Summary
- The best thriller movies balance thrills and thematics to provide nerve-wracking narratives with deeper meanings.
- Some thrillers fail due to mishandling story or stylistic elements, like gratuitous violence or confused themes.
- Thriller movies worth rewatching provoke discussion and often offer valuable insights despite not being perfect.
Nearly-perfect thriller movies tend to perfect either the thrills or thematics, leaving the other lacking. The best thriller movies of all time strike a balance between the two, providing audiences with narratives that are nerve-wracking but convey something greater than what is literally happening on screen. However, some titles don’t get to join the best thrillers club because they mishandle one or a few story or stylistic elements, possibly ruining the movie’s effect with too much gratuitous violence and jump scares.
Thriller movies worth rewatching are often so because they demand undivided attention from the audience to piece together the filmmaker’s intentions. On the other hand, the most confusing thrillers ever go too far in this direction and fall short of perfection, because no one is going to figure it out without help. Yet many thrillers that are almost perfect are still worth watching because of all their better parts, and the discussions they provoke about what could have been done better.
|
Movie |
Rotten Tomatoes score |
Metacritic score |
Audience score |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Nightcrawler |
95% |
76% |
86% |
|
Now You See Me 2 |
33% |
46% |
53% |
|
Bird Box |
64% |
51% |
58% |
|
I’m Thinking of Ending Things |
82% |
78% |
50% |
|
Tenet |
69% |
69% |
76% |
|
Gunpowder Milkshake |
60% |
47% |
48% |
|
Last Night in Soho |
75% |
65% |
90% |
|
Emily the Criminal |
94% |
75% |
79% |
|
Don’t Worry Darling |
38% |
48% |
74% |
|
Fair Play |
85% |
73% |
54% |
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10 Emily The Criminal (2022)
Emily The Criminal’s Filmmaking Style Is A Bit Bland
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Emily the Criminal is just a bit lacking in the style that would make it a truly effective thriller. The filmmakers probably intentionally opted for a simplistic approach to immerse the audience in the characters’ mundane lives, where they are just trying to get by, and regular financial troubles drive them to a life of crime. The script could possibly have used one or two more comments to drive home its themes, which seem to be about its protagonist realizing that she is suited to dangerous criminal activities and feels empowered by it.
A few small improvements like this would have further emphasized what is already a profound thriller. Emily the Criminal’s biggest strength is its depiction of the main character being trapped in student debt and her inability to get out of it through any law-abiding means due to a competitive job market and her criminal record. Aubrey Plaza and Theo Rossi give strong performances, and the final scenes are an understated but powerful end to a good psychological thriller.
Emily the Criminal RCrimeDramaThrillerMystery Where to Watch
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Emily the Criminal is a thriller directed by John Patton Ford, featuring Aubrey Plaza as Emily, a down-on-her-luck young woman drowning in student debt. Desperation leads her into a high-stakes credit card fraud operation that propels her into a dangerous criminal underworld. Co-starring Theo Rossi, the film explores themes of financial distress and moral ambiguity.
Director John Patton Ford Release Date August 12, 2022 Writers John Patton Ford Cast Aubrey Plaza , Theo Rossi , Megalyn Echikunwoke , Gina Gershon , Jonathan Avigdori Runtime 97 Minutes
9 Fair Play (2023)
Fairy Play Is An Intense Drama But Botches The Ending
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Fair Play got a lot of attention after its impressive debut at Sundance, boasting Netflix mega-star Phoebe Dynevor alongside the equally talented Alden Ehrenreich. Some critics bestowed nothing but praise upon the movie. Indeed, the intensity of a thriller emphasizes the strained relationship when the power balance changes. The consensus is that Fair Play is an electric thriller that illustrates terrifying gender politics when Emily is promoted over her fiancé Luke.
However, Fair Play‘s ending is most likely why it did not entirely escape negative reviews, as few movies ever do. Amid their other complaints about the movie, including opinions about the performances that conflict with other reviewers, Hannah Strong (via Little White Lies) and Wendy Ide (via The Guardian) both imply that the final act is the weakest, possibly because Luke assaulting Emily is unnecessary. Fair Play would have been just a little bit better if it had maintained, as Ide calls it, its “icily calculated cool” in the final stretch.
Fair Play DramaThrillerMystery
Fair Play is a drama/thriller film starring Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Erenreich as two newlyweds that are largely devoted to one another. However, when a new promotion at the financial firm they work at opens up, the two’s ambition begins to strike a wedge between their romance. The two will face one another in a competition that is anything but sportsmanlike – it may even turn sinister.
Director Chloe Domont Release Date October 6, 2023 Writers Chloe Domont Cast Phoebe Dynevor , Alden Ehrenreich , Eddie Marsan , Rich Sommer , Sebastian de Souza Runtime 113 minutes
8 Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Gunpowder Milkshake Could Have Been A Great Feminist Action Movie
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Gunpowder Milkshake‘s biggest weakness is that it underuses the power trio of Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, and Carla Gugino, all cast as supporting characters whose only purpose is to aid Karen Gillan and Lena Headey with no character development of their own. If Gunpowder Milkshake wanted to be an amazing feminist action movie, it should have done a better job of highlighting and comparing the experiences of different women, establishing a motif of the obstacles they face in the underground espionage setting. Yet this narrative is reserved for Gillan and Headey’s characters.
When some of the action sequences seem to drag on, it would have been too easy to give the supporting cast more dialogue.
When some of the action sequences seem to drag on, it would have been too easy to give the supporting cast more dialogue. On the other hand, Gunpowder Milkshake interestingly draws connections to famous female authors and the villain has the beginning of a compelling monologue that reveals the mentality of the opposing side, but the main characters’ response is lacking. Gunpowder Milkshake is a movie with serious wasted potential but still features a great cast and aesthetic.
Gunpowder Milkshake RAdventureThrillerAction Where to Watch
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Gunpowder Milkshake is an action film that sees Karen Gillan as a woman following in her mother’s footsteps as an assassin. Abandoned at twelve years old, Sam has grown into a skilled assassin. However, after a job goes sideways after learning the truth about it, Sam decides to take up the vigilante route to save a kidnapped girl, resulting in an unexpected team-up with her estranged mother.
Director Navot Papushado Release Date July 14, 2021 Writers Ehud Lavski , Navot Papushado Cast Angela Bassett , Michael Smiley , Adam Nagaitis , Karen Gillan , Michelle Yeoh , Paul Giamatti , Ralph Ineson , Lena Headey , Carla Gugino , Chloe Coleman Runtime 114minutes
7 Nightcrawler (2014)
Nightcrawler Could Have Benefited From A Different Ending
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There was possibly a way for the audience to get the satisfaction of seeing the villain protagonist punished in Nightcrawler while implying that the toxic work environment depicted is still a problem. Nightcrawler follows con man Louis Bloom as he starts working as an independent, on-the-scene crime journalist and abuses his employee and business partner. It is a psychological thriller that dives into Lou’s mentality and what he will do to succeed — which is just about anything. Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance rivals some of the best movie supervillains.
However, Nightcrawler‘s ending doesn’t quite resonate with the rest of the movie. A story that was only going to be about evil triumphing should have been more dramatic, while more ambiguity would have suited Nightcrawler. This thriller features strong performances from both Gyllenhaal and Riz Ahmed and a compellingly disturbing main plot. However, its ending feels like the writers weren’t sure what else to do with the main character.
Nightcrawler RCrimeDramaThriller Where to Watch
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Written and directed by Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler follows petty thief Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) after he learns of a potentially lucrative job opportunity selling footage of violent events to local media outlets. Lou becomes a “stringer” – a freelance journalist who captures and records footage for news stations – and finds that the profession sucks him into the most dangerous parts of Los Angeles. Drawn deeper into his dark obsession, Lou becomes increasingly fixated with violence and crime.
Director Dan Gilroy Release Date October 31, 2014 Writers Dan Gilroy Cast Riz Ahmed , Bill Paxton , Jake Gyllenhaal , Rene Russo , Kevin Rahm , Michael Hyatt , Ann Cusack Runtime 117 Minutes
6 Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
Don’t Worry Darling Needed Better Social Commentary
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Don’t Worry Darling has the foundation of a movie that could have carried some very sophisticated gender politics commentary. However, the entire plot amounts to a kidnapping conspiracy that is obviously bad but doesn’t delve into any bigger themes. Don’t Worry Darling needed some of the inspiration that drove Barbie or even Fair Play to elevate the psychedelic concept of the virtual world in which women are imprisoned.
What Don’t Worry Darling does have is a new take on a classic sci-fi premise and an amazing cast, including Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, and Gemma Chan. The 1950s suburban setting has a creepy feeling throughout, but the offhand comments and interactions in this world don’t have as much bearing on the movie’s meaning as they should. The aura of this movie is wonderful; it just needed better dialogue and unsaid implications.
Don’t Worry Darling RMysteryThrillerDrama Where to Watch
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In Don’t Worry Darling, a young married couple are lucky enough to live in Victory, an experimental town created to house the workers and families of the top-secret Victory Project. Life is perfect, with every resident’s needs met by the company. All they ask in return is an unquestioning commitment to the Victory cause. But soon, cracks in their idyllic life appear, exposing flashes of something much more sinister lurking beneath the attractive façade.
Director Olivia Wilde Release Date September 22, 2022 Writers Katie Silberman , Carey Van Dyke , Shane Van Dyke Cast Florence Pugh , Harry Styles , Olivia Wilde , Gemma Chan , Kiki Layne , Nick Kroll , Chris Pine Runtime 2h 2m
Related 10 Worst Twist Endings That Ruined Thriller Movies
Between a newly released Stepford Wives clone and a whodunnit in the character’s head the whole time, these movies were ruined by these twist endings.
5 Bird Box (2018)
Sandra Bullock’s A Quiet Place Is Missing An Emotional Component
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No one missed the similarities between the Netflix thriller Bird Box and the recent hit A Quiet Place, as it utilizes essentially the same premise except that humans must avoid looking at the aliens rather than alerting them with sound. Sandra Bullock is always excellent, and Sarah Paulson is a strong addition to any horror movie, although Bird Box arguably underuses the latter. Despite its unoriginality, Bird Box has a good framed and non-linear narrative and awesome thrills in the dangerous journey the main character undertakes with two children.
However, the movie’s emotional storyline is ham-fisted. Malorie is so emotionally cut off that she calls her children “Boy” and “Girl,” while the story seems like it wants to imply that the alien invasion forced her to change for the better. She considered giving up her child for adoption but was prevented from doing this by circumstance; it awkwardly implies something valuable in Malorie being forced to become a mother. If Bird Box had figured out a better arc for her, it would have had less of a cash-grabbing feeling.
Bird Box RSci-FiDramaHorror Where to Watch
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Bird Box shows the apocalypse through the ears of Malorie Hayes (Sandra Bullock), a mother of two who tries to get her children to safety after realizing that the demonic entities who are ravaging the world only affect their victims through their eyes. The 2018 Netflix hit is based on Josh Malerman’s 2014 novel of the same name.
Director Susanne Bier Release Date December 13, 2018 Writers Eric Heisserer , Josh Malerman Cast Machine Gun Kelly , Pruitt Taylor Vince , BD Wong , Danielle Macdonald , Lil Rel Howery , Tom Hollander , Julian Edwards , Sarah Paulson , Rosa Salazar , Parminder Nagra , Sandra Bullock , Trevante Rhodes , Vivien Lyra Blair , John Malkovich , Jacki Weaver Runtime 124 minutes Expand
4 I’m Thinking Of Ending Things (2020)
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things’ Themes Are There But All Over The Place
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Like several other modern horror movies, I’m Thinking of Ending Things leans in the direction of commenting upon women’s autonomy, but doesn’t quite follow through on it. The female protagonist finds herself in the uncomfortable situation of meeting the parents of a boyfriend she is about to break up with. It is implied that his flirting with her and her not feeling like she could so bluntly reject him ruined her relationship with another partner.
This theme is confused with the movie’s other motif of a fear of aging. The dinner party changes ages and clothing between shots, apparently as an illustration of aging rapidly in the blink of an eye. I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a whirlwind of strange moments that are doubtlessly meant to represent something greater, but take some time to process. Ultimately, it seems like the movie is missing one beat to tie it all together.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things RHorrorThrillerDrama Where to Watch
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I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a Netflix original movie that was released in September 2020. The story centers on a young woman who decides to visit her boyfriend’s parents’ mysterious farm. But after arriving, she realizes he’s not the man she thought he was. I’m Thinking of Ending Things stars Jesse Plemmons and Jessie Buckley and is directed by Charlie Kaufman.
Director Charlie Kaufman Release Date September 4, 2020 Writers Charlie Kaufman , Ian Reid Cast Jessie Buckley , Jesse Plemons , Colby Minifie , Toni Collette , David Thewlis , Jason Ralph Runtime 134 minutes
3 Now You See Me 2 (2016)
Now You See Me 2 Adds To The First Movie’s Weaknesses
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The first Now You See Me‘s biggest problem is that not all the magic tricks are explained. When a few of them are broken down, the audience wants to know how the Horsemen accomplished all the others, which certainly look like real magic. Some character motivations are also hard to buy into when they play their undercover roles so well. However, Now You See Me is a great movie of glam and thrills, so these things are tolerable. Yet they become harder to ignore in Now You See Me 2.
It is exactly what fans wanted from a Now You See Me sequel.
In the sequel, Lizzy Caplan is a strong addition to the main cast, replacing Isla Fisher after her exit from the franchise. There are just as many mind-bending and delightful magic tricks in service of the Horsemen’s Robin Hood image, with the spectacular cast shining as they always do. It is exactly what fans wanted from a Now You See Me sequel. However, the plausibility of the magic and the plot pushes the envelope, leaving some people behind after the relatively easy-to-understand first installment.
Now You See Me 2 PG-13ActionComedyThriller Where to Watch
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Now You See Me 2 is the followup to the 2013 mystery heist ensemble film that sees the return of the Four Horseman, a group of fugitive magicians that act as modern-day robin-hoods, giving the money to their audiences after their “performances.” In this sequel, the film follows FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes and Alma Dray, an Interpol agent tasked with proving the guilt of the Horseman – with minimal evidence at their disposal.
Director Jon M. Chu Release Date June 10, 2016 Writers Ed Solomon Cast Woody Harrelson , Daniel Radcliffe , Lizzy Caplan , Jesse Eisenberg , Sanaa Lathan , Michael Caine , Dave Franco , Jay Chou , Morgan Freeman Runtime 130minutes
2 Tenet (2020)
Tenet Is An Intriguing But Notoriously Confusing Time Travel Movie
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Tenet is generally not regarded as one of Christopher Nolan’s best movies but has some dedicated defenders. Its take on time travel is like nothing ever seen before, dependent on the characters physically moving in reverse as they go backward in time. There are some satisfying twists involving an anonymous figure having been someone important all along, and the main trio of John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, and Elizabeth Debicki have great chemistry.
The most common complaint about Tenet is that it is too confusing, with the trajectories of characters moving in different directions through time folding over on each other several times. Tenet is also mildly lacking heart, with a point of it all not completely coming through. While audiences doing the work to understand the plot is arguably a stipulation of this genre, Nolan could have better emphasized the importance of the Protagonist protecting Kat and taking down her husband.
Tenet PG-13ThrillerAction Sci-Fi Where to Watch
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Armed with only one word—Tenet—and fighting for the survival of the entire world, a nameless Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.
Director Christopher Nolan Release Date September 3, 2020 Writers Christopher Nolan Cast Kenneth Branagh , John David Washington , Michael Caine , Robert Pattinson , Elizabeth Debicki , Dimple Kapadia , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Clemence Poesy Runtime 150 minutes
Related 10 Complicated Movies That People Pretend To Understand (But Really Don’t)
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1 Last Night In Soho (2021)
Last Night In Soho Resolves The Conflict As Quickly As It Began
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Admittedly, most of Last Night in Soho is amazing. As a kind of horror version of Midnight in Paris, Last Night in Soho follows a young fashion student in London afflicted by visions of an aspiring singer decades earlier, witnessing how her life in the city quickly became a nightmare. Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie, Matt Smith, and Diana Rigg are all perfect in their respective roles. The movie exhibits some gratuitous gore but conveys the terror of these two young women living in the city.
The one thing that would have made Last Night in Soho better would have been a stronger parallel between Eloise and Sandie. Eloise might feel out of her element in London, but she is never in danger the way Sandie is. The ending twist also undermines any potential theme of Eloise and Sandie being familiars. However, most people will call Last Night in Soho a great movie, as is the case with most thrillers that got *almost* everything right.
Last Night in Soho RDramaHorrorThriller Where to Watch
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In the acclaimed director Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller, Last Night in Soho, Eloise, an aspiring fashion designer, is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s, where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer, Sandie. However, the glamour is not all it appears to be, and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.
Director Edgar Wright Release Date October 29, 2021 Writers Edgar Wright , Krysty Wilson-Cairns Cast Anya Taylor-Joy , Lisa McGrillis , Michael Ajao , Matt Smith , Margaret Nolan , Synnove Karlsen , Diana Rigg , Oliver Phelps , Thomasin McKenzie , Jessie Mei Li , Terence Stamp , Rita Tushingham , James Phelps Runtime 116 minutes
Source: Little White Lies, The Guardian