Unfortunately, the 2020s haven’t delivered on the thriller front so far. There were some good thrillers like Soderbergh’s “KIMI” or the indie film “Emily the Criminal,” but not many films of recent years feel like instant classics in a way “Silence of the Lambs” or “Se7en” turned out to be. No need to worry, because there are still countless underrated thrillers from the past you can choose from, and they deal with all the favorite subjects of the genre—serial killers, manipulative captors, mental illness, societal decay, obsession, and fractured identities.
Indeed, there are all sorts of thrillers, and this list aims to cover different kinds of the genre, so everyone can find something for themselves. From psychological mind games and twisted relationships to politically charged dramas and haunting personal stories, there are countless great thrillers that still can unsettle and, well, thrill you.
10. Julia (2008)
The year of 2024 had been brutal with the passing of so many acting legends, and one of them was Gena Rowlands, whose terrific film/performance in “Gloria” inspired this gripping Erick Zonca film. This is always tricky because when your film is in the “soul” of an already well-acclaimed film with an influential performance, it’s hard to live up to it.
Somehow, “Julia” manages to feel very distinctive, and not just that, Tilda Swinton gives a complete tour-de-force performance that no wonder an avid film watcher like Paul Schrader called it one of the greatest performances he had ever seen. She plays an alcoholic woman whose desperation drives her into a kidnapping scheme. She meets a woman who proposes an ill-conceived plan to kidnap her estranged son from his wealthy grandfather. Julia agrees, seeing it as a way to make some money, but as usual with thrillers, things get out of control.
This is not an overstatement when you call Tilda’s performance her career best. Not only she carry the whole film, but it’s one of the most complex characters she has ever played, and it makes the film even more interesting; to keep watching this flawed protagonist gives it so many layers. Her performance is raw and chaotic at the same time, perfectly capturing her desperation, manipulative tendencies, and even vulnerability. Of course, many thrillers have an anti-hero, but Swinton’s character is not “cool.” Some of her decisions can be maddening, but it’s her strong performance that brings lots of empathy as well.
The direction is very strong as well; Zonca manages to keep the tension high with a gritty aesthetic and dramatic depth. The film got strong critical acclaim, with lots of praise for its central performance and the direction, but perhaps its character-driven nature didn’t help this to become more popular among the mainstream crowd.
9. Brimstone & Treacle (1982)
Many stars of the music world have tried acting; just recently Ariana Grande was in “Wicked.” Some of these were great at it, like David Bowie, who was very versatile in his choices; some others mostly just did a variation of their own persona and were successful at it (Joan Jett’s “Light of Day”); and there were some others who failed. Sting is an interesting case; he has a decent career, with some highly acclaimed movies and even auteurs in his resume, but his performances were usually not the standout.
One of those major exceptions happens to be the adaptation of Dennis Potter’s controversial play “Brimstone & Treacle”, which uses Sting’s devilish charm really well. This is the film David Lynch saw and decided to cast him in “Dune”. While he’s very good in things like “Stormy Monday,” it’s unfortunate he didn’t get to show more of his “wild side” in his films. Here he plays a charming but enigmatic drifter who ingratiates himself into the home of a grieving middle-aged couple in the suburban England. That couple is Tom and Norma Bates (Denholm Elliott and Joan Plowright), whose lives have been upended by a tragic accident that left their daughter, Pattie, in a near-vegetative state. Martin appears to be nice at first, but soon more sinister things are going to happen that will make you ask: Is he the Devil himself?
Elliott and Plowright, two of the finest Brit actors, are very strong, and Suzanna Hamilton who has a silent role, is also haunting. Most recently, the Danish horror-thriller hit “Speak No Evil” was about the dangers of ignoring red flags. This movie has a similar message and is also critical of blind faith. It’s those who like horror elements strong in their thrillers or are looking for something with a psychological tension that also has a moral edge.
8. Killing Words (2003)
Spain is really good with thrillers, in a way that they often get international attention, especially Alejandro Amenábar and Oriol Paulo films. “Killing Words,” with its own original title, “Palabras encadenadas,” is another film on the list that would have an appeal to fans of the psychological thrillers. Based on a play by Jordi Galceran, the film is basically a psychological game between two lead characters: Laura (Goya Toledo), a kidnapped psychologist, and Ramón (Darío Grandinetti), her seemingly mild-mannered yet chillingly manipulative captor who sure will turn out to be one of the most interesting serial killer characters you have seen, thanks to Grandinetti’s complex performance.
The location is the same, so claustrophobic thriller fans will like that; it’s a basement where Ramón ties Laura to a chair and forces her to participate in a deadly word game. If she loses, she might die. Intercut with this plotline, Ramon is interrogated by the police for Laura’s disappearance. For a film like this to work, you need several key factors: first of all, it doesn’t need to feel like a filmed play. It needs to have its own atmosphere and cinematic language. Luckily, it has it all, and the film benefits from its setting as well as the central performances really well. It uses the dialogue and character psychology to drive the tension. Not every thriller needs some action; overall, the words can be enough sometimes.
The script has lots of twists and turns. Are they all really genius-level writing or full of plot holes? You’d need to reanalyze the whole film after finishing it, but then again, it doesn’t matter because the film is compelling enough. You just want to learn why this woman is here, what this guy wants, and what actually is really going on. And the film keeps you entertained while giving its answers. Certainly an underrated euro-thriller.
7. Closet Land (1991)
Now that we already covered one psychological thriller, which had the two-hander/same location/capturer-hostage formula, here comes another one, and here it’s truly just two people; no other character ever shows up. Before talking about that, what a great decade Madeleine Stowe had in the 90s! She started to focus on her other interests and hasn’t made a theatrical film for over two decades now, but back then, when you saw her in a movie, chances are it was something highly entertaining. She plays an unnamed children’s book author accused of embedding subversive messages in her work. She’s interrogated by Alan Rickman, who once called the film underrated himself.
Said to be inspired by the experiences of Chilean activist Veronica De Negri’s torture under Pinochet during the 1970s, this is a harrowing, almost dystopian film reminiscent of Kafka’s “The Trial.” As the formal interrogation devolves into a psychological battle, the film gets more and more interesting. It doesn’t just explore the totalitarian mind but also the abuser/victim roles between a powerful male and an oppressed woman.
The performances by both actors are excellent, and their parts play to their strengths. It’s not the first time Rickman plays a well-calculated, cold villain or Stowe plays a vulnerable woman, but it’s the writing that makes it interesting and gives both actors a chance to find different layers in these roles. After everything ends, you’ll find yourself talking about state oppression, individuality, the ethics of torturous interrogation, how powerful the literature can be, and of course, the power of imagination. Director Radha Bharadwaj gives almost a theatrical presentation here, but somehow it also feels cinematic. An emotionally draining, unusual, and deeply unsettling thriller.
6. Defence of the Realm (1985)
People love political thrillers for several reasons, as they often tap into the intrigue, suspense, and complexities of political power. They also reflect real-world problems as well as the anxieties, conflicts, and social issues of a particular time. Now that we live in an age where countless people are obsessed with conspiracy theories, no wonder many people enjoy watching secret organizations and covert operations in films.
One of the more underrated political thrillers happens to be “Defence of the Realm”, a British film that begins with a scandal (somewhat mirroring the Profumo affair): a prominent Member of Parliament gets accused of having ties to a Soviet spy. The reporter, played by always reliable Gabriel Byrne, breaks the story but soon finds himself in a deeper conspiracy. The last part of the plot also means that the film also works as a journalist film.
Byrne is known for giving understated performances, and this is one of them, but there’s something very thoughtful, something commanding and charismatic, about his performances that he always manages to carry the movie. The rest of the cast is doing a capable job as well. The direction is atmospheric enough, you get the sense of the paranoia that mirrors the political landscape of Cold War-era Britain.
Yet, for a thriller, it’s probably not “flashy” enough, which is maybe why it got overshadowed by the bigger films of the genre at that time. That’s unfortunate because the script is rich enough, there’s a lot going on here that makes it both thought-provoking and suspenseful. It also has something to say about journalistic ethics and political corruption, and these are all relevant themes even today. The film was acclaimed in the UK and even won a BAFTA in a supporting actor category, but these days, rarely anyone talks about it.
5. Judgment Night (1993)
Its soundtrack is definitely not underrated in some circles, as the album which paired hip-hop artists with rock acts, sold more than half a million copies in the United States alone. Some of these people probably didn’t bother with the film but the film has everything you want from a 90s “wrong place, wrong time” thriller. Packed with action and crime elements, this is one of the true “edge of your seat” thrillers.
The film follows four friends; Frank, or Francis, as our villain keeps calling him in the movie, is played by Emilio Estevez, and since the film starts with him, you get a sense that he’s going to be more “lead” than the rest. The others are his friends Mike (Cuba Gooding Jr.), Ray (Jeremy Piven), and his brother John (Stephen Dorff). One a way to watch a game, they want to take a short road in a dangerous part of Chicago. They happen to witness a murder and the ruthless gang leader (Denis Leary) and his henchmen have one rule: never leave any witness alive.
For a fan of a “cat-and-mouse game” thrillers, “Judgment Night” offers a lot. The performances are solid but it’s mostly Denis Leary shining as a villain. He had a solid run in the 90s cinema before establishing himself on TV with “Rescue Me.” The films like “The Ref” and “Suicide Kings” also used his strengths as an actor well, but “Judgment Night” is probably his most memorable performance, along with “Monument Ave.”
The film is clearly inspired by “Deliverance” because similarly we also have characters that doesn’t know how to deal with the situation or the location they find themselves in, and this film also deals with the theme of the thin line between civilization and chaos. Director Stephen Hopkins brings a great deal of tension here and uses neo-noir lighting effectively. Set pieces are all great, and the film keeps you interested.
4. Footsteps in the Fog (1955)
The list needed a little more of Gothic thrills. Some sources claim it did good money at the box office; some others claim it did not, and indeed, sometimes it’s very hard to get the track of that kind of thing of old movies. At the same time, it doesn’t matter because these days not so many people watch the films of the classic era or those made before 1960s unless they’re very popular/highly acclaimed films or made by one of those iconic filmmakers of their time. So, in a way, lot of them are underrated.
“Footsteps in the Fog” is a British thriller that has everything. Its opening credits start off like a melodrama of its time, and it only makes sense because one thing very special about this film is that you never know where it’ll go next. Having a melodramatic tone and feeling is an interesting stylistic choice for a film about dark events and twisted relationships that actually works in favor of the movie. The lead character is Stephen Lowry (Stewart Granger) who is a refined gentleman who has a very dark secret. His maid Lily (Jean Simmons) discovers that he has poisoned his wife. She decides to use this for her advantage, but their relationship/partnership will get more and more twisted.
The film is set in Victorian England and has some great period details, but what makes it work, apart from the unpredictable storyline, is how morally complex the characters are. Both lead performers give chilling, unsettling performances, and they complete each other perfectly. Credit goes to the director, Arthur Lubin who uses the Victorian setting well enough; you feel like you’re in the foggy streets of London of its time as well. Those who enjoy period thrillers that have an “elegant but sinister” feeling with twists and turns will have a blast with this one.
3. Shotgun Stories (2007)
Most poetic thriller of the list. It’s Jeff Nichols overall, so you shouldn’t expect a traditional thriller here anyway. Nichols had been one of the most interesting independent filmmakers of modern cinema. His films have a lot of soul and emotion, and he builds tension through a slow-burn narrative and richly drawn characters. Another great thing about him is that he always gives Michael Shannon great roles, and no matter how small or big, he always delivers.
One could argue that Jeff’s “Take Shelter” was even more important than “Revolutionary Road” at establishing Shannon as one of the finest actors of our time in the eyes of the public. Here, he’s brilliant once again. He plays Son Hayes, the eldest of three brothers who harbor deep resentment toward their estranged father. When their father dies and his “new family” holds a public funeral, the Hayes brothers crash the event, sparking a violent feud between the two sides of the family.
Jeff Nichols says, “I come from a family of three brothers, and that relationship was something that I understood really well. I thought about if something tragic or violent were to happen to one of my brothers, just whatever the feeling is in your gut. At the emotional heart of the film was that feeling, and I held onto that through everything else.” And indeed, it is a powerful meditation on conflict and conflict resolution. Almost plays like a Greek tragedy. His directing is minimalist but also powerful; he uses the locations really well and lets the story and characters breathe.
The cinematography is incredible as well; it’s very impressive that this was Jeff Nichols’ feature film debut. The film explores the cyclical nature of violence, showing how generational wounds and unresolved grievances can escalate into tragedy. If you’re looking for a thriller with more emotional depth and more complex characters with a devastating plot, then this is the film for you.
2. In Her Skin (2009)
These days true crime stories are seemingly more popular than ever, and this Aussie psychological thriller/drama will certainly please the fans of the genre. Despite featuring internationally well-known names like Guy Pearce, Miranda Otto, and Sam Neill, “In Her Skin” didn’t get much attention. The thing with the movie is that the less talked about the plot, the better. Let’s just say it’s about the lives of two completely different girls, and one of them gets disappeared.
The film explores what’s the story behind her abduction and what’s going on between two young girls. The narrative is fractured, shifting perspectives between Rachel’s family, Caroline, and the police investigation, creating a mosaic of grief, guilt, and obsession. Don’t let it make you feel like it’s gonna be some confusing film. Not at all; it’s very straightforward, but it gives enough time and space for all of its characters, so we can understand (if not condone) all the sides in the story.
It’s always admirable in thrillers and acting performances when you understand the character but still feel very disturbed by the events. That just shows that it’s a character study done well. Ruth Bradley’s performance is the highlight, but everybody else, including the famous faces of the cast, are all doing a good job, adding depth to the story.
The film works both as a drama and a thriller because we do feel sorry for the tragedy going on, but we’re also feeling the tension of the investigation. The cinematography is effective, especially how it contrasts the realities of these two girls. Again, trying to not spoil much, because that’s the best way to watch this film. It has things to say about mental health problems among teenagers, and while it’s a film that goes to dark sides occasionally, it also treats its subject with sensitivity and depth.
1. Cop (1988)
A lot of people are sick and tired of sequels and reboots, mostly because not all of them are “Top Gun: Maverick.” Many of them are just soulless cash grabs, but you have to admit, sometimes you watch a film and you can’t get enough of it and wish there was a sequel with this character in some way. “Cop” is one of those. Based on a James Ellroy novel, the film follows Detective Lloyd Hopkins, an obsessive and morally dubious cop investigating a series of brutal murders.
Back in time, James Woods was one of the most interesting, energetic, and intense actors on the screen, and this character plays to his strengths so well. The character is charming and charismatic but also deeply flawed. He gives a certain sense of danger to his performance, which makes it even more exciting to watch. He is somewhat Woods’ own Dirty Harry. The script has some dark humor and sharp dialogues as well, and his fast-talking acting style suits here so well. There are just so many layers to this character that make him interesting. The mystery aspect is so well done; the film goes to places you don’t even expect.
The film is not interested in cheap detective film tricks or shock factor (though there are some genuinely disturbing images that feel like a horror film); instead, it builds a complex case with lots of interesting supporting characters. Director James B. Harris is more remembered as a producer of Kubrick films, but he’s directed a couple of thrillers, and this is his best one. The cinematography, which has that 80s gritty LA atmosphere, is also worth mentioning. This is the kind of film one would wish we’d get more of: just a distinctive mystery story with a morally complex character and a provocative storyline.
Leave a Reply