Movies and TvShows featuring "story-within-a-story" theme.
After receiving her ex-husband's novel, a wealthy art gallery owner is consumed by its violent and symbolic revenge story, leading her to reflect on her own unhappiness and past regrets.
Susan has left publishing and is living in Crete with her long-time boyfriend, Andreas. But her idyll is disturbed by the shadow of a murder committed at a British country hotel eight years ago. Alan Conway visited the hotel and wrote a novel based on what happened there. Cecily MacNeil, the young woman who helps run the hotel, read the book and believed the wrong man had been arrested. Now she has disappeared. Can Susan uncover the secret hidden in the book and find Cecily before it is too late?
Set in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a young girl named Parvana disguises herself as a boy to support her family after her father is wrongfully imprisoned. She faces numerous obstacles and dangers as she navigates the oppressive society while trying to find her father.
Editor Susan Ryeland gets drawn into a web of intrigue and murder when she receives Alan Conway's unfinished manuscript of an Atticus Pünd mystery.
A struggling screenwriter, Marty, gets pulled into the dangerous world of the Los Angeles criminal underworld when his eccentric friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu. Along the way, Marty discovers inspiration for his screenplay, 'Seven Psychopaths', from the stories of the psychopaths he encounters. As Marty's friends and the gangsters clash, Marty must navigate the chaos to save himself and the dog. The plot is filled with black humor, crime, friendship, murder, and a touch of neo-noir.
Arabian Nights is a two-part TV movie that tells the story of Arabian Nights, an ancient Middle Eastern tale. It follows the adventures of Scheherazade, a brave and clever woman who must tell stories to an evil sultan in order to stay alive. Along the way, she encounters characters like Aladdin, Ali Baba, and a magical lamp. The movie explores themes of magic, adventure, and the test of character.
The Saragossa Manuscript is a surreal adventure film set during the Napoleonic Wars. It follows a French officer who stumbles upon a strange book that leads him into a series of interconnected stories filled with deception, temptation, and surreal events. The film is known for its nonlinear timeline and storytelling techniques, as well as its exploration of themes like incest, the occult, and the power of storytelling itself.
A struggling aspiring writer, Rory, finds an old manuscript and passes it off as his own, gaining fame and success. However, he must face the consequences of his actions when the true author confronts him. Meanwhile, the parallel story follows a successful writer narrating the story to an audience.
Bad Education (2004) is a gripping and intense drama set in a Catholic boarding school in Madrid, Spain. The film explores themes of sexual identity, drug abuse, childhood trauma, and the corruption within the Catholic Church. The story follows an investigative journalist who uncovers a scandal involving a pedophile priest and his past relationships with the students. As the journalist delves deeper, he confronts his own personal demons and the dark secrets of the school. This thought-provoking film paints a disturbing picture of power, abuse, and the consequences of remaining silent.
In this charming animated film, a trio of anthropomorphic animals - a fox, a chicken, and a rabbit - embark on a series of misadventures that test their friendship and bravery. Set in the picturesque countryside of France, the story unfolds on a snowy Christmas Eve as they encounter a mischievous wolf, a rebellious hen, and a baby in need of care. With its heartwarming tale and beautiful animation, 'The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales' is a delightful film that will captivate audiences of all ages.
In 19th-century Ireland, a grave robber named Arthur Blake shares his life story with Father Duffy, a man who has been impersonating a priest. Arthur recounts his encounters with zombies, vampires, aliens, and other supernatural beings as he and his partner, Willie Grimes, make a living selling the corpses they dig up. However, their activities take a dangerous turn when they stumble upon an alien corpse that brings them unwanted attention.
The Phantom Carriage follows the story of a drunkard named David Holm who dies on New Year's Eve and is visited by the ghostly carriage of Death, which takes him on a journey through his past sins. Through a series of flashbacks, we see David's abusive behavior towards his wife and the Salvation Army's efforts to reform him. Ultimately, David is given a chance at redemption and must confront his past actions before it's too late.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is a hilarious comedy that takes audiences behind the scenes of a live performance of the classic tale. As the title suggests, everything that can go wrong does, resulting in utter chaos and lots of laughs. From forgotten lines to malfunctioning sets, the cast and crew must navigate countless mishaps to try to salvage the show. This slapstick comedy is full of comedic mayhem and clever twists as the characters struggle to keep the production afloat.
Mysteries of Lisbon follows the intertwined destinies of a variety of characters, including a jealous countess, a troubled businessman, and a mysterious boy. As their stories unfold, dark secrets, doomed love affairs, and shocking revelations come to light, painting a vivid picture of life in 19th century Lisbon.
In 'The Lovers,' two people find themselves caught in a web of deceit and betrayal when they discover a stolen ring that has the power to alter time. As their lives intertwine, they must navigate through a nonlinear timeline while facing the consequences of their actions. With romance and adventure at its core, this movie takes viewers on an epic journey filled with suspense and eternal love.
After the murder of his wife, an author becomes entangled in a web of revenge and betrayal as he uncovers the truth behind her death. In a story set on a Greek island, he must navigate through the intricate world of publishing houses, therapists, and the dark secrets of his past.
When a writer inherits a cat, he soon discovers that it holds a dark secret. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he becomes trapped in a series of terrifying events, leading him to confront his deepest fears.
In The Forbidden Room, a collection of interconnected stories unfold, delving into the mysterious and humorous world of a submarine and its unusual occupants. The film takes viewers on a wild journey filled with talking cameras, anarchic comedy, explosive adventures, and unexpected twists.
Arabian Nights (1942) tells the story of a courageous adventurer who must rescue a damsel in distress and unravel the treacheries of the caliph's court in order to save the kingdom. With breathtaking action scenes, heartwarming romance, and unexpected twists, this movie will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Eerie Tales is a silent film that tells multiple supernatural stories with themes of reapers, demons, ghosts, and monsters. The film also explores themes of polyamory, abusive relationships, and psychological horror. It is set in an expressionistic world with a wraparound story and an anthology format.