If you loved the gripping intensity of 'The Bad Shepherd' (2024) and are craving more thrilling stories with similar themes of suspense, betrayal, and moral dilemmas, you're in the right place. This article highlights 10 movies and TV shows that capture the same dark, compelling energy, ensuring you'll find your next binge-worthy obsession.

The Untouchables (1987)
Description: A classic tale of law enforcement's battle against organized crime, featuring dramatic confrontations and a strong moral stance against corruption.
Fact: The film's famous train station shootout scene was inspired by the Odessa Steps sequence in the 1925 silent film 'Battleship Potemkin.'


Heat (1995)
Description: A masterful crime drama that juxtaposes the lives of a skilled thief and a dedicated detective, exploring themes of obsession, professionalism, and mutual respect.
Fact: The film features one of the most realistic and intense shootout scenes ever filmed, which took months to prepare and involved actual blanks fired by the actors.


Donnie Brasco (1997)
Description: Explores the psychological toll of deep undercover work within organized crime, highlighting the personal sacrifices and identity conflicts faced by the protagonist.
Fact: The film is based on the real-life experiences of FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone, who spent six years undercover in the Bonanno crime family.


Training Day (2001)
Description: A raw and intense look at police corruption and moral ambiguity, centered around a rookie cop's harrowing first day with a morally compromised veteran.
Fact: Denzel Washington won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as the corrupt detective Alonzo Harris.


The Wire (2002)
Description: A sprawling, realistic portrayal of crime, law enforcement, and urban life, known for its deep character development and intricate storytelling.
Fact: The show was created by former police reporter David Simon and draws heavily on real-life experiences and events in Baltimore.


The Departed (2006)
Description: A gripping crime thriller that delves deep into the world of undercover operations and police corruption, featuring intense cat-and-mouse dynamics between law enforcement and criminals.
Fact: The film is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong movie 'Infernal Affairs' and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.


American Gangster (2007)
Description: A crime epic that contrasts the rise of a powerful drug lord with the relentless detective determined to bring him down, showcasing themes of ambition and justice.
Fact: The film is inspired by the true story of Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug kingpin who smuggled heroin into the U.S. in the coffins of soldiers during the Vietnam War.


The Town (2010)
Description: A gritty heist drama that examines loyalty, betrayal, and the complexities of criminal life, set against the backdrop of a tight-knit Boston neighborhood.
Fact: Ben Affleck not only starred in but also directed and co-wrote the screenplay, which is based on the novel 'Prince of Thieves' by Chuck Hogan.


The Infiltrator (2016)
Description: Focuses on the high-stakes world of undercover agents infiltrating drug cartels, blending tension with moral dilemmas and the blurred lines between right and wrong.
Fact: Based on the true story of federal agent Robert Mazur, who went undercover to expose money laundering by Pablo Escobar's Medellín Cartel.


Sicario (2015)
Description: A tense and visually striking thriller that delves into the brutal world of drug cartels and the morally ambiguous tactics used to combat them.
Fact: The film's title, 'Sicario,' means 'hitman' in Spanish, reflecting the violent and shadowy world the story inhabits.
