high-pressure backdrop

Movies with high-pressure vibe

281. Michael Clayton

Michael Clayton
Drama Thriller Crime Legal Drama Political Thriller
7.2
20072hUnited States
Director: Tony Gilroy

Overview

A law firm brings in its "fixer" to remedy the situation after a lawyer has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multi-billion dollar class action suit.

Themes

Legal ethics under pressure, Deception and cover-up, Business ethics, Corporate malfeasance, Power and influence, Class action stakes

Available on

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

282. Control

Control
Drama Tragic Drama
7.6
20072h 1minAustralia, United Kingdom
Director: Anton Corbijn

Overview

The story of Joy Division’s lead singer Ian Curtis, from his schoolboy days in 1973 to his suicide on the eve of the band's first American tour in 1980.

Themes

Epilepsy and medication impact, Marital strain under fame, Extramarital affair pressures, Audience expectations pressure, Record label pressures, Creative success at cost

Available on

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

283. Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Drama History Romance Historical Drama Passionate Romance
6.8
20071h 54minFrance, United Kingdom
Director: Shekhar Kapur

Overview

When Queen Elizabeth's reign is threatened by ruthless familial betrayal and Spain's invading army, she and her shrewd adviser must act to safeguard the lives of her people.

Themes

Succession pressure and legitimacy, Court intrigue and betrayal, Foreign invasion and diplomacy, Religious factional conflict, Political image management, Private loyalty vs public duty

Available on

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

284. Flawless

Flawless
Crime Drama Thriller Heist Psychological Drama
6.7
20071h 48minUnited Kingdom, Luxembourg
Director: Michael Radford

Overview

A female executive and a night janitor conspire to commit a daring diamond heist from their mutual employer, The London Diamond Corporation.

Themes

Social mobility, Glass ceiling, Gender inequality, Corporate power, Ambition and risk, Deception dynamics

Available on

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

285. Under the Same Moon

Under the Same Moon
Drama Family Drama
7.3
20071h 46minMexico, United States
Director: Patricia Riggen

Overview

Tells the parallel stories of nine-year-old Carlitos and his mother, Rosario. In the hopes of providing a better life for her son, Rosario works illegally in the U.S. while her mother cares for Carlitos back in Mexico.

Themes

Economic desperation, Labor exploitation, Caregiving burden, Migration and family, Precarious legal status, Racism in work

Available on

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

286. I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Comedy Romance Buddy Comedy Romantic Comedy
5.9
20071h 55minUnited States
Director: Dennis Dugan

Overview

Firefighters Chuck Ford and Larry Valentine are guy's guys, loyal to the core—which is why when widower Larry asks Chuck to pose as his lover so that he can get domestic partner benefits for his kids, his buddy agrees. However, things get dicey when a bureaucrat comes calling, and the boys are forced to present a picture of domestic bliss.

Themes

Deception in relationships, Appearances vs reality, Loyalty under scrutiny, Homophobia and social pressure, Domestic partnership ethics, Institutional barriers to benefits

Available on

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

287. Live Free or Die Hard

Live Free or Die Hard
Action Thriller One-Person Army Computer Threat Thriller
7.1
20072h 8minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: Len Wiseman

Overview

John McClane is back and badder than ever, and this time he calls on the services of a young hacker in his bid to stop a ring of Internet terrorists intent on taking control of America's computer infrastructure.

Themes

Cyberwarfare vulnerability, Infrastructure under attack, Media manipulation risk, Federal response challenges

Available on

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

288. Loving Annabelle

Loving Annabelle
Drama Romance Relationship Drama Dark Romance
6.2
20071h 17minUnited States
Director: Katherine Brooks

Overview

Annabelle is the wise-beyond-her-years newcomer to an exclusive Catholic girls school. Having been expelled from her first two schools she's bound to stir some trouble. Sparks fly though when sexual chemistry appears between her and the Head of her dorm and English teacher, Simone Bradley. Annabelle pursues her relentlessly and until the end the older woman manages to avoid the law.

Themes

Secrecy and exposure, Institutional conformity pressure, Romance within authority, Religious code vs desire, Teacher student power dynamics, Lgbt relationship stigma

Available on

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

289. Shrek the Third

Shrek the Third
Fantasy Adventure Animation Comedy Family
6.1
20071h 33minUnited States
Director: Chris Miller

Overview

The King of Far Far Away has died and Shrek and Fiona are to become King & Queen. However, Shrek wants to return to his cozy swamp and live in peace and quiet, so when he finds out there is another heir to the throne, they set off to bring him back to rule the kingdom.

Themes

Duty versus desire, Legacy leadership pressure, Outsider acceptance, Fear of parenthood, Betrayal dynamics, Teamwork under threat

Available on

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

290. Reign Over Me

Reign Over Me
Drama Tragic Drama
7.4
20072h 4minUnited States
Director: Mike Binder

Overview

A man who lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City runs into his old college roommate. Rekindling the friendship is the one thing that appears able to help the man recover from his grief.

Themes

Grief and recovery, Friendship as lifeline, Mental health treatment, Family obligation and care decisions, Trauma and memory avoidance, Social isolation and reintegration

Available on

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