Best movies like Undertow
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The Munns, father John and sons Chris and Tim, recede to the woods of rural Georgia. Their life together is forever changed with the arrival of Uncle Deel, though the tragedy that follows forces troubled Chris to become a man.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: harsh, suspense, suspenseful, depressing, intense, lyrical, cult classic, atmospheric, stylized, gothic
Best tv shows and movies like Undertow (2004):
Similar in 88%
The Strange Ones (2017)
Plot Summary:
Mysterious events surround the travels of two brothers as they make their way across a remote American landscape. On the surface all seems normal, but what appears to be a simple vacation soon gives way to a dark and complex web of secrets. This is the feature film version of the 2011 short film going by the same name.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: road movie, rough, suspense, enigmatic, suspenseful, meditative, surprise ending, twist ending, non-linear, crying
Similar in 85%
Don't Tell a Soul (2020)
Plot Summary:
Two thieving teenage brothers, stealing money to help their sick mom, match wits with a troubled security guard stuck at the bottom of a forgotten well.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: suspense, realistic, suspenseful, intense, dark, action thriller
Similar in 90%
Where the Day Takes You (1992)
Plot Summary:
A group of teen-age runaways try to survive in the streets of Los Angeles. Drugs, prostitution, violence and bureaucratic indifference all pose threats to the kids, who nevertheless prefer this harsh life to going back to their families. King, somewhat older, provides some leadership the kids.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: neo noir, cult classic, independent film, rough, thought provoking, touching, serious, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 83%
Deep Dark Canyon (2013)
Plot Summary:
Bloom Towne is a small-town sheriff under the thumb of the well-established, deeply influential Mayor Dick Cavanaugh's family. When Bloom's two teenage sons, Nate and Skylar accidentally shoot and kill Dick during a deer-hunt, Bloom's long-held allegiance to the reigning Cavanaugh clan is tested. Skylar (still a minor) decides to take the wrap for his older brother Nate, claiming he fired the fatal shot. The Cavanaugh family's quick retaliation sends Skylar on his way to county jail, soon to be tried as an adult. Desperate and guilt-ridden, Nate breaks Skylar out of jail and sets off a chain of lawless acts, which send them deep into the woods and on the run. Bloom's choice between the law and his sons leads to revelations of old family secrets that threaten to destroy everything he loves.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: exciting, suspenseful, tense, captivating, suspense, serious, realistic, independent film
Similar in 79%
Bright Angel (1990)
Plot Summary:
Road-movie from Montana to Wyoming. A gullible, innocent young man (Mulroney) assists a versatile girl (Taylor) on her long quest to get her brother out of jail.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 707
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: road movie, serious, suspenseful, realistic, neo noir, independent film, bleak, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 81%
Black Circle Boys (1997)
Plot Summary:
A young man moves to a new town after experiencing a tragedy and becomes involved with a gang of Satan-worshipping teens who believe they have supernatural powers. But by the time he realises he’s in too deep, it may be too late to escape.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: gothic, serious, captivating, suspense, tense, disturbing, lovecraft, independent film, realistic
Similar in 89%
Red (2008)
Plot Summary:
An older, reclusive man's best friend and inspiration for living is his 14-year-old dog named "Red". When three troublesome teens kill the dog for no good reason, the grieving man sets out for justice and redemption by whatever means available to him.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: emotional, suspense, touching, tense, serious, disturbing, psychological horror, cult classic, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 77%
The Crossing Guard (1995)
Plot Summary:
After his daughter died in a hit and run, Freddy Gale has waited six years for John Booth, the man responsible, to be released from prison. On the day of release, Gale visits Booth and announces that he will kill him in one week. Booth uses his time to try and make peace with himself and his entourage, and even finds romance. Gale, whose life is spiraling down because of his obsession towards Booth, will bring himself on the very edge of sanity. At he end of the week, both men will find themselves on a collision course with each other.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: bleak, suspenseful, emotional, suspense, intense, psychological, serious, existential, sentimental, cult classic
Similar in 86%
George Washington (2000)
Plot Summary:
Set in the landscape of a rural southern town, "George Washington" is a stunning portrait of how a group of young kids come to grips with a hard world of choices and consequences. During an innocent game in an abandoned amusement park, a member of the group dies. Narrated by one of the children, the film follows the kids as they struggle to balance their own ambitions and relationships against a tragic lie.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, bleak, independent film, meditative, lyrical, touching, realistic, stylized, southern gothic, thought provoking
Similar in 83%
Joe (2013)
Plot Summary:
The rough-hewn boss of a lumber crew courts trouble when he steps in to protect the youngest member of his team from an abusive father.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 51000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: touching, captivating, dark, atmospheric, depressing, southern gothic, harsh, rough, suspense, cult classic
Similar in 79%
Crime + Punishment in Suburbia (2000)
Plot Summary:
This is a contemporary fable loosely based on Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment". Roseanne is outwardly a perfect and popular teen. However, her image is hiding the abuse at her stepfather's hands, and she decides to take revenge. The events that follow are a mix of dark humor and an exploration of modern morality as Roseanne faces not only a fellow suburbanite who knows, but her own conscience as well.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: disturbing, psychological, serious, clever, teen, independent film, realistic, cynical, gloomy, sexy
Similar in 82%
Fierce People (2005)
Plot Summary:
A massage therapist looking to overcome her addictions and reconnect with her son, whose father is an anthropologist in South America studying the Yanomani people, moves in with a wealthy ex-client.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, realistic, disturbing, suspenseful, erotic, dark, art house, teen, indie film
Similar in 75%
Hellion (2014)
Plot Summary:
When motocross and heavy metal obsessed, 13-year-old Jacob's delinquent behavior forces CPS to place his little brother Wes with his aunt, Jacob and his emotionally absent father must finally take responsibility for their actions and each other in order to bring Wes home.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, suspense, independent film, moody
Similar in 87%
Firstborn (1984)
Plot Summary:
Because he's the oldest, Jake has been the man of the house, since his parents divorce. When Mom starts seeing Sam, who always seems to be trying some new way to get rich quick, and declares he's the man of the house now, Jake puts up with it. Until he discovers Sam's illegal activities.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: tension, psychological, tense, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, biting, crying
Similar in 75%
Shotgun Stories (2007)
Plot Summary:
Shotgun Stories tracks a feud that erupts between two sets of half brothers following the death of their father. Set against the cotton fields and back roads of Southeast Arkansas, these brothers discover the lengths to which each will go to protect their family.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: bleak, depressing, suspense, harsh, realistic, suspenseful, psychological, serious, southern gothic, independent film
Similar in 85%
The King (2005)
Plot Summary:
A motiveless malignancy? Elvis leaves the Navy and heads for Texas where he contacts his father, whom he's never met, the pastor at a Christian community church. Pastor Dave tells Elvis to stay away and, without telling his family that Elvis is his son from a pre-conversion liaison, tells them to have nothing to do with him. But Elvis has already connected with Malerie, the pastor's 16-year old daughter. Elvis embarks on the seduction of Malerie, while Dave examines his conscience and comes to a new conclusion. Can anyone get right with the Lord? Does the Lord hear?.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, realistic, suspenseful, erotic, suspense, independent film, tense, clever, contemplative
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Similar in 76%
The Trigger Effect (1996)
Plot Summary:
How tenuous is man's hold on civilization when survival becomes an issue? When the lights go out and stay out for several days, suburbanites Matthew and Annie learn the hard way that man is "by nature" a predatory creature. Matthew's long-time friend, Joe, happens by on the second day and a rivalry between the two friends simmers as Annie cares for her sick baby. . Is this what is meant by "man's inhumanity to man?".
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: suspense, psychological, tense, bleak, cult classic, action thriller, serious, realistic, suspenseful, neo noir
Similar in 75%
Inhale (2010)
Plot Summary:
A couple goes to dangerous lengths to find a lung donor for their daughter.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: serious, suspenseful, tense, captivating, psychological, mind blowing, exciting, realistic, independent film, fast
Similar in 77%
Hush (1998)
Plot Summary:
Jackson and Helen are in love and about to have their first child when they move in with Jackson's mother, Martha, in order to take care of the family estate. But all is not well in this household. Martha is jealous of her son's affection for Helen, and, despite her Southern smile, she's starting to act strangely. As Helen tries to create a happy home life, Martha attempts to divide the family so that Jackson will become hers alone.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, suspense, scary, emotional, serious, atmospheric, realistic, psychological thriller, dark, erotic
Similar in 82%
The Indian Runner (1991)
Plot Summary:
An intensely sad film about two brothers who cannot overcome their opposite perceptions of life. One brother sees and feels bad in everyone and everything, subsequently he is violent, antisocial and unable to appreciate or enjoy the good things which his brother desperately tries to point out to him.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Japan
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: psychological, emotional, realistic, rough, serious, independent film, cult classic, tense, captivating, controversial
Similar in 86%
The Safety of Objects (2001)
Plot Summary:
In a suburban landscape, the lives of several families interlace with loss, despair and personal crisis. Esther Gold has lost focus on all but caring for her comatose son, Paul, and neglects her daughter and husband. Lawyer Jim Train is devoted to his career, not his family. Helen Christianson wants to find a new spark in life, while Annette Jennings tries to rebuild hers.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA, Canada
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: philosophical, psychological, depressing, confusing, disturbing, compassionate, suspense, touching, serious, emotional
Similar in 87%
The Dynamiter (2011)
Plot Summary:
All fourteen-year-old Robbie Hendrick ever wanted was a family. Yet as another Mississippi summer begins, his wayward mother has run off again fearing a breakdown and he's left to burn the days caring for his half brother, Fess. As the deep days and nights pass without her return and with older brother Lucas dangerously in their lives again, Robbie must face the fact that his dream of a family may only be a dream and he might just lose the only family he's ever had: Fess.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 609
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 73 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, touching, serious, realistic, sentimental, sincere, feel good, gothic, gloomy, independent film
Similar in 90%
Winter's Bone (2010)
Plot Summary:
17 year-old Ree Dolly sets out to track down her father, who put their house up for his bail bond and then disappeared. If she fails, Ree and her family will be turned out into the Ozark woods. Challenging her outlaw kin's code of silence and risking her life, Ree hacks through the lies, evasions and threats offered up by her relatives and begins to piece together the truth.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 148000
Genere: Drama, Mystery
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: depressing, atmospheric, harsh, bleak, disturbing, tense, gloomy, serious, neo noir, independent film
Similar in 84%
The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
Plot Summary:
A motorcycle stunt rider considers committing a crime in order to provide for his wife and child, an act that puts him on a collision course with a cop-turned-politician.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 286000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: harsh, captivating, psychological, stylized, neo noir, suspense, gloomy, melancholic, atmospheric, crime thriller
Similar in 78%
Coldwater (2013)
Plot Summary:
A teenage boy is sent to a juvenile reform facility in the wilderness. As we learn about the tragic events that sent him there, his struggle becomes one for survival with the inmates, counselors, and the retired war colonel in charge.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: tense, rough, serious, suspenseful, bleak, realistic, independent film, juvenile
Similar in 84%
The United States of Leland (2003)
Plot Summary:
A withdrawn young man, Leland Fitzgerald is imprisoned for the murder of a mentally disabled boy, who also happened to be the brother of his girlfriend, Becky. As the community struggles to deal with the killing, Pearl Madison, a teacher at the prison, decides to write about Leland's case. Meanwhile, others affected by the murder, including Becky and her sister, Julie, must contend with their own problems.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: depressing, meditative, psychological, bleak, emotional, rough, serious, realistic, touching, melancholic
Similar in 75%
Stoker (2013)
Plot Summary:
After India's father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. She comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives and becomes increasingly infatuated with him.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 113000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: psychological, suspenseful, bleak, gothic, tense, suspense, disturbing, erotic, surreal, visual
Similar in 80%
We Own the Night (2007)
Plot Summary:
A New York nightclub manager tries to save his brother and father from Russian mafia hitmen.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 92000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: suspense, harsh, stylized, rough, serious, captivating, tense, realistic, suspenseful, dark
Similar in 87%
The Road (2009)
Plot Summary:
A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind and water. It is cold enough to crack stones, and, when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the warmer south, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 251000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: bleak, harsh, depressing, rough, suspense, apocalyptic, atmospheric, gloomy, psychological, sad
Similar in 79%
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
Plot Summary:
After her son Kevin commits a horrific act, troubled mother Eva reflects on her complicated relationship with her disturbed son as he grew from a toddler into a teenager.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 165000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, USA, Spain
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: psychological, disturbing, bleak, depressing, suspense, surreal, gloomy, independent film, thought provoking, tense