Best movies like Kaufman's Game
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Kaufman's Game follows Stanley, an unemployed young man with a passion for boxing, who is keen to improve his strength and stamina. When a stranger approaches him outside the gym with the offer of a specially produced steroid, Stanley is drawn into the ever more violent operations of a powerful organisation, unwittingly entering into a series of tests designed to prove his mettle. This is a film about power, determination and being your own worst enemy. It celebrates the archetypes of classic Film Noir, and the dark, conspiratorial storytelling technique of Franz Kafka, but with a contemporary minimalist aesthetic.
IMDB Rating: 3.2
IMDB Votes: 139
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: neo noir, psychological, tense, enigmatic, captivating, independent film
Best tv shows and movies like Kaufman's Game (2017):
Similar in 90%
The Marker (2017)
Plot Summary:
Noir thriller about a criminal seeking redemption by tracking down the daughter of the woman he killed. Along the way he is haunted by his guilt in the guise of the woman's ghost.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 501
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: psychological, enigmatic, bleak, captivating, neo noir, noir, british noir
Similar in 77%
Down and Dangerous (2013)
Plot Summary:
An inventive and resourceful cocaine smuggler defends his trade against violent rival traffickers, a monstrous and vengeful killer, and the DEA agents who want to lock him up – all while falling for a stunningly beautiful woman with a taste for danger.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 907
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: serious, suspenseful, tense, captivating, suspense, independent film, exciting, realistic
Similar in 76%
[Cargo] (2018)
Plot Summary:
A man wakes trapped inside a cargo container with only a cell phone and is given 24 hours by his kidnappers to raise ten million dollars in ransom or die.
IMDB Rating: 2.8
IMDB Votes: 425
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: ambiguous ending, surprise ending, neo noir, suspense, psychological, captivating, tense, disturbing, minimal cast
Similar in 86%
Finish Line (2008)
Plot Summary:
Minor league stock car racer Mitch Camponella gets closer to his NASCAR dreams when he's hired as private mechanic to a millionaire importer. But Mitch's ambition comes with a heavy price when he realizes that his new boss is a smuggler who's using Mitch as a pawn in a deadly illegal arms trade.
IMDB Rating: 4.1
IMDB Votes: 781
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, psychological, suspense, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 75%
St George's Day (2012)
Plot Summary:
Infamous London gangster cousins, Micky Mannock and Ray Collishaw, are at the top of the food chain, when their world is turned upside down as they lose a shipment of the Russian Mafia's cocaine in rough seas. Set in London, Amsterdam and Berlin, the story races across Europe at breakneck speed as Micky and Ray attempt to stay one step ahead of the Police. Can they pull off a daring diamond heist in time to put things right and retire to a "legitimate" way of life.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, tense, captivating, suspense, rough
Similar in 81%
Pimp (2010)
Plot Summary:
A week in the life of Woody; a Soho pimp, as seen through the eyes of concealed documentary cameras: A week which spirals brutally out of control.
IMDB Rating: 3.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: serious, suspenseful, tense, captivating, suspense, rough, realistic, independent film, fake documentary
Similar in 78%
Surveillance (2006)
Plot Summary:
The story of an security guard whose spotless record at crime prevention marks the horrifying reality of deception, blackmail and murder.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 476
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, serious, captivating, exciting, rough, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 87%
The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009)
Plot Summary:
A rich man's daughter is held captive in an abandoned apartment by two former convicts who abducted her and hold her ransom in exchange for her father's money.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: disturbing, suspenseful, twist ending, psychological, sexy, suspense, rough, bleak, minimal cast, erotic
Similar in 90%
Paanch (2003)
Plot Summary:
The film is "loosely" based on the 1976-77 Joshi-Abhyankar serial murders in Pune. It has been refused a clearance certificate by the censor board, twice on six grounds - the film glorifies violence; it shows the modus operandi of a crime (killing of a police officer); it shows excessive use of drugs; it has double meaning dialogues (with sexual undertones); it has no positive characters; it does not carry a social message.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: India
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: suspense, avant garde, psychological, tense, suspenseful, dark, realistic, cult classic, surprise ending, independent film
Similar in 85%
Hard Boiled Sweets (2012)
Plot Summary:
Ex-con Johnny is forced into pulling a heist he wants nothing to do with. Mob boss ‘Shrewd’ Eddie has one million is dirty cash stashed at his home, just waiting to be stolen. But what Johnny doesn’t know is that seven other very dangerous criminals also have plans to steal the money.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 850
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: captivating, suspense, psychological, tense, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 86%
I Against I (2012)
Plot Summary:
Focusing on the timeless themes of jealousy, murder and betrayal, 'I Against I' is set over one night and utilises different time lines to reveal a dark and unexpected conclusion to a simple mystery premise. The main protagonists, opposite in character, take a frantic journey into a desolate nocturnal world with the common aim of survival, though once completed, the plot reveals a trap from which escape may be impossible.
IMDB Rating: 4.3
IMDB Votes: 597
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: exciting, atmospheric, serious, tense, captivating, rough, realistic, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 83%
Julia (2008)
Plot Summary:
An alcoholic becomes involved in a fellow A.A. member's plan to kidnap her young son from the boy's wealthy grandfather.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: France, USA, Mexico, Belgium
Duration: 144 min
Plot tags: disturbing, psychological, suspense, stylized, cult classic, dark comedy, psychological thriller, neo noir, serious, realistic
Similar in 82%
Confidence (2003)
Plot Summary:
What Jake Vig doesn't know just might get him killed. A sharp and polished grifter, Jake has just swindled thousands of dollars from the unsuspecting Lionel Dolby with the help of his crew. It becomes clear that Lionel wasn't just any mark, he was an accountant for eccentric crime boss Winston King. Jake and his crew will have to stay one step ahead of both the criminals and the cops to finally settle their debt.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 35000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada, Germany
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: tense, clever, suspense, tricky, contemplative, suspenseful, neo noir, stylized, surprise ending, detective
Similar in 86%
House of Games (1987)
Plot Summary:
A psychiatrist comes to the aid of a compulsive gambler and is led by a smooth-talking grifter into the shadowy but compelling world of stings, scams, and con men.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: neo noir, psychological, clever, suspenseful, surprise ending, tricky, serious, suspense, mindfuck, tense
Similar in 75%
The Killing Floor (2007)
Plot Summary:
A literary agent moves into a penthouse apartment. Soon after the move, he receives crime scene photographs that seem to have taken place in his new apartment. Next he receives a series of stalker videotapes that document his every move.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: serious, suspenseful, scary, psychological, tense, rough, surprise ending, detective, microfilm
Similar in 76%
King of New York (1990)
Plot Summary:
A former drug lord returns from prison determined to wipe out all his competition and distribute the profits of his operations to New York's poor and lower classes in this stylish and ultra violent modern twist on Robin Hood.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 41000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: Italy, USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: neo noir, atmospheric, hood, tense, suspense, intense, serious, captivating, realistic, dark
Similar in 85%
Perfect Stranger (2007)
Plot Summary:
A journalist goes undercover to ferret out businessman Harrison Hill as her best friend's killer. Posing as one of his temps, she enters into a game of online cat-and-mouse.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 51000
Genere: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: surprise ending, psychological, sexy, suspense, suspenseful, psychological thriller, mind bending, intense, tense, rough
Similar in 81%
Welcome to the Punch (2013)
Plot Summary:
When notorious criminal Jacob Sternwood is forced to return to London, it gives detective Max Lewinsky one last chance to take down the man he's always been after.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: tense, exciting, stylized, suspense, rough, serious, realistic, detective, suspenseful, noir
Similar in 77%
Layer Cake (2004)
Plot Summary:
When a seemingly straight-forward drug deal goes awry, XXXX has to break his die-hard rules and turn up the heat, not only to outwit the old regime and come out on top, but to save his own skin.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 192000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: neo noir, intense, clever, tense, rough, suspenseful, bleak, dark comedy, suspense, entertaining
Similar in 79%
Cold in July (2014)
Plot Summary:
How can a split-second decision change your life? While investigating noises in his house one balmy Texas night in 1989, Richard Dane puts a bullet in the brain of low-life burglar Freddy Russell. Although he’s hailed as a small-town hero, Dane soon finds himself fearing for his family’s safety when Freddy’s ex-con father, Ben, rolls into town, hell-bent on revenge.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA, France
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: neo noir, suspenseful, tense, realistic, psychological, suspense, atmospheric, tricky, bleak, serious
Similar in 82%
Derailed (2005)
Plot Summary:
When two married business executives having an affair are blackmailed by a violent criminal, they are forced to turn the tables on him to save their families.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 76000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, surprise ending, serious, suspense, rough, twist ending, tense, neo noir, psychological, psychological thriller
Similar in 75%
Phone Booth (2002)
Plot Summary:
A slick New York publicist who picks up a ringing receiver in a phone booth is told that if he hangs up, he'll be killed... and the little red light from a laser rifle sight is proof that the caller isn't kidding.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 282000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: suspense, suspenseful, tense, psychological, serious, psychological thriller, surprise ending, rough, twist ending, clever
Similar in 79%
Bound (1996)
Plot Summary:
Corky, a tough female ex con and her lover Violet concoct a scheme to steal millions of stashed mob money and pin the blame on Violet's crooked boyfriend Caesar.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 60000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: sexy, neo noir, erotic, suspense, tense, suspenseful, psychological thriller, tricky, sexual, psychosexual thriller
Similar in 84%
Fargo (1996)
Plot Summary:
Jerry, a small-town Minnesota car salesman is bursting at the seams with debt... but he's got a plan. He's going to hire two thugs to kidnap his wife in a scheme to collect a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. It's going to be a snap and nobody's going to get hurt... until people start dying. Enter Police Chief Marge, a coffee-drinking, parka-wearing - and extremely pregnant - investigator who'll stop at nothing to get her man. And if you think her small-time investigative skills will give the crooks a run for their ransom... you betcha!.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 711000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: neo noir, black comedy, dark comedy, atmospheric, suspense, suspenseful, clever, independent film, funny, absurd
Similar in 78%
Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
Plot Summary:
Slevin is mistakenly put in the middle of a personal war between the city’s biggest criminal bosses. Under constant watch, Slevin must try not to get killed by an infamous assassin and come up with an idea of how to get out of his current dilemma. A film with many twists and turns.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 323000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Germany, UK, Canada
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: surprise ending, clever, suspense, neo noir, twisted, twist ending, dark comedy, mindfuck, tricky, mind bending
Similar in 82%
The Outfit (2022)
Plot Summary:
Leonard is an English tailor who used to craft suits on London’s world-famous Savile Row. After a personal tragedy, he’s ended up in Chicago, operating a small tailor shop in a rough part of town where he makes beautiful clothes for the only people around who can afford them: a family of vicious gangsters.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 60000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: suspense, tense, captivating, disturbing, psychological, psychological thriller, slasher, hood, period piece, powerful
Similar in 77%
Fracture (2007)
Plot Summary:
A husband is on trial for the attempted murder of his wife, in what is seemingly an open/shut case for the ambitious district attorney trying to put him away. However, there are surprises for both around every corner, and, as a suspenseful game of cat-and-mouse is played out, each must manipulate and outwit the other.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 215000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: suspense, psychological, intellectual, twist ending, psychological thriller, clever, serious, enigmatic, suspenseful, surprise ending
Similar in 79%
Cape Fear (1991)
Plot Summary:
Sam Bowden is a small-town corporate attorney. Max Cady is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. What do they have in common? Fourteen years ago, Sam was a public defender assigned to Max Cady's rape trial, and he made a serious error: he hid a document from his illiterate client that could have gotten him acquitted. Now, the cagey, bibliophile Cady has been released, and he intends to teach Sam Bowden and his family a thing or two about loss.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 212000
Genere: Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: psychological, suspenseful, tense, neo noir, suspense, psychological thriller, disturbing, scary, intense, creepy
Similar in 85%
Following (1998)
Plot Summary:
A struggling, unemployed young writer takes to following strangers around the streets of London, ostensibly to find inspiration for his new novel.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 100000
Genere: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 69 min
Plot tags: neo noir, psychological, suspense, black and white, tense, clever, surprise ending, atmospheric, cerebral, mindfuck
Similar in 83%
Shallow Grave (1994)
Plot Summary:
Three friends discover their new flatmate dead but loaded with cash.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 65000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: neo noir, dark comedy, black comedy, psychological, suspense, surprise ending, suspenseful, cult classic, action thriller, tense