volatile backdrop

Movies with volatile vibe

Machuca

1. Machuca

Drama Historical Drama
7.7
20041h 56min

Overview

Santiago, capital of Chile during the Marxist government of elected, highly controversial president Salvador Allende. Father McEnroe supports his leftist views by introducing a program at the prestigious "collegio" (Catholic prep school) St. Patrick to allow free admission of some proletarian kids. One of them is Pedro Machuca, slum-raised son of the cleaning lady in Gonzalo Infante's liberal-bourgeois home. Yet the new classmates become buddies, paradoxically protesting together as Gonzalo gets adopted by Pedro's slum family and gang. But the adults spoil that too, not in the least when general Pinochet's coup ousts Allende, and supporters such as McEnroe.

Themes

Class inequality, Loyalty under pressure, Educational integration, Political upheaval, Economic redistribution, Cross class friendship

Available on

Kanopy
Fandor
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Weeping Meadow

2. The Weeping Meadow

Drama History Historical Drama
7.8
20042h 49min

Overview

The first part of an incomplete trilogy telling the story of the greek people. The film begins in 1919, with Greek immigrants from Odessa arriving near Thessaloniki. Led by the charismatic Spyros, they establish a new settlement in the delta of a river. The youngest of the settlers are Spyros' son Alexis and an orphan from Odessa, Eleni. A strong, almost incestuous affection develops between the teenagers, resulting in twins who are given to a foster family. Also standing in the way of love is Spyros, determined to take his foster daughter as his wife. The lovers then decide to flee the village, persecuted by their father, leading a life of exile. As Alexis joins a group of musicians planning to go to the United States, Eleni regains custody of the twins. Angelopoulos, as in previous films, looks at the sacrifice of civilians confronted by the workers' demonstrations of 1935, the rule of Metaxas' fascist junta and forced emigration to America, and finally the civil war of 1944-1949.

Themes

Immigration and displacement, Forbidden love under pressure, Arranged marriage power dynamics, Civilian sacrifice during conflict, Political upheaval and emigration, Exile and kinship obligations

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Bang Bang You're Dead

3. Bang Bang You're Dead

Drama Thriller Coming-of-Age Drama Mind Game Thriller
7.7
20031h 27min

Overview

A troubled and bullied high school student fights against judgement from his community after threatening to bomb the football team.

Themes

School shooting threat, Bullying and peer pressure, High school violence, Ethics of retaliation, Theater as coping mechanism, Community protest and response


Adaptation.

4. Adaptation.

Comedy Crime Drama Dark Comedy Psychological Drama
7.7
20021h 55min

Overview

Charlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother Donald. While struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean, Kaufman's life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman, Orlean's book, become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the others'.

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Twin rivalry and dependence, Writer's block under pressure, Ambition versus integrity, Satire of the industry, Identity through adaptation

Available on

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

The Quiet American

5. The Quiet American

Romance Thriller Drama War Bittersweet Romance
7.0
20021h 41min

Overview

Cynical British journalist Fowler falls in love with a young Vietnamese woman but is dismayed when a naïve U.S. official also begins vying for her attention. In retaliation, Fowler informs the communists that the American is selling arms to their enemy.

Themes

Love triangle dynamics, Aid worker guise, Journalist involvement, Growing american involvement, Vietnam war escalation, Indochina tensions

Available on

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

Paid in Full

6. Paid in Full

Action Crime Drama Narcotics Crime Coming-of-Age Drama
7.0
20021h 38min

Overview

Ace is an impressionable young man working for a dry cleaning business. His friend, drug dealer Mitch, goes to prison. In an unrelated incident, he finds some cocaine in a pants pocket. Soon, Ace finds himself dealing cocaine for Lulu. Via lucky breaks and solid interpersonal skills, Ace moves to the top of the Harlem drug world. Of course, unfaithful employees and/or rivals conspire to bring about Ace's fall.

Themes

Class inequality, Power dynamics, Social climbing, Loyalty and betrayal, Risk and violence, Urban crime networks, Wealth and corruption

Available on

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

Lilya 4-ever

7. Lilya 4-ever

Drama Crime Tragic Drama Narcotics Crime
7.8
20021h 49min

Overview

In a struggling post-Soviet community, Lilya a teenage girl is abandoned when her mother moves to the United States with her boyfriend. Facing neglect and poverty, she meets Andrei, who offers her a job in Sweden, giving her hope for a better life — and a journey that will change everything.

Themes

Economic precarity, Sexual exploitation, Reputation damage, Coercive trafficking, Youth vulnerability, Abandonment and neglect

Available on

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

Femme Fatale

8. Femme Fatale

Mystery Crime Thriller Heist Erotic Thriller
6.2
20021h 54min

Overview

A $10-million diamond rip-off, a stolen identity, a new life married to a diplomat. Laure Ash has risked big, won big. But then a tabloid shutterbug snaps her picture in Paris, and suddenly, enemies from Laure's secret past know who and where she is. And they all want their share of the diamond heist. Or her life. Or both.

Themes

Gendered power dynamics, Deception through disguises, Identity instability, Image manipulation and surveillance, Risk and payoff calculus, Intimate betrayal dynamics

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Movistar Plus+
FlixOlé
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

He Loves Me… He Loves Me Not

9. He Loves Me… He Loves Me Not

Drama Romance Thriller Relationship Drama Passionate Romance
7.1
20021h 32min

Overview

A talented art student named Angélique is passionately in love with Dr. Loïc Le Garrec, a handsome married man whom she believes will leave his wife. When he eventually decides to stay in his marriage, it causes Angélique to spiral. However, as the story shifts from Angélique's perspective to Loïc's, the surprising truth about their relationship is revealed.

Themes

Obsessive love, Jealousy and deception, Erotomania diagnosis, Marriage and fidelity, Dual narrative perspective, Societal expectations on romance

Available on

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

Philanthropy

10. Philanthropy

Comedy Drama Dark Comedy Coming-of-Age Drama
8.4
20021h 50min

Overview

In 21st century Bucharest, to go out in the city on Saturday evening on the arm of a beautiful woman is a risky financial investment. Ovidiu, an unassuming high school teacher, never could afford it. Looking for a source of income more substantial than a teacher's salary, Ovidiu plunges into a fabulous world – the beggar mob.

Themes

Social climbing, Deception for money, Commodification of poverty, Class aspiration and reality, Performative charity, Media spectacle and pity, Transactional romance

Available on

Universcine
Sooner Amazon Channel
Sooner
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.