5 Thrillers to Watch After Copshop

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Released in 2021 and directed by Joe Carnahan, Copshop brought a fresh idea to the action genre, specifically the ‘siege’ style of movie. The story centers around Teddy Murretto (Frank Grillo), a clever con artist who intentionally gets arrested to hide out in a small-town police station. However, his problems follow him when Bob Viddick (Gerard Butler), a professional hitman, pretends to be drunk driving to get inside the same station. Trapped in opposing jail cells, the two men begin a dangerous confrontation, forcing rookie officer Valerie Young (Alexis Louder) to survive a chaotic and corrupt situation fueled by professional rivalry. The film stands out for its realistic stunt work and a witty, cynical script.

I have to say, I was really surprised by Copshop. Critics loved it – it scored an amazing 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and everyone praised the acting – but it totally flopped in theaters. It only made around $2.3 million its opening weekend domestically, and ended up with just $6.7 million worldwide. Apparently, it came out at a really busy time for movies, and got lost in the shuffle. But then something incredible happened! Once it hit streaming and VOD, it took off. It quickly gained a huge, devoted fanbase, and now, honestly, I think it’s become a modern cult classic. It just proves that a really good thriller can find its audience, even if it doesn’t explode at the box office.

5) The Fugitive

Andrew Davis’s The Fugitive is a fast-paced thriller focused on the intricate details of a nationwide manhunt. The film follows Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford), a surgeon who escapes custody after being wrongly convicted of murdering his wife. To clear his name, he must use his medical skills and blend into the city while staying one step ahead of the U.S. Marshals. Leading the chase is Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones), who employs advanced communication and tracking technology to hunt Kimble down.

What makes The Fugitive so compelling is the smart, evenly matched game of cat and mouse between the hero and those pursuing him – every move one makes is met with a thoughtful countermove by the other. The film also stands out because it avoids overused action tropes, instead portraying the police as capable and focusing on the protagonist’s ability to think his way out of trouble. This dedication to realism contributed to the film’s huge success, earning over $368 million at the box office and winning an Academy Award for Tommy Lee Jones’s performance.

4) Den of Thieves

Directed by Christian Gudegast, Den of Thieves dives into the complex and often gray area between police work and daring bank robberies. Gerard Butler plays “Big Nick” O’Brien, a tough detective who bends the rules and leads a special unit of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. They’re up against a skilled crew of former soldiers, led by Ray Merrimen (Pablo Schreiber) and the resourceful driver Donnie Wilson (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), who are plotting a dangerous heist targeting the Federal Reserve Bank.

Like Copshop, Den of Thieves explores the blurred lines between good and bad, showing police officers who are often as ruthless and driven by territory as the criminals they chase. The film realistically portrays the harsh physical and mental effects of this dangerous lifestyle, using intense sound and expertly staged gunfights to highlight the brutality of city warfare. With its focus on realistic police work and gritty, practical action, Den of Thieves feels like a natural continuation of the style seen in Copshop.

3) Reservoir Dogs

Quentin Tarantino’s first film as director, Reservoir Dogs (1992), shares similarities with Copshop by keeping a group of criminals stuck together in a warehouse after a robbery turns violent. The story centers on how suspicion grows between Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) and Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) as they start to believe a police officer is among them. This tension is heightened by the condition of Mr. Orange (Tim Roth), who is seriously wounded, creating a sense of urgency and further damaging the group’s already fragile trust.

Similar to the intense conversations in Copshop, Reservoir Dogs focuses on how the characters act as professionals, using their own rules of conduct as criminals to create tension. Tarantino also jumps around in time to show how the heist went wrong, making the final violent outburst feel inevitable. Because the film was made with a small budget of $1.2 million, it depended heavily on strong acting and a quick pace, which helped it become a classic independent thriller.

2) Assault on Precinct 13

John Carpenter’s 1976 film, Assault on Precinct 13, heavily influenced the storyline of Copshop, particularly its ‘isolated siege’ setup. The film focuses on an old police station with only a few officers, led by Lieutenant Ethan Bishop (Austin Stoker), who are attacked by a vengeful street gang. In this dangerous situation, the officers are forced to team up with a prisoner, Napoleon Wilson (Darwin Joston), whose ability to survive proves crucial to defending the station.

John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13 creates a deeply unsettling and tense atmosphere through its simple music and harsh lighting. The film focuses on the characters’ feeling of being trapped and helpless against a much larger, faceless enemy. By not giving the attackers distinct personalities, Carpenter turns the story into a raw fight for survival, blurring the lines between who’s good and who’s bad. This streamlined style of filmmaking delivers a level of suspense that many modern, high-budget thrillers struggle to achieve.

1) Heat

Michael Mann’s Heat is widely considered the best film about the surprising respect that can develop between enemies on opposite sides of the law. The story centers on LAPD Lieutenant Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) and his relentless pursuit of Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro), the leader of a highly organized group of bank robbers. At its heart, the film shows that both men are defined by their dedication to their work, which ultimately prevents them from having fulfilling personal lives or lasting relationships. This idea is powerfully illustrated in a famous restaurant scene where Hanna and McCauley meet and calmly acknowledge their mutual professionalism – and willingness to kill each other if needed.

The movie Heat famously used actual recordings of gunfire during its intense Los Angeles shootout, making the sound incredibly realistic and setting a new standard for action films. Beyond the exciting action, the 1995 film is also a thoughtful exploration of what it takes to be the best, and the personal sacrifices that come with it, making it both a grand spectacle and a deeply personal story.

What thriller movie creates a similar feeling of intense suspense as Copshop? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-11 23:16