If you enjoyed the tense, survival-driven thriller 'Killing Season' (2013), starring Robert De Niro and John Travolta, you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 gripping movies and shows that deliver similar high-stakes action, psychological depth, and relentless suspense. Whether you're drawn to revenge plots, wilderness survival, or cat-and-mouse games, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Deliverance (1972)
Description: A harrowing survival story about a group of men facing brutal violence in the backwoods, exploring themes of masculinity and civilization versus savagery.
Fact: The infamous 'dueling banjos' scene was improvised. The film's disturbing rape scene was highly controversial and sparked debates about its necessity.


Southern Comfort (1981)
Description: A tense, atmospheric thriller about a group of National Guardsmen hunted by locals in the Louisiana bayou, blending survival and psychological horror.
Fact: The film was inspired by the director's own experiences in the military. The eerie swamp setting was achieved by filming in real Louisiana wetlands.


Surviving the Game (1994)
Description: A high-stakes thriller about a man hunted for sport in the wilderness, blending action and survival themes with social commentary.
Fact: The film is a loose adaptation of the classic short story 'The Most Dangerous Game.' Ice-T's character was originally written for a white actor.


The Edge (1997)
Description: A survival thriller set in the wilderness, where a man must outwit both nature and a dangerous adversary, exploring themes of intellect versus brute strength.
Fact: The film's bear attack scenes were so realistic that they were studied by survival experts. The script was written by David Mamet, known for his sharp dialogue.


No Country for Old Men (2007)
Description: A tense, atmospheric thriller with a focus on survival, moral ambiguity, and the relentless pursuit between hunter and hunted in a rugged, unforgiving landscape.
Fact: The film's iconic villain, Anton Chigurh, was inspired by a real-life serial killer. The Coen brothers wrote the screenplay in just a few weeks.


Prisoners (2013)
Description: A dark, suspenseful drama exploring themes of vengeance, justice, and the lengths a desperate man will go to protect his family, set against a bleak, wintry backdrop.
Fact: The film's script was on the 'Black List' of best unproduced screenplays for years before being made. The tense atmosphere was enhanced by shooting in natural light.


The Revenant (2015)
Description: A brutal, visually stunning survival story set in the wilderness, featuring themes of revenge, endurance, and man's struggle against nature and other men.
Fact: The film was shot using only natural light, and the crew faced extreme weather conditions. Leonardo DiCaprio ate raw bison liver for a scene, despite being vegetarian.


Sicario (2015)
Description: A tense, morally complex thriller about the blurred lines between justice and vengeance, set in the brutal world of drug cartels and law enforcement.
Fact: The film's title means 'hitman' in Spanish. The intense border crossing scene was shot in a single take, adding to the realism.


Wind River (2017)
Description: A gripping, slow-burn thriller set in a harsh, snowy wilderness, focusing on a hunt for justice and survival against both human and natural threats.
Fact: The film was inspired by real-life cases of missing Indigenous women in the U.S. The director, Taylor Sheridan, also wrote 'Sicario' and 'Hell or High Water.'


Cold Pursuit (2019)
Description: A darkly comedic yet violent revenge story set in a snowy, isolated town, featuring a protagonist pushed to extremes by personal loss.
Fact: The film is a remake of the Norwegian movie 'In Order of Disappearance.' Liam Neeson initially thought it was a straightforward action film but later embraced its dark humor.
