Who doesn’t love watching attractive people traveling to exotic locations and following mysterious events? So if you’re looking for clever, deceptive movies like The Tourist, you’re at the right place!
2010’s The Tourist was led by two of the biggest stars at that time. Angelina Jolie donned her hottest avatar while Johnny Depp slipped on his coolest shades in this exotic thriller.
So if you’re looking for more movies like The Tourist where attractive leads come together in a twisted plot, make sure you check out this list.
Top 10 Deceptive Thriller Movies Like The Tourist
1. Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are deeply in love and they lead a happy, content life. But as it turns out, both are spies, unaware of each other’s secret life. Things take a turn when both of their agencies want them to kill each other and a game of one-upmanship and deception starts.
Doug Liman’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith rides on the star power of its charismatic leads. Thanks to the irresistible chemistry of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, this sleek action thriller never loses our attention.
If you’re looking for movies like The Tourist, Mr. & Mrs. Smith should be right up your alley. Apart from a hot Angelina Jolie, both the movies deal with deceptions and twisted marital problems.
2. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Tom gets so impressed by Dickie’s life that he emulates his friend and eventually becomes Dickie. What starts as a harmless imitation, turns into a creepy obsession ending on a violent note.
Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr. Ripley is a sinister game of identity and deception, perfectly led by Matt Damon and Judd Law. It’s a well-crafted movie that never trades quality for flamboyance.
The Talented Mr. Ripley has everything that makes The Tourist so enjoyable and then some. Exotic locations, confusing identities, and one twisted game of deception – sounds like a perfect watch.
3. Salt (2010)
In 2010 when she was not exploring Venice in The Tourist, Angelina Jolie was running away from the CIA to prove her innocence. As the secret agent Evelyn Salt accused of being a Russian spy, she runs against time to save herself and her husband.
Angelina Jolie dons the hat of a super spy again in this thriller. Phillip Noyce’s Salt is a competent movie boasting a tight script, strong performance, and just enough twist and thrill to keep us hooked.
Movies like The Tourist and Salt depend on deception and sudden twists. But both the movies also feature strong marital twists and make us keep guessing till the end.
4. The Bourne Identity (2002)
A mysterious young man washes up the shore without any memory of who he is or what his past life was. As he travels across countries to trace his identity back, a murderous conspiracy is exposed.
Another Matt Damon feature in this list, The Bourne Identity is a surprisingly good movie. Directed by Phillip Noyce, it is a fast-paced spy thriller full of jaw-dropping fight sequences and clever twists.
Thematically, both movies share a lot of common things. Just like The Tourist, a major part of The Bourne Identity focuses on identity or lack thereof.
5. Casino Royale (2006)
James Bond’s new mission is to track down a banker sponsoring terrorists by playing and winning a high stake poker game. But Bond’s equation with the enigmatic Vesper Lynd gets complicated while the villain returns with vengeance.
Casino Royale was Daniel Craig’s first rodeo as the iconic spy and he got off on the right foot. Martin Campbell’s movie is a dynamic and smart thriller made even special by the performances of Craig, Eva Green, and Mads Mikkelsen.
Similar to The Tourist, Casino Royale is a suspenseful movie and a gorgeous montage of good-looking people doing shady things in good-looking locations.
6. Allied (2016)
A Canadian spy and a French spy cross each other’s path during World War II and find themselves falling in love. Just when they settle down, planning to start a family, secrets threaten to tear their relationship.
Robert Zemeckis’ Allied rides high on the performances of Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard who are the spies in love, torn apart by duty and suspicion. Allied is an emotionally rich wartime film but its exploration of marriage and distrust is also commendable.
If you’re looking for movies like The Tourist, the theme of deception, betrayal, and conflicts in marriage make Allied a solid contender.
7. Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
In a classic case of mistaken identity, a young guy gets embroiled in a vengeful war between two crime lords of the city. As he tries to keep himself alive amidst all these, a hitman and a detective target him.
Paul McGuigan’s Lucky Number Slevin is a witty thriller that never gets entangled in its own web. Solid performances from Josh Hartnett and Bruce Willis make it all the more enjoyable.
Similar to The Tourist, Lucky Number Slevin focuses on people constantly under surveillance trying to crawl their way through all the mess.
8. Wanted (2008)
A timid and clumsy guy is leading his boring life when a devastating secret about his father pushes him to a secret underworld where he is trained to step up to the bad guy.
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, Wanted is a sleek action thriller that is ideal popcorn entertainment. It features an attractive cast of Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy, fast-paced action, and an intriguing plot.
Just like The Tourist, Wanted features the protagonist becoming aware of a world totally different from his past. In order to move forward, he learns the chops to survive.
9. To Catch a Thief (1955)
When a retired thief becomes the prime suspect of a jewelry theft, he must return to catch the copycat in time and clear his name.
Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief is a delightful game of cat and mouse where deception and secrecy drive the plot. Thanks to Grace Kelly and Cary Grant’s amazing chemistry, the twisted tale never loses steam.
If you’re looking for movies like The Tourist, the secret identities, the thrill of the chase, and confusing relationships make To Catch a Thief a recommended watch.
10. The Lives of Others (2006)
It’s 1984 in East Germany and a famous dramatist is under the surveillance of the state. The more the officer listens to the couple’s personal life, the more secrets come out and the more complicated his position becomes.
Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s The Lives of Others is a masterpiece of the highest order. Powered by incredible acting from Ulrich Mühe, and a nuanced take on morality and personal issues, this thriller’s universal acclaim is well earned.
Just like The Tourist, The Lives of Others explore the surveillance state and how it can ruin the personal relationships of people leading to a twisted end.