Best movies like Swallowtail Butterfly
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Swallowtail Butterfly takes place in an alternate Japan, in a ghetto where immigrants from all over the world have come to live and make their fortune. The city is called Yentown, and it is much like Tokyo. Sixteen-year-old Ageha (Ito), a young girl whose mother has just died, is passed on from person to person until a prostitute named Glico (Chara) finally takes pity on her. Under Glico's care, Ageha has many experiences with the other poverty-stricken immigrants in Yentown. Eventually, due to a sudden twist in fate, the immigrants are given a chance to realize their dreams. But in doing so, they destroy their solidarity, and have to face their problems separately.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 148 min
Plot tags: cult classic, independent film, tense, atmospheric, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, gloomy
Best tv shows and movies like Swallowtail Butterfly (1996):
Similar in 78%
Goodbye, South, Goodbye (1996)
Plot Summary:
Gao (Jack Kao) is riding the train to Pinghsi to set up a 10 day gambling den with his friend Hsi (Hsi Hsiang).
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Taiwan, Japan
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: realistic, contemplative, slow cinema, aesthetic, serious, suspenseful, gloomy
Similar in 84%
9 mm (1997)
Plot Summary:
The suburb that is a society in a society, a place where young guys do anything for respect. A place where criminality and violence is a part of life. The movie is about Malik, a guy without family and land of origin, and who has made crime and violence to a part of his life. Both to win respect, and to support himself.
IMDB Rating: 3.1
IMDB Votes: 966
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Sweden
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: tense, rough, serious, realistic
Similar in 90%
Ley Lines (1999)
Plot Summary:
The story follows a trio of Japanese youths of Chinese descent who escape their semi-rural upbringing and relocate to Shinjuku, Tokyo, where they befriend a troubled Shanghai prostitute and fall foul of a local crime syndicate. Like many of Miike's works, the film examines the underbelly of respectable Japanese society and the problems of assimilation faced by non-ethnically Japanese people in Japan.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: crime drama, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, neo noir
Similar in 79%
The Wolves (1971)
Plot Summary:
After going to prison for killing the boss of the Kanno gang, Seji Iwahashi (Tatsuya Nakadai) gets released early -- only to find that his former gang has merged with the Kannos. But with bitter resentments lingering on both sides, how long will it be before the bloodshed begins anew? Set in 1926 Japan, this serpentine crime thriller from director Hideo Gosha also stars Toshio Kurosawa and Isao Natsuyagi as Iwahashi's closest ally.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 612
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: crime drama, atmospheric, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 75%
Shinjuku Incident (2009)
Plot Summary:
Iron Zhao aka Steelhead, a truck repairman from China's Northeast, and settles down as an illegal immigrant in Tokyo. After a series of run-ins with the Yakuza, he rises to power as the Don of Chinese illegal immigrants. However, things get out of control when he's foolish enough to believe in clean getaways in a world that offers none, and soon comes to seal his own fate.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: tense, rough, serious, realistic, neo noir, bloody, crime drama, cult classic, bleak, gloomy
Similar in 87%
Flipping (1996)
Plot Summary:
no overview found.
IMDB Rating: 4.1
IMDB Votes: 179
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: crime drama, independent film, tense, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 78%
The Thief & the Stripper (2000)
Plot Summary:
Jack just lost his P.I. license and his life is on a downward spiral. He decides to steal a cash briefcase from the local gangsters. He hides in a strip joint owned by a local mob legend Jimmie D and pays a stripper to help him escape. The gangsters find her and want her to lead 'em to him. She is also interested in the case, as well as other local mobsters and dirty cops.
IMDB Rating: 4.1
IMDB Votes: 122
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, tense
Similar in 77%
The City of Lost Souls (2000)
Plot Summary:
Brazilian-Japanese gangster Mario rescues his Chinese girlfriend Kei as she's about to be deported from Japan. Desperate to escape, he hides in Tokyo's booming Japanese-Portuguese community and seeks passage from the country from a Russian mobster. To meet his price, they hold up a bigtime drug deal between the Chinese Mafia and the local Yakuza.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: disturbing, atmospheric, harsh, exciting, rough, suspenseful, realistic, stylized, crime drama, serious
Similar in 81%
I Corrupt All Cops (2009)
Plot Summary:
In the early 1970s, the Governor of Hong Kong decided to clean up the police force. The ICAC was established, whose operation branch was headed by Yim. Bong and Unicorn also joined the ICAC. Despite threats of violence and intimidation, they managed to bring about the downfall of the empire of graft.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 598
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, atmospheric, suspense, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 78%
Sleepless Town (1998)
Plot Summary:
Kenichi is a half-Japanese, half-Chinese man of the underworld. You can sell him anything except children's organs. His domain is in Kabukicho, a gangland controlled by various Shanghai gangs intent on taking control. His former partner-in-crime, Fu-Chun, is rumored to have returned to Kabukicho, having fled years earlier after killing the number two of gangland boss, Yuan. Yuan wants to get even and attempts to do so by using Kenichi.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 700
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Hong Kong, Japan
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 76%
Between the Canals (2011)
Plot Summary:
Three small time criminals from Dublin's North Inner City each aspire to be somebody in a fast changing society.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 271
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Ireland
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, psychological, tense, captivating, rough
Similar in 80%
Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2007)
Plot Summary:
Former Yakuza underling Kiryu Kazuma, who has recently been released from prison after a lengthy incarceration, and is trying to piece his life together and distance himself from his Yakuza past. Unfortunately Kiryu's problems slowly escalate as he is pursued by a former associate, the baseball bat-wielding psycho Majima Goro who has a grudge to settle with Kiryu.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: Japan, South Korea
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: exciting, tense, captivating, suspense, heroic, crime drama, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 84%
Chiko (2008)
Plot Summary:
This is the story of Isa, who grows up in a Hamburg suburb. It might be one of the world's richest cities but every beast has its belly and here, in the very underbelly, Chiko lives in a world where violence, staking and keeping a claim, and drug taking are the norm. Where down is not an option, Chiko is determined to rise to the top, whatever and whomever it costs.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Germany, Italy
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: serious, tense, captivating, psychological, suspense, rough, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 78%
B.U.S.T.E.D (1998)
Plot Summary:
Everybody Loves Sunshine (released in the United States as B.U.S.T.E.D.), is a 1999 British independent film written and directed by Andrew Goth, and starring Rachel Shelley, David Bowie and Goldie. In the Pepperhill Estate of Manchester, an ongoing battle rages between Triad gangs and street gangs. Gang leaders Ray (Andrew Goth) and Terry (Goldie), who are cousins and lifelong friends, always trusting and relying on each other, have been in prison. Ray doesn't want to be a gangsters anymore, having also fallen for Clare (Rachel Shelley). But Terry, driven by an obsession beyond friendship, is determined to make sure that Ray never leaves the gang. During their time in prison, the Triads have grown stronger and more daring, eventually killing a member ofTerry and Ray's gang. Revenge is called for and the gang turns to them for direction. Bernie (David Bowie) is the aging gangster who struggles to keep the peace.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 749
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: crime drama, tense, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, independent film
Similar in 80%
The Bull (2019)
Plot Summary:
The 1990s. Empty shelves in the shops, an economic abyss and criminal dramas that unfold literally at every corner. The young leader of a criminal gang Anton Bykov, with the nickname “Bull”, must make money in whatever way to provide for his family. After a local shootout, Anton ends up in the police station, from where he is released at the intervention of Moscow’s crime lords. In exchange, the latter asks Anton for a small, but dangerous service.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 896
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Russia
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: realistic, tense, bleak, serious, harsh, suspenseful, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 84%
Decisions (2011)
Plot Summary:
When a group of friends decide to pull a bank heist to get out from underneath their money troubles. They quickly discover that things can unravel in a hurry! A compromised LAPD Detective (Corey Haim) on the take with a crime syndicate figure want the money back and will go to any lengths to get it! Things go wrong quickly as bullets start to fly and the group finds that one thing affects another and discover that the voice of reason is not always what it appears to be.
IMDB Rating: 3.3
IMDB Votes: 273
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: tense, serious, suspenseful, captivating, exciting, independent film, rough, realistic
Similar in 89%
All About Lily Chou-Chou (2001)
Plot Summary:
Charts the troubled teenage years of students Yuichi Hasumi and Shusuke Hoshino, exploring the shifting and complex power dynamics of their relationship against the backdrop of Yuichi's love for the dreamy and abstract music of fictional pop star Lily Chou-Chou.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Music, Romance, Thriller
Country: Japan
Duration: 146 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, depressing, disturbing, teen, psychological, serious, art house, stylized, sexy, brutal
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Pleasures of the Flesh (1965)
Plot Summary:
A corrupt businessman blackmails the lovelorn reprobate Atsushi into watching over his suitcase full of embezzled cash while he serves a jail sentence. Rather than wait for the man to retrieve his money, however, Atsushi decides to spend it all in one libidinous rush—fully expecting to be tracked down and killed.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: serious, tense, captivating, suspenseful, bleak, realistic, sexual, black comedy, dark comedy, sexy
Similar in 87%
Chandni Bar (2001)
Plot Summary:
Chandni Bar, a film directed by Madhur Bhandarkar depicts the gritty life of the Mumbai underworld, including prostitution, dance bars and gun crime.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: India
Duration: 150 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, tense, suspenseful, exciting, captivating, social, cult classic, sexual, independent film
Similar in 84%
My Kingdom (2001)
Plot Summary:
A powerful dynasty, headed by a charismatic, manipulative father, falls when he decides to hand over his criminal empire to his three corrupt and power-hungry daughters. Kath runs a brothel down by the docks, Tracy owns a soccer team and Jo, a former junkie -- and prostitute -- rejects her inheritance, pitting sisters Kath and Tracy against each other.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 667
Genere: Drama, Crime
Country: Italy, UK
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: tense, rough, serious, suspenseful, realistic
Similar in 90%
Triad (2012)
Plot Summary:
Three childhood friends join the Hong Kong Triads only to discover that fame and fortune will ultimately break them apart as only one can become the leader of the gang.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 430
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 80%
Bummer 2 (2006)
Plot Summary:
The film takes place a few years after the events shown in Bummer. Kostyan "Kot", who lost all his friends, the woman he loved and was nearly killed in the first installment of the film tries to begin a new, peaceful life. But is it possible to do? Has Russia changed and do "bratki" on black "bummers" no longer control business? Can he escape his past?.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Russia
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, stylized, tense, rough, suspenseful
Similar in 87%
Battles Without Honor and Humanity (1973)
Plot Summary:
In the teeming black markets of postwar Japan, Shozo Hirono and his buddies find themselves in a new war between factious and ambitious yakuza.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, exciting, rough, serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, stylized
Similar in 82%
Bimmer (2003)
Plot Summary:
Corrupt cops, street gangs, "Bratki" in "Bummers" (BMWs) steal and "Merins" (Mercedeses), angry truck drivers, beautiful women and death are what four friends in a black Bummer who go on a mission from one region of Russia to another are about to face in the wasteland of small-town Russia. A critique of the policies of Boris Yeltsin, it depicted the economic crisis that followed Russia's transition towards a free market economy, and with it, a lost generation, with no job security, who are pushed into a world of crime and rebellion. Despite a modest budget of US$700,000, and a limited cinematic release, it became a national hit in Russia as well its soundtrack, popularized by 'Seryoga's' (Серёга) music video "Чёрный Бумер" ("Black Bummer"). Both the film and its soundtrack have won awards, including the prestigious Golden Aries from the Russian Guild of Film critics.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: Russia
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: serious, road movie, suspenseful, rough, realistic, clever, tense
Similar in 88%
Witness to the Mob (1998)
Plot Summary:
Sammy 'The Bull' Gravano was mafiosi. He started out as a soldier, but his talent for murder, including the slayings of his best friends, his wife's brother and his own boss, Paul Castellano, saw him rise to under-boss in the Gambino crime family. However, betrayals within the family saw him break the code of silence and became the highest ranking member of the mob to turn into a rat - 'a rat in a suit,- assisting the government to finally put away the Teflon Don, John Gotti.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: cult classic, tense, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 90%
Deadfall (1993)
Plot Summary:
After he accidentally kills his father, Mike, during a sting, Joe tries to carry out Mike's dying wish by recovering valuables that Mike's twin brother Lou stole from him years earlier. But Uncle Lou is also a confidence artist, and Joe is soon drawn into his increasingly dangerous schemes.
IMDB Rating: 4.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: stylized, suspenseful, serious, realistic, neo noir, independent film
Similar in 76%
Hell's Kitchen (1998)
Plot Summary:
When a robbery goes awry, the bandits all end up in a puddle of blood and only one lives and goes to jail for five years. Upon his release, the girlfriend wants her new boyfriend to kill him. Only trouble is the boyfriend knows that the fault was not the ex-con's and can't bring himself to do the task. Meanwhile, the ex-con tries to turn his life around by becoming a boxer and training under a former heavyweight contender.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, suspenseful, tense, suspense, disturbing, independent film, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 88%
Laws of Gravity (1992)
Plot Summary:
Jimmy and Jon are a couple of Brooklyn guys who somehow never found their way into workaday society; they never found their way into big-time crime, either.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: neo noir, independent film, tense, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, neorealism, cult film
Similar in 80%
Kings of South Beach (2007)
Plot Summary:
This fact-based crime thriller details the downfall of Miami's hottest nightclub. Chris Troiano owns the trendiest nightclub in all of South Beach; a place where the line always winds down the block and only the most beautiful people make it past the velvet rope.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, suspenseful, realistic
Similar in 77%
Outlaw Country (2012)
Plot Summary:
A crime thriller/family drama set against the backdrop of southern organized crime and Nashville royalty where music, love, hope and tragedy collide. Created as a pilot for a TV Series which was not taken up, this has now been aired as a TV Movie.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 715
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, suspenseful, captivating, tense, independent film, rough