Year: 2005
Runtime: 126 min
Language: English
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Budget: $50M
This gripping political thriller explores the complexities and corruption within the international oil industry. Set in Washington and the Persian Gulf, the film follows various characters embroiled in high-stakes negotiations and backroom deals. As they pursue wealth and power, the story reveals the devastating consequences for those caught in the crossfire, highlighting the human cost of global politics and the relentless pursuit of profit.
Get a spoiler-free look at Syriana (2005) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In a world where oil is both a currency and a catalyst for power, the film follows a tangled web of ambition that stretches from the marble corridors of Washington to the sun‑scorched deserts of the Persian Gulf. Corporate giants scramble for dwindling reserves, governments negotiate fragile alliances, and shadowy intelligence agencies keep a restless eye on every deal. The tone is a relentless, high‑stakes political thriller, where the glitter of wealth masks a deeper, unsettling cost to those caught in the currents of global finance.
Bryan Woodman is a seasoned energy analyst whose expertise makes him a coveted voice in the negotiations that could reshape the region’s fortunes. As he navigates the opulent yet uneasy environment of foreign dignitaries and corporate boardrooms, his personal life begins to feel the strain of the choices he must make. He is drawn into a delicate balance of loyalty—to his firm, his family, and the emerging vision of reform offered by a progressive prince.
Bob Barnes is a veteran CIA operations officer whose career has long been defined by covert missions and hard‑earned instincts. Assigned to monitor the same oil‑fueled power struggles, he finds the line between official policy and hidden agendas increasingly blurred. His experience forces him to question who the true allies are and what the cost of intervention might be, setting the stage for a tense dance between duty and conscience.
Saleem Ahmed Khan and his son Wasim embody the human side of the industry’s upheaval, facing the harsh reality of economic displacement in a landscape reshaped by multinational interests. Meanwhile, Bennett Holiday, a sharp‑tongued attorney, steps into the corporate arena to shepherd a high‑profile merger, juggling legal maneuvering with moral ambiguity. Together, these characters illustrate the film’s core tension: a relentless pursuit of profit and power that reverberates through personal lives, national destinies, and the fragile fabric of global politics.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 10:16
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories that expose the ruthless interconnectedness of political and corporate power.If you liked the intricate exposure of the oil industry in Syriana, this collection features movies with similar intricate plots about political corruption, corporate espionage, and global economics. Discover other complex thrillers that weave together multiple storylines to reveal a bleak picture of systemic power.
These narratives often employ a multi-strand structure, connecting disparate characters—a journalist, a CEO, an analyst, a spy—whose paths intertwine to expose a larger, corrupt system. The plot is driven by conspiracies, backroom deals, and the grim realization that the system is designed to protect itself at any human cost.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on exposing complex, global systems of power and the moral compromises required to operate within or against them. They share a cynical worldview, a complex narrative structure, and a tone of high-stakes tension.
Thrillers where good intentions are crushed by an unforgiving world.For viewers who appreciated the heavy emotional weight and bleak conclusion of Syriana, this section highlights similar tense thrillers about moral compromise and tragic consequences. Find movies like Syriana that explore desperate characters in oppressive systems, resulting in a powerful and somber experience.
The narrative pattern follows characters who enter a high-stakes conflict—be it corporate, political, or criminal—with some idealism, only to find themselves outmatched and corrupted. Their arcs are defined by loss, betrayal, and the erosion of their moral compass, culminating in a defeat that reinforces the power of the antagonistic system.
These films are united by their unflinching portrayal of moral failure and tragic outcomes. They share a high-intensity, tense tone, a steady pacing that builds towards inevitable despair, and an emotionally heavy impact that stems from witnessing good people broken by overwhelming corruption.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Syriana in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Syriana is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Syriana, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Syriana with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Syriana. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Syriana: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Syriana that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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