Movies like Straight Time

Director Michael Mann's Heat showcases a complex game of cat-and-mouse between a seasoned criminal and a dedicated detective. Like Straight Time, it presents a deep dive into the psychology of its characters and explores the blurred lines between lawful and unlawful lives. Fans of nuanced crime dramas will find Heat to be an equally enthralling experience.

Edward Norton's intense performance in American History X echoes the gritty realism of Straight Time. Both films delve into the lives of ex-convicts trying to navigate a world that seems built to pull them back into a life of crime. If you appreciate character-driven stories that question societal rehabilitation, American History X is a must-watch.

Analyzing the bonds of loyalty and the struggles for redemption, The Town, directed by and starring Ben Affleck, tells the story of bank robbers in Boston. Its themes of crime and personal conflict align closely with Straight Time, offering a potent mix of action and emotional depth.

In Thief, James Caan stars as a professional safecracker who longs to leave the criminal world for a normal life. This character's desire to break free from his criminal past resonates with the narrative of Straight Time, making it a compelling watch for those fascinated by stories of crime and redemption.

This tense crime thriller, directed by Sidney Lumet, involves a desperate and flawed plan by two brothers to rob their parents' jewelry store. The movie's deep character studies and high stakes parallel the emotional tension and gritty action seen in Straight Time.

Directed by Steve Buscemi, Animal Factory delves into the brutal reality of life inside a penitentiary and the mentor-protege relationship between convicts. It shares the same raw look at the criminal underworld and the challenges faced by former inmates as depicted in Straight Time.