The Guilty is Netflix's newest crime thriller, and it is catching the audience's attention. The film follows a police officer demoted as a dispatcher and one 911 call alarms him to the point where he frantically investigates the situation to save an abducted woman. Although the remake lacks some of the structure and cohesive plot from the original Danish film, it is nevertheless a thrilling and tense story enhanced by Jake Gyllenhaal's chilling performance.
Part of the film's suspense factor stems from the single location perspective that focuses on Gyllenhaal's character while building up its story with a shocking plot twist. It makes movies like The Guilty a nail-biter, and luckily, many other films follow a similar technique, plotline, or both.
Cellular (2004) - Available To Rent On AppleTV, Amazon, & Google Play
A young man receives a distressing call from an abducted woman, dialing from a broken phone. As he attempts to rescue her, he must figure out her location before his phone loses charge.
Like The Guilty, Cellular also shares the precedented plot of a distressing call to alert one's abduction. Unlike The Guilty's singular set, this 2004 film follows multiple characters on-screen, even showcasing characters like the abducted victim, and takes a different approach to various locations. Cellular is not as astute and sharp as The Guilty, and it may at times utilize silliness to ease the tension of the situation. Of course, there is a different energy with explosive action scenes than desk job restriction, but it works to make an entertaining enough popcorn flick.
Searching (2018) - Available On IMDb TV
In this mystery thriller, David Kim is searching for his missing 16-year-old daughter. The chances of locating her involve finding clues about his daughter's last whereabouts using smartphones and her laptop.
While Searching does not follow the main plotlines of The Guilty, it bears a resemblance to the character's drive to locate someone and does so without rest. The visuals and cinematography are unique and different with its refined perspective from computers and smartphones, which enhances the tense nature of the story. As one of the best "missing persons" movies, Searching takes thrillers to a whole new level, with innovative techniques, brilliant performances from the cast, and a near-flawless original plot.
Phone Booth (2002) - Available On HBO Max
Phone Booth follows a publicist who finds himself in trouble after picking up an unknown call from a phone booth. Tensions are high when the anonymous caller threatens his life, and he must follow the sniper's instructions if he wants to come out alive.
Phone Booth follows many similar features of the film's story, including its plot focused on a specific call and its confined location at a phone booth. Furthermore, the story follows Colin Farrell's character arc of his guilty past and accountability, resembling the growth of Gyllenhaal's inner conflict and acceptance in The Guilty. Farrell showcases a superb performance in this thriller, and viewers will also find Phone Booth just as chilling and exciting as The Guilty.
Locke (2013) - Available On FuboTV, Hoopla, & Kanopy
Locke follows the titular character who drops everything to arrive in time for his child's birth with another woman. As he drives through the night, his life entangles when he must pick up calls from his construction job during the most crucial moments and has to confront his family about his infidelity.
Although Locke has no thriller aspects showcased in The Guilty, it does share the single-location setting that keeps its attention on one visible character while also presenting the character's interaction with unseen characters from a series of phone calls. Furthermore, emotions are heightened with each conversation as the film dives into the character's challenges. The film also digs into the character's past like Gyllenhaal's. Of course, Tom Hardy showcases his flawless and superb performance as the titular character, driving the film's dynamic and energy.
Panic Room (2002) - Available On FuboTV, Pluto TV, Spectrum, & IMDb TV
In Panic Room, a divorced mother and her daughter shelter inside a safe room when three intruders break into their home. They won't leave until they get what they desire, and it just so happens to be in the panic room.
As one of the best 2000s thrillers, Panic Room shares a few aspects of The Guilty, including its attempted abduction schemes and the visuals of the single location. The film received praise for its depiction of feminism, portraying strong and fierce women fending off intruders. Although a bit more action-heavy, Panic Room is spine-tingling and suspenseful, with a spectacular performance from Jodie Foster.
Buried (2010) - Available To Rent On Google Play & Amazon
2010's Buried follows an American truck driver attacked in Iraq when he suddenly ends up enclosed in a coffin. Buried alive, all he has is a lighter and a cell phone, and he must act fast before he runs out of oxygen.
Buried mimics some of The Guilty's gimmicks, including its confined location and a character's communication through a phone. Of course, the claustrophobic nature of the setting amplifies the distressing circumstance, allowing for a thrilling and nerve-racking emotional film. Furthermore, Ryan Reynolds gets out of his comfort zone, where he showcases his range outside of comedies, and his performance is quite riveting.
Compliance (2012) - Available On Hoopla, Vudu, Kanopy, & Max Go
At a fast-food restaurant, a boss receives a call from a police officer accusing her worker of stealing money. While she interrogates the accusation, things get out of hand as the female worker complies with the authority, and the true intentions of the phone call worsen the matter.
The most noticeable gimmick is the series of phone calls made throughout the film. Unlike most movies on this list, Compliance is based on a true story of strip search scam calls in the United States, so the events unraveled make the plot even more harrowing. Of course, with incredible performances from the cast, particularly Ann Dowd, Compliance is one thriller that cannot be missed.
The Taking Of Pelham 123 (2009) - Available On Hulu & Paramount+
In The Taking of Pelham 123, a group of criminals hijacked a subway train and pressured city officials for a ransom or hostages would die. Dispatcher Walter converses with the leader and utilizes his skills to buy time and deduce the transit system of exits and escapes routes to sabotage and outwit the hijacker's plans.
Based on the 1973 novel by Morton Freedgood, The Taking of Pelham 123 makes a few adjustments from the book and changes its direction for a more fast-paced thriller. Like The Guilty, it shares the plot element of communication and technology while easing a distressing situation. At times, the film may miss the mark with its execution under Tony Scott's direction. Nevertheless, it is an entertaining and action-packed thriller composed of captivating performances from Denzel Washington and John Travolta.
The Call (2013) - Available On Starz & Spectrum
A lot of The Call echoes the plotline and suspenseful vibes of The Guilty. This 2013 thriller follows a skilled emergency operator who lives with the guilt of mistakenly confronting an abductor that led to a young girl's death. When another young girl is abducted by the same person and calls for help, the operator uses her quick thinking to help save her and bring justice.
Gyllenhaal's Joe Baylor and Halle Berry's Jordan Turner share many qualities, including their jobs as emergency operators and redemption arc to fix a guilt-ridden past. Furthermore, their actions parallel each other's cleverness to pinpoint their victim's locations and advising them on escape strategies. The visuals and technical perspectives from The Guilty are different as The Call shows multiple viewpoints outside of the operator. Nevertheless, The Call takes a more expanded approach to narrate an abduction story with its filmmaking finesse. With brilliant performances from Berry and Abigail Breslin, this crime thriller is suspenseful and riveting and will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.