This study engages with the theoretical aspects of realism in film studies. It contributes to an understanding of how popular films use realist forms to address contentious social and political issues such as social exclusion, war and violence. Focusing on key moments in film history, the authors examine the uses of realism in national cinemas as a context for their in-depth analysis of contemporary popular films. A series of case studies examine the hybrid styles of realism used in recent film-making practice and the politics of these forms in relation to topics such as urban youth and domestic violence ("Boyz N the Hood", "La Haine", "Once Were Warriors", "Nil By Mouth"), government conspiracies and war ("Cry Freedom", "JFK", "Schindler's List") and serial killers ("Henry", "Portrait of a Serial Killer", "Man Bites Dog" and "Natural Born Killers").