Since the dawn of the film industry, the Thriller
has kept audiences at the very edge of their seats. Where horror utilizes fear to entertain, these movies employ anxiety. Thrillers tend to evoke an unwavering feeling of suspense that other genres fail to emulate. It’s an emotion that’s difficult to effectively capture, but when done correctly, it makes for an incredibly enthralling plot. Unsurprisingly, many of the best movies of all time fall under the thriller umbrella.
In contemporary filmmaking, David Fincher has asserted himself as the thriller savant. From Se7en to Zodiac, the director manages to develop stories that don’t waiver in their grip for a split-second. The global influence of these films demonstrates that plenty of thrillers have a strong presence in mainstream cinema. Many of the most anticipated movies of 2025 are among the genre. Unfortunately, some great thrillers are overshadowed by more commercial projects.
10
Bernie (2011)
Directed By Richard Linklater
Bernie
- Release Date
-
April 27, 2012
- Runtime
-
99 minutes
The dark comedy thriller Bernie features a premise so peculiar it’s hard to believe it’s a movie based on a true story. From an initial glance, the film doesn’t seem like a thriller in any sense of the word. However, as the plot continues to unfold, the seemingly lighthearted tale travels down a darker road. Recounting the true life of Bernie Tiede, Bernie is a story about unusual relationships that blossom in unexpected places. Bernie is the assistant funeral director for a small town in Texas, and everyone adores him.
He leads a life that completely revolves around helping other people, especially the widows of the deceased men he holds services for. Bernie encounters a new challenge when he tries to console the newly widowed Marjorie Nugent, a woman who is cruel to everyone else but is oddly drawn to him. However, after she pushes Bernie past his breaking point, he snaps, and the thriller element arises. Bolstered by a masterful performance from Jack Black, it’s a film that’s worth a watch even though it only has one foot in the genre.
9
One Hour Photo (2002)
Directed By Mark Romanek
One Hour Photo
- Release Date
-
August 21, 2002
- Runtime
-
96 minutes
One Hour Photo demonstrates the late Robin Williams’ proficiency in both comedic and dramatic performances. It’s a psychological thriller that tends to fly under the radar, even with such a legendary actor at the helm of the ship. Nevertheless, the film is one of the most gripping character studies in existence. The plot follows Sy Parrish, an incredibly lonely man who runs a one-hour photo development lab in a local mall.
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Nothing seems out of the ordinary until Sy begins to cultivate an obsession with the Yorkins, a family he processes photos for. They lead a seemingly idyllic lifestyle that Sy wants nothing more than to be a part of. He begins to navigate his desire through sinister avenues, stalking the Yorkins and toying with their lives. It’s an unnerving portrayal of a layman’s descent into depravity. Although it might not be his most noteworthy role, One Hour Photo is an incredibly unsettling story and easily one of the best Robin Williams movies.
8
The Gift (2015)
Directed By Joel Edgerton
The Gift
- Release Date
-
August 7, 2015
- Runtime
-
108 Minutes
It’s frankly impossible to believe that The Gift was Joel Edgerton’s full-length directorial debut. He has more than demonstrated his comfort in front of the camera, and his first attempt behind the scenes was no different. The Gift is a product of an actor’s journey into filmmaking, but the quality makes it look like the work of a seasoned director. At the center of the story lies a newly married couple, Simon and Robyn, who are in the process of moving into a new home.
It seems like a typical suburban dynamic until they run into a man named Gordo (played by Edgerton himself), who claims to know Simon from their past. Simon remembers him, but the relationship is much deeper than he initially lets on. There’s something strange about Gordo’s demeanor, and when unaccountable occurrences start to take place around the house, they know his intentions are sinister. The Gift was meant to have an alternative ending, but the conclusion Edgerton ultimately went with will assuredly leave a sickening impression.
7
Primer (2004)
Directed By Shane Carruth
Primer
- Release Date
-
January 16, 2004
- Runtime
-
77 Minutes
Shane Carruth’s 2004 indie sci-fi thriller Primer turned a minuscule budget into a creative masterpiece. It’s easily one of the best time travel movies ever made, and the fact that it reached this milestone without studio influence is incredible. Carruth’s effort in bringing this film to fruition is a testament to his directorial prowess. Primer is the story of two engineers, Aaron (Carruth) and Abe, who accidentally discover time travel.
Primer had a budget of just $7,000.
In one of their many research projects, the friends create a gravitational feedback loop that causes objects to effectively move into the past. Once they’ve fully developed the technology into a box, things quickly go awry. Worried that their partner might utilize the ability for their personal desires, the characters attempt to travel back to earlier points and make duplicates of the box, but it only leads to more problems. Primer is incredibly complex and likely won’t make any sense after an initial screening, but it shouldn’t be passed up.
6
Enemy (2013)
Directed By Denis Villeneuve
Enemy
- Release Date
-
February 6, 2014
- Runtime
-
91 Minutes
Denis Villeneuve has continued to assert his position as one of the most exciting filmmakers of the modern generation. The director’s most recent project, Dune: Part Two, was one of the highest-grossing movies of 2024. Consequently, it might come as a surprise that Enemy is even a part of his catalog. The surrealist ambiance doesn’t scream blockbuster, but it’s one of the most intriguing thrillers out there.
Enemy is an exploration of the psyche through truly unexpected avenues. Adam Bell is a run-of-the-mill history professor who notices something odd when watching a movie. One of the actors, Anthony Claire, is completely identical to him. Captivated by his presence, Adam decides to seek out Anthony, but their involvement in each other’s lives leads to unforeseen consequences. It’s not the most entertaining film in the traditional sense, but the peculiarity of the concept is undeniable.
5
Green Room (2016)
Directed By Jeremy Saulnier
Green Room
- Release Date
-
April 15, 2016
- Runtime
-
95 minutes
When it comes to A24 horror movies, they’re virtually guaranteed to feature non-traditional modes of filmmaking. The apparent circumstances are often completely dissimilar to what’s taking place. Jeremy Saulinier’s Green Room reinforces this trend in premise, but the plot follows a more typical unraveling. Thrilling from start to finish, it’s a movie with intentions that were clear from the start. The story is about a small-time punk rock band who wind up in a less-than-stellar scenario.
The band is scheduled to play at a secluded venue, but once they get there, they witness a murder at the hands of white supremacists. Wanting to eliminate all the evidence, they quickly become the Neo-Nazis’ next target. Describing Green Room as disturbing would be an understatement. Led by a surprisingly menacing Patrick Stewart, the villains are willing to commit atrocities that are guaranteed to make stomachs turn. A24’s classic plot twist is seemingly thrown out for an overhaul of high-octane thrills, but the results speak for themselves.
4
Burning (2018)
Directed By Lee Chang-dong
Burning
- Release Date
-
May 17, 2018
- Runtime
-
148 Minutes
-
-
-
Jong-seo Jeon
Shin Hae-mi
-
Lee Chang-dong’s 2018 mystery film Burning is easily one of the best psychological thrillers of the past decade. Truth be told, there aren’t many movies like it. At first glance, it’s a traditional romance story, but by the time the curtains close, it’s difficult to put the experience into words. Unfortunately, the film was largely overshadowed by Parasite upon its release, given that they’re both Korean thrillers. However, Burning masterfully tells the story of three individuals by incorporating contrasting and unreliable perspectives.
The tale is recounted from the viewpoint of Lee Jong-su, who comes across a friend from his past named Shin Hae-mi. A man named Ben eventually joins the two, before telling Jong-su that he regularly enjoys burning down greenhouses. Jong-su is rightfully dubious of Ben’s desires, which slowly begin to reveal themselves. On top of its interesting premise, Burning is packed with nuanced social commentary and an uneasy atmosphere that’s guaranteed to captivate.
3
Blue Ruin (2014)
Directed By Jeremy Saulnier
Blue Ruin
- Release Date
-
April 25, 2014
- Runtime
-
90 Minutes
- Director
-
Jeremy Saulnier
Blue Ruin is as indie of a film as they come, so it’s unsurprising that not many people know about it. The movie was released just two years before the director’s more heavily budgeted Green Room, and the similarities are immediately apparent. In typical Saulnier fashion, Blue Ruin brings thrilling violence to the silver screen in an almost tangible manner. It’s a classic revenge story with all the erroneous glamour stripped away.
Blue Ruin follows Dwight Evans, a drifter who lives out most of his days rotting in a Pontiac Bonneville. Things quickly change for Dwight when he learns that the man who brutally murdered his parents is being released on a plea deal. Plagued by grief, Dwight sets out to return the pain inflicted on his family. He’s got no possessions, and consequently, nothing to lose. All in all, Blue Ruin is a gritty, realistic, and harrowing vengeance tale that shows just how far some are willing to go in pursuit of retribution.
2
Frailty (2001)
Directed By Bill Paxton
Frailty
- Release Date
-
November 17, 2001
- Runtime
-
100 minutes
Surprisingly enough, Bill Paxton’s Frailty didn’t make much of a splash in theaters after its 2002 release. The film had all the right resources: an interesting premise, an A-list lead, and enough suspense to bring it together. Despite these qualities, it was a complete flop and remains mostly forgotten in the genre. Frailty is far from a perfect movie, but it deserves more credit than it gets. Loosely based on true events, the story is told from the perspective of a fully grown Adam Meiks who recounts his childhood to an FBI agent.
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When he was a kid, Adam’s dad suddenly had a revelation that he was meant to be God’s messenger by killing people he perceived as demons. The younger brother goes along with this, but Adam recognizes this as a troubled vendetta and doesn’t participate, hence his narration. Frailty is packed with many of the early 2000s cheesy thriller tropes, but they don’t detract from the substance by any means. Beyond the imperfections on the surface lies a well-crafted film that’s got twists and turns to boot.
1
Fallen (1998)
Directed By Gregory Hoblit
Fallen
- Release Date
-
January 16, 1998
- Runtime
-
124 Minutes
The premise behind Gregory Hoblit’s 1998 crime thriller Fallen is relatively simple, but it’s stretched to the greatest ends. John Hobbes is a detective who just sent the infamous serial killer Edgar Reese to his execution. When the murders continue to happen in the same fashion, it’s revealed that Reese is a demon who can pass on his spirit through physical touch. Thus, the most unexpected individuals are secretly harboring a malevolent entity. It isn’t quite clear why the film didn’t have more of an impact.
With the likes of Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, and James Gandolfini in the cast, it seems like a project that’s guaranteed to succeed. However, Fallen never managed to strike gold, and there are a few standout reasons. It was released during the late 1990s Golden Age of thrillers and was likely bogged down by similar competition. Additionally, incorporating supernatural elements into a story that’s meant to show the worst of human potential seems against the point. Nevertheless, it’s an entertaining flick that’s a must-see for die-hard fans of the thriller genre.