5 Must-See Political Thrillers for Anyone Who Can't Stop Thinking About 'One Battle After Another'
From classic paranoid thrillers to modern dramas.
Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another is a radical political manifesto disguised as a crime drama. In it, leftist activists clash to the death with conservative security forces.
If you're left wondering about power, violence, and ideology after watching it, we've compiled a list of five other movies that explore these themes.
1. 'Sicario', 2015
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
The desolate wastelands marking the border between Mexico and the US are a no-holds-barred zone and a battleground between Mexican drug cartels and American intelligence agencies.
Kate Macer, an FBI agent who works in the border regions, strives to uphold her ideals even though she senses that the war on drug trafficking is unraveling.
One day, she is given the chance to join an elite drug enforcement unit led by Agent Matt Graver. The most enigmatic member of the team is a local consultant with no name, no habits, and no apparent past – his true identity is revealed during a risky operation.
2. 'The Master', 2012
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
A demobilized man with a mysterious past struggles to find his place in postwar America. He bounces from job to job until he meets the charismatic founder of a religious cult by chance.
Much to the surprise of this popular teaching's followers, their guru makes the aggressive outcast his closest aide. As the new faith gains followers, the former drifter begins to question his beliefs and his mentor's true identity.
3. 'Good Morning, Night', 2003
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
Rome, 1978. Chiara, a young woman, moves into a new apartment with her boyfriend. Her life seems calm and routine, but her colleague Enzo begins to suspect that something else lurks behind her composed exterior.
In reality, Chiara is a member of the Italian extremist terrorist group the Red Brigades. The group plans to kidnap and kill the former prime minister for his alleged crimes.
4. 'The French Connection', 1971
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Buddy Russo are two narcotics detective partners. Known for their tough approach to criminals, they are now investigating one of the biggest cases of their careers.
A large shipment of heroin is expected from France. The question is, who is the supplier, and when, where, and how will it arrive? The partners must figure this out by tracking the French contact.
5. 'Taxi Driver', 1976
IMDb Score: 8.2/10
The plot centers on Vietnam War veteran Travis Bickle, who suffers from insomnia and becomes a taxi driver.
Gradually becoming more misanthropic, he unsuccessfully courts a girl named Betsy and attempts to help an underage prostitute. Ultimately, he buys guns to release his pent-up anger.
Words like depression, insomnia, and self-isolation are gradually becoming synonymous with life in the big city. However, they were most clearly depicted back in 1976.
