A guide to some of the best thriller films of all time, which are each guaranteed to leave you thinking and thrilled.
Thriller films come with a variety of subgenres, all in which help them appeal to a greater audience. No matter the type of thriller, psychological, action, mystery, horror, they easily manage to heighten suspense and create an enticing environment for viewers. The thriller films within this list will no doubt, thrill you, and leave you thinking for days. Through the mystery of the psyche, the stakes of a chase, a protagonist’s perception of reality, a hunger for wealth, the seven deadly sins, and an FBI trainee’s first task, we as an audience can experience far more than we could possibly envision for our own everyday lives, and this is the magic of thriller films.
6. The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Dir. Jonathan Demme
“You still wake up sometimes, don’t you? You wake up in the dark and hear the screaming of the lambs”
‘The Silence of the Lambs’, directed by Jonathan Demme, has become one of the most well-known thrillers of all time, it reintroduced the famous serial killer, Hannibal Lecter, as trainee FBI agent, Clarice Starling interviews him to try recover information on ‘Buffalo Bill’. This high-tension thriller not only encaptivates viewers, and forces them to indulge in the epic tale, but it also enables audiences to think deeply about what they are watching, to try and uncover the mystery for themselves. ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ is one of three films to have won the big five awards at the Academy Awards (Best Director, Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress). Overall, this film stays with you after watching, it makes you think, and the ending will without a doubt, make you shocked.
5. Se7en (1995), Dir. David Fincher
“Wanting people to listen, you can’t just tap them on the shoulder anymore. You have to hit them with a sledgehammer, and then you’ll notice you’ve got their strict attention”
‘Se7en’, directed by David Fincher, is a crime thriller starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. It is one of the most notable thrillers of all time due to the compelling narrative and enticing mystery. It follows Detectives, William Somerset, and David Mills, as they investigate murders which relate directly to the concept of the seven deadly sins. The atmospheric tone of the story displays the extensive attention to detail, and the depiction of the killer’s philosophical approach to murder easily unsettles viewers. The plot itself is heavily driven by the characters and their own psyche, and this factor alone manages to keep the audience on their edge until the very end. Since the release of ‘Se7en’, it has become a standout crime thriller, one to leave audiences lingering on the haunting yet philosophical ending.
4. There Will Be Blood (2007), Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
“What are you looking so miserable about? There’s a whole ocean of oil under our feet! No one can get at it except for me”
‘There Will Be Blood’, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is a historical thriller which is revolved around Daniel Plainview, an oilman during the early 20th century. The film follows his quest for power and wealth, and how the corruption of his morals resulted in intense conflict with his community as well as his own family. ‘There Will Be Blood’ functions as a thriller through the escalating tension as Plainview’s falls deeply corrupt Plainview’s obsession with success is what keeps viewers so engaged. Actor, Daniel Day-Lewis won Best Actor at the Academy awards for his unhinged and riveting portrayal of Plainview. Overall, this film serves as an enticing thriller as it forces the audience to reflect on success and the very possible negative implications.
3. Shutter Island (2010), Dir. Martin Scorsese
“Which would be worse – to live as a monster, or to die as a good man?”
‘Shutter Island’, directed by Martin Scorsese, stars Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays U.S Marshal, Teddy Daniels. The film follows Teddy, as he investigates the disappearance of a patient from a mental facility on a remote island. As he becomes deeper indulged within the investigation, the things he discovers makes him question his identity, and his own psychological sanity. The film itself does a fantastic job at creating paranoia and disorientation, all in which contribute to the thrilling experience for viewers. The performances within this film standout as they stay with viewers, and make them question what is the reality of the narrative, and will we find an answer? A thriller which makes you question the protagonist’s sanity, while also making you consider your own, is a thriller which accomplished what it set out to achieve.
2. ‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007), Dir. Joel and Ethan Coen
“What you got ain’t nothin’ new. This country’s hard on people. You can’t stop what’s coming. It ain’t all waiting on you. That’s vanity”
‘No Country for Old Men’, directed by the Coen Brothers, is a crime thriller about a hunter who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong, and a briefcase full of cash. This essentially triggers a deadly game of cat and mouse with a ruthless hitman and a sheriff. The storytelling and the neo-western appeal are something which drives the film, and also sets it apart from other thrillers from its generation. Javier Bardem’s portrayal of the hitman, Anton, is so chilling and dark, and his performance alone is a sole factor of the film’s thrill. His character is a leading portion of the film’s tension, and his unrelenting and enigmatic nature is something which aids the film to excel as a thriller. The basic cat and mouse theme from this film, paired with the depth of the characters, and their actions, is a simple approach done in an outstandingly effective way, which will guarantee to keep you on the edge of your seat.
1. ‘Mulholland Drive’ (2001), Dir. David Lynch
“It’ll be just like in the movies. We’ll pretend to be someone else”
‘Mulholland Drive’, directed by David Lynch is a tale of a woman with amnesia, discovered in a car accident, and the aspiring actress who helps her to uncover her identity. As they set out to try recall the amnesiac’s identity, the lines of reality and fantasy blur which unravels a narrative of madness, identity and desire. Director, David Lynch, famously known for his dream like storytelling and disorienting style, keeps viewers thrilled throughout the entire picture. He forces us to question what is real, who is real, and his use of dreamlike sequences aid in unsettling imagery he sets out to portray. This film is one of the greatest thrillers of all time, David Lynch doesn’t just twist the narrative, but he does so in a way which undoubtably shocks and thrills the audience. If you are looking for a film to help you escape reality for a while, this film will stay with you long after the credits roll, you will be thinking about your own interpretation of it for years to come.