Patrick Hughes, of The Hitman’s Bodyguard fame, directed The Man from Toronto, a hilarious action comedy. The robust premise turns the male friendship genre on its head. Teddy is a loser, but at least he can help the police catch the notorious hitman by impersonating him. However, a commotion ensues on the plane Teddy is on when the real Toronto man boards to settle the bill.
Teddy soon realizes that he is going into troubled waters, but he gives the assassin, who seems friendly at second glance, the benefit of the doubt. Starring Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson, the concoction is good for a lot of laughs. Surely you are wondering if there are similar characteristics after an unlikely covenant. In that case, we’ve compiled a list of movies you won’t be able to resist. You can watch most of these movies similar to The Man from Toronto on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime.
7. Due Date (2010)
Directed by Todd Phillips, Due Date is a black road movie comedy about an unlikely couple. Peter must travel across the country to reach Los Angeles and see his wife and newborn child again. For lack of a better alternative, Peter is forced to team up with an aspiring actor looking to audition in LA and his collared dog. The sprawling journey takes them into eccentric realms, and in a curious twist, Peter even ends up in prison. The film not only thrives on the chemistry between the two main actors Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis, but also shows American highway life. If you want to see another movie after The Man From Toronto in which the two main characters don’t come off well, you should watch this movie.
6. The Devil’s Double (2011)
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Directed by Lee Tamahori and based on the book by Latif Yahia, The Devil’s Double is one of the most compelling films about double identities and doubles. The story is a foray into the autocratic empire of Iraqi politician and dictator Saddam Hussein. A propertyless man gains access to Saddam’s household. The resemblance between him and Saddam’s son seems uncanny. In his search for survival he has only two options: either he becomes the double of Saddam’s hated son or he dies. If you enjoyed the doppelganger aspect of The Man From Toronto, this is an underrated gem that you should definitely check out.
5. The Endless (2018)
Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead co-directed the stunning sci-fi cult film The Endless. Justin and Aaron are two brothers and while one is on the mend with his life, the other is still looking for paths to explore. After escaping a cult living in the jungle, many years have passed. After receiving a cryptic message, they return and the past catches up with them. But the way out is not so straightforward. At first glance, the sci-fi horror thriller ‘The Endless’ follows a completely different path than ‘The Man from Toronto’. Yet similarities can be found in the story of two contrasting brothers fleeing a threat that hangs over them.
4. Rush Hour (1998)
Brett Ratner directed the first installment in the Rush Hour action-comedy series. While launching Jackie Chan into commercial success in the West, the film provides some healthy laughs. Hong Kong detective Lee must sail to the United States to save the daughter of a Chinese consul from cruel thugs. Despite his misgivings, he forms an unlikely partnership with talkative and boisterous LA detective Brett Ratner. The recipe, particularly the chemistry between Chan and Chris Tucker, was so palatable that producers made two sequels. If after The Man From Toronto you’re craving a movie with another unlikely tale of friendship and rivalry, you can count on this movie to fill your popcorn bucket.
3. The Negotiator (1998)
F. Gary Gray directed the suspenseful action thriller ‘The Negotiator.’ The film stars Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey in the robes of hostage negotiators. With his back against the wall, negotiator Danny Roman is forced to make a drastic decision. In a strange twist of fate, he takes several hostages in his office. Roman demands hostage negotiator Chris Sabian, who he believes can help him prove his innocence. The film is based on a true story and is a remarkable performance for Spacey and Jackson. If you want to see another film about a hostile, trust-based dynamic after The Man From Toronto, this is a film to go for.
2. The Big Lebowski (1998)
1998 appears to have been a very good year for cinema, as it was also the year the Coen brothers came out with what is widely regarded as their seminal film. We’re talking about the black comedy and existential epic The Big Lebowski. Due to a mistaken identity, laid-back Jeff Lebowski, who calls himself Dude, has his most prized possession, a rug, stolen. The incident forces the Dude to head into the opulent home of the other great Jeff Lebowski, who hires him to deal with the kidnappers of his flagship Bunny, Bunny. Lebowski’s daughter has an interest in the cause, as does Dude’s ruthless war veteran sidekick Walter. Dude’s blackouts keep messing things up, but he finds a way in the end. If you like a story about mistaken identities and unlikely brotherhoods like The Man From Toronto, you should check out the Coen brothers’ classic.
1. Boiling Point (1990)
Brilliant Japanese filmmaker Takeshi Kitano directed the black road movie comedy Boiling Point. The story is about a lowly baseball player who puts himself in danger when he crashes into a gangster. He needs the help of an eccentric bar owner who has ties to the underworld. However, it’s not clear if the bar owner can stop the unpredictable yakuza gangster (Kitano himself plays the role) from doing so. Precisely cut, refreshingly told and equipped with the typical Kinato camera technology, the film also offers a surprise at the end. If the criminal aspect of The Man From Toronto appealed to you, this is the film for you.
