SimilarScreen
Silkwood

Silkwood

On November 13, 1974, Karen Silkwood, an employee of a nuclear facility, left to meet with a reporter from the New York Times. She never got there.

19836.92h 11m

Overview

Like most of the people in her town, Karen Silkwood works at the local nuclear plant producing highly radioactive plutonium. Exposed one day to a lethal dose of radiation, Karen faces the blank walls of corporate indifference and denial. As her illness increases, her protest grows louder and she becomes an obvious danger to the powers that be.

Directed by Mike Nichols
Written by Alice Arlen, Nora Ephron
Produced by Mike Nichols, Michael Hausman
Box OfficeBudget: $10.0MRevenue: $35.6M

Top Cast

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep

Karen Silkwood

Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell

Drew Stephens

Cher

Cher

Dolly Pelliker

Craig T. Nelson

Craig T. Nelson

Winston

Fred Ward

Fred Ward

Morgan

Diana Scarwid

Diana Scarwid

Angela

Ron Silver

Ron Silver

Paul Stone

Charles Hallahan

Charles Hallahan

Earl Lapin

Josef Sommer

Josef Sommer

Max Richter

Sudie Bond

Sudie Bond

Thelma Rice

Themes & Keywords

plutoniumstaged deathradiationoklahomanuclear radiationnuclear power plantidealismidealistlabor organizerlabor unionworkers unionsuspicious deathwhistleblowerworker's rightsfighting the systemchemical poisoningradiation exposureassassinatedillegal waste disposal

About Silkwood

Silkwood is a drama film released in 1983 exploring themes of plutonium, staged death, radiation, oklahoma, nuclear radiation, nuclear power plant. Directed by Mike Nichols, it stars Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell, Cher. Like most of the people in her town, Karen Silkwood works at the local nuclear plant producing highly radioactive plutonium. Exposed one day to a lethal dose of radiation, Karen faces the blank walls of corporate indifference and denial. As her illness increases, her protest grows louder and she becomes an obvious danger to the powers that be.

Movies Similar to Silkwood

Discover titles like Silkwood — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Silkwood

If you enjoyed Silkwood, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Silkwood.

Pu-239
25% Match

Pu-239(2006)

Movie6.6/10

A worker at a Russian nuclear facility gets exposed to a lethal dose of radiation. In order to provide for his family, he steals some plutonium and sets out to sell it on Moscow's black market with the help of an incompetent criminal.

The China Syndrome
24% Match

While doing a series of reports on alternative energy sources, opportunistic reporter Kimberly Wells witnesses an accident at a nuclear power plant. Wells is determined to publicize the incident, but soon finds herself entangled in a sinister conspiracy to keep the full impact of the incident a secret.

Matewan
23% Match

Matewan(1987)

Movie7.4/10

Filmed in the coal country of West Virginia, "Matewan" celebrates labor organizing in the context of a 1920s work stoppage. Union organizer, Joe Kenehan, a scab named "Few Clothes" Johnson and a sympathetic mayor and police chief heroically fight the power represented by a coal company and Matewan's vested interests so that justice and workers' rights need not take a back seat to squalid working conditions, exploitation and the bottom line.

Gandhi
22% Match

Gandhi(1982)

Movie7.6/10

In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.

Serpico
20% Match

Serpico(1973)

Movie7.5/10

New York cop Frank Serpico blows the whistle on the rampant corruption in the force only to have his comrades turn against him.

Fancy Dance
19% Match

Following her sister's disappearance, Jax and her niece Roki must stick together. Desperate to keep what's left of their family intact, Jax and Roki defy the law and hit the road on a journey to the Grand Nation Powwow in Oklahoma City.

Invictus
19% Match

Invictus(2009)

Movie7.2/10

Newly elected President Nelson Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's rugby union team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.

Quiz Show
19% Match

Quiz Show(1994)

Movie7.3/10

Herbert Stempel's transformation into an unexpected television personality unfolds as he secures victory on the cherished American game show, 'Twenty-One.' However, when the show introduces the highly skilled contestant Charles Van Doren to replace Stempel, it compels Stempel to let out his frustrations and call out the show as rigged. Lawyer Richard Goodwin steps in and attempts to uncover the orchestrated deception behind the scenes.

The Reflecting Skin
18% Match

In 1950s rural Idaho, a young boy watches helplessly as his friends and brother fall under the spell of a mysterious widow living up the road and becomes convinced that she is a vampire.

Heaven's Gate
18% Match

Harvard graduate James Averill serves as the sheriff of prosperous Jackson County, Wyoming, standing at the center of a conflict between impoverished immigrants and affluent cattle farmers. Politically connected ranchers enlist mercenary Nathan Champion—who is also vying for the affections of local madam Ella Watson—to combat the immigrant uprising. As tensions escalate, both Averill and Champion start to question their decisions.

Honkytonk Man
18% Match

During the Great Depression, a young boy leaves his family's Oklahoma farm to travel with his country musician uncle who is trying out for the Grand Ole Opry.

Blue Collar
17% Match

Fed up with mistreatment at the hands of both management and union brass, and coupled with financial hardships on each man's end, three auto assembly line workers hatch a plan to rob a safe at union headquarters.