Movies Like Root of Evil

If you liked Root of Evil (2022), a action and thriller movie directed by Sennia Sa'ra, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
Protector (2026)
★ 8.4/10Also action and thriller
Nikki's life is shattered when her daughter is kidnapped. Thrust into the criminal underworld while hunted by cops and military, she must fight to rescue her child.
2
The Protector (1985)
★ 5.9/10Also action
Billy Wong is a New York City cop whose partner is gunned down during a robbery. Billy and his new partner, Danny Garoni, are working security at a fashion show when a wealthy man's daughter, Laura Shapiro, is…
3
Point Blank (2019)
★ 6/10Also action and thriller
A nurse is forced to spring a wounded murder suspect from the hospital when the man’s brother kidnaps his pregnant wife and wants to make a trade.
4
The Tall Man (2012)
★ 6.1/10Also thriller
When her child goes missing, a mother looks to unravel the legend of the Tall Man, an entity who allegedly abducts children.
5
Captive (2020)
★ 6.3/10Also thriller
A teenage runaway who’s trapped by a delusional man, pretends to be his daughter in order to escape.
6
Extortion (2017)
★ 6.1/10Also action and thriller
A doctor desperately tries to save his wife and their 5 year old son after their vacation in the Bahamas takes an unexpected turn.
7
Prisoners (2013)
★ 8.1/10Also thriller
After his six-year-old daughter is abducted, a desperate father takes justice into his own hands when he loses faith in the detective leading the investigation, setting both men on a collision course as the search…
8
Saw (2003)
★ 7/10Also thriller
David, an orderly at a hospital, tells his horrific story of being kidnapped and forced to play a vile game of survival.
9
The Marine 6: Close Quarters (2018)
★ 6.8/10Also action
Jake Carter and another former Marine, Luke Trapper, join forces to rescue a young kidnapped girl from a gang of international criminals.
10
Father Hood (1993)
★ 5.8/10Also action
Deadbeat dad kidnaps his kids from the bus to an abusive foster home and they go on a run. The cops are after them, they bicker constantly and his idea of a way out is grim, yet this dangerous ride might just turn them…
11
Ransom (1996)
★ 6.7/10Also action and thriller
When a rich man's son is kidnapped, he cooperates with the police at first but then tries a unique tactic against the criminals.
12
Trapped (2002)
★ 6.2/10Also thriller
Held hostage in different cities after their daughter is kidnapped by a master extortionist, a desperate couple must find a way to outsmart a seemingly foolproof plot.
13
Border Hunters (2025)
★ 6.1/10Also action and thriller
After his police officer brother is killed by a drug dealer who flees to the protection of his cartel-connected uncle in Mexico, an American man with a diverse law enforcement/military background goes south of the…
14
12 Rounds (2009)
★ 5.9/10Also action and thriller
When New Orleans Police Detective Danny Fisher stops a brilliant thief from getting away with a multimillion-dollar heist, the thief's girlfriend is accidentally killed. After escaping from prison, the criminal…
15
Kidnap (2017)
★ 6.3/10Also action and thriller
A mother (in her Minivan) stops at nothing to recover her kidnapped son.
16
Lights Out (2024)
★ 7.1/10Also action and thriller
A drifting ex-soldier turns underground fighter with the help of a just-released ex-con, pitting him against corrupt cops and hired killers now gunning for him and all those he cares about.
17
Zip Wire (2026)
★ 7.4/10Also action and thriller
When her ground-breaking pharmaceutical discovery is stolen and partner murdered, researcher Amy must face her fear of heights to escape nefarious attackers, with the only path to salvation being a treacherous aerial…
18
44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out (2003)
★ 6.6/10Also action
After a failed bank robbery, two heavily armed men hold the Los Angeles Police Department at bay for 44 minutes.
19
Take Back (2021)
★ 5.9/10Also action and thriller
Zara and Brian are living the perfect small town life when a mysterious stranger from Zara's secret past kidnaps their daughter and now they must race to save her life.
20
Every Secret Thing (2014)
★ 6.2/10Also thriller
One clear summer day in a Baltimore suburb, a baby goes missing from her front porch. Two young girls serve seven years for the crime and are released into a town that hasn't fully forgiven or forgotten. Soon, another…