documentary-style backdrop

Movies with documentary-style vibe

Virgin Mountain

151. Virgin Mountain

Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.4

20151h 30min

Denmark, Iceland

Director: Dagur Kári

Fúsi finds comfort in the familiarity of his routines, until an involuntary dance class forces him to encounter the real world.

Themes

Routine vs change, Care through action, Creative space repair, Emotional loneliness and resilience, Adult social integration, Growth through new experiences

Available on

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

The Measure of a Man

152. The Measure of a Man

Drama Professional Drama
6.8

20151h 33min

France

Director: Stéphane Brizé

At the age of 51 and after 20 months on unemployment, Thierry starts a new job that soon brings him face to face with a moral dilemma. How much is he willing to accept to keep his job?

Themes

Security guard dynamics, Co-workers surveillance tension, Unemployment risk, Supermarket setting, Boss pressure ethics, Unemployment resilience

Available on

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

Focus

153. Focus

Romance Comedy Crime Romantic Comedy Con Artist Crime
6.6

20151h 45min

United States

Director: Glenn Ficarra

Nicky, an accomplished con artist, gets romantically involved with his disciple Jess but later ends their relationship. Years later, she returns as a femme fatale to spoil his plans.

Themes

Deception and trust, Loyalty versus ambition, Misdirection and manipulation, Emotional risk in crime, Romance and vulnerability in crime

Available on

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

McFarland, USA

154. McFarland, USA

Drama Family Sports Competition
7.4

20152h 8min

United States

Director: Niki Caro

A track coach in a small California town transforms a team of athletes into championship contenders.

Themes

Community support, Educational ascent, California opportunity, Team growth, Small town pressure, Family sacrifice

Available on

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

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief

155. Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief

Documentary TV Movie Social & Political Documentary
8.0

20152h

United States

Director: Alex Gibney

GOING CLEAR intimately profiles eight former members of the Church of Scientology, shining a light on how they attract true believers and the things they do in the name of religion.

Themes

Abuse of power, Cult dynamics, Coercive leadership, Indoctrination pressure, Surveillance and harassment, Recruitment manipulation

Available on

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

The Atticus Institute

156. The Atticus Institute

Horror Supernatural Horror
5.5

20151h 32min

United States

Director: Chris Sparling

In the early 1970s, Dr. Henry West creates an institute to find people with supernatural abilities. When Judith Winstead comes to the facility, she exhibits amazing abilities that the military wants to turn into a weapon.

Themes

Military coercion, Ethical ambiguity, Institutional overreach, Government secrecy, Supernatural exploitation, Inhumane experiments

Available on

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

Big Eyes

157. Big Eyes

Drama Entertainment Industry Drama
7.0

20141h 46min

United States, Canada

Director: Tim Burton

In the late 1950s and early '60s, artist Walter Keane achieves unbelievable fame and success with portraits of saucer-eyed waifs. However, no one realizes that his wife, Margaret, is the real painter behind the brush. Although Margaret is horrified to learn that Walter is passing off her work as his own, she is too meek to protest too loudly. It isn't until the Keanes' marriage comes to an end and a lawsuit follows that the truth finally comes to light.

Themes

Public image vs private life, Gendered power dynamics, Ownership of art, Creative credit disputes, Economic manipulation, Exploitation in marriage

Available on

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

Head Full of Honey

158. Head Full of Honey

Comedy Drama Family Drama Dark Comedy
6.6

20142h 19min

Germany

Director: Til Schweiger

Before eleven years old Tilda's parents can put her beloved grandfather in an old people's home due to his progressing Alzheimer disease, she takes him on one last adventure that subliminally threatens to tear her family apart.

Themes

Memory loss and care, Family responsibility under strain, Intergenerational bonds in crisis, Aging and dependency, Memories as anchors, Marital stress and resilience

Available on

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

Virunga

159. Virunga

Documentary War Social & Political Documentary Modern Conflicts
8.1

20141h 40min

Congo - Kinshasa, United Kingdom

Director: Orlando von Einsiedel

Virunga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s oldest national park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a contested ground among insurgencies seeking to topple the government that see untold profits in the land. Among this ongoing power struggle, Virunga also happens to be the last natural habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla. The only thing standing in the way of the forces closing in around the gorillas: a handful of passionate park rangers and journalists fighting to secure the park’s borders and expose the corruption of its enemies. Filled with shocking footage, and anchored by the surprisingly deep and gentle characters of the gorillas themselves, Virunga is a galvanizing call to action around an ongoing political and environmental crisis in the Congo.

Themes

Conservation under threat, Armed conflict pressure, Oil-driven exploitation, Watchful journalism, Biodiversity protection, Governance and corruption

Available on

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

Citizenfour

160. Citizenfour

Documentary Social & Political Documentary
8.0

20141h 53min

Germany, United Kingdom

Director: Laura Poitras

In June 2013, Laura Poitras and reporter Glenn Greenwald flew to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with Edward Snowden. She brought her camera with her.

Themes

Media accountability, Whistleblower risk, Privacy vs security, State secrecy tension, Surveillance ethics, Journalist ethics, Asylum politics

Available on

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