FilmsShanghaiLike this

Films like Shanghai.

Shanghai (2010) reads as Sombre, kinetic, measured drama / thriller, grounded in texture. Nihilistic, mid-stakes, 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.

Nothing but the Truth (2008) poster
1. Nothing but the Truth2008

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Spy(ies) (2009) poster
2. Spy(ies)2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The New Protocol (2008) poster
3. The New Protocol2008

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Exit (2006) poster
4. Exit2006

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Kidnapping Mr. Heineken (2015) poster
5. Kidnapping Mr. Heineken2015

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (2005) poster
6. Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price2005

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Fed Up (2014) poster
7. Fed Up2014

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

City of Lies (2018) poster
8. City of Lies2018

Keeps the heightened unreality and the bone-dry seriousness — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Spider in the Web (2019) poster
9. Spider in the Web2019

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Informant (2013) poster
10. The Informant2013

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Outsider (2016) poster
11. The Outsider2016

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Silk Road (2021) poster
12. Silk Road2021

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are Shanghai’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 →