Best movies like Rosewater
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
In 2009, Iranian Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari was covering Iran's volatile elections for Newsweek. One of the few reporters living in the country with access to US media, he made an appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, in a taped interview with comedian Jason Jones. The interview was intended as satire, but if the Tehran authorities got the joke they didn't like it - and it would quickly came back to haunt Bahari when he was rousted from his family home and thrown into prison. Making his directorial debut, Jon Stewart tells the tale of Bahari's months-long imprisonment and interrogation in this powerful and affecting docudrama featuring a potent and performance by Gael García Bernal recounting Bahari's efforts to maintain his hope and his sanity in the face of isolation and persecution-through memories of his family, recollections of the music he loves, and thoughts of his wife and unborn child.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: brutal, suspense, suspenseful, surreal, tense, captivating, political, social, novela, powerful
Best tv shows and movies like Rosewater (2014):
Similar in 77%
On My Skin: The Last Seven Days of Stefano Cucchi (2018)
Plot Summary:
The incredible true story behind the most controversial Italian court cases in recent years. Stefano Cucchi was arrested for a minor crime and mysteriously found dead during his detention. In one week's time, a family is changed forever.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating, tense, suspenseful, heartbreaking, suspense, social, sad
Similar in 90%
Manhunt (2008)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of the Klarsfelds, a Franco-German couple who devoted themselves to bringing Nazi war criminals to justice. Their pursuit of Klaus Barbie, the "Butcher of Lyon," takes them to South America, where he has found refuge. After 12 years of investigations, undercover work and battles with authorities, they succeed in having him captured and brought to justice.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 357
Genere: Biography, Drama, Mystery
Country: Germany, France
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: serious, suspense, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 86%
The Program (2015)
Plot Summary:
An Irish sports journalist becomes convinced that Lance Armstrong's performances during the Tour de France victories are fueled by banned substances. With this conviction, he starts hunting for evidence that will expose Armstrong.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: UK, USA, France
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: inspirational, suspense, controversial, serious, social, psychological, tense, captivating, independent film, novela
Similar in 90%
11.25: The Day He Chose His Own Fate (2012)
Plot Summary:
On November 25th 1970, a man committed ritual suicide inside the Tokyo headquarters of the Japanese Ministry of Defence, leaving behind a legacy of masterpieces and a controversy that echoes to this day. The man was Yukio Mishima, one of Japan's greatest and most celebrated novelists. With four members of his own private army - the Tatenokai - Mishima had taken the commandant hostage and called upon the assembled military outside the Ministry to overthrow their society and restore the powers of the Emperor. When the soldiers mocked and jeered Mishima, he cut short his speech and withdrew to the commandant's office where he committed seppuku - the samurai warrior's death - tearing open his belly with a ceremonial knife before being beheaded by one of his colleagues. What was Mishima truly trying to express through his actions? And what did he witness during his final moments?.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 249
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, serious, exciting, tense, captivating, suspense, suspenseful, offbeat, contemplative
Similar in 87%
Natalee Holloway (2009)
Plot Summary:
On May 30, 2005, on a high school graduation trip to Aruba, she disappeared without a trace.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Mystery
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: serious, emotional, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 78%
Patty Hearst (1988)
Plot Summary:
The true story of a rich girl who was abducted by American revolutionaries in the 1970's. Her time spent with her captors made her question herself and her way of life and she joined forces with the cause that her abductors were fighting for. This created a US scandal and Patty Hearst has become a pop culture fixture. Written by Josh Pasnak.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, tense, thought provoking, serious, realistic, philosophical, neo noir, political, historical drama, independent film
Similar in 76%
Papa Hemingway in Cuba (2015)
Plot Summary:
In 1959, a young journalist ventures to Havana, Cuba to meet his idol, the legendary Ernest Hemingway who helped him find his literary voice, while the Cuban Revolution comes to a boil around them.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 79%
The Executioner's Song (1982)
Plot Summary:
In this fact-based film, Gary Gilmore, an Indiana man who just finished serving a lengthy stay in prison, tries to start anew by moving to Utah. Before long, Gary begins an ill-advised romance with the troubled Nicole Baker, a teenage single mother. As their relationship quickly deteriorates, Gary goes on a murderous rampage, leaving two dead. During his trial, he demands capital punishment; a media circus ensues and outsiders look to profit from his story.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: rough, thought provoking, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, tense
Similar in 86%
The Grim Sleeper (2014)
Plot Summary:
Journalist Christine Pelisek helps law enforcement investigate the alleged serial killer known as the Grim Sleeper.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 583
Genere: Biography, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, tense, captivating, scary, rough, mind bending
Similar in 79%
Cobb (1994)
Plot Summary:
Al Stump is a famous sports-writer chosen by Ty Cobb to co-write his official, authorized 'autobiography' before his death. Cobb, widely feared and despised, feels misunderstood and wants to set the record straight about 'the greatest ball-player ever,' in his words.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: factual, inspirational, intense, rough, serious, sincere, realistic, cynical, non fiction, anamorphic
Similar in 83%
Balibo (2009)
Plot Summary:
As Indonesia prepares to invade the tiny nation of East Timor, five Australian based journalists go missing. Four weeks later, veteran foreign correspondent Roger East is lured to East Timor by the young and charismatic José Ramos-Horta to tell the story of his country and investigate the fate of the missing men. As East's determination to uncover the truth grows, the threat of invasion intensifie.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Mystery, Thriller
Country: Australia
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: serious, rough, thought provoking, bleak, realistic, suspenseful, political, tense, controversial, contemplative
Similar in 75%
The Pirates of Somalia (2017)
Plot Summary:
After an inspiring chance encounter with his idol, rookie journalist Jay Bahadur uproots his life and moves to Somalia looking for the story of a lifetime. Hooking up with a local fixer, he attempts to get embedded with the local Somali pirates, only to quickly find himself in over his head.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: South Africa, USA
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, exciting, suspense, factual, art house, cult classic, lovecraft, interesting
Similar in 84%
Kill the Messenger (2014)
Plot Summary:
A reporter becomes the target of a vicious smear campaign that drives him to the point of suicide after he exposes the CIA's role in arming Contra rebels in Nicaragua and importing cocaine into California. Based on the true story of journalist Gary Webb.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: political, tense, suspenseful, thought provoking, clever, captivating, disturbing, spiritual, neo noir, emotional
Similar in 81%
The Pregnancy Pact (2010)
Plot Summary:
Inspired by the true story of teenagers at Gloucester (Mass.) High School who agreed to get pregnant at the same time.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, serious, realistic, captivating, teen, sentimental, ridiculous
Similar in 82%
True Story (2015)
Plot Summary:
A drama centered around the relationship between journalist Michael Finkel and Christian Longo, an FBI Most Wanted List murderer who for years lived outside the U.S. under Finkel's name.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 72000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, History, Mystery
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: suspense, surprise ending, psychological, captivating, serious, enigmatic, suspenseful, intense, tricky, realistic
Similar in 82%
Fidel & Che (2002)
Plot Summary:
Fidel Castro rises to power in Cuba.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, Mexico
Duration: 206 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, tense, sincere, edutainment
Similar in 78%
A Cry in the Dark (1988)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of Lindy Chamberlain: During a camping trip to Ayers Rock in outback Australia, she claims she witnessed a dingo taking her baby daughter, Azaria, from the family tent. Azaria's body is never found. After investigations and two public inquests, she is charged with murder. The case attracts a lot of attention, turning it into a media sideshow.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Australia, UK, USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: realistic, disturbing, tense, emotional, suspense, thought provoking, serious, sincere, sad, compassionate
Similar in 79%
Richard Jewell (2019)
Plot Summary:
Richard Jewell thinks quick, works fast, and saves hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives after a domestic terrorist plants several pipe bombs and they explode during a concert, only to be falsely suspected of the crime by sloppy FBI work and sensational media coverage.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 95000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, tense, sad, realistic, factual, emotional, suspense, historical drama, touching, depressing
Similar in 85%
Veronica Guerin (2003)
Plot Summary:
In this true story, Veronica Guerin is an investigative reporter for an Irish newspaper. As the drug trade begins to bleed into the mainstream, Guerin decides to take on and expose those responsible. Beginning at the bottom with addicts, Guerin then gets in touch with John Traynor, a paranoid informant. Not without some prodding, Traynor leads her to John Gilligan, the ruthless head of the operation, who does not take kindly to Guerin's nosing.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Biography, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Ireland, UK, USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: suspense, intense, tense, rough, thought provoking, emotional, realistic, suspenseful, serious, political
Similar in 90%
A Private War (2018)
Plot Summary:
One of the most celebrated war correspondents of our time, Marie Colvin is an utterly fearless and rebellious spirit, driven to the frontlines of conflicts across the globe to give voice to the voiceless.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Biography, Drama, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: tense, disturbing, rough, suspense, psychological, bloody, political, grim, cult classic, powerful
Similar in 79%
Trumbo (2015)
Plot Summary:
The career of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo is halted by a witch hunt in the late 1940s when he defies the anti-communist HUAC committee and is blacklisted.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 84000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: political, talky, factual, inspirational, touching, emotional, suspense, intense, sad, depressing
Similar in 83%
Bombshell (2019)
Plot Summary:
Based on the real scandal, BOMBSHELL is a revealing look inside the most powerful and controversial media empire of all time; and the explosive story of the women who brought down the infamous man who created it.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 124000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: political, uplifting, sad, motivational, social, deep, cult classic, historical drama, philosophical
Similar in 90%
Cry Freedom (1987)
Plot Summary:
A dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko, a courageous and outspoken black anti-apartheid activist.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK, Zimbabwe, USA
Duration: 157 min
Plot tags: inspirational, political, cult classic, political thriller, edutainment, tense, thought provoking, bleak, serious, captivating
Similar in 86%
Denial (2016)
Plot Summary:
Acclaimed writer and historian Deborah E. Lipstadt must battle for historical truth to prove the Holocaust actually occurred when David Irving, a renowned denier, sues her for libel.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: factual, intellectual, costume drama, thought provoking, captivating, disturbing, inspirational, political, novela, anamorphic
Similar in 80%
High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story (2003)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of the rise and fall of poker legend Stu "The Kid" Ungar.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, captivating, suspense, period piece, sincere, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 78%
Hemingway & Gellhorn (2012)
Plot Summary:
Writer Ernest Hemingway begins a romance with fellow scribe Martha Gellhorn.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 155 min
Plot tags: serious, stylized, psychological, captivating, intellectual, heartbreaking, political, sex comedy, grindhouse, period piece
Similar in 85%
The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)
Plot Summary:
This film is based on the actual events that took place in 1971 when Stanford professor Dr. Philip Zimbardo created what became one of the most shocking and famous social experiments of all time.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: disturbing, thought provoking, psychological, tense, serious, realistic, intense, suspenseful, captivating, suspense
Similar in 90%
Truth (2015)
Plot Summary:
As a renowned producer and close associate of Dan Rather, Mary Mapes believes she’s broken the biggest story of the 2004 election: revelations of a sitting U.S. President’s military service. But when allegations come pouring in, sources change their stories, document authenticity is questioned, and the casualties begin to mount.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: Australia, USA
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: political, suspense, factual, tense, suspenseful, intense, tricky, thought provoking, novela, cult classic
Similar in 78%
Argo (2012)
Plot Summary:
As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 633000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: tense, suspenseful, clever, captivating, political, intense, suspense, breathtaking, political thriller, realistic
Similar in 88%
The End of the Tour (2015)
Plot Summary:
The story of the five-day interview between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace, which took place right after the 1996 publication of Wallace's groundbreaking epic novel, 'Infinite Jest.'.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 32000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: philosophical, meditative, psychological, sincere, serious, talky, depressing, novela, aesthetic, twisted