidst this crisis, a direct descendant of Kaguya Otsutsuki named Toneri Otsutsuki attempts to kidnap Hinata Hyuga but ends up abducting her younger sister Hanabi. Naruto and his allies now mount a rescue mission before finding themselves embroiled in a final battle to decide the fate of everything.

Themes

Power and control, Duty vs loyalty, Trust under manipulation, Rescue mission ethics, Moon as looming threat, Legacy burden

Available on

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

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

365. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1

Science Fiction Adventure Thriller Dystopian Sci-Fi Adventure Epic
6.6

20142h 3min

United States

Director: Francis Lawrence

Overview

After surviving the Quarter Quell, Katniss finds herself in the hidden stronghold of District 13, where the rebellion against the Capitol is gaining momentum. Struggling with the weight of becoming the symbol of resistance, she must navigate fragile alliances while trying to protect those she loves. As propaganda battles rage and Panem moves closer to full-scale war, Katniss is forced to confront the true cost of revolution.

Themes

Leadership under crisis, Propaganda and manipulation, Resistance and revolt, Female agency under oppression, Class prejudice and subjugation, Collective action and sacrifice

Available on

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

As the Gods Will

366. As the Gods Will

Thriller Horror Comedy Mind Game Thriller Supernatural Horror
6.3

20141h 57min

Japan

Director: Takashi Miike

Overview

High school student Shun Takahata is bored. Bored with the day-to-day monotony of school and life, he prays for change, for something exciting. Suddenly, he and his classmates are forced to play deadly children's games and facing terrifying creatures from a talking Daruma doll to a sharp-clawed lucky cat.

Themes

Peer pressure dynamics, Boredom fueling violence, Malicious peer intent, Survival under coercive games, Group danger under stress, Risk and consequence perception

Available on

Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Beyond the Lights

367. Beyond the Lights

Romance Drama Passionate Romance Entertainment Industry Drama
6.8

20141h 56min

United States

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Overview

Noni Jean is a hot new rising star. But not all is what it seems, and the pressure causes Noni to nearly fall apart - until she meets Kaz Nicol, a promising young cop and aspiring politician who's been assigned to her detail. Can Kaz's love give Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be?

Themes

Vulnerability and agency, Parental influence and ambition, Creative autonomy against industry control, Pressure of fame, Public image vs private voice, Power dynamics of fame

Available on

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

Girlhood

368. Girlhood

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
6.9

20141h 52min

France

Director: Céline Sciamma

Overview

Oppressed by her family setting, dead-end school prospects and the boys law in the neighborhood, Marieme starts a new life after meeting a group of three free-spirited girls. She changes her name, her dress code, and quits school to be accepted in the gang, hoping that this will be a way to freedom.

Themes

Class inequality, Economic precarity, Peer pressure, Gang dynamics, Abusive family dynamics, Identity through group belonging

Available on

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

Unfriended

369. Unfriended

Horror Mystery Supernatural Horror Unreliable Perspective Mystery
5.6

20141h 23min

United States

Director: Levan Gabriadze

Overview

While video chatting one night, six high school friends receive a Skype message from a classmate who killed herself exactly one year ago. At first they think it's a prank, but when the girl starts revealing the friends' darkest secrets, they realize they are dealing with something out of this world, something that wants them dead.

Themes

Found footage aesthetic, Online peer pressure, Betrayal and humiliation, Video chat dynamics, Revenge via social channels, Digital duress and threats

Available on

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

The Town that Dreaded Sundown

370. The Town that Dreaded Sundown

Thriller Horror Slasher Horror Investigation Suspense
5.6

20141h 25min

United States

Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon

Overview

A masked maniac terrorizes the same small community where a murderer known as the Phantom Killer struck decades earlier.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Revenge and retaliation, Fragile trust in institutions, Collective fear in a community, Dual loyalties among authorities, Memory vs manipulation

Available on

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