We all can agree that murder mystery films always get the best out of us. For some reason, it sparks curiosity and interest in our little, playful minds. Who wouldn’t want to know the real story behind every shocking and terrifying crime?
Wind River should have crossed your path if you enjoy the plot story of films chasing a serial killer. After all, it’s a movie seeking to unravel the missing puzzle behind a murder case. We can relate if, up to this day, you’re still hooked and cannot get over Wind River.
We wanted you to have a fresh batch of films featuring none other than crime, action, mystery, and drama. So, if you’re one of the people in the universe planning for a movie marathon on your next break, this write-up is a gift!
This article crafted a list of the best mystery, drama, and crime thrillers out in the market. So, let’s get rolling. Here are the 12 Best Movies like Wind River that are worth your precious time!
Wind River (2017)
Wind River is a heart-stopping movie revolving around a young woman’s murder, exploring the world of crime, mystery, and drama. Written and directed by Taylor Sheridan in his debut, this Western film follows the path of Cory Lambert as he tries to discover the mystery behind Natalie’s death.
Together with his brave colleague Jane Banner, they seek to lead the investigation, unraveling the truth. Bind with their thirst for justice, Cory and Jane allied. As the movie progresses along, Cory needs to resolve his past. Ultimately, will Cory and Jane be champions of truth and justice?
Wind River hit the box office theater on August 18, 2017, in the United States. Overall, it garnered 15 wins and 26 nominations. Deep, dark, and emotional, Wind River is a film that would get you lost in the mystery world.
1. Hell or High Water (2016)
English 1h 42m IMDb
Director: David Mackenzie
Stars: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges
Securing the top spot on our list, Hell, or High Water is another Western crime film written by Taylor Sheridan. Exotic and authentic, this movie has been nominated for four Oscars. Filmed in Clovis, New Mexico, Chris Pine portrays an unemployed, Toby Howard.
All that Toby desires are to make a better future for his sons. So, when his ex-convict brother was released from prison, they decided to plan a series of robberies against the bank. This bank wants to foreclose the family ranch.
And as we all can agree, not everything goes to our plan. Standing in the way is Marcus (starring Jeff Bridges), trying to eliminate and destroy the thieves’ plan. Would the brothers be able to make it?
As blood follows money, Hell or High Water will surely grab you and won’t let you go. It is one of the excellent films like Wind River that shows how you would go far with dread and desperation.
2. The Girl With Dragon Tattoo (2011)
English 2h 38m IMDb
Director: David Fincher
Stars: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, a dark movie like Wind River, is not for the faint-hearted. It tells the tale of a disgraced broadcaster Mikael Blomkvist (starring Daniel Craig), who is faced with the opportunity to redeem his reputation and honor.
A wealthy Swedish man Vanger (starring Christopher Plummer), asked Mikael to solve the 40-year-old murder case of his niece, Harriet. Like Wind River, this film investigates the path and follows the wicked steps of a serial killer.
It’s about a dangerous and dark quest for the truth. This movie’s raw intensity will take chills down its viewers’ spines. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo won the Best Achievement in Film Editing at the Oscars Awards.
With its hype and triller all over the place, this movie would not let you down.
3. Sicario (2015)
English 2h 1m IMDb
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro
Sicario is a savage movie that gets a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.7/10 IMDB score. We’re telling you. This film is one of the best thrillers of the decade. If you would ask us what we think about Sicario, it’s a ten for sure!
Its 120 minutes running time is enough to create intensity and suspense, making it hard for your mind and soul to bear. It follows the story of Kate Macer (Emily Blunt), an FBI agent who is enlisted to solve the escalating drug war at the border between the United States and Mexico.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Sicario explores dark themes such as cartel violence and drugs. No wonder the film is often viewed as one of the scariest pictures because it showcases the deep and dark drug world.
Like Wind River, you’ll get an overwhelming taste of action and crime thrillers when you stream Sicario.
4. Prisoners (2013)
English 2h 33m IMDb
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis
At the onset, you may find Prisoners a bit different and challenging to watch. But like Wind River, you’ll never be able to get away with the suspenseful and thrilling scenes it offers. It all started when Keller Dover’s six-year-old daughter went missing along with her friend.
Unable to bear pressure that feels like his worst nightmare, Keller Dover takes the matter into his hand. Due to his impressive acting skills and stellar performance as the crazed father, Hugh Jackman is the police officer you’ll surely admire.
Like Wind River, Prisoners left an impactful and powerful statement to its audiences. How far would one go to fight for life? With its touch of reality, Prisoners is more terrifying than any horror movie you’ll find. Released in 2013, Prisoners will surely keep you engaged from start to finish.
5. Seven (1995)
English 2h 7m IMDb
Director: David Fincher
Stars: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey
Starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, Seven is a 1995 classic thriller film that follows the journey of two detectives. Like Wind River, this movie focuses on chasing a serial murderer who takes away lives.
Because of the dark production design and powerful direction from David Fincher, Seven is one of the greatest screenplays of the 90s. At the start of the film, you’ll realize that Seven release a different vibe and style.
The movie may be dark and disturbing, like Wind River. But Seven is worth binge-watching if you enjoy a combination of genres like crime, drama, mystery, and thriller. So, if you can’t get over Wind River, it’s time for you to watch Seven.
6. Insomnia (2002)
English 1h 58m IMDb
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank
Here’s another murder mystery that you must add to your movie list if you enjoy Wind River. Insomnia is about two Los Angeles detectives, Hap Eckhart and Will Dormer, dispatched to uncover the murder of a 17-year-old resident, Kay Connell.
However, things become strained since Dormer has insomnia, causing him to be delusional. For this excellent thriller screenplay, Christopher Nolan won the British Director of the Year in London Circle Film Award in 2003.
Released in 2002, Insomnia is a remake of the Norwegian film under the same name in 1998 by Erik Skjoldbjaerg. Make yourself ready as you follow the murder story in the small town of Nightmute, Alaska.
7. No Country for Old Men (2007)
English 2h 2m IMDb
Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin
The movie begins when Llewelyn Moss (starring Josh Brolin) finds drug runners who have killed each other. Instead of reporting his discovery to the cops, Moss cannot resist and take the two million dollars left behind.
His greed puts Moss’s life at stake when a psychopathic killer Anton Chigurh (starring Javier Bardem), follows his trail. Anton would kill every rival, every man, and a bystander who stood in his way of getting the money. Would Moss keep one step ahead of Anton?
Directed by Ethan and Joel Coen, No Country for Old Men won four Oscar awards. Honestly, this screenplay is not your ordinary crime, drama, and thriller film. Overall, the movie garnered an impressive 92 in Metascore. 8.2/10 IMDB ranking, 4/4 Rolling Stone, and 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
8. The Pledge (2001)
English 2h 4m IMDb
Director: Sean Penn
Stars: Jack Nicholson, Benicio Del Toro, Patricia Clarkson
Right next on, our movie write-up revolves around catching a killer like Wind Club. Casting Jack Nicholson as the main character, The Pledge follows a retired police detective, Jerry Black, who pledged to hunt the serial murderer of a young child.
As the film progresses, it leaves its audience with the million-dollar question: Would Jerry nail the killer? Directed by Sean Penn, The Pledge is a 2001 mystery drama film based on a masterpiece by Friedrich Durrenmatt titled: The Pledge: (Requiem for The Detective Novel).
With its run time of two hours and four minutes, we recommend you add The Pledge to your must-watch movie list if you like Wind River. Promise! This film will captivate your mind.
9. Mystic River (2003)
English 2h 18m IMDb
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon
Mystic River would surely make it to our exclusive list of best movies like Wind River. The cinema was set into play when the daughter (Emmy Rossum) of an ex-convict (played by Sean Penn) is killed. Things blur as two of his neighborhood friends get tangled in the case.
Dave (played by Tim Robbins) was the last person to see Jimmy’s daughter alive. On the other hand, Sean (played by Kevin Bacon) is the one who’s leading the investigation case. Later, Jimmy begins to believe that Dave is the main suspect. Would Jimmy take the law into his hands?
Because of their riveting performance in Mystic River, Sean Penn and Tim Robbins got the Oscar Awards for being the Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Actor in a Supporting Role, respectively, in 2003.
10. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri (2017)
English 1h 55m IMDb
Director: Martin McDonagh
Stars: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell
An Oscars award-winning film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, showcases a strong-willed mother. Without any leads and culprit found months after the passing of his daughter, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) posed a bold move. Like Wind River, this movie wants to get into the bottom line of a murder mystery.
Persistent and determined, Mildred pointed three signs directed at the town’s respected chief of police. William Willoughby. Hitting the box office on December 1, 2017, in the United Kingdom, this classic film bagged two Oscars Awards with 133 wins & 235 nominations.
Frances McDormand shows an intense portrayal of a mother challenging the authorities who failed to solve her daughter’s murder case. Eventually, she was able to get the Best Performance for Actress in a Leading Role in Academy Awards.
11. Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
English 1h 40m IMDb
Director: Taylor Sheridan
Stars: Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Finn Little
Starring a top-tiered actress, Angelina Jolie, Those Who Wish Me Dead is a 2021 film exploring action, drama, and thriller-like Wind River. It follows Hannah Faber (Angelina Jolie), smoked jumper, and Connor (Finn Little).
Connor was hiding in the remote forest because he was a witness in a murder case. Later, Connor finds himself chased by two assassins in the Montana wilderness. Wishing to keep Connor safe, Hannah is determined to protect him without knowing the consequences she must endure.
Soon, real dangers follow. Two relentless assassins aim to hunt and kill Connor. Would Hannah keep Connor away from the killers who seek his life? Will Connor be silenced? Find out if Hannah and Connor can escape assassins who wish them dead.
Directed by Taylor Sheridan, Those Who Wish Me Dead is a radical, predictable, and emotional movie. If you cannot get enough of Wind River, watch Those Who Wish Me Dead! You’ll never be craving for more!
12. The Girl on the Train (2016)
English 1h 52m IMDb
Director: Tate Taylor
Stars: Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson
Rachel Watson (played by Emily Blunt) takes the train to get to her work in New York City. As she passed day by day, she could catch a glimpse of a married couple, Scott, and Megan, from the train window.
One day, Rachel witnesses something terrifying and shocking scenes in the backyard of the couple’s home. After learning that Megan is missing, Rachel reports what she believes she saw to the authorities.
Having doubts about her memory, Rachel begins her investigation. However, the cops start to suspect that Rachel has crossed dangerous lines. Released in 2015, The Girl on the Train centers the stage on unraveling murder mysteries like Wind River.
Wrap Up: Are You Ready For More Crime and Mystery Thrillers?
Wind River is indeed heart-stopping. But if you’re up for more crime, action, drama, and mystery thrillers, you are in the right place. You must prepare for nerve-wracking scenes in these 12 Best Movies like Wind River. Would your fingernails survive?
If you have any films in mind that you believe should be on the list of best movies like Wind River, never hesitate to let us know. Let’s enjoy watching movies together while savoring our best break ever.
