Saagar Kote
Directed by Shawn Simmons, Hulu’s action thriller film ‘Eenie Meanie’ is a wildly entertaining tale of a former getaway driver named Edie Meaney (Samara Weaving) who goes on a dangerous and adrenaline-pumping ride to save her ex-lover, John (Karl Glusman), from dangerous people, and accompany him on the mission to execute a heist at a casino. She risks her life as she puts her lethal driving skills on the table again, in a tale of love, redemption, courage, and loyalty.
The relationship between the main character and her former lover is tested as they face the ups and downs of a heist. The cast also includes Andy Garcia as Nico and Steve Zahn as Dad Meaney, who add to the flavor of the narrative. If you were enamored by the visuals, car chases, stunts, performances, themes, and vibe of the story, these action movies, similar to ‘Eenie Meanie,’ will keep you hooked and entertained.
12. Out of Sight (1998)
Based on the eponymous novel by Elmore Leonard, the action comedy film ‘Out of Sight’ is a tale of attraction, adrenaline, love, prison break, and redemption. It follows the intertwining journeys of Jack Foley (George Clooney) and Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez), a thief and a U. S. Marshal, who are drawn to each other despite being on opposite sides of the law. The Steven Soderbergh directorial, on the lines of ‘Eenie Meanie,’ explores the love between two characters who keep getting stuck in increasingly dangerous situations. The elements of crime and heist are also common in the two stories, with the addition of visually intense chase sequences. The thematic and spiritual overlaps connect the two movies on a greater level.
11. Logan Lucky (2017)
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the action comedy thriller ‘Logan Lucky’ is powered by the portrayals of Jimmy Logan by Channing Tatum and Clyde Logan by Adam Driver. The siblings risk their lives to execute a heist during a race. Their journey also involves a criminal named Joe Bang (Daniel Craig), who adds an interesting flavor to the storyline. Despite being a tale of sibling love, the idea of saving a loved one, and the risks taken by the characters connect the story on a spiritual level with ‘Eenie Meanie.’ Both stories have moments of humor that add to the experience of the viewers, while also featuring stunning action sequences. The elements of personal relationships complicating dangerous missions are also a common scenario in the stories.
10. Thief (1981)
Based on the memoir ‘The Home Invaders: Confessions of a Cat Burglar’ by Frank Hohimer, ‘Thief’ is an action thriller film helmed by Michael Mann. It narrates a story of heists, action, redemption, and love. Following the journey of a thief named Frank (James Caan), it goes through the ups and downs in his life as he gets involved with dangerous people in the criminal world of Chicago, especially a gangster named Leo (Robert Prosky), who intends to use the main character’s skills to make more money. The story also features an interesting love story between Frank and Jessie (Tuesday Weld). Akin to ‘Eenie Meanie,’ the narrative features the element of love and danger clashing in the world of crime and heists. Both films feature characters whose skills put them in danger, while also dealing with the complexities of their personal lives.
9. The Italian Job (2003)
Directed by F. Gary Gray, ‘The Italian Job’ is a pulsating tale of chases, heists, relationships, revenge, and loyalty. It chronicles the dangerous lives of a crew of robbers led by an old man named John Bridger (Donald Sutherland). The group also includes Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) and Handsome Rob (Jason Statham), who remain loyal to their leader. When one of their heists in Italy goes wrong after a team member called Steve (Edward Norton) betrays and kills John, the remaining members come up with a plan to avenge their mentor’s death and redeem themselves. Inspired by the eponymous British film directed by Peter Collinson, the action thriller drama film is connected to the visual style and themes of ‘Eenie Meanie.’ Both stories feature characters who risk their lives for the sake of people they care about, while also dealing with dangerous criminals out to hunt them. The intertwining of professional and personal lives is at the heart of both movies.
8. Collateral (2004)
Powered by the inspirational portrayal of an assassin named Vincent by Tom Cruise and a cab driver named Max by Jamie Foxx, the action thriller film ‘Collateral’ is directed by Michael Mann. Often considered a classic in the genre, it explores the interactions and unlikely partnership between the assassin and the cab driver as the former holds the latter hostage, in order to use his taxi to drive him around the dangerous streets of LA, carrying out killings. It has elements of chases, characters protecting others, and an exploration of the crime world, which connects it to the story and characters of ‘Eenie Meanie’ on a spiritual level. Both stories have important character moments that take place within the setting of a car, adding to the intensity of the films.
7. Gone in 60 Seconds (2000)
The action thriller film ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ or ‘Gone in Sixty Seconds’ narrates a tale of brotherly bond, redemption, survival, and courage. Directed by Dominic Sena, it follows the adventures of a car thief named Randall “Memphis” Raines (Nicolas Cage) as he strives to battle against the odds and steal fifty cars in just three days. To save his brother Kip Raines (Giovanni Ribisi) from a dangerous gangster called Raymond Calitri (Christopher Eccleston), the main character must risk his own life and the lives of his crew members to achieve the impossible. The film is a remake of the eponymous film, directed by H. B. Halicki. The element of saving a loved one from danger and the portrayal of car heists and chases, along with the tone and themes of redemption and survival, connect the movie to ‘Eenie Meanie’ and its characters.
6. The Transporter (2002)
In the action thriller film ‘The Transporter’ or ‘Le Transporteur,’ a dangerous and skilled driver named Frank Martin (Jason Statham) works for criminals in France as a driver who shifts packages across different locations. Despite his commitment to stay anonymous and not ask questions about the nature of his packages, he happens to discover on one of his stints that he is transporting a woman named Lai Kwai (Shu Qi) to a dangerous gangster named Darren Bettencourt (Matt Shulze).
The life of the protagonist takes a turn when he breaks unbreakable rules, putting him and Lai in danger. Directed by Corey Yuen and Louis Leterrier, the movie is a French film in English. The elements of high-speed chases, characters saving others through their skills, romantic moments during danger, and visual elements make it resemble ‘Eenie Meanie’ and its atmospherics. Both stories are spiritually connected as getaway drivers put themselves in harm’s way to battle against dangerous players.
5. Getaway (2013)
Directed by Courtney Solomon, the action thriller film ‘Getaway’ is an adrenaline fueled ride of survival that follows the life of a washed up race driver named Brent Magna (Ethan Hawke), who must give it all in a series of risky endeavors, in order to save his wife Leanne (Rebecca Budig) from the clutches of a dangerous individual. Despite his reluctance to engage in crime, he is forced to execute dangerous tasks that not only put his life in danger, but also the lives of his wife and a young girl he crosses paths with during the mission. It resembles the themes of courage, sacrifice, and loyalty seen in ‘Eenie Meanie.’ Both films feature characters who must use their skills to protect loved ones, while also dealing with the dangers of high-speed car chases. The thematic similarities connect the stories on a spiritual level.
4. Ambulance (2022)
Powered by the portrayals of Danny Sharp by Jake Gyllenhaal and Will Sharp by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the action thriller film ‘Ambulance’ follows the protagonists as they execute a heist and chase of epic proportions while facing the chaos of Los Angeles. Helmed by Michael Bay, the film navigates the journeys of the main characters as they hijack an ambulance after robbing a bank to get out of their ordeal and drive into the realm of freedom. The elements of saving a loved one, tense chases, chaotic moments, and the character motivations reflect the ideas of ‘Eenie Meanie.’ Both stories feature characters who choose to risk their lives in order to protect someone they are attached to, while also dealing with the consequences of their deadly skills.
3. Baby Driver (2017)
Directed by Edgar Wright, the action thriller film ‘Baby Driver’ is an adrenaline-fueled tale of liberation narrated through the experiences of a talented young driver called Baby (Ansel Elgort). It follows the journey of the boy as he deals with the complexities of love and crime. Despite his intentions to leave the life of crime and danger, he is dragged back into it by a gangster named Doc (Kevin Spacey), who intends to control him and his skills. The story also contains a layered love story between the protagonist and Debora (Lily James), which adds flavor to the narrative. Despite the differences in plot elements, the ideas of high-speed car chases, actions of gangsters, group dynamics, and the theme of love connect the film to ‘Eenie Meanie.’ Both films feature moments where characters have to make tough decisions in order to ensure their survival, while also using their driving skills.
2. Drive (2011)
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, ‘Drive’ is an action thriller crime drama film that deals with the adventures of the protagonist (Ryan Gosling), who is only called “The Driver.” The narrative follows the complex life of the main character as he goes through the dangers of the underworld, while also falling in love. The complications of love interfering with the execution of dangerous jobs are an important element of the film. Based on the eponymous novel by James Sallis, the film, akin to ‘Eenie Meanie,’ explores the themes of courage, loyalty, love, and survival. Both stories feature protagonists who must risk their lives in order to save the lives of loved ones. The visual elements of car chases connect the stories on a spiritual level.
1. Wheelman (2017)
Netflix’s ‘Wheelman’ is a tale of courage, loyalty, sacrifice, and redemption directed by Jeremy Rush. The action thriller film follows the aftermath of a bank heist, wherein the protagonist, known only as “Wheelman” (Frank Grillo), is betrayed. By using his deadly driving skills, the main character battles against the odds to save the lives of his daughter Katie (Caitlin Carmichael) and his former wife Jessica (Wendy Moniz). While struggling to find out who betrayed him, the skilled driver goes through the trials and tribulations of a life of crime, while also seeking to redeem his soul. Resembling ‘Eenie Meanie,’ the film has ideas of love playing a role in dangerous missions. The protagonists in both films are highly skilled individuals who must balance their emotions with practical decisions, which adds an intriguing layer to the stories. The movies are intricately connected on a visual and spiritual level, while also featuring intense chase sequences.
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