Antoine Blossier’s high-octane French action film titled “K.O.” has just been added to Netflix and it’s quickly becoming a hit among viewers. Since its release, the movie has been one of the most-streamed titles on Netflix. The initial response from critics and subscribers suggests that they are captivated by the film’s fast-paced action scenes, intriguing characters (especially for an action movie), and stylish fight choreography. Many viewers also appreciate the compelling storyline where the main character, Bastien (played by Ciryl Gane), is on a journey to find redemption after accidentally causing the death of a rival in an MMA match.
If you’re a Netflix viewer who enjoyed the intense, rapid-fire action in ‘K.O‘, and can’t wait for more, we’ve got some recommendations just for you! Here are seven movies that share similarities with ‘K.O.‘ to satisfy your appetite for stylish on-screen violence.
1) Léon the Professional
Since you’ve already encountered the intense French action movie “K.O., “, it makes sense to start this list with another film that shares similar elements. The timeless film, “Leon the Professional “, is a masterpiece directed by renowned French director Luc Besson. This movie revolves around its namesake hitman, portrayed by Jean Reno, who takes in a young girl named Matilda (Natalie Portman) after her parents are killed by a corrupt DEA Agent (Gary Oldman).
Alongside its role as a hard-hitting French action movie, “Léon” shares themes of redemption with the film “K.O.” In this 1994 production, Leon makes amends for past mistakes by putting his own welfare on the line to create a better future for Matilda. The fight sequences are top-notch, and the acting is exceptional. “Leon” is a notable achievement from Besson’s prime, and fans of “K.O.” ought to seek it out immediately.
2) John Wick
Currently, there’s a widespread excitement for the John Wick series, with many action movies being compared to its distinctive portrayal of violence. Naturally, the movie K.O. falls into this category as well. Critics have already made parallels to the John Wick films, and there are several shared aspects.
If you enjoy the gritty style and frequent fight scenes in the series K.O., it’s likely that you will also be drawn to the John Wick movies (if you haven’t seen them yet). These action-packed films share a tenacious hero, who is trying to escape his past while engaging in many well-orchestrated fights, similar to the character Bastien in K.O.
3) La Femme Nikita
In the 90s, French filmmaker Luc Besson experienced a remarkable surge in popularity, with the movie “La Femme Nikita” being one of his works that significantly boosted his international recognition. At its core, “La Femme Nikita” is an intense cinematic exploration of redemption. The narrative unfolds when the main character, Nikita (played by Anne Parillaud), is granted a second chance following a tragic incident where she accidentally kills a police officer during a botched robbery. This tragic event leads to her being recruited into a covert government program designed to reform criminals and transform them into government agents. The ensuing tale is an exhilarating rollercoaster ride of action and suspense that seldom allows the audience to catch their breath.
4) Running Scared
A more recent action movie that’s tough to forget for its gritty realism is “Running Scared.” In this film, Paul Walker plays Joey, a character with a moral compass who happens to be a wise guy. When his boss assigns him the task of disposing of a gun linked to a murder, Joey secretly keeps it safe. However, when the gun goes missing, Joey embarks on a journey to find it. Throughout his adventure, he encounters various eccentric individuals and finds himself in numerous intense physical fights and shootouts.
As a movie connoisseur, I must warn you that the gripping thriller titled “Running Scared” is not for the faint-hearted. This film delves deep into intense violence, a trait it shares with the gritty masterpiece “K.O.” If you’re someone who can stomach graphic content and appreciate ultra-violence, then this movie could be right up your alley. However, it’s crucial to note that the film tackles heavy themes and may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with a weak constitution when it comes to on-screen violence.
5) The Substitute
The 1970s saw a surge of groundbreaking films, many of which remain indelible in our memories. Regrettably, by the late 80s, the movement started to wane. Nevertheless, some notable grindhouse-style productions emerged even after the peak of the movement, offering us classics like “Foxy Brown” and “Rolling Thunder”. One such late example is “The Substitute”, a hard-hitting action movie. In this film, Tom Berenger plays Shale, a man who masquerades as a high school teacher to infiltrate the gang that assaulted his fiancée, Jane (Diane Venora). During this covert operation, he uncovers a level of corruption within the school that exceeds his initial understanding.
This less-known ’90s action movie offers a familiar protagonist played by Berenger, multiple pulse-pounding chase sequences, and numerous intense hand-to-hand fights. If you appreciate movies like “K.O.” and have missed out on this one, “The Substitute” is definitely worth checking out. Although the film’s budget limitations occasionally show, it manages to hit more marks than misses.
6) Wingwomen
If you’re already a fan of K.O., there’s another exciting Netflix action movie to explore – it’s called Wingwomen. Similar to K.O., Wingwomen is a raw, French-language action series that boasts unique fight sequences and enough mystery to keep you hooked.
Wingwomen” introduces Carole (Mélanie Laurent) and Alex (Adèle Exarchopoulos), a duo of thieves planning to execute their final heist before leaving their reckless lifestyle behind. To aid them, they bring in Sam (Manon Bresch), an expert driver, completing their team. The ensuing story blends fast-paced action sequences, amusing buddy comedy moments, and heartfelt conversations between the leads. Remarkably, the bond among the main characters is deeply moving, adding emotional layers often absent in action films. Make sure not to miss out on this engaging gem!
7) Safe
If you enjoyed the theme of redemption in the movie K.O., you might find resonance with the gritty action film, Safe, starring Jason Statham. The plot follows Luke (Statham), a cage fighter who unintentionally wins a rigged fight and kills his opponent. This act incurs the wrath of Emile (Sandor Tecsy), the leader of the Russian mafia, who orders his men to kill Luke’s pregnant wife and anyone else he associates with. Feeling like a burden, Luke isolates himself and teeters on the edge of self-destruction. However, when he meets a young woman named Mei (Catherine Chan), who is escaping from the Triad after being kidnapped, he finds a new purpose and an opportunity for redemption. If you’re debating which movie to watch next following K.O., Safe could serve as an excellent starting point.
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2025-06-10 22:45