| Dog Day Afternoon (1975) | 8.0 | |
| Flight (2012) | 7.3 | |
| Insomnia (2002) | 7.2 | |
| The One I Love (2014) | 7.0 | |
| Crazy Heart (2009) | 7.2 |
Character study movies and TV shows – page 2
Best films
New films
List of character study movies
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Country: West Germany
Duration: 95 min.
Story:
A surreal comedy depicting a diverse cast of characters and the changes they undergo as the German tourist Jasmin interacts with each of them at a remote truck stop in the middle of the Mojave desert.
Style:
touching, surreal, meditative, emotional, semi serious ...
Plot:
desert, friendship, restaurant, character study, motel, food, transformation, magic realism, life philosophy, female friendship, starting over, wilderness ...
Time:
80s, year 1987
Place:
utah, california, las vegas, nevada, germany
Is relevant?
14K
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 161 min.
Story:
Saxophone player Charlie Parker comes to New York in 1940. He is quickly noticed for his remarkable way of playing. He becomes a drug addict but his loving wife Chan tries to help him.
Style:
atmospheric, psychological, factual, stylized, realistic ...
Plot:
jazz, music, biopic, drug abuse, addiction, heroin, drug addict, musician, childhood, character study, musician's life, showbiz ...
Time:
1940s, 1950s, year 1988, 20th century, 50s
Place:
usa, brooklyn new york city, africa
Is relevant?
198K
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 113 min.
Story:
When record store owner Rob Gordon gets dumped by his girlfriend, Laura, because he hasn't changed since they met, he revisits his top five breakups of all time in an attempt to figure out what went wrong. As Rob seeks out his former lovers to ...
Style:
realistic, melancholic, sexy, funny, romantic ...
Audience:
date night, chick flick
Plot:
music, breakup, love and romance, musician, musician's life, rock, rock and roll, love story, love, character study, relationships, dating ...
Time:
90s, year 2000, 2000s, y2k, 20th century ...
Place:
chicago, usa, seattle, london
Is relevant?
303K
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 155 min.
Story:
Set in 1977, back when sex was safe, pleasure was a business and business was booming, idealistic porn producer Jack Horner aspires to elevate his craft to an art form. Horner discovers Eddie Adams, a hot young talent working as a busboy in a ...
Style:
sexy, stylized, erotic, cult classic, black comedy ...
Audience:
chick flick, teens, adult
Plot:
sex, porn industry, drug abuse, multiple storylines, addiction, drug, cocaine, adult filmmaking, adultery, drug addiction, voyeurism, nudity ...
Time:
70s, 80s, year 1997, 90s, 20th century ...
Place:
los angeles, california, usa
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 129 min.
Story:
Scout Finch, 6, and her older brother Jem live in sleepy Maycomb, Alabama, spending much of their time with their friend Dill and spying on their reclusive and mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley. When Atticus, their widowed father and a respected ...
Style:
touching, thought provoking, gothic, compassionate, sentimental ...
Audience:
family outing, manly, chick flick, teen drama
Plot:
lawyer, courtroom, courtroom drama, trial, racism, small town, legal, single father, coming of age, rape, justice, childhood ...
Time:
1930s, year 1932, 20th century, year 1962
Place:
alabama, usa, southern usa, america, africa ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Music
Country: USA, UK, France
Duration: 104 min.
Story:
In Greenwich Village in the early 1960s, gifted but volatile folk musician Llewyn Davis struggles with money, relationships, and his uncertain future following the suicide of his singing partner.
Style:
atmospheric, depressing, black comedy, meditative, contemplative ...
Plot:
music, homeless, musician, loneliness, musician's life, cat, character study, depression, financial problem, aspiring singer, road trip, melancholy ...
Time:
60s, year 2013, 2010s, year 1961, 20th century
Place:
new york, usa, indiana, chicago, somalia ...
Is relevant?
149K
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: UK, Denmark, USA, Cayman Islands
Duration: 92 min.
Story:
A young man who was sentenced to 7 years in prison for robbing a post office ends up spending 30 years in solitary confinement. During this time, his own personality is supplanted by his alter ego, Charles Bronson.
Style:
surreal, brutal, sexy, psychedelic, bloody ...
Audience:
manly, boys' night, adult
Plot:
prison, prison life, violence, social misfits, character study, mental illness, male nudity, violent, violence spree, society, fistfight, sadism ...
Time:
year 2008, 2000s, 20th century, 80s, 70s ...
Place:
england, britain, europe, united kingdom, london
Is relevant?
439K
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: Spain, USA
Duration: 101 min.
Story:
The Machinist is the story of Trevor Reznik, a lathe-operator who is dying of insomnia. In a machine shop, occupational hazards are bad enough under normal circumstances; yet for Trevor the risks are compounded by fatigue. Trevor has lost the ...
Style:
psychological, twist ending, surprise ending, depressing, surreal ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
insomnia, insanity, uncover truth, obsession, mysterious character, paranoia, losing-it hero, twists and turns, schizophrenia, life is a bitch, secrets, alienation ...
Time:
year 2004, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
usa, america, persia, los angeles
Is relevant?
172K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 109 min.
Story:
Aileen Wuornos is an emotionally scarred highway hooker who shoots a sadistic trick who rapes her and ultimately becomes America's first female serial killer.
Style:
bleak, harsh, brutal, sexy, sad ...
Audience:
date night, chick flick, teens, adult
Plot:
serial killer, lesbian, female serial killer, homeless, prostitute, lesbian love, murder, mental illness, female killer, couples, rape, vengeance ...
Time:
80s, year 2003, 90s, 20th century, 2000s
Place:
florida, usa, michigan, miami, ohio
Is relevant?
682K
Genre: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min.
Story:
When world heavyweight boxing champion, Apollo Creed wants to give an unknown fighter a shot at the title as a publicity stunt, his handlers choose palooka Rocky Balboa, an uneducated collector for a Philadelphia loan shark. Rocky teams up with ...
Style:
inspirational, uplifting, touching, cult classic, saga ...
Audience:
boys' night, manly, kids, family outing, teens
Plot:
boxing, underdog, fight, boxer, self esteem, training, rocky, love story, shyness, tough guy, character study, pride and honor ...
Time:
70s, year 1976, 20th century, year 1975
Place:
philadelphia, pennsylvania, north america, usa
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: Estonia
Duration: 165 min.
Story:
Estonia, 1872. The uncompromising new owner of Robber's Rise must battle with hard work, his spiteful neighbor and with his own family and beliefs to transform the poor land into a flourishing farm of his dreams.
Style:
psychological, captivating, thrilling, art house, grim ...
Plot:
problem, life is a bitch, character study, struggle, pursuit, countryside, conflict, crisis of faith, village life, family drama, hardship, obsession ...
Time:
19th century
Place:
estonia
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 92 min.
Story:
The story of Joseph a man plagued by violence and a rage that is driving him to self-destruction. As Joseph's life spirals into turmoil a chance of redemption appears in the form of Hannah, a Christian charity shop worker. Their relationship ...
Style:
bleak, depressing, sad, disturbing, psychological ...
Plot:
abuse, redemption, rage, character study, domestic violence, abusive husband, abused woman, society, frustration, christian, brutality, sexualized violence ...
Time:
2010s, year 2011, year 2010, 21st century
Place:
england, yorkshire, northern england
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
48K
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, France, Italy, Japan, USA
Duration: 97 min.
Story:
A hard-living Hollywood actor re-examines his life after his 11-year-old daughter surprises him with a visit.
Style:
art house, independent film, meditative, surreal, psychological ...
Plot:
father daughter relationship, luxury hotel, character study, male nudity, estranged father, hotel, loneliness, parent child relationship, swimming pool, actor, obsession, family relations ...
Time:
2010s, year 2010, 21st century
Place:
los angeles, california, italy, europe, usa ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min.
Story:
A beleaguered small-business owner gets a harmonium and embarks on a romantic journey with a mysterious woman.
Style:
romantic, surreal, touching, sentimental, rom com ...
Audience:
chick flick, date night, adult
Plot:
depression, asperger's syndrome, true love, shyness, love and romance, brother sister relationship, crazy love, character study, mental illness, love story, socially awkward, insanity ...
Time:
90s, year 2002, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
los angeles, hawaii, california, utah, usa ...
Is relevant?
35K
Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 103 min.
Story:
A police officer leaves the force in the face of harrowing personal and professional difficulties. Spiraling into a depression, he makes questionable decisions.
Style:
bloody, emotional, bleak, art house, lyrical ...
Plot:
police, yakuza, gangster, character study, dying, death, samurai, loss, loss of partner, loss of loved one, couple relations, love and romance ...
Time:
20th century, year 1997, 90s
Place:
japan, tokyo, asia, mount fuji, india
Is relevant?
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min.
Story:
Loosely based on the true-life tale of Ron Woodroof, a drug-taking, women-loving, homophobic man who in 1986 was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and given thirty days to live.
Style:
cerebral, inspirational, psychological, heartbreaking, clever ...
Audience:
teens, chick flick, adult
Plot:
aids, transsexual, fighting the system, hiv, transgender, human spirit, casual sex, treatment, hiv positive, life is a bitch, gay slur, drug ...
Time:
80s, year 2013, 2000s, 20th century, 90s ...
Place:
texas, usa, idaho, midwest, nebraska ...
Is relevant?
10K
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min.
Story:
Paul Aufiero, a 35-year-old parking-garage attendant from Staten Island, is the self-described "world's biggest New York Giants fan". One night, Paul and his best friend Sal spot Giants star linebacker Quantrell Bishop at a gas ...
Style:
disturbing, bleak, dark comedy, independent film, witty ...
Plot:
american football, football, character study, obsession, loser, obsessed fan, eccentricity, loneliness, life is a bitch, nothing goes right, hospital, dysfunctional family ...
Time:
year 2009, 80s, 21st century
Place:
new york, boston, usa, texas, new jersey
Is relevant?
359K
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min.
Story:
George Clooney plays the dry cynical character of Ryan Bingham, an executive who specializes in "downsizing". Ryan lives out of his suitcase, traveling the country for the sole purpose terminating unwanted employees day after day. Just as ...
Style:
touching, sexy, romantic, rom com, romantic drama ...
Audience:
date night, chick flick, adult
Plot:
loneliness, on the road, travel, couples, hotel, business trip, airport, love affair, downsizing, business, love and romance, motivational speaker ...
Time:
year 2009, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
san francisco, dallas texas, las vegas, iran, usa ...
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min.
Story:
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.
Style:
suspenseful, clever, suspense, political thriller, disturbing ...
Plot:
lawyer, legal, business, twists and turns, conspiracy, guilt, character study, divorce, nervous breakdown, law firm, courtroom, trial ...
Time:
year 2007, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
new york, wisconsin, usa, milwaukee wisconsin, manhattan new york city ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min.
Story:
(William H. Macy) works at a Las Vegas casino, where he uses his innate ability to bring about misfortune in those around him to jinx gamblers into losing. His imposing boss, Shelly Kaplow (Alec Baldwin), is happy with the arrangement. But Bernie ...
Style:
sexy, realistic, neo noir, intense, serious ...
Plot:
gambling, casino, card playing, fall in love, sex, gambler, bad luck, character study, public nudity, love and romance, down on your luck, female pubic hair ...
Time:
year 2003, 21st century
Place:
las vegas, usa
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 116 min.
Story:
A tale of passion, crime and punishment set in the summer of 1949. Ed Crane, a barber in a small California town, is dissatisfied with his life, but his wife Doris' infidelity presents him with a chance to change it.
Style:
neo noir, atmospheric, psychological, visually appealing, cerebral ...
Plot:
twists and turns, existentialism, dark humor, character study, murder, misfit, infidelity, blackmail, trial, eccentricity, false accusation, deception ...
Time:
1940s, year 2001, y2k, 2000s, 20th century ...
Place:
california, usa
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min.
Story:
Julian makes a lucrative living as an escort to older women in the Los Angeles area. He begins a relationship with Michelle, a local politician's wife, without expecting any pay. One of his clients is murdered and Detective Sunday begins ...
Style:
neo noir, sexy, retro, erotic, stylized ...
Plot:
murder, sex, pimp, frame up, gigolo, prostitute, sex scene, love affair, sensuality, infidelity, nudity, redemption ...
Time:
20th century, 80s, year 1980, 70s
Place:
los angeles, california, palm springs california, malibu california, usa ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, France
Duration: 93 min.
Story:
The story follows a married couple, apart for a night while the husband takes a business trip with a colleague to whom he's attracted. While he's resisting temptation, his wife encounters her past love.
Style:
sexy, melancholic, heartbreaking, sentimental, family comedy ...
Audience:
chick flick, teens, date night, teen drama
Plot:
infidelity, adultery, temptation, ex boyfriend ex girlfriend reunion, love story, lovers, love and romance, unfaithful wife, sex, old love, marital infidelity, ex couple relations ...
Time:
21st century
Place:
usa, france, philadelphia, new york, paris france
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
68K
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Country: Ireland, UK, USA
Duration: 102 min.
Story:
After he is threatened during a confession, a good-natured priest must battle the dark forces closing in around him.
Style:
atmospheric, captivating, meditative, psychological, thought provoking ...
Plot:
death threat, priest, confession, catholic priest, death, small town, existentialism, clergy, character study, human nature, goodhearted, social relations ...
Time:
year 2014, 2010s, 21st century
Place:
ireland, europe
Is relevant?
490K
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 107 min.
Story:
Ray and Ken, two hit men, are in Bruges, Belgium, waiting for their next mission. While they are there they have time to think and discuss their previous assignment. When the mission is revealed to Ken, it is not what he expected.
Style:
dark comedy, neo noir, humorous, atmospheric, clever ...
Audience:
boys' night, adult
Plot:
dark humor, hitman, redemption, haunted by the past, guilt, death, tourist, dialogue, shooting, dwarf, friendship, suicidal ...
Time:
year 2008, 2000s, future, medieval times, 21st century
Place:
bruges, europe, ireland, london, amsterdam ...
Is relevant?
168K
Genre: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 85 min.
Story:
Ivan Locke has worked hard to craft a good life for himself. Tonight, that life will collapse around him. On the eve of the biggest challenge of his career, Ivan receives a phone call that sets in motion a series of events that will unravel his ...
Style:
clever, atmospheric, captivating, neo noir, talky ...
Audience:
teens, family friendly, boys' night, adult
Plot:
on the road, driving, destiny, dead father, adultery, character study, life turned upside down, family problems, dialogue, mobile phone, family man, night ...
Time:
y2k, 90s, future, 2010s, 21st century
Place:
england, britain, ethiopia, usa, london
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, War
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story:
Marines prepare to invade Iraq at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom; while the soldiers wait to receive their orders, they learn a Rolling Stone columnist will be embedded with them
Style:
tense, political, disturbing, rough, realistic ...
Audience:
boys' night
Plot:
military, iraq war, marines, soldier, violence, war, anti war, military life, courage, desert, life & death, character study ...
Time:
year 2003, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
iraq, middle east, afghanistan
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min.
Story:
Disconnect interweaves multiple storylines about people searching for human connection in today’s wired world. Through poignant turns that are both harrowing and touching, the stories intersect with surprising twists that expose a shocking reality ...
Style:
thought provoking, depressing, suspenseful, cerebral, independent film ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
multiple storylines, loneliness, couples, technology, internet, cyberspace, dishonesty, journalist, bullying, lawyer, social media, career ...
Time:
year 2013, 21st century
Place:
usa, new jersey
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 106 min.
Story:
A psychological thriller of a grieving mother turned cold-blooded avenger with a twisty master plan to pay back those who were responsible for her daughter's death.
Style:
unusual plot structure, visually appealing, mind twisting, twisted, thought provoking ...
Audience:
teens, teen drama
Plot:
vengeance, revenge, teachers and students, japanese schoolgirl, twists and turns, dead daughter, character study, child murders a child, child murder, bullying, grief, teacher ...
Time:
2010s, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
japan, east asia, tokyo
Is relevant?
201K
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Country: Australia
Duration: 92 min.
Story:
A tale of friendship between two unlikely pen pals: Mary, a lonely, eight-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a forty-four-year old, severely obese man living in New York. In the mid-1970's, a homely, friendless ...
Style:
depressing, touching, emotional, sad, adult animation ...
Audience:
kids, teens, adult
Plot:
loneliness, stop motion, friendship, social misfits, letter, depression, melancholy, asperger's syndrome, young woman, relationships, solitude, mental illness ...
Time:
20th century, year 2009, 2000s, year 1976, 70s
Place:
australia, oceania, persia, usa, new york ...
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
