12 Movies Like Henry Johnson You Need to Watch
Find 12 gripping crime, drama, and thriller picks similar to Henry Johnson, including The Devil You Know, Sovereign, Green Bones, and more.
If you’re searching for movies like Henry Johnson, you probably want tense character studies with crime, mystery, and moral pressure at the center. This list brings together new and recent films such as The Devil You Know (2022), The Actor (2025), Sovereign (2025), and An Honest Life (2025), each leaning into tough choices and uneasy truths. You’ll also find Abandoned Man (2025), Reunion (2025), and Green Bones (2024), which add strong drama and thriller energy without losing the human side of the story. Some picks skew darker and more suspenseful, while others focus on guilt, identity, and damaged relationships. With 12 titles to explore, there’s plenty here if you want films that stay with you after the credits roll.
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01
The Devil You Know
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Once-incarcerated Marcus Cowans is trying to turn over a new leaf with the support of his loving family. Upon discovering that one of his brothers may have been involved in a horrific crime, Marcus grapples with the limits of brotherhood and loyalty. He and his family, increasingly weary of the justice system’s failings, end up in the crosshairs of a seasoned but jaded detective.
Directed by Charles MurrayCast Omar Epps, William Catlett, Glynn Turman, Curtiss Cook, Vanessa Bell CallowayStarz -
02
The Actor
crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Paul Cole finds himself stranded in a mysterious small town with no memory of who he is or how he got here. As bits and pieces of his past slowly emerge, he attempts to find his way home, but time is slippery, appearances can't be trusted, and it's unclear which of his identities is real.
Directed by Duke JohnsonCast André Holland, Gemma Chan, May Calamawy, Asim Chaudhry, Joe ColeHulu -
03
Sovereign
crime · drama · thriller
Struggling single father Jerry indoctrinates his son Joe into the sovereign citizen movement, teaching him that laws are mere illusions and freedom is something you take. But, as Jerry’s ideology consumes them, they are set on a collision course with a police chief who has spent his life upholding the rules that Jerry has spent his tearing down.
Directed by Christian SwegalCast Dennis Quaid, Jacob Tremblay, Terry J. Nelson, Bobby Gilchrist, Kezia DaCostaHulu -
04
An Honest Life
drama · mystery · thriller
When a cynical law student in search of inspiration joins a band of anarchists, he becomes entangled in a web of crime where he is more pawn than player.
Directed by Mikael MarcimainCast Simon Lööf, Nora Rios, Peter Andersson, Nathalie Merchant, Willy Ramnek PetriNetflix -
05
Abandoned Man
drama
After years behind bars, a tormented man tries to rebuild his life, but an unexpected bond unveils a shocking truth that could change his life forever.
Directed by Çağrı Vila LostuvalıCast Mert Ramazan Demir, Ada Erma, Rahimcan Kapkap, Edip Tepeli, Burcu CavrarNetflix -
06
Reunion
drama · mystery & thriller · crime
Recently released prisoner Daniel Brennan embodies the struggle of a man caught between two worlds, unable to fully integrate into the hearing world and shunned by his closest friends and the wider deaf community following his heinous crime. Amidst this isolation, Brennan's only meaningful relationship is with his estranged daughter Carly, who he has not had any contact with since his arrest over a decade ago.
Directed by Luke SnellinCast Matthew Gurney, Lara Peake, Anne-Marie Duff, Eddie Marsan, Olive GrayParamount Plus -
07
Green Bones
crime · drama · thriller
A soon-to-be released criminal and a corrections officer is still grieving over the death of his sister opposing the prisoner's release.
Directed by Zig Madamba DulayCast Dennis Trillo, Ruru Madrid, Michael De Mesa, Ronnie Lazaro, Alessandra De RossiNetflix -
08
Neighborhood Watch
crime · thriller
When a mentally ill young man thinks he witnesses an abduction and the police refuse to believe him, he reluctantly turns to his next-door neighbor, a bitter and retired security guard, to help him find the missing person.
Directed by Duncan SkilesCast Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jack Quaid, Malin Akerman, Cecile Cubiló, Harrison StoneHuluAMC+ -
09
iHostage
crime · drama · thriller
When a gunman enters an Apple Store in the heart of Amsterdam, the police face a delicate challenge to resolve the standoff.
Directed by Bobby BoermansCast Soufiane Moussouli, Admir Šehović, Emmanuel Ohene Boafo, Fockeline Ouwerkerk, Roosmarijn van der HoekNetflix -
10
Catching Dust
drama · mystery & thriller
As Geena decides to leave her criminal husband Clyde and their isolated Texas hideout, a couple from NY arrive. Ignoring the risks, she convinces Clyde to let them stay, a decision that leads to dangerous consequences for everyone.
Starz -
11
In Cold Light
action · crime · drama · thriller
Fresh out of prison, Ava's attempt to reclaim her drug operation collapses when she witnesses a brutal crime, forcing her to flee into a nightmarish underworld where allies are scarce and enemies multiply by the minute.
Directed by Maxime GirouxCast Maika Monroe, Allan Hawco, Troy Kotsur, Jesse Irving, Helen HuntHulu -
12
The Alabama Solution
drama · documentary
Incarcerated men defy the odds to expose a cover-up in one of America’s deadliest prison systems.
Directed by Andrew Jarecki, Charlotte KaufmanMax
Wrapping Up
This roundup is built for viewers who like crime stories with emotional weight, sharp twists, and complicated people at the center. Whether you start with Henry Johnson (2025) or branch out to The Devil You Know, Sovereign, or Green Bones, each pick offers a different take on tension and character-driven storytelling. Bookmark this page and come back whenever you want a fresh watchlist with the same moody, suspenseful feel. It’s updated regularly, so you’ll always have new options to explore as more worthy titles arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to Henry Johnson?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.
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Last updated: September 7, 2026