12 Action Movies Like Nobody You Must See

The action thriller film ‘Nobody’ follows the journey of a man named Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk), who lives an ordinary life with his family. Despite physical attacks on his family, he refuses to engage in violence initially. However, when he sees a group of thugs harassing a girl on a bus, he unleashes his violent self. What follows is a game of vengeance and redemption as the protagonist’s true nature is unraveled through his brutal skills. The Ilya Naishuller directorial is a wickedly entertaining tale of the past and present that deciphers the mindset of the protagonist. The film also stars Christopher Lloyd, Connie Nielsen, and Aleksei Serebryakov in important supporting roles. The aspects of mystery and curiosity play an important role in the narrative as the main character’s past forces him to use his deadly skills again. If you found the narrative, performances, and the tone of the movie engaging, these movies, similar to ‘Nobody’, will entertain you.

12. The Marksman (2021)

Robert Lorenz’s ‘The Marksman’ is an action thriller drama that narrates the story of an aging man called Jim Hanson (Liam Neeson), who has a military past. In order to fulfill his financial obligations, he works as an observer reporting incidents of illegal border crossings into the United States. However, when he uncovers a sinister plot that involves the mafia targeting a young boy called Miguel (Jacob Perez), the protagonist springs into action, using his gun skills to protect the boy. The element of protecting others from harm, the past catching up with the present, character motivations, redemption, and the action sequences connect the film to ‘Nobody’ in a poignant manner.

11. Taken (2008)

Powered by Liam Neeson’s incredible portrayal of Bryan Mills, the action thriller saga ‘Taken,’ helmed by Pierre Morel, is a tale of violence, redemption, and family. The protagonist, a retired CIA officer, takes up private protection jobs for celebrities to earn easy cash. However, when his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) gets kidnapped by ruthless criminals on her trip to Paris, he uses his deadly skills to track down and eliminate the people responsible for his daughter’s ordeal and save her before she is trafficked. The aspects of family, skills, violence, redemption, and similar motivations of the main characters are reflected in ‘Nobody’ and its visual style. Both films are about middle-aged men who must use their skills again to protect others and also find meaning.

10. Man on Fire (2004)

Based on the eponymous novel by A. J. Quinnell, Tony Scott’s ‘Man on Fire’ is an action drama that chronicles the journey of John Creasy (Denzel Washington), who gets employed as a security detail for a nine-year-old girl named Pita Ramos (Dakota Fanning). When his protectee is abducted, the former CIA man tries to redeem himself by unleashing a fury of violence against the people responsible and saving the little girl. Akin to ‘Nobody,’ it features a similar character arc of the protagonist and a complementary visual style. Both movies involve characters who must use their fighting skills to survive and protect the ones they care about.

9. Wrath of Man (2021)

Guy Ritchie’s action thriller saga, ‘Wrath of Man,’ features “H” (Jason Statham), a seemingly unassuming security guard at a Los Angeles truck company. The plot unravels as H’s concealed motives emerge, propelling the story into an intricate web of violence and vengeance wherein the main character hunts down people who betrayed him. The film draws partial inspiration from the 2004 French movie called ‘Cash Truck.’ The major themes of the movie are revenge and redemption. In ways similar to the world of ‘Nobody,’ it deals with the idea of the past catching up with the present, and also a protagonist who must use his deadly skills to eliminate those who endanger him.

8. The Mechanic (2011)

A remake of the eponymous film by Michael Winner, ‘The Mechanic’ is an action thriller that stars Jason Statham as Arthur Bishop. The Simon West directorial chronicles the saga of the protagonist, an assassin who is known for his precise skills. The nucleus of the plot revolves around the protagonist’s reluctant killing of his mentor, Harry (Donald Sutherland), and his subsequent complex relationship with the mentor’s son, Steve (Ben Foster). Resembling the action of ‘Nobody,’ the narrative delves into the personal life of the protagonist. Both films contain elements of revenge and familial ties that complicate matters. The thematic similarities between the two stories in terms of their take on violence connect them on a spiritual level.

7. A History of Violence (2005)

Based on the eponymous graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, ‘A History of Violence’ is a drama film by David Cronenberg that narrates the story of a seemingly harmless man named Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen), who owns a diner in Indiana. The idyllic life of the protagonist soon turns into a chaotic tale of violence when his past as a violent man catches up with him. In ways hauntingly akin to ‘Nobody,’ the film deals with the psychological conditions that propel the main character into violence. Due to insecurities related to family and close ones, the leading men in both films are forced to reckon with their deadly skills again. Essentially, both stories are tales of redemption, but in their unique ways.

6. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

Navot Papushado’s action thriller ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ narrates the story of Sam (Karen Gillan), a young female assassin who takes up a job that leads to unexpected situations and threats on her life. When she tries to save a young girl from dangerous elements, she should also reckon with her past, which is related to her mother, Scarlet (Lena Headey), who was also an assassin. Akin to the ideas of familial ties, use of deadly skills, and redemption in ‘Nobody,’ the film deals with the trials and tribulations of being involved in a violent world where the lines between friend and foe are blurred. Both stories feature elements of the past and present that affect the decisions of the main characters.

5. Polar (2019)

Based on ‘Polar: Came From the Cold’ by Víctor Santos, ‘Polar’ is an action thriller drama directed by Jonas Åkerlund. It chronicles the journey of an assassin named Duncan Vizla (Mads Mikkelsen) who is nearing his retirement. What starts as a simple tale of a man who wants to leave the world of killings soon becomes a chaotic narrative of violence when the protagonist learns that he is being targeted by the same people he works for. His friendship with a young girl called Camille (Vanessa Hudgens) makes the situation more complicated. Akin to ‘Nobody,’ it deals with a middle-aged man who has to use his violent skills to save people he cares about. Both stories have thematic connections in terms of the exploration of the dangerous lives of assassins and how their past never stops haunting them. The thematic similarities connect the narratives on a spiritual level.

4. The Accountant (2016)

Gavin O’Connor’s action thriller film ‘The Accountant’ is powered by Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Christian Wolff. The protagonist works as an accountant and analyst for businesses that seek his skills to “cook” their books and adjust their financial records. However, he keeps his deadly killing skills discreet. When he gets involved with a robotics company due to his money skills, he unravels a dangerous scenario that threatens not only his life but also the lives of innocent people who are just treated as collateral damage. Resembling the themes of ‘Nobody,’ the narrative contains depictions of character motivations that are fueled by the need to protect others. The protagonists in both stories are forced to turn to their violent side when confronted with danger. The elements of the past and present also play a unique role in the narratives.

3. The Equalizer (2014)

Based on the eponymous TV series by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim, ‘The Equalizer’ is a tale of redemption, empathy, and skills directed by Antoine Fuqua. Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) lives a seemingly ordinary life, working at a big store. His past as a trained killer remains hidden from the outside world. However, when he runs into a young girl who is a victim of sex trafficking by a Russian mob, he springs back into action, hoping to find meaning in his life and save her from the ordeal. The action thriller film shares similarities with ‘Nobody,’ as it deals with a man who is trying to hide his past and live an ordinary life. However, in both stories, the exterior world doesn’t allow the main characters to live peacefully, demanding they use violence again to protect those who are vulnerable.

2. Ballerina (2025)

Driven by Ana De Armas’ portrayal of Eve Macarro, ‘Ballerina’ or ‘From the World of John Wick: Ballerina’ is an intense action thriller saga of revenge that follows the life of the protagonist, whose father is killed in front of her eyes as a little child. She follows her family legacy and becomes a trained assassin for the secret criminal organization called “Ruska Roma.” The film is set in the ‘John Wick’ universe. After gaining the necessary skills, the main character goes on a deadly journey of vengeance to hunt down the people responsible for the murder of her father and live up to the art of killing that she has trained for. In ways close to the themes of ‘Nobody,’ the narrative has highly intense action sequences and visual styles. The protagonists in both stories use their skills to overcome odds, while also dealing with familial issues, although in different ways. The spiritual and thematic similarities forge a connection between the two films.

1. John Wick (2014)

The action thriller film ‘John Wick’ by Chad Stahelski follows the life of a retired hitman called John Wick (Keanu Reeves). He reels from the death of his wife and lives a life away from crime, with only his dog there for emotional support. However, when his pet is killed by an arrogant and unaware son of a gangster, the protagonist unleashes a fury of violence and brutal killings to avenge the death of his beloved canine friend and destroy the people who caused it. His past as the “Babayaga,” a feared assassin, catches up with him in violent ways. The visuals, the action sequences, the journeys of the main characters, and the idea of redemption forge a deep connection between the film and ‘Nobody.’ Both stories contain main characters who are forced out of retirement to use their deadly skills again.