Films like The Stoker (2010, Aleksei Balabanov).

The Stoker (2010, Aleksei Balabanov) (2010) reads as Heavy, measured, measured drama / crime, grounded in texture. Nihilistic, intimate, cold. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Tony Manero (2008) poster
1. Tony Manero2008

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Housemaid (2010) (2010) poster
2. The Housemaid2010

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Manderlay (2005) poster
3. Manderlay2005

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Control (2007) (2007) poster
4. Control2007

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Inside (2012) poster
5. Inside2012

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Shame (McQueen 2011) (2011) poster
6. Shame (McQueen 2011)2011

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Nocturama (2016) poster
7. Nocturama2016

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

It's Only the End of the World (2016) poster
8. It's Only the End of the World2016

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Black Coal Thin Ice (2014) poster
9. Black Coal Thin Ice2014

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

White Material (2009) poster
10. White Material2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Envy (2009) poster
11. Envy2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Consequences of Love (2004) (2004) poster
12. The Consequences of Love2004

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are The Stoker (2010, Aleksei Balabanov)’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

Find my film for tonight — 60 sec →