Movies Like What It Takes
If you liked What It Takes (2025), a drama and thriller movie directed by Zian Palau, 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
One Night in Bangkok (2020)
★ 6.6/10Also thriller and dramaA hit man named Kai flies into Bangkok, gets a gun, and orders a cab. He offers a professional female driver big money to be his all-night driver. But when she realizes Kai is committing brutal murders at each stop…
- 2
Lockdown (2000)
★ 6.1/10Also drama and thrillerAvery (Jones) returns to college as a competitive swimmer after getting his life back on track. But his life takes another unexpected turn when he and his two friends (Bonds, Casseus) are wrongly accused of murder and…
- 3
The Infernal Machine (2022)
★ 6.2/10Also thrillerReclusive and controversial author Bruce Cogburn is drawn out of hiding by an obsessive fan, forcing the novelist to confront a past that he thought he could escape, and to account for events set in motion by his…
- 4
Mexicali (2026)
★ 7.8/10Also dramaA former special forces contractor is forced out of retirement as an avocado farmer in Mexico when local gangsters try to force him and his family off their farm.
- 5
Mesrine: Public Enemy #1 (2008)
★ 7.3/10Also thriller and dramaAfter nearly two decades of legendary criminal feats, making him France's most notorious criminal while simultaneously feeding his desire for media attention and public adoration, Mesrine becomes increasingly paranoid…
- 6
The Ghoul (2017)
★ 6/10Also drama and thrillerA homicide detective goes undercover as a patient to investigate a psychotherapist he believes is linked to a strange double murder. As his therapy sessions continue the line between fantasy and reality begins to blur.
- 7
Off Limits (2010)
★ 6.1/10Also drama and thrillerDuring a patrol, Julie and Simon, two police constables, injure a wealthy man who pointlessly killed their partner. This wealthy man in question turns out to be the son of a politician. This is why the two police…
- 8
Corporate (2017)
★ 6.3/10Also drama and thrillerEmilie is a bright young workaholic manager in Human Resources, working for a huge French agro-food company. But, one day, one of the employees commits suicide at the company in front of her. While an investigation is…
- 9
The Crew (2008)
★ 6/10Also drama and thrillerHoping to raise enough capital to finance a legitimate business and leave behind his life of crime, Liverpool underworld boss Ged Brennan sends his brother Ratter and a crew to pull a daring final heist. But when…
- 10
Carne (1991)
★ 6.8/10Also drama and thrillerAfter a dreadful incident coupled with an ungovernable paroxysm of violence, a butcher will fall into a downward spiral that will burn to the ground whatever dignity still remained in him.
- 11
Walking Tall: Lone Justice (2007)
★ 5.8/10Also thriller and dramaIn Dallas, witnesses against a drug-lord are murdered in a safe-house.The testimony of FBI agents becomes the only chance to keep him in prison. They are lodged in another safe-house, but the place is invaded and the…
- 12
Tom at the Farm (2014)
★ 6.8/10Also drama and thrillerA young man travels to an isolated farm for his lover's funeral where he's quickly drawn into a twisted, sexually charged game by his lover's aggressive brother.
- 13
El padrino: The Latin Godfather (2004)
★ 7.2/10Also dramaIn the streets of East Los Angeles, Manny is a formidable drug dealer. Impressed by his extravagant lifestyle and prowess, his young son, Kilo, yearns to follow in his footsteps. Kilo resolves to learn how to prosper…
- 14
In the Blood (2014)
★ 5.8/10Also thrillerWhen her husband goes missing during their Caribbean vacation, a woman sets off on her own to take down the men she thinks are responsible.
- 15
Convict (2014)
★ 6.5/10Also dramaSet in the dark and old Parramatta prison built by the original convicts our lead character Ray a war veteran finds himself serving 18 months for manslaughter after defending his fiance. He soon realizes that the…
- 16
Until Death (2007)
★ 6/10Also thrillerAnthony Stowe is a dirty cop who is hooked on heroin—and everyone hates him. After a serious accident, he is placed into an induced coma, but emerges from it a better person who wants to put things right.
- 17
Night Train (2023)
★ 5.8/10Also thrillerMother Holly McCord is driven to extremes to save the life of her young son. Even if it means hauling black market drugs in her souped-up truck, with the Feds in hot pursuit. With two bounties on her head and her son’s…
- 18
Jawbone (2017)
★ 6.1/10Also dramaA former youth boxing champion, Jimmy McCabe is a man in search of hope but looking in all the wrong places. When he hits rock bottom he turns to his childhood boxing club and the only family he has left: gym owner…
- 19
Another Day (2026)
★ 7/10Also dramaGarance is a young actress, but not a star. She manages everything as best she can, valiant, cheerful, a soldier, and she finds in alcohol an unconditional fuel, a source of comfort. Garance changes her life and begins…
- 20
Dear Mr. Gacy (2010)
★ 5.8/10Also drama and thrillerA chronicle of the interaction between college student Jason Moss and the object of his obsession, serial killer John Wayne Gacy.