Directed by Russell Crowe, Sky Cinema’s Poker Face follows five childhood friends who reunite for a high-stakes poker game after a long break. When Jake invites his friends over to his mansion to play poker, little do they know he has something else in mind. When three thieves break into the house and threaten the lives of Jake and his friends, Jake’s plans go haywire.
In the film, we see Jake see everything as a game of poker. The deck of cards is also the glue that holds all friends together. The story showcases the characters’ traits through poker, while exploring themes of friendship, betrayal and honest conversations. If you like such card game stories, we have a number of movies for you to watch. Most of these Poker Face like movies can be seen on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime.
8. Shades (2003)
Shade is about an underground poker club where three scammers plan to steal money from one of the best players, Dean (Sylvester Stallone). In Poker Face, the scenes in which the characters play the game are reminiscent of Shade. In the first film, the characters’ hands and strategies are somewhat more ambiguous and simple than in the second film. The real similarities between the two films are the twists that occur in the films. Several nuances in both films are symbolic of the game itself.
7. Molly’s Game (2017)
Based on Molly Bloom’s memoir of the same name, Molly’s Game chronicles the journey of a talented skier who goes from bottle service waitress to boss of one of the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker games. But at the height of her success, the FBI takes notice of Molly (Jessica Chastain) and begins investigating her. The film’s sets are polished and sophisticated, creating the ambiance needed for a high-stakes thriller film.
Although they tell different stories, Molly’s Game and Poker Face have a similar vibe due to the backdrops and suspenseful atmosphere. In both films, the characters are almost always on the brink because they are aware of the consequences of their actions. Their demeanor keeps the audience engaged and makes the experience entertaining.
6. Smart Money (1931)
Smart Money is about a hairdresser named Nick who runs an illegal poker room in the back room of his hair salon. The poker room regulars urge him to challenge a popular player named Hickory Short. So Nick sets out to defeat veteran player Hickory Short and embarks on an adventurous path full of twists and turns and surprises. Like Jake in Poker Face, Nick is quite a talented poker player.
Poker is also an integral part of their business empire. As Jake builds the first online poker system, Nick becomes the king of illegal gambling in his town. However, the two differ significantly in terms of tonality and the gist of the story. While Jake’s arc and motivations are emotional, Nick wants to be the best player and have his own business. That being said, Poker Face is more about human relationships, while Smart City focuses primarily on one man’s journey into the world of gambling.
5.Maverick (1994)
Based on the television series of the same name, Maverick is a western film about two gamblers, Bret (Mel Gibson) and Annabelle (Jodie Foster), who are trying to make some money to play a high-stakes poker game. The film differs from Poker Face in many ways, but the two are comparable in some aspects at the narrative level. In both films, poker is used as a plot element that advances the narrative and connects the various characters. Also, the characters in both films have secrets, adding to the tension and intrigue as the story progresses. In addition, the audience is constantly trying to guess the next move of the characters and how things will turn out.
4. California Split (1974)
‘California Split’ is a flawless portrayal of gambling addiction and how it changes a person. Bill and Charlie grow closer after the two are beaten up by a man they won money from. While Charlie is addicted to gambling, Bill is on the way to becoming one too. Their connection leads Bill down a path that will change the way he views card games and gambling.
Although the film isn’t about poker, Bill and Charlie’s friendship is similar to the friendship between Jake and his childhood friends in Poker Face. On the one hand, Jake and his friends met playing poker when they were teenagers. On the other hand, Bill and Charlie’s addiction brings them together and embarks on their gambling adventures. Another similarity between the two films is that they show how the different personality traits of friends force them to grow apart because of their choices.
3. The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
‘The Cincinnati Kid’ is a poker film that pits an aspiring poker player against an established player. Eric Stoner, popularly known as The Kid, wants to be the best poker player. But to do so, he must defeat current champion Lancey Howard, known as The Man. The story is one of the most authentic representations of the game, showing the full extent of the different moves. In Poker Face we see some full rounds of play and it takes us back to The Cincinnati Kid. Also, this film also includes the friendship and relationship arcs that provide the necessary emotional undertones as we see in the first film.
2. The Sting (1973)
‘The Sting’ is a cult classic about con artists and poker is an important part of the storyline. The story follows two crooks, Hooker (Robert Redford) and Henry (Paul Newman), who try to scam a mob boss named Doyle (Robert Shaw). One of the biggest similarities between The Sting and Poker Face is the way poker is played in both films. in the In the first film, Henry and Hooker use the game to bait Doyle, while Jake uses it to get his friends hooked on his ulterior motive. Additionally, Hooker and Jake don’t see their actions as just cheating or intrigue. For them, it’s something personal that builds the tension and keeps the viewer hooked to the end.
1. Rounders (1998)
Directed by John Dahl, Rounders is one of the best poker movies. The film is about two childhood friends, Mike (Matt Damon) and Lester (Edward Norton), who gamble for high stakes to pay off their debts. Poker is an integral part of the narrative and the game is portrayed with great authenticity. But what really makes this story compelling is Mike and Lester’s relationship and how it develops throughout the film.
Their bond is in many ways equivalent to the bond between the five friends in Poker Face. In both cases, we see how the friends differ in essence, which is reflected in the type of game they play and what they do in life. There’s also the classic trope that at some point it goes downhill and then we see the true colors of the characters. These aspects drive the story in both films and make them a compelling experience.