Assassins and betrayal
Netflix’s latest thriller The Killer is a a mysterious film, full of suspense, action and gore involving the underworld and assassins. After a job goes wrong, the Killer’s family is targeted as payback. Furious, the Killer decides to avenge his lover who is caught in the crossfire. So, if you are looking for such exciting action films full of vengeance and betrayal, you’ve come to the right place.
Well without further wait, here are 10 movies with a similar premise to watch if you like The Killer.
John Wick (2014)
Similarities – revenge, assassin, betrayal
At first glance, The Killer seems a lot like John Wick. When a young and arrogant Russian thug makes an offer for his beloved car, retired assassin, John Wick refuses.
Ego hurt, the thug who happens to be the heir of a powerful Russian mob steals the car and as an added insult kills his puppy, a last gift from Wick’s dead wife. Furious, the assassin goes right back into the underworld to enact revenge and take out anyone who stands in his way, even if it happens to be former colleagues.
Wanted (2008)
Similarities – revenge, assassin, betrayal
Wesley is a bored corporate employee who could care less that his girlfriend cheats on him or that he often gets panic attacks. One day, he finds himself in the middle of a shootout as Fox, an enigmatic woman shares that his father was an assassin and has been murdered.
The murderer happens to be the one targeting Wesley while Fox tries to protect him. Having come from a family of assassins, Wesley is instantly recruited to join the secret society so that he can take down the murderer and avenge his father.
Kill Bill Vol 1 (2003)
Similarities – revenge, assassin, betrayal
Sort of a female version of The Killer, Kill Bill Vol 1’s protagonist, the Bride is a former assassin who is pregnant and super excited for her wedding. However, her former squad, the Deadly Vipers, led by the mysterious Bill have other plans as they storm the chapel and shoot the Bride point blank as she reveals that Bill is the father.
4 years later, the Bride wakes to find that her kid is gone. Like the Killer, she sets out on a meticulous revenge plan to kill everyone involved in her assassination with a final showdown with Bill and former acquaintances.
Ava (2020)
Similarities – revenge, assassin, betrayal
Yet another female version of the Killer, Ava Faulkner is an elite assassin who becomes the target after a mission goes wrong. She confronts her employers while battling personal demons and uncovering layers of betrayal and deception within the organization that she once trusted. Her journey to survive and seek retribution exposes the intricate web of deceit and danger she’s entangled in.
Taken (2008)
Similarities – revenge, chase, expert
Instead of assassins, we have the expert but retired CIA official, Bryan Mills’ worst nightmare come true as his daughter Kim and her friend secretly go on a girls’ trip to Paris and get kidnapped. The only lead he has is the voice of the kidnapper wishing him good luck as they take away his daughter right when they are on a call together. In his quest to find the girls, Mills ends up unravelling an intricate human trafficking ring.
Leon: The Professional (1994)
Similarities – chase, assassin, revenge
Much like the Killer, Leon is a lone wolf with a set of rules that he always follows. Apart from his jobs, he always stays to himself, that is till one day when his neighbour shows up at his front door. Little Mathilda’s parents are roped in with a dirty cop and killed in the fallout right as she is coming home from a grocery run. Unable to turn her away, Leon takes Mathilda in who begs him to mentor her so that she can take revenge on those who killed her family.
Memento (2000)
Similarities – revenge, betrayal, expert
Memento is a bittersweet thriller with two timelines that focus on Leonard Shelby’s quest for vengeance. Following a traumatic incident that led to his wife’s death, Shelby develops short-term memory loss. With only photos, notes and tattoos to go by, he ventures into a painstakingly slow investigation into what really went down that night and who are the people involved.
The movie plays out in reverse chronological order as he sifts through untrustworthy acquaintances and looks for the attacker who may be much closer than anticipated.
American Assassin (2017)
Similarities – revenge, assassin, betrayal
While the Killer goes about breaking the law to get his revenge, fate has other plans for Mitch Rapp as his fiancee is killed in a terrorist attack. With a single-minded focus on vengeance, he ends up crossing paths with the CIA.
They decide to take advantage of his anger and passion to enrol him in an unconventional project by the NAVY Seal, Stan Hurley. As unorthodox means are used to turn Rapp into a trained killer, he ends up uncovering a conspiracy that goes beyond the terrorist attack and involves those he had trusted.
Road to Perdition (2002)
Similarities – revenge, assassin, betrayal
Michael Sullivan, a hitman, experiences betrayal within his own organization as well. After a shakedown that ends up with a dead body, to tie up all loose ends, Rooney, the mob boss decides to eradicate all those involved including Sullivan’s son, Michael Jr. who had sneaked in and witnessed the murder. After his wife and younger son are murdered, Sullivan and Michael Jr. try to avenge their family while being on the run from the hired assassin sent to kill them.
American Psycho (2000)
Similarities – sociopath, thriller
Patrick Bateman is a successful young banker who is so charming that everyone loves him. The only problem is that he lives a double life as a…serial killer. And it is not like he tries to hide his sadistic tendencies but no one actually believes him. His obsession to seem normal, engage in materialism and unchecked rage leads him to murder at will while his two lives start to clash and take him down.
So there we have it, our 10 movie alternatives to watch when you’re finished watching The Killer.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!