Top 10 Thrillers About Ex-Criminals

Description: Eddie Coyle, a small-time gunrunner, tries to avoid a long prison sentence by cooperating with the police, but his past catches up with him in this gritty crime drama.

Fact: The film was shot on location in Boston, providing an authentic backdrop. Robert Mitchum's performance was noted for its realism.

Description: Earl Macklin, a former criminal, is drawn back into the underworld after his brother is killed. His quest for revenge and his attempt to leave the criminal life behind make for a tense narrative.

Fact: The film was based on the novel by Richard Stark, a pseudonym for Donald E. Westlake. Robert Duvall's performance was critically acclaimed.

Description: Jack Foley, a career bank robber, escapes from prison and crosses paths with a U.S. Marshal, Karen Sisco. Their cat-and-mouse game blurs the lines between law and lawlessness, making for a thrilling narrative about an ex-con's attempt to go straight.

Fact: The film was adapted from an Elmore Leonard novel, and George Clooney's character was inspired by real-life bank robber Willie Sutton.

Description: Leo Handler, fresh out of prison, tries to go straight but is pulled back into the criminal underworld of New York City's transit system, where corruption and betrayal are rampant.

Fact: The film was shot on location in New York, providing a gritty, realistic setting. Mark Wahlberg's performance was noted for its depth and complexity.

Description: Wilson, an ex-con from England, travels to Los Angeles to investigate the death of his daughter, leading him back into a world of crime he thought he had left behind.

Fact: The film's non-linear narrative structure was innovative for its time. Terence Stamp's character was inspired by real-life criminal Jack Carter.

Description: Tom Stall, a small-town diner owner, becomes a local hero after stopping a robbery, but his past as a violent criminal resurfaces, threatening his new life.

Fact: The film was adapted from a graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke. Viggo Mortensen's performance earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the Saturn Awards.

Description: This film follows Doug MacRay, a skilled bank robber in Boston, who attempts to leave his criminal life behind after falling for a bank manager he once took hostage. The tension builds as his past threatens to catch up with him.

Fact: The movie was filmed in Boston, using real locations for authenticity. Ben Affleck, who also directed, performed many of his own stunts.

Description: Richard Kuklinski, a notorious hitman, tries to balance his family life with his criminal activities. The film delves into his attempts to leave his past behind, only to be drawn back into violence.

Fact: Michael Shannon's portrayal of Kuklinski was praised for its chilling accuracy. The film is based on the true story of a real-life contract killer.

Description: Bob Saginowski, a bartender, finds himself in deep trouble when he gets involved with a stray dog, a mysterious woman, and the criminal underworld of Brooklyn. His past as a criminal resurfaces, complicating his life further.

Fact: The film is based on a short story by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote the screenplay. Tom Hardy's performance was critically acclaimed.

Description: Luke, a motorcycle stunt rider, turns to bank robbery to support his child, leading to a confrontation with his past and the law. The film explores the ripple effects of his criminal actions on his family.

Fact: The film was shot in Schenectady, New York, where the story is set. Ryan Gosling learned to ride a motorcycle for his role.