Corporate drama
Fair Play is the latest corporate romance to grace our screens starring Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich as the dysfunctional couple, Emily and Luke. Working in the same firm, they decide to keep their relationship a secret. However, romance doesn’t seem to be a problem but office politics when Luke’s supposed promotion goes to Emily.
So, if you are looking for more such thrilling office dramas, you’ve come to the right place. Sure, we may see Ryan Gosling and George Clooney being repeated in this list but it seems that we have found their favourite genre.
Well without further wait, here are 10 movies with a similar premise to watch if you liked Fair Play.
Disclosure (1994)
Similarities – Corporate setting, mind games, gender inequality, romance
Disclosure follows Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas), a high-ranking executive at a technology company. When his former lover, Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore), takes charge of the company she begins making unwelcome sexual advances. As Sanders rejects her, she falsely accuses him of sexual harassment.
It turns into a tense battle as Sanders fights to prove his innocence while navigating corporate politics and gender dynamics, highlighting the complexities of workplace harassment and power imbalances.
The Devil’s Advocate (1997)
Similarities – Thriller, corporate setting, mind games, romance
In The Devil’s Advocate, Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) is a brilliant young lawyer from a small town who gets recruited by a prestigious New York law firm headed by John Milton (Al Pacino). As Kevin and his wife, Mary Ann (Charlize Theron), move to Manhattan, he becomes the firm’s rising star, winning cases with ease.
However, he soon realizes that his boss, Milton, is more than just a powerful attorney; he’s the devil himself. The seductive allure of success has Kevin facing a crisis as he delves deeper into a world of corruption.
The Big Short (2015)
Similarities – Corporate setting
The Big Short is a satirical take on the 2008 financial crisis. It follows the journeys of several financial experts played by Christian Bale, Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling, who foresee the impending housing market collapse and decide to profit from it by betting against the big banks. In turn, it exposes the greed, recklessness and incompetence that led to the global economic meltdown, all while offering a biting critique of Wall Street excess and corporate irresponsibility.
American Psycho (2000)
Similarities – Thriller, corporate setting
American Psycho delves into the life of Patrick Bateman (Bale), a wealthy, handsome, and outwardly successful investment banker in busy New York City. However, beneath his polished facade lies a psychopathic killer who engages in gruesome murders and executions. Bateman’s descent into madness is a contrast to the shallow materialism of the capitalistic culture.
Ides of March (2011)
Similarities – Romance, office politics, mind games
Ides of March revolves around the intense political campaign of Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney), a Democratic presidential candidate, and his idealistic press secretary, Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling).
As Meyers becomes increasingly involved in the campaign, he discovers dark secrets and betrayals that challenge his loyalty and integrity. Through him, it explores the cutthroat world of politics, the compromises people make for power, and the consequences of ethical dilemmas in the pursuit of political success.
The Firm (1993)
Similarities – Thriller, corporate setting, mind games
The Firm follows Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise), a talented young attorney who joins a prestigious Memphis law firm. Initially seduced by the high salary and perks, Mitch soon realizes that the firm has deep ties to organized crime. He becomes entangled in a dangerous web of intrigue and deceit, struggling to extricate himself and protect his family from the firm’s nefarious influence.
The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)
Similarities – Corporate setting, romance
The Wolf of Wall Street is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), a charismatic stockbroker who builds a wildly successful and debaucherous firm through illegal activities and fraudulent stock trading.
The Martin Scorsese film offers a raucous and humorous exploration of Belfort’s extravagant lifestyle, including excessive drug use, parties and extravagant spending, all while highlighting the unethical practices of the finance industry and the pursuit of wealth at any cost.
Up In The Air (2009)
Similarities – Corporate setting, romance
Up in the Air follows Ryan Bingham (Clooney), a corporate downsizing expert who spends most of his life travelling from one city to another, firing employees on behalf of their companies. He cherishes his nomadic existence until he meets fellow traveller Alex (Vera Farmiga) and a young colleague, Natalie (Anna Kendrick). As Ryan becomes entangled in personal and professional relationships, he starts reevaluating his priorities.
Michael Clayton (2007)
Similarities – Thriller, corporate setting, mind games
Michael Clayton centres on the titular character (Clooney), a “fixer” at a prestigious New York law firm. Clayton becomes involved in a high-stakes legal case involving a corrupt agrochemical company and a mentally unstable lawyer. As he seeks to uncover the truth and confront his own moral dilemmas, we also get a glimpse of the murky world of corporate law and ethics.
Money Monster (2016)
Similarities – Thriller, corporate setting, mind games
Money Monster revolves around Lee Gates (Clooney), a charismatic financial TV host who provides stock tips and financial advice on his show. He is taken hostage live on air by a disgruntled investor, Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell), who lost his life savings based on one of Gates’ stock recommendations.
As the tense standoff unfolds, it exposes financial corruption, media manipulation, and the consequences of unethical financial practices, with Gates and his producer (Julia Roberts) working to uncover the truth behind the stock market debacle while trying to stay alive.
There we have it, our list of best movies that are similar to Fair Play. What do you think about our picks? Did one of your favourites make the list? Let us know in the comments below!