Classic and Must-Watch Films
Several classic psychological thrillers have stood the test of time and continue to be recommended by enthusiasts. "Se7en" (1995) and "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991) are frequently mentioned as must-watch films that offer intense suspense and unforgettable plots [1]
[5:1]. Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960) and "Vertigo" (1958) are also considered masterpieces in the genre, providing a mix of horror and psychological intrigue
[5:1].
Mind-Bending and Unpredictable Movies
For those who enjoy movies with unexpected twists and mind-bending narratives, "Memento" (2000) and "Fight Club" (1999) are highly recommended. These films challenge viewers' perceptions and keep them guessing until the very end [3:1]
[5:1]. "Jacob's Ladder" (1990) is another film known for its surreal and unsettling storyline
[2:1]
[3:5].
International and Unique Picks
International films offer unique perspectives and storytelling styles. "Oldboy" (2003), a Korean thriller, is praised for its intense plot and shocking revelations [5:1]. "Parasite" (2019), also from Korea, combines social commentary with thrilling elements
[2:3]
[5:1]. Japanese anime "Perfect Blue" (1997) provides a psychological experience through animation
[5:1].
Psychological Series and Shows
If you're looking for series to binge, "Mindhunter" and "True Detective" are excellent choices for exploring psychological themes over multiple episodes [1:4]
[1:8]. "Sharp Objects" and "The Sinner" offer gripping narratives and complex characters that delve into psychological drama
[3:2]
[3:4].
Underrated Gems
Some lesser-known films deserve attention for their unique take on psychological thrills. "Frailty" (2001), starring Matthew McConaughey, is noted for its suspenseful plot and unexpected ending [4:1]
[5:5]. "The Game" (1997), directed by David Fincher, is praised for its intriguing storyline and is often overlooked despite its quality
[4:3].
These recommendations provide a diverse range of psychological thrillers, from classics to international gems, ensuring there's something for every fan of the genre.
My favourite films are Shutter Island, Se7en, Prisoners, Gone Girl, SOTL and Hannibal.
There are many others that I can’t remember of the top of my head but are there any other must see thrillers?
Misery
The Treatment, 2014
Hard Candy
Identity
The Clovehitch Killer
Sleep Tight
I particularly liked Identity! And Misery was scary to me because it t could happen, no mysterious fog or supernatural elements required. I'll have to check out your other recommendations!
Identity is amazing!
True detective season 1
Season 3 is pretty good also.
True , Mind Hunter was also pretty awesome series dealing with serial killers
I like all 3 and looking forward to the 4th.
Memento
Possessor ?
If you liked Shutter Island then you need to watch “The Ninth Configuration.”
Hey guys! I am looking for your 5 top psychological thriller movies. I've seem to hit a stand still and am running out of ones I can think of . I love a " Well I didn't see that coming" or "WTF did I just watch" film. Edge of your seat, make you question everything you THOUGHT you knew type of movie. .. Gimme whatcha got... And go!
Possession 1981
Sleep Tight 2011
Holy Blood 1989
Mad Detective 2007
Enemy 2013
WOW I have not seen 4 out of 5! Nice! Thanks
thats about it. Ik its pretty mainstream
#2. Robert Dinero right?
yess
Not listing 5, but my fave is, "A wounded fawn" on Shudder. I know most people hate it, but it really grabs me.
Absolutely
The Cabin in the Woods
The Invitation 2016
Killing of a Sacred Deer 2017
Nocturnal Animals 2016
Shutter Island 2010
Session 9 2001
The Machinist 2004
Jacob's Ladder 1990 - Must watch, I saw someone else recommended it. Will blow your mind.
What are your favorite psychological thrillers or dramas? I really love shutter island, one flew over the cuckoos nest, girl interrupted, memento, skinamarink, etc. I’m looking for something like those that I’ve missed or have forgotten. Classics or new movie suggestions both please! I’ll take tv shows too, I’ve run out of shows to binge.
Check out Prisoners and The Machinist. Both are super tense and mess with your head in the best way. For shows, The Sinner and Sharp Objects are solid binge worthy picks.
Primal Fear (don't google it. Just go in blind)
Yes, yes, yes. You won’t be disappointed.
Jacob's Ladder
This movie was a trip I loved it
Gypsy with Naomi Watts. I prefer a slow burn
Nightcrawler, The Game, Memento, Vanilla Sky, Se7en, Fight Club, Shutter Island, The Usual Suspects, No Country for Old Men, The Light House.
What a perfect list
+1
Looking for a good psychological thriller to watch, something that will leave me terrified make me really contemplate everything for the next few days. What are your favourites?
Heredity and Frailty. Donnie Darko also!
Heredity was such a weird ending lol
The Game directed by David Fincher. I feel like it doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
Triangle is pretty cool
Calibre
You definitely should watch Frailty. It keeps you guessing throughout the film, and has a great ending that you don't see coming. Matthew McConaughey and Bill Paxton (who also directed it) are both great in it.
I really like horror movies and anything in that genre tbh but I need something new to watch. I recently watched Fractured on netflix and was really intrigued with it so Im trying to find more like that.
Mother! always struck chords with my friends that have religious trauma when I explained the bible references at the end. insanely powerful movie
Midsommer is the most fucked up movie I think I’ve ever seen. That or hereditary
someone hasn’t watched Mother! yet, and someone really really should
Midsommar was a complete waste of my time. Everything was so predictable and slow.
Rope (1948)
Se7en (1995)
Psycho (1960)
Vertigo (1958)
Get Out (2017)
Prisoners (2013)
Memento (2000)
Gone Girl (2014)
Inception (2010)
Cape Fear (1962)
Fight Club (1999)
Chinatown (1974)
Coherence (2013)
Black Swan (2010)
The Shining (1980)
Midsommar (2019)
Donnie Darko (2001)
Oldboy (2003) Korean
The Lighthouse (2019)
Parasite (2019) Korean
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
Perfect Blue (1997) Japan
The Chaser (2008) Korean
I Saw the Devil (2010) Korean
Lady Vengeance (2005) Korean
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Handmaiden (2016) Korean
Memories of Murder (2003) Korean
Memoir of a Murderer (2017) Korean
Love seeing Memories of a Murderer on these lists now.
Watched the director’s cut a few years back and that movie is still the one I recommend the most to people that had their foreign cinema cherry popped by either Parasite or Oldboy, and want something more.
That and
Chaser
I saw the Devil
I'm confused, do you mean Memories of Murder or Memoir of a Murderer?
Excellent list
Frailty
Nightcrawler (2014) was amazing
I'm mainly into scifi (like foundation on Apple tv) but also love shows similar to mindhunter (netflix). Weird great shows like The Boys (prime). Marvel stuff like Loki (disney+) Trippy movies are also awesome; Vivarium, Enter the Void, a Scanner Darkly, etc.
I have most of the services and cable apps like Max, TNT, paramount, etc.
Looking for hidden gems. Any ideas?? 💡?
A scanner darkly! Great refrence, haven't thought of that movie in years. Have you tried any films by Bong Joon Ho? Parasite is particularly compelling. Snowpiercer is also by him.
And The Host! Great monster movie, also by Bon Joon Ho.
A Scanner Darkly is one of my favs! Def checking out your recommendations
Try Fall of the house of Usher, or Midnight mass, or The haunting of hill house. All are not what they appear to be. Really great stories and character development and are very trippy.
Hill House gave me nightmares for weeks. I want to watch Usher but I’m scared it will haunt me. I can do gore, can’t do scary
Watch them their great !
Can't believe it took this long before someone mentioned MIDNIGHT MASS! 💯
The Night of , on max
Have you watched Severance on Apple? It’s a trip.
I can’t wait for season 3
Season 2 hasn't even been released yet
Dark on Netflix is not quite psychological thriller but it is a superb scifi series that was well planned out at only three seasons
I've been struggling to find movies to watch. I really like psychological thrillers but don't really like horror. I don't mind violence, but I'm not a fan of paranormal/religion related stuff. I like crime related stuff. I don't know a whole lot about movies but yeah, I guess I'm looking for something on that note.
Shutter Island (2010)
Prisoners (2013)
I second ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ ! So good
Blue Velvet, Uncut Gems, Ex Machina, To Die For
The Parallax View
Black Box (2022)
Arlington Road
[removed]
Maniac - great little one season mind trip film. On netflix I think
Series:
Devs
Mr. Robot
Severance
Movies:
Perfect Blue (1997)
The Game
Black Bag
Prisoners
Ex Machina
Primal Fear
Coherence
Mulholland Drive
Memento
Rear Window
Oldboy (2003)
Parasite
Fight Club
Dark, The Devil's Hour
Inside Man with David Tennant
If you’re open to indie movies, I’d suggest:
In terms of tv shows:
Movies I’d say:
Movies that fall a bit outside this, but will make you think (hopefully) what’s going to happen:
Thanks in advance!
Frailty
This is frequently cited as a masterpiece of horror, but it doesn't receive nearly the recognition it deserves for also being a superb psychological thriller. Bill Paxton directed the holy hell out of this movie. It's brilliant.
The Invitation.. It's from around 2015. It follows a guy who's invited - along with other members of his circle of friends - to a dinner party hosted by his ex wife and her new husband at the house they used to live in together. As the night unfolds, he begins to realize something is very wrong.
It's a brilliantly creepy slow burn that builds to a gut punch ending. And that's all I will say. Highly recommended.
Highly recommend The Invitation! The Gift with Jason Bateman is also very good.
Just rewatched this and appreciated it more as I paid attention. Recommended after rewatching Coherence which I will also recommend here.
Watcher or Exhuma which is a foreign movie
Jacob's Ladder
One of the greatest horror movies ever made.
The Rule of Jenny Penn.
Oh good rec - I just watched this !! Def worth a watch
Great movie, IDK why I hate the title though.
Definitely. Chilling.
The Gift
Shutter Island
The invisible guest (Spanish)
delirium
The killing of sacred deer
Seven
The Shining
Memento
Shutter Island
Gone Girl
Fight Club
Frailty
parasite
prisoners
mullholland drive
gone girl
Are you aware of the search function? Psychological Thrillers is such a common Request it has its own section in the Wiki.
Best psychological thrillers to watch
Key Considerations for Psychological Thrillers:
Plot Complexity: Look for films with intricate plots that keep you guessing and engaged. Twists and turns are essential for a gripping experience.
Character Development: Strong, well-developed characters can enhance the psychological tension and make the story more relatable and impactful.
Atmosphere and Tone: A suspenseful atmosphere, often achieved through cinematography and sound design, is crucial in building tension.
Themes: Many psychological thrillers explore themes like obsession, identity, and morality, which can add depth to the viewing experience.
Top Recommendations:
"Gone Girl" (2014) - A masterclass in deception and media manipulation, this film follows the disappearance of a woman and the ensuing media frenzy.
"Se7en" (1995) - A dark and gritty film about two detectives hunting a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi.
"Black Swan" (2010) - This psychological horror-thriller delves into the mind of a ballet dancer as she becomes consumed by her ambition and rivalry.
"Shutter Island" (2010) - A gripping tale of a U.S. Marshal investigating a psychiatric facility, filled with twists that challenge perceptions of reality.
"Prisoners" (2013) - A tense narrative about a father's desperate search for his missing daughter, exploring moral dilemmas and the lengths one will go to for family.
"The Sixth Sense" (1999) - A classic that combines supernatural elements with psychological depth, focusing on a boy who sees dead people and the psychologist trying to help him.
Recommendation: Start with "Gone Girl" for its sharp writing and unexpected twists, then explore the others based on your mood. Each film offers a unique take on psychological tension, making them must-watches for fans of the genre.
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