Dynamic Watchlist Hub: May 12, 2026

10 Best Movies Like The Defendant

If you loved The Defendant, we've curated the perfect watchlist for you based on shared genres, themes, and directorial style.

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Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for The Defendant.

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#1
Knock on Any Door

Knock on Any Door

1949★ 6.2

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Defendant for fans of Drama & Crime. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

An attorney defends a hoodlum of murder, using the oppressiveness of the slums to appeal to the court....

#2
American Skin

American Skin

2019★ 7.1

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Defendant for fans of Drama & Crime. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

A Marine veteran working as a school janitor tries to mend his relationship with his son after a divorce. When his son is killed by a police officer found innocent without standing...

#3
The Thief

The Thief

1997★ 7.1

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Defendant for fans of Drama & Crime. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

Katya and her 6-year-old son Sanya, who, in 1952, meet a veteran Soviet officer named Tolyan. Katya falls in love with Tolyan, who turns out to be a small time criminal, but who al...

#4
The Unforgivable

The Unforgivable

2021★ 7.4

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Defendant for fans of Drama & Crime. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

A woman is released from prison after serving a sentence for a violent crime and re-enters a society that refuses to forgive her past....

#5
Winged Creatures

Winged Creatures

2009★ 5.9

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Defendant for fans of Drama & Crime. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

A psychotic man opens fire in a diner, murdering numerous people before killing himself. The survivors struggle in different ways following this horrendous event: a doctor doubts h...

#6
The Stoker

The Stoker

2010★ 6.1

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to The Defendant for fans of Drama & Crime. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

A shell-shocked Afghanistan war hero named Ivan Skryabin (Mikhail Skryabin) spends his days stoking the fire in a giant coal furnace. When he isn’t tending the flames, he keeps bus...

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