Sartaj Singh
Among the most complex and powerful bonds we experience, sibling relationships can have dynamics ranging from protective love to jealous rivalry. The life-changing significance of siblings echoes within the halls of cinema, whether it is the heartwarming nature of the March sisters from ‘Little Women’ or the discovery of a long-lost brotherhood in ‘Rain Man.’ Here is a curated list of hilarious, thrilling, and poignant films prominently featuring sibling dynamics on HBO Max.
12. Keanu (2016)
Starring Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key, ‘Keanu’ follows cousins Rell and Clarence, who adopt a kitten to rid Rell of the pain of his recent breakup. Unfortunately, the kitten is “taken,” and their search for their new buddy sends them down the path of gangsters and drugs. From selling drugs to getting kidnapped, the siblings experience their worst night voluntarily, only so that they can take home “Keanu.” Will they be successful? Directed by Peter Atencio, the buddy action comedy movie works its charm due to the renowned chemistry of Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key. Custom-made for their fans but made for all to enjoy, ‘Keanu’ can be streamed right here.
11. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)
‘Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates’ revolves around cousins Mike (Adam Devine) and Dave (Zac Efron), who have to find dates to take to their sister’s destination wedding in Hawaii. The two guys go on-air with the search, which is noticed by Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza) and Alice (Anna Kendrick), two women who have just lost their jobs and need something to vent their inner rage while making the most of their accidental vacation. And what better way to do it than at a party in Hawaii? They meet Mike and Dave after planning an accident, and they all arrive in Hawaii, but by the time the men realize that their dates are equally if not more whacky than themselves, it’s too late, much to our hilarity. Mindless, crude, and straight-out R-rated, Jake Szymanski’s ‘Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates’ is a sibling movie gone wild. You can watch it here.
10. Sisters (2015)
‘Sisters’ is an irreverent comedy following two adult sisters who decide to recapture their glory days and throw a high-school-style party. When Kate and Maura Ellis discover that their family home is being sold, before cleaning it out completely, they plan to have a huge party in it. Both sisters’ personal lives are in shambles, with Maura being recently divorced and Kate having been kicked out of her apartment. Calling on most of their high school friends, the adults let out their inner high schoolers once again and have a cathartic bash.
Directed by Jason Moore and scripted by ‘SNL’ writer Paula Pell, the film makes full use of its R-rating with gross-out humor and debauchery in an adult woman version of ‘Project X.’ At a thematic level, the film sees the immature siblings coming to terms with their increasing age and responsibilities, with the loss of their childhood home being an urgent wakeup call. In their heightened emotional states, the sisters even have a fight in the middle of the party, with Kate learning that Maura has been housing her daughter. You can watch ‘Sisters’ here.
9. The Color Purple (2023)
With Blitz Bazawule at the helm, ‘The Color Purple’ is a musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s eponymous 1982 novel about the sisterhood of independence-seeking Black women in the Deep South. The story centers on Celie (Fantasia Barrino), a young African American woman who endures unimaginable hardships, including domestic abuse and separation from her sister, Nettie (Halle Bailey).
After befriending her fiercely independent daughter-in-law, Sofia (Danielle Brooks), and the glamorous singer Shug Avery (Taraji P. Henson), Celie discovers the possibilities of her life. The three form a coven of sisterhood, lending their strengths to one another to overcome each of their woes. Their bond represents the resilience and love that sisters can have for each other, supporting one another through the most difficult of times. ‘The Color Purple’ can be streamed here.
8. Sometimes in April (2005)
‘Sometimes in April’ is a heart-wrenching film about the Rwandan Genocide, introducing us to two brothers with radically different viewpoints during an ethnic cleansing. Augustin (Idris Elba), a Hutu soldier, tries to protect his Tutsi wife and children amidst the chaos, while his brother Honoré is a radio personality who is complicit in spreading propaganda that fuels the violence. Directed by Raoul Peck, the film is lauded for its raw and authentic portrayal of the tragedy, with filming actually taking place in Rwanda.
Honoré does his best to help Augustin and his family survive, but both brothers lose their protection, delicately making their way through the wartorn country. Much of the story is narrated through flashbacks, with Augustin attending Honoré’s war crime trial by the International Criminal Tribunal and testifying himself. Through their divergent paths, the film explores themes of guilt, redemption, and trauma, taking an unflinching look at the human cost of the genocide. You can stream it here.
7. Out of the Furnace (2013)
Helmed by Scott Cooper, ‘Out of the Furnace’ introduces us to Russell Baze (Christian Bale), a steel mill worker in a small town on the Rust Belt. Russell’s life is marked by hardship as he cares for his terminally ill father and his troubled younger brother, Rodney (Casey Affleck), a war veteran struggling with PTSD. After an unfortunate accident, Russell spends time in prison while his father dies, his girlfriend leaves him, and his brother racks up debts to bar owner John Petty. When Russell returns, he tries to persuade his brother to give up underground fighting and join him in honest work.
The day before Rodney plans to turn clean, he disappears, leading Russell on a desperate search and hunt for vengeance against drug dealer Harlan DeGroat (Woody Harrelson). The harsh realities of Russell and Rodney’s lives are brought forward through the powerful performances of Bale and Affleck, and their bond serves as the emotional bedrock of the film. Cooper’s direction creates a bleak and gritty atmosphere that complements the rural setting and the injustices suffered by veterans and workers alike. You can watch ‘Out of the Furnace’ here.
6. Sisters (1972)
Brian De Palma’s drama ‘Sisters’ sends newspaper reporter Grace Collier (Jennifer Salt) down a twisted kaleidoscope of lies and secrets after she witnesses the murder of her neighbor. As she looks into the case, even hiring a private investigator, Joseph Larch (Charles Durning), it leads her to a curious case of conjoined twins (Margot Kidder) and a mental hospital. Will the string of shocking revelations help Grace track down the murderer? Considered an homage to Alfred Hitchcock and partly based on the story of the Soviet conjoined twins Masha and Dasha Krivoshlyapova (1950-2003), ‘Sisters’ is a true-to-form psychological thriller that brilliantly explores a complex sibling relationship at the behest of a horrific crime. You can watch the film here.
5. The Kid Brother (1927)
Directed by Ted Wilde, ‘The Kid Brother’ is a classic silent film about comedy, family drama, and proving one’s self. Harold (Harold Lloyd) is a bumbling but good-hearted young man living in a small rural town with his more capable and respected father, the town sheriff, and his straitlaced older brothers. Despite being overshadowed by their accomplishments, Harold dreams of making a name for himself and winning the love of beautiful Mary.
A masterpiece showcasing Harold Lloyd’s comedic genius, the film creates a humorous dynamic between Harold and his older brothers, who overshadow him. The two are dumbfounded when Harold brings a girl home and attempt in vain to hide behind curtains. Considered unfit for a man’s work by his brothers and father, Harold’s moment to shine comes when a notorious gang of thieves targets the town, putting his ingenuity to the test. You can watch the film here.
4. My Sister’s Keeper (2009)
Helmed by Nick Cassavetes, ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ follows the life of Brian (Jason Patric) and Sara Fitzgerald (Cameron Diaz) and their teenage children. The younger sister, Anna (Abigail Breslin), was conceived in vitro to be a genetic match for her older sister, Kate (Sofia Vassilieva), who is suffering from leukemia. As Anna grows older, she becomes increasingly conflicted about her role in Kate’s life, especially when she is asked by Sara to donate a kidney to keep Kate alive.
Based on Jodi Picoult’s novel of the same name, the plot takes a dramatic turn when Anna sues her parents for control over her body in regard to decisions about medical procedures. Kate also feels guilty about how her illness has affected the family and makes a few final requests of her parents. Masterfully acted and directed, the film features plenty of tear-jerking moments of sibling compassion and sacrifice. Cassavetes explores complex emotional themes with sensitivity and authenticity, with each family character being thoroughly developed by the end. You can watch the film here.
3. Conviction (2010)
Based on a true story, ‘Conviction’ chronicles the struggles of Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) as she dedicates her life to studying law and exonerating her wrongfully convicted brother. When Kenneth (Sam Rockwell) is sentenced to life without parole for a murder he did not commit, his sister, Betty Anne, embarks on a relentless legal battle, pursuing a law degree while working full-time to prove his innocence. Directed by Tony Goldwyn, Swank and Rockwell bring emotional intensity to their roles, with Kenneth becoming increasingly jaded with his time in prison but still harboring hope and a weak spot for his sister. Betty Anne is the narrative center of the film, unwavering in her commitment to setting her brother free despite the odds stacked against her. You can watch ‘Conviction’ here.
2. Good Time (2017)
Directed by Benny and Josh Safdie, ‘Good Time’ revolves around a bank robber as he rushes to bail out his mentally impaired brother before he is killed in jail. Connie Nikas (Robert Pattinson) recruits his developmentally disabled brother, Nick, for a bank robbery, pulling him from his therapy session. When the job goes wrong and Nick is arrested, Connie rushes around New York City at night, borrowing, calling in favors, and dodging cops to post his hefty bail.
The film immerses us in the gritty underworld and relentless pace of Connie’s journey, with claustrophobic cinematography and a psychedelic soundtrack creating a thrilling experience throughout. Pattinson is brilliant as the older brother seeking to make ends meet and right his wrongs. We find ourselves rooting for Connie and his great love for his brother, desperately trying to get him to safety no matter the cost. You can watch ‘Good Time’ here.
1. The Iron Claw (2023)
‘The Iron Claw’ is based on the real-life story of the Von Erich brothers in the Golden Era of wrestling. Kevin Von Erich (Zack Efron), the second eldest of five brothers, becomes the narrative voice of the film. He and his brothers are trained by their grizzled and controlling father, Fritz Von Erich, who was a wrestler himself. The family is haunted by the “Von Erich Curse” which supposedly killed the eldest son of the family at an early age. Kevin, Kerry, and David become charismatic kings of the ring, winning championships and garnering rockstar fame with their well-defined physiques and larger-than-life personalities.
In the directorial hands of Sean Durkin, we trace the brothers’ journey of success followed by great tragedy. The accurate and stellar performances by the cast elevate the film further, with Zack Efron’s work being simply awe-inspiring. The horrifying yet mesmerizing account of the brothers’ saga in wrestling also delves into their personal lives and struggles, creating an unexpectedly deep and gut-wrenching narrative. You can watch ‘The Iron Claw’ here.
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