Best movies like Persecution
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The solitary Daniel and Sonia share an uneasy love/hate relationship. Daniel's life is disrupted by the appearance of a stranger that proceeds to insinuate himself in his life. The man's persistence takes its toll on Daniel and Sonia, leaving Daniel alone with nagging questions of "Why?".
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, Germany
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: offbeat, serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, gloomy
Best tv shows and movies like Persecution (2009):
Similar in 80%
Summer Night in Town (1990)
Plot Summary:
Unable to sleep in the sweltering heat, a young couple bares their bodies --- and their souls --- to each other over one life-changing night. They didn't know each other when the night began. It got hot, they stayed in. Now they know each other better than most.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 499
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: anthology
Similar in 83%
Lover (1992)
Plot Summary:
Marie lives with Antoine, but while he is away she meets Paul, a filmmaker visiting from Canada.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 234
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 79%
Felix and Lola (2001)
Plot Summary:
Félix, operator of dodgem cars in a fairground, becomes obsessed by one of his customers, a mysterious young woman named Lola. Félix soon discovers that Lola is running away from her former boyfriend, a singer who continues to taunt her. Lola asks Félix to prove his love for her by murdering a man he does not know.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 447
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 77%
Twisted Romance (2008)
Plot Summary:
Roberto is a bored young man living in the suburbs of Buenos Aires who begins a relationship with an older man named Raúl. Their romance takes a disturbing turn after Raúl catches Roberto with another man and turns increasingly abusive.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 271
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Argentina
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, crying
Similar in 75%
Our Happy Lives (1999)
Plot Summary:
Six people whose lives are intertwined struggle to find happiness amid broken relationships and painful life changes.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 247
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 147 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 77%
3 Hearts (2014)
Plot Summary:
A twist of fate leaves a hapless accountant romantically torn between two sisters.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, Germany, Belgium
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, atmospheric, touching, realistic, psychosexual thriller
Similar in 75%
Quartet (1981)
Plot Summary:
Quartet is the story of a girl who, adrift with her feckless husband amidst the literati of glittering Paris in the 1920s, becomes entrapped by a rich and sybaritic English couple. Adapted from the wistful, melancholy autobiographical novel by Jean Rhys, Quartet is full of intense confrontations dazzlingly acted by Alan Bates, Maggie Smith, Anthony Higgins, and Isabelle Adjani. This is one of the Merchant Ivory team’s darkest and most compelling dramas of dangerously intertwined relationships.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, France
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: costume drama, romantic drama, independent film, atmospheric, clever, serious, realistic, talky, stylized, gloomy
Similar in 85%
Friday Night (2002)
Plot Summary:
Paris, 1995. Laure (Valérie Lemercier) is about to meet friends for dinner to celebrate her moving in with her boyfriend. But on her way out, she discovers that the entire city is stalled by a massive transit strike. When a handsome stranger (Vincent Lindon) offers her a ride, Laure takes a highly charged, impossibly erotic detour.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sexual, serious, psychological, atmospheric, realistic, stylized, road movie, contemplative, erotic, sexy
Similar in 77%
Cages (2006)
Plot Summary:
Eve is an emergency medical technician who falls in love with Damien (Sagamore Stévenin), a handsome and caring man who runs a neighborhood bar in the Belgian countryside. When Damien and Eve become a couple, she joins him in looking after the bar and becomes friendly with the regular customers, but things take an unexpected turn when Eve is in a serious auto accident. While Eve walks away with no serious physical injuries, she's emotionally ravaged by the experience, and develops a severe speech impediment. Eve's new stutter makes it hard for her to communicate with Damien and she becomes the butt of jokes from the customers. Eve is increasingly isolated and Damien takes up with another woman until Eve retaliates by trapping him in their home and forces him to re-establish the building blocks of their relationship, starting with their sexual communication. Meanwhile, Eve's struggle to speak is contrasted with one of the tavern's annual events, an animal calling contest.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 222
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Belgium, France
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, suspenseful, sexy, tense, realistic, sexual
Similar in 77%
After Sex (1997)
Plot Summary:
The end of an affair from the woman's point of view.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 650
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: erotic, sexy, sensual, touching, serious, realistic, gloomy, sexual
Similar in 87%
The Past (2007)
Plot Summary:
After 12 years, Sofía and Rímini decided to separate. While Rímini finds it easy to move on and start a new life, Sofía stays stuck in the past and constantly harasses him. She reappears again and again on Rímini's horizon to reconquer him, torture him or redeem him.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Argentina, Brazil
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, touching, melancholic, erotic, hispanic, gloomy, sexual, sexy
Similar in 75%
Gabrielle (2005)
Plot Summary:
A seemingly ideal marriage is thrown into embarrassing turmoil in Patrice Chéreau's period drama, based on the short story The Return by Joseph Conrad.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, Italy, Germany
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, clever, emotional, realistic, contemplative, stylized, gloomy, crying, beautiful
Similar in 84%
Us (2013)
Plot Summary:
This is a story of Ida and Krister. It's about a relationship that goes to hell. They are both crazy in love but manage to strangle the supply of oxygen and adapt to each other in a way that will lead to catastrophic consequences.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: Sweden
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: tense, serious, realistic, suspense, sexy, bleak
Similar in 79%
Looking for Simon (2011)
Plot Summary:
Simon, a young German doctor who lives and works in Marseille, goes missing. His appartment is empty. His mother Valérie is desperate. She doesn't understand the reason of his disappearance. Therefore she asks Jens, Simon's former boyfriend, to come to Marseille and help her finding him.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 312
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Germany, France
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, realistic, psychological, captivating, sincere, serious, gloomy
Similar in 83%
American Translation (2011)
Plot Summary:
A sexually ambiguous Frenchman tours his native countryside with his naive American lover in pursuit of the ultimate thrill. From the moment they meet, brooding Chris (Pierre Perrier) and the beautiful Aurore (Lizzie Brocherè) fall instantly and passionately in love but it's not long before their intense connection is consumed by Chris's dark obsession with gay men. Before long, the pair embarks on a violent and sexual journey filled with seduction and destruction of young gay hustlers. Hard-hitting, intensely sexy and wildly controversial, American Translation is a twisted Bonnie and Clyde for a new generation.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 872
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: erotic, serious, realistic, disturbing, sexual, twisted, offbeat, gloomy, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 89%
This Is My Body (2001)
Plot Summary:
Gifted student Antoine goes against his family’s wishes and accepts the lead role in a controversial director’s film. He learns that the role had previously been offered to a young man who committed suicide after an on-set affair – and events conspire to draw Antoine towards the same lover.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 213
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Portugal
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, emotional, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 83%
Just Say Love (2009)
Plot Summary:
Physical attractions appear to be the obvious explanation for two people to become a pair. But are they really the reflection of something sublime, everlasting or dare we say, spiritual? Do relationships start in the bedroom or in the heart? In this male love story, the bliss described by Joseph Campbell and sages throughout the millennia is a practical option for finding happiness. As the camera delves into the character’s minds and actions we find fulfillment on both a physical and spiritual level.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 579
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: touching, contemplative, serious, realistic, crying, double entendre, queer cinema
Similar in 81%
The Wounded Man (1983)
Plot Summary:
Henri is a lonely, isolated young man who lets no one get close to him. He meets a street hustler and comes out of his shell, going 180 degrees into gay obsession. Though he has yet to physically approach the object of his affection, Henri builds up so much unrequited lust that it explodes with horrible results.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: erotic, psychological, serious, realistic, disturbing, gloomy, sexual, neorealism, homoerotic, sexy
Similar in 82%
Before I Forget (2007)
Plot Summary:
A portrait of a 58-year-old man battling his inner demons on the search for self-discovery.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 502
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: psychological, sincere, serious, realistic, contemplative, sexual, sexy
Similar in 76%
The Last Day (2004)
Plot Summary:
At Christmas time, 19 year old Simon returns home to visit his dysfunctional family with Louise, a fearless girl he met during his train ride. While Simon struggles to cope with the growing distance between him and his parents, he starts to examine his feelings when Louise develop a liaison of her own with his childhood friend Mathieu.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, atmospheric, serious, contemplative, gloomy, sexual, surprise ending, crying, sexy
Similar in 75%
Anna M. (2007)
Plot Summary:
Anna, a somewhat introverted woman, becomes obsessed with the orthopedic surgeon who helped with her recuperation following a car accident. Incorrectly believing the love to be reciprocated, she embarks on several attempts to try and stay in touch with him but, after several rejections, finds herself descending into despair and, ultimately, hatred.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 853
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: realistic, psychological, atmospheric, captivating, serious, suspenseful
Similar in 85%
The Woman Who Dreamed of a Man (2010)
Plot Summary:
A famous Danish artist and fashion photographer who leads an eventful life and is always travelling, meets a man who immediately awakens strong feelings in her. This unexpected encounter sparks a decisive turning point in her life and they begin a passionate relationship.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 923
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland, France
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: captivating, realistic, stylized, serious, erotic, sexy, romantic drama, hot
Similar in 88%
Pola X (1999)
Plot Summary:
A writer leaves his upper-class life and journeys with a woman claiming to be his sister, and her two friends.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, Switzerland, Germany, Japan
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: sexy, meditative, disturbing, psychological, serious, romantic, controversial, offbeat, mysterious, sensual
Similar in 85%
His Brother (2003)
Plot Summary:
Thomas has been estranged from his brother Luc for several years, due in part to his difficulties in dealing with Luc's homosexuality. But when Thomas is diagnosed with a rare blood disease, which is difficult to treat and impossible to cure, he decides he wants to bring Luc back into his life. The brothers soon become inseparable, with Luc constantly at Thomas' side as he vainly struggles against the disease and confronts the indignity of treatment. As Thomas and Luc become closer, their new relationship begins to alienate their significant others, and Thomas' father cannot understand why his son doesn't fight against his illness with great vehemence.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: sincere, emotional, serious, realistic, romantic, captivating, contemplative, gloomy, crying, entertaining
Similar in 86%
Kung-Fu Master (1988)
Plot Summary:
Veteran French director Agnes Varda's Le Petit Amour is based on a short story by actress/songstress Jane Birkin. Birkin herself plays the main character, a loving but lonely 40-year-old divorcee. Her life is brightened a bit by the presence of a handsome 15-year-old, played by Mathieu Demy. Their romance forms the basis of this "petit" Varda effort, which is also known as Kung Fu Master (now you'll have to see it for yourself!). Shortly after the release of Le Petit Amour, Agnes Varda directed a documentary centering upon Jane Birkin, Jane B par Agnes V.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: art house, aesthetic, touching, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy, sexual, sexy, eighties
Similar in 80%
Alice and Martin (1998)
Plot Summary:
At the age of 20, Martin leaves his home town and comes to Paris, where he fortunately becomes a model by chance. He meets Alice, his brother's friend, and falls in love with her. They start a passionate relationship, although Martin remains very mysterious about his past and the reasons why he left his family. But when Alice tells him she's pregnant, he is suddenly almost driven to madness, as his past comes back to his mind. Alice will now do anything she can to help him.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, Spain
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: melancholic, enigmatic, emotional, psychological, romantic, erotic, sentimental, touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 76%
Betty Blue (1986)
Plot Summary:
Betty Blue, a mentally unbalanced and sexually aggressive free spirit who becomes involved with Zorg, a repairman moonlighting as a writer. The two engage in a variety of sexual encounters, and grow more passionate toward each other. Betty finds Zorg’s book and is aggressively supportive; over time, her instability begin to catch up with her, leading to a grisly and shocking conclusion.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: erotic, sexy, atmospheric, sexual, romantic, breathtaking, talky, intense, serious, sensual
Similar in 76%
Intimacy (2001)
Plot Summary:
Jay, a failed musician, walked out of his family and now earns a living as head bartender in a trendy London pub. Every Wednesday afternoon a woman comes to his house for graphic, almost wordless, sex. One day Jay follows her and finds out about the rest of her life (and that her name is Claire). This eventually disrupts their relationship.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, UK, Germany
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: sexy, sexual, sensual, erotic, controversial, bleak, disturbing, enigmatic, artsy, depressing
Similar in 75%
Grande école (2004)
Plot Summary:
Paul and Agnes have been going out for quite a while and Agnes is shocked to learn that he'd rather live with two roommates on campus than move in with her. As soon as he meets one of his roommates, Louis-Anault, Paul's behavior changes - he is attracted to Louis without realizing so himself. Agnes, on the other hand, gets quite jealous and offers a bet: Whoever gets to have Louis-Anault first, wins... If she does, Paul will no longer explore his homosexual desires, if he does - she'll walk away. Meanwhile, Paul meets Mecir, a young Arab worker, who shows him there's more to life than elite colleges.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: sexy, psychological, sincere, serious, erotic, art house, controversial, realistic, sexual, queer cinema
Similar in 80%
In Paris (2006)
Plot Summary:
Paul, depressed from his recent break-up with Anna, returns home to Paris and moves back in with his divorced father and amorous younger brother, Jonathan. While his carefree sibling and doting father try in vain to cheer him up, a visit from his mother seems to be the only thing that brings him joy. When Paul is then left in the house to brood and talk to one of his brother's girlfriends.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, Portugal
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, touching, tense, captivating, semi serious