There is always a good time for watching thriller movies and when it comes to psychological thrillers, movie lovers are more excited. Find out the top 15 to watch in 2024.
Movie buffs are always in search of movies that not only visually appeal but also create a psychological impression in mind and what could be better than a psychological thriller in this case? Don’t you just love it when a cinematic world slowly takes you into a nail-biting situation where you do not know what is going to happen next? Those are the most impactful movies that offer an eerie aftertaste even after it ends for a long time. If you are in search of such influential psychological thriller movies, here is a list of the top 15 to make your 2024 even better!
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
No matter which movies come and go, this cult classic psychological thriller will always remain at the top place due to its captivating story-telling where the characters are flawed and woven masterfully. Everyone’s favorite villain and the cannibal murderer Dr. Hannibal Lector can make sure you are glued to your seat. Played by Anthony Hopkins, Hannibal is a renowned psychologist and convicted murderer who interacts with FBI trainee Clarice, starring Jodie Foster. And, then the story keeps progressing with a series of immersive moments that creates an immense tension among the audiences. It is not the blood in the movie that can make you uncomfortable but is Hannibal’s eyes.
- American Psycho (2000)
Well, you cannot think of a better psychological thriller movie than ‘American Psycho’ due to the amazing personality of protagonist Patrick Bateman, played by one and only Christian Bale. Disturbing yet truly gripping, this story revolves around the life of a handsome and affluent Manhattan executive who also has a beautiful Fiancee. However, Bateman seems to have the mind of a psychopathic serial killer. There is ample dark comedy and societal references along with the mind-blowing acting skills of Bale, which makes this movie a must-watch for everyone. Just make sure the kids are not nearby.
- Fight Club (1999)
“The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.” And that is why, if you ask someone for spoilers of this movie, nobody would give it to you. This film is David Fincher’s one of the best works to date which is still inspiring audiences for more than two decades. The combination of Edward Norton and Brad Pitt has duly amazed the viewers but what was more tantalizing, was the concept of the story and subject matter. This movie goes through many rough psychological twists and you need to watch until the very end in order to fully savor this masterpiece.
- Baby Ruby (2022)
Psychological thrillers in recent days have also improved with directors putting more effort into the real essence of psychological influence without depending on gore scenes. Baby Ruby is one of the fine examples that have captivated the audience. It is already creepy when there are children in horror or thriller movies and when it comes to a baby, things get the worst. The story of Baby Ruby revolves around a couple who newly became parents and find out something wrong is going around with the birth of the baby. What is wrong with the baby? Give it a watch and find out.
- Watcher (2022)
Watcher is also one of the sensational psychological thrillers in recent days which offered a different meaning of paranoia. In this movie, an American woman named Julia moves out to Bucharest, Romania with her boyfriend Francis and starts their life there. Their new apartment seemed to be quite great with big spacious rooms and large windows. However, Julia also notices that a strange-looking person is always keeping a watch on her. Julia wants to find out more about this old shady fellow with creepy behavior and begins her own investigation. Involving the local police does not work out so, keeps her search for the truth. Did she finally succeed? Watch to know.
- The Strays (2023)
The Strays is one the greatest thriller movies in modern times which gained much appreciation from the critics. This movie is a real treat for movie lovers that can scare them and at the same time offers intriguing social messages. The story revolves around a biracial woman and her perfect family consisting of her husband and two children. She is also the headmistress in a local private school and quite popular in social circles. However, her perfect life takes a dark twist turn and you have to watch till the very end to enjoy the perfect climax. This film can put you on the edge of your seat.
- Us (2019)
Us is one of the well-made psychological thriller movies where Lupita Nyong’o offers a great performance. The story progresses with the lead character Adelaide Wilson who visits her childhood home with her husband and children. The beach housefront brings back her worst traumas and her fears manifest into an attack. Tangled up in multiple immersive moments; this movie offers a visual and psychological treat for the viewers while addressing some sensitive issues.
- The Woman in the Window (2021)
While some neighbors can be creepy, what if you find them doing something horrendous? The Woman in the Window offers a compelling story based on a similar topic. In this film, Amy Adams plays the role of Dr. Anna Fox who is an agoraphobic child psychologist in Manhattan. She started living alone after separating from her husband and could not go outside due to her disease. Scared and curious, Anna starts spying on her neighbors from home, the Russells. She witnesses a murder and crime and tries everything she can but only leads to a more chaotic climax that no one can think of.
- Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
Though many critics have offered mixed reactions regarding this movie, Don’t Worry Darling can offer you an enjoyable movie experience. Florence Pugh and Harry Styles have played the lead roles as Alice and Jack and offered a powerful chemistry on the big screen. The story develops around an idyllic town where the community of Victory lives. They spend a seemingly perfect life there with traditional gender roles, where the men go out for work and their wives stay at home doing chores. But, this secretive work of men is finally revealed by Alice and the plot twists with a bigger picture. You wouldn’t mind taking a bite of this thriller.
- Get Out (2017)
If there is anything that Jordan Peele can do better than comedy, that would be directing movies, and ‘Get Out; is the biggest example of that. This movie is not only horrifyingly good but also leaves a deep intriguing social message. The main characters of the black person Chris and his white girlfriend Rose are played by Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams respectively. There is a reason why their race is mentioned and watching the further can reveal it to you. When Chris comes to Rose’s parent’s house to meet them, there is nervous energy and tension in the room that keeps building until some terrifying facts come out. While the film deals with the sensitiveness of an interracial relationship, it also shows a dark gritty side.
- The Platform (2019)
Netflix has offered some of the best thriller movies in recent days and this is one of them. The Platform is a Spanish-language thriller movie that includes class warfare, cannibalism, and the dirty system of society that offers no room for kindness. The story develops around a prison that has a “Vertical Self-Management Center.” It consists of 333 levels of giant concrete slabs and each level consists of two prisoners, one on each side. On the top level of the platform, the prisoners receive all sorts of food and eat excess while the floors below do not get enough or get nothing at all which leads to further violence. It is a psychological thriller that can shake you up from the inside.
- Parasite (2019)
When it comes to class struggle, nothing can beat the story of the Oscar-winning movie ‘Parasite’. In this movie director Bong Joon Ho did an amazing job of depicting the class struggle with the portrayal of two families, one rich family on top of a hill and a poor family, living in the basement. Other than class differences, the movie also focuses on societal issues and how people are treated based on their appearances and the class they belong to. This movie is filled with plenty of twists and immersive moments and also a satisfying ending. It is a movie about survival and humanity through a long path of chaos.
- A Cure For Wellness (2016)
Scary movies get even scarier when they revolve around a mental asylum just like A Cure For Wellness. In this story, a finance executive in New York City named Lockhart is assigned the task of bringing back CEO Pembroke from a wellness center. But when Lockhart arrives at the center, the asylum as well as the patients there seems quite suspicious. He comes across a mysterious elixir in blue bottles which is used in the treatment of the patients. Lockhart continues his search and finally finds out the dark secrets of the facility. Does he successfully escape from the wellness center and reveal all the dark secrets? Watch the movie and find out.
- Mother! (2017)
Well, some movies will keep you scratching your head for a long time after it ends, and “Mother!” is a fine example of that. Jennifer Lawrence has played the lead character of ‘Mother’ who renovates a beautiful home with her husband. Things start to take odd turns when a strange man arrives at their home and starts living there. Find out what terrifying issues the Mother comes across which makes her and the audience scared to death.
- I See You (2019)
Masks are one of the greatest elements of fear and the director seems to know that well. This film features a creepy frog mask that can create terror. With a complex storyline of child kidnapping and home invasion, this story keeps evolving with more elements of thriller. The central character, Detective Greg Harper investigates the cases of abduction in his town and finds the dark truth behind ‘Frogging’. Watch to know more.
