SimilarScreen
The Onion Field

The Onion Field

What happened in the onion field is true. But the real crime is what happened after.

19796.02h 2m

Overview

An LA police officer is murdered in the onion fields outside of Bakersfield. However, legal loopholes could keep his kidnappers from receiving justice, and his partner is haunted by overwhelming survivor's guilt.

Directed by Harold Becker
Written by Joseph Wambaugh
Produced by Walter Coblenz
0

Top Cast

John Savage

John Savage

Karl Hettinger

James Woods

James Woods

Gregory Powell

Franklyn Seales

Franklyn Seales

Jimmy Smith

Ted Danson

Ted Danson

Ian Campbell

Ronny Cox

Ronny Cox

Pierce Brooks

David Huffman

David Huffman

District Attorney Phil Halpin

Christopher Lloyd

Christopher Lloyd

Jailhouse Lawyer

Dianne Hull

Dianne Hull

Helen Hettinger

Priscilla Pointer

Priscilla Pointer

Chrissie Campbell

Beege Barkette

Beege Barkette

Greg's Woman

Themes & Keywords

cop-killerbased on true storypolice officer killedcapital punishmentin the closet

About The Onion Field

The Onion Field is a crime, drama film released in 1979 exploring themes of cop-killer, based on true story, police officer killed, capital punishment, in the closet. Directed by Harold Becker, it stars John Savage, James Woods, Franklyn Seales. An LA police officer is murdered in the onion fields outside of Bakersfield. However, legal loopholes could keep his kidnappers from receiving justice, and his partner is haunted by overwhelming survivor's guilt.

Movies Similar to The Onion Field

Discover titles like The Onion Field — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to The Onion Field

If you enjoyed The Onion Field, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of The Onion Field.

Dance with a Stranger
35% Match

Ruth Ellis lives with her ten-year old son Andy next to a night club. One night she meets David Blakely, and they start a love affair. However, for David with his upper-class background, it is impossible to uphold the relationship. He breaks up with her, something which makes Ellis, obsessed by him, very upset.

Sea of Love
30% Match

Seen-it-all New York detective Frank Keller is unsettled - he has done twenty years on the force and could retire, and he hasn't come to terms with his wife leaving him for a colleague. Joining up with an officer from another part of town to investigate a series of murders linked by the lonely hearts columns he finds he is getting seriously and possibly dangerously involved with Helen, one of the main suspects.

The Executioner's Song
28% Match

In this fact-based made-for TV film, Gary Gilmore, an Indiana man who just finished serving a lengthy stay in prison, tries to start anew by moving to Utah. Before long, Gary begins an ill-advised romance with the troubled Nicole Baker, a teenage single mother. As their relationship quickly deteriorates, Gary goes on a murderous rampage, leaving two dead. During his trial, he demands capital punishment; a media circus ensues and outsiders look to profit from his story.

GoodFellas
27% Match

GoodFellas(1990)

Movie8.5/10

The true story of Henry Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian Brooklyn kid who is adopted by neighbourhood gangsters at an early age and climbs the ranks of a Mafia family under the guidance of Jimmy Conway.

Monster
25% Match

Monster(2003)

Movie7.2/10

In 1989, prostitute Aileen Wuornos befriends and enters a relationship with a young woman named Selby. Determined to straighten out her life, Aileen's limited education lands her back on the corner. She's raped by a trick, who she kills. A string of murder and robbery follows that ultimately leads Aileen to becoming America's first female serial killer.

Illegal
25% Match

Illegal(1955)

Movie6.3/10

A hugely successful DA goes into private practice after sending a man to the chair -- only to find out later he was innocent. Now the drunken attorney only seems to represent criminals and low lifes.

Straight Time
25% Match

After being released on parole, a burglar attempts to go straight, get a regular job, and just go by the rules. He soon finds himself back in jail at the hands of a power-hungry parole officer.

Rampage
24% Match

Rampage(1987)

Movie5.9/10

Liberal district attorney decides to seek the death penalty for a man who slaughtered a family at Christmastime, then drank their blood. He escapes, though, and starts killing again.

The Violent Years
24% Match

A newspaper publisher's daughter suffers from neglect by her parents. She and her friends turn to crime by dressing up like men, holding up gas stations, raping young men at gunpoint, and having makeout parties when her parents are away. Their "fence" gets them to trash the school on request of sinister un-American clients, and they run afoul of the law, apple pie, and God himself.

Cromwell
24% Match

Cromwell(1970)

Movie6.5/10

Disgusted with the policies of King Charles I, Oliver Cromwell plans to take his family to the New World. But on the eve of their departure, Cromwell is drawn into the tangled web of religion and politics that will result in the English Civil War.

Cop
24% Match

Cop(1988)

Movie6.3/10

An obsessive, insubordinate homicide cop is convinced a serial killer is loose in the Hollywood area and disobeys orders in order to catch him.

The Wolf of Wall Street
22% Match

A New York stockbroker refuses to cooperate in a large securities fraud case involving corruption on Wall Street, corporate banking world and mob infiltration. Based on Jordan Belfort's autobiography.

Roofman
22% Match

Roofman(2025)

Movie7.1/10

A former Army Ranger and struggling father turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname "Roofman." After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys “R” Us for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for a divorced mom drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in.