There is no doubt that Oldboy is one of the most riveting and uncomfortable movies to watch, but for all the gore and violence, it rewards the viewer with an experience that will haunt you for years to come. Revenge action dramas don’t come in better form or shape than Oldboy. On top of that, it is has a climax that completely pulls the rug from under your feet.
So, if you love revenge dramas, here is the list of movies similar to Oldboy that are our recommendations. You might be able to find some of these movies on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
7. Memento
This Christopher Nolan thriller has already been remade across 2 languages with equal amounts of success, which in itself is a testimony to the brilliance of the story. Memento is the story of a man suffering from anterograde amnesia and how he uses polaroid pictures to help him track down the killers of his wife. Made on a shoestring budget, it employs the clever use of black and white scenes and reverse chronology to keep the viewer hooked throughout its 2-hour runtime. You could be glued to the screen but you will still require multiple viewings before you fully understand the intricate web that Nolan has woven.
6. Amores Perros
Alejandro Gonzalez’s masterpiece is not an easy watch, but be patient and this film will reward you like no other film ever has. The director cleverly draws parallels between loyalty and unfaithfulness. All the human characters are depicted as disloyal whereas the dogs in the movie are the epitome of faithfulness. The director successfully manages to connect 3 seemingly disjointed storylines and this is where lies the brilliance of Amores Perros.
5. Gladiator
There was a time when Russel Crowe could do no wrong and Gladiator is a testimony to that fact. Russel Crowe as Maximus plays a gladiator who has been betrayed by his Kings son who gets his family killed and Maximus is captured. Maximus’s quest for revenge makes him take part in gladiator fights which are some of the best fight sequences ever filmed in Hollywood. These fights are lifted to another level by Hans Zimmer’s soul-stirring background score. The climax is befitting of a movie of such class and is sure to move you to tears.
4. John Wick
This Keanu Reeves starrer is more of an action flick than an actual revenge movie. If the action sequences in Oldboy were more about hand to hand combat then John wick shows us how much fun can be had with a gun. The well-choreographed gunfights will surely give you all the adrenaline rush you need. But amidst all the bullets and guns, it is a pencil that stands out.
3. The Revenant
Based on Micheal Punke’s novel of the same name The Revenant has both Alejandro González Iñárritu and and Di Caprio in top form. The story of Hugh Glass’s survival against all odds to avenge his son’s death makes for a compelling watch. One of the films which convey very less through actual dialogues and depends more on Leo’s expressions to connect with the viewer. Gorgeous visuals, a mesmerizing background score, ultra-realistic fight sequences and another brilliant performance by Tom Hardy make this a movie which is not to be missed.
2. The Raid Redemption
This Indonesian thriller is a treat for action junkies. The film begins with one of the most gripping opening sequences in a movie. On top of that, this Gareth Huw directorial is about a raid on the apartment of a notorious gangster which goes horribly wrong. This movie is also a son’s promise to his father to bring his brother back. Slick action sequences and commendable acting make this a must watch.
Quentin Tarantino’s 2-part revenge saga is actually quite an anomaly to this whole genre. How often have we seen a female protagonist kick ass like Uma Thurman does in Kill Bill. Uma Thurman’s quest to find the man who spoilt her marriage and killed her unborn child takes her on a journey filled with some epic scenes, lots of gore and even more blood. Watch it for the animation sequences and Uma Thurman kicking ass like no one else can.
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