Best movies like Dark Matter
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Liu Xing a brilliant Chinese student, arrives at University and makes the transition into American life with the help of Joanna Silver. Xing joins a cosmology group working to create a model of the origins of the universe. He is obsessed with the study of dark matter and a theory that conflicts with the group's model. When he begins to make breakthroughs of his own, he encounters obstructions.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: tense, emotional, realistic, disturbing, psychological, serious, crying, intercultural, inter cultural
Best tv shows and movies like Dark Matter (2007):
Similar in 86%
Levelland (2003)
Plot Summary:
A coming-of-age drama, with skateboards, set in Texas.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 160
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: crying
Similar in 77%
The King of Marvin Gardens (1972)
Plot Summary:
Jason Staebler lives on the Boardwalk and fronts for the local mob in Atlantic City. He is a dreamer, who asks his brother David, a radio personality from Philadelphia to help him build a paradise on a Pacific Island, yet another of his get-rich-quick schemes. But luck is against them both and the game ends badly - real life reduced to radio drama.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: cult classic, tense, sexual, clever, serious, realistic, gloomy, crying, neo noir, light
Similar in 79%
Bolivia (1999)
Plot Summary:
A Bolivian immigrant working illegally as a cook in a small restaurant in Buenos Aires suffers abuse and discrimination from its customers.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: Argentina, Netherlands
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: depressing, tense, sincere, atmospheric, rough, serious, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 88%
Paradise (2004)
Plot Summary:
Televangelist Bobby Paradise "saw God" in some space debris when he was returning to Earth as an astronaut. Or at least he was convinced he did by his wife, a Cape Canaveral groupie at the time Bobby was with NASA. Now they have built up an extensive TV empire. When their proposal to merge with a somewhat tarnished mogul is investigated by the government, skeletons in the Paradise closet come to light and the family either rallies behind or disparages the enterprise.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 131
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, crying, soap opera
Similar in 83%
Peppermint Candy (1999)
Plot Summary:
In the spring of 1999, a group of old friends gather to celebrate their 20 year reunion. Among the group is Yeong-ho, a cold, unhappy man, whose demeanor puts a damper on the festivities. The seriousness of Yeong-ho"s depression becomes apparent, however, when he climbs a railroad bridge and looks like he might jump. At this crucial moment, memories of seven crucial episodes from Yeong-ho"s past flood his mind.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama
Country: South Korea, Japan
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: psychological, bleak, serious, existential, realistic, suspense, philosophical, mind bending, psychedelic, depressing
Similar in 80%
Drifters (2003)
Plot Summary:
The young adult life of Hong Yunsheng, nicknamed Little Brother, is seen as somewhat of a failure by those that know him. A Chinese national, he stowed away on a boat to the United States, where he worked as a dishwasher in the restaurant of a family from his hometown back in Fujian province. After two years in the States and after fathering an illegitimate child there named Fusheng, the child's mother Xuhui who is the restaurateur's daughter, he was deported back to China. Since, he has been floundering in life, which has caused a rift between himself and his older brother, who, with his wife, operate a street front diner and can't have children of their own. Little Brother relies on his new girlfriend, a woman he barely knows named Wu Ruifang who is a performer in a touring opera troupe, for emotional support. Despite Little Brother being the local poster boy for not stowing away, his friend named Monkey tried to do the same, but died on the voyage over due to exposure to toxic.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 304
Genere: Drama
Country: China, Hong Kong
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, realistic, sincere, crying
Similar in 77%
Chasing Freedom (2004)
Plot Summary:
New York attorney Libby (Juliette Lewis) is a go-getter who won't let anyone stand in the way of her success. But when she accepts a pro bono case involving young Afghan dissident Meena (Layla Alizada), Libby finds her corporate dreams replaced by a growing sense of idealism. Seeking asylum in the United States after years of oppression under the Taliban, Meena desperately wants freedom, and Libby is her only hope. But can Libby deliver?.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 415
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, emotional, disturbing, inspirational, informative, sincere, thought provoking, serious, captivating
Similar in 78%
Local Color (2006)
Plot Summary:
A successful artist looks back with loving memories on the summer of his defining year, 1974. A talented but troubled 18-year-old aspiring artist befriends a brilliant elderly alcoholic painter who has turned his back on not only art but life. The two form what appears to be at first a tenuous relationship. The kid wants to learn all the secrets the master has locked away inside his head and heart. Time has not been kind to the old master. His life appears pointless to him until the kid rekindles his interest in his work and ultimately gives him the will to live. Together, they give one another a priceless gift. The kid learns to see the world through the master's eyes. And the master learns to see life through the eyes of innocence again. This story is based on a real life experience.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, realistic, emotional, contemplative, independent film
Similar in 90%
Day Zero (2007)
Plot Summary:
The military draft is back. Three best friends are drafted and given 30 days to report for duty. In that time they're forced to confront everything they believe about courage, duty, love, friendship and honor. If called to serve, what would you do?.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: disturbing, psychological, sincere, serious, rough, realistic, contemplative, crying
Similar in 83%
Mediterranea (2015)
Plot Summary:
Ayiva recently left his home in Burkina Faso in search of a way to provide for his sister and his daughter. He takes advantage of his position in an illegal smuggling operation to get himself and his best friend Abas off of the continent. Ayiva adapts to life in Italy, but when tensions with the local community rise, things become increasingly dangerous. Determined to make his new situation work he attempts to weather the storm, but it has its costs.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy, France, USA, Germany, Qatar
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: tense, suspense, suspenseful, rough, touching, captivating, melancholic, political, independent film, crying
Similar in 84%
Goat (2016)
Plot Summary:
Reeling from a terrifying assault, a nineteen year old enrolls into college with his brother and pledges the same fraternity. What happens there, in the name of 'brotherhood,' tests him and his loyalty in brutal ways.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: disturbing, exciting, captivating, suspense, melancholic, suspenseful, social, controversial, hood, crime drama
Similar in 75%
The Browning Version (1994)
Plot Summary:
Andrew Crocker-Harris is an embittered and disliked teacher of Greek and Latin at a British prep school. After nearly 20 years of service, he is being forced to retire on the pretext of his health, and perhaps may not even be given a pension. The boys regard him as a Hitler, with some justification. His wife Laura is unfaithful, and lives to wound him any way she can. Andrew must come to terms with his failed life and regain at least his own self-respect.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: touching, talky, grim, anamorphic, colorful, psychological, tense, sentimental, clever, serious
Similar in 76%
The Indian Runner (1991)
Plot Summary:
An intensely sad film about two brothers who cannot overcome their opposite perceptions of life. One brother sees and feels bad in everyone and everything, subsequently he is violent, antisocial and unable to appreciate or enjoy the good things which his brother desperately tries to point out to him.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: psychological, emotional, realistic, rough, serious, independent film, cult classic, tense, captivating, controversial
Similar in 89%
The Safety of Objects (2001)
Plot Summary:
In a suburban landscape, the lives of several families interlace with loss, despair and personal crisis. Esther Gold has lost focus on all but caring for her comatose son, Paul, and neglects her daughter and husband. Lawyer Jim Train is devoted to his career, not his family. Helen Christianson wants to find a new spark in life, while Annette Jennings tries to rebuild hers.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA, Canada
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: philosophical, psychological, depressing, confusing, disturbing, compassionate, suspense, touching, serious, emotional
Similar in 79%
Along the Way (2007)
Plot Summary:
A funny, gripping and powerful drama about the post graduation summer of four lifelong friends and one night that changed the course of their lives... forever. Like Crash , Saint Elmo s Fire and it s inspiration Stand By Me, Along the WAY is a haunting portrait of American Youth. A profound and poignant story about friendship, the moments that shape us and an unforgettable story that deserves it place among the best and brightest that the independent film world has to offer.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 298
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: touching, offbeat, serious, emotional, realistic, gloomy, crying
Similar in 87%
Stephanie Daley (2006)
Plot Summary:
Stephanie collapses in a pool of blood while on a school skiing trip. A doctor discovers that the blood is the after-effects of giving birth. Soon afterward, the body of a newborn baby is found in a toilet, its mouth blocked with toilet paper. Despite Stephanie's insistence that her child was stillborn and that she had no idea that she was pregnant, she is arrested for the murder of the child.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: emotional, psychological, serious, rough, suspense, cult classic, tense, sincere, clever, bleak
Similar in 87%
Boy A (2007)
Plot Summary:
The story of a young ex-con Jack, newly released from serving a prison sentence for a murder he committed as a child.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 39000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: psychological, heartbreaking, disturbing, emotional, touching, suspense, compassionate, tense, brutal, melancholic
Similar in 75%
The Devil's Playground (1976)
Plot Summary:
A powerful drama relating the intimate aspect of teenage boys and their priest/educators behind the walls of a religious institution where rigid discipline backfires natural feelings are deemed unnatural acts and human lives are controlled in the names of good intentions.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: Australia
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: tense, serious, realistic, crying, independent film, queer cinema
Similar in 85%
Little Boy Blue (1997)
Plot Summary:
Living in rural Texas is a dysfunctional family: an abusive dad, a Vietnam vet with a war wound that's left him impotent; a compliant wife and a son of about 20, two small sons who look a lot like their brother. The dad harbors a secret, and he goes to murderous lengths to keep it hidden. The young man, Jimmy, who has suspicions, but little comes out until a Yankee woman comes to town.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: disturbing, psychological, serious, suspense, bleak, sexy, explicit, realistic, crying, independent film
Similar in 82%
Zero Day (2002)
Plot Summary:
Two troubled adolescents chronicle the events that ultimately lead up to a terrifying assault on their school.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: disturbing, psychological, mockumentary, rough, suspenseful, controversial, intense, teen, scary, sad
Similar in 86%
A Reason to Believe (1995)
Plot Summary:
Sorority gal Charlotte's innocence is lost after she is raped during a frat party. Confused, terrified and shunned by her peers, she finds solace and the courage to confront her attacker after she is befriended by the leader of a campus women's group.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 331
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: independent film, sincere, thought provoking, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, disturbing, sexual, sexy
Similar in 78%
Lan Yu (2001)
Plot Summary:
A love story between a country boy in Beijing to study and a wealthy businessman set against the backdrop of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, captivating, depressing, heartbreaking, lgbt cinema, poignant, crying, serious
Similar in 86%
Jerome (1998)
Plot Summary:
Jerome is a day in the life of a dreamer. Wade Hampton has found himself trapped by responsibility and lack of understanding by those closest to him. As a result, Wade simply leaves his old life with the idea of fulfilling a repressed dream of becoming an artist in Jerome, Arizona, a town he knows only through a postcard given to him years earlier by a co-worker. Naturally, an action as extreme as this is not without consequences. On his way, Wade meets Jane, a road hard, enigmatic drifter who lives the life of total freedom he has longed for. As the two speed farther and farther across the scorching Arizona desert, events snowball into an unforeseen crisis forcing Wade to confront realities he never could have imagined only hours earlier.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 143
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: independent film, psychological, sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 82%
Leo (2002)
Plot Summary:
A young mother is plagued by a tragic mistake and alienates her little boy. A brilliant writer is released from prison after serving a 15-year sentence and begins working at Vic's Diner. Their stories converge when the man must overcome obstacles of the past to save the little boy and ultimately himself.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, captivating, suspense, sincere, crying
Similar in 89%
The Visitor (2007)
Plot Summary:
A college professor travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young couple living in his apartment.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 44000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: realistic, depressing, touching, emotional, independent film, philosophical, psychological, sad, offbeat, social
Similar in 76%
An American Rhapsody (2001)
Plot Summary:
A Hungarian family forced to flee the Communist country for the United States, must leave a young daughter behind. Six years later the family arranges to bring the absent daughter to the United States where she has trouble adjusting. The daughter then decides to travel to Budapest to discover her identity.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Hungary
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, melancholic, heartbreaking, stylized, sincere, realistic, contemplative, serious
Similar in 83%
Ironweed (1987)
Plot Summary:
Albany, New York, Halloween, 1938. Francis Phelan and Helen Archer are bums, back in their birth city. She was a singer on the radio, he a major league pitcher. Death surrounds them: she's sick, a pal has cancer, he digs graves at the cemetery and visits the grave of his infant son whom he dropped; visions of his past haunt him, including ghosts of two men he killed. That night, out drinking, Helen tries to sing at a bar. Next day, Fran visits his wife and children and meets a grandson. He could stay, but decides it's not for him. Helen gets their things out of storage and finds a hotel. Amidst their mistakes and dereliction, the film explores their code of fairness and loyalty.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: emotional, touching, intense, sincere, serious, realistic, depressing, compassionate, cult classic, gloomy
Similar in 81%
Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001)
Plot Summary:
The lives of a lawyer, an actuary, a housecleaner, a professor, and the people around them intersect as they ponder order and happiness in the face of life's cold unpredictability.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: philosophical, psychological, bleak, meditative, depressing, touching, serious, contemplative, existential, cerebral
Similar in 79%
The Woodsman (2004)
Plot Summary:
A paedophile returns to his hometown after 12 years in prison and attempts to start a new life.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 35000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: disturbing, independent film, psychological, emotional, harsh, controversial, intense, rough, bleak, heartbreaking
Similar in 87%
Proof (2005)
Plot Summary:
Catherine is a woman in her late twenties who is strongly devoted to her father, Robert, a brilliant and well-known mathematician whose grip on reality is beginning to slip away. As Robert descends into madness, Catherine begins to wonder if she may have inherited her father’s mental illness along with his mathematical genius. When Robert’s work reveals a mathematical proof of potentially historic proportions, it sets off shock waves in more ways than one.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Drama, Mystery
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: psychological, emotional, inspirational, clever, intellectual, enigmatic, serious, heartbreaking, realistic, depressing