With his wife’s disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it’s suspected that he may not be innocent.
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[+] Top10nerScore84.880 / 100
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DIRECTOR: David Fincher
WRITERS: Gillian Flynn
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jeff Cronenweth
STARRING: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Carrie Coon, Neil Patrick Harris, Kim Dickens, Tyler Perry, Patrick Fugit
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Drama, Crime, Psychological Thriller
With his wife’s disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it’s suspected that he may not be innocent.
Gone Girl grips with its masterful psychological intricacy and relentless thriller pace. Fincher’s direction crafts a chilling, unpredictable narrative, revealing the dark complexities of media manipulation and deceit. It’s a riveting examination of perception and truth.
[+] Top10nerScore85.122 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Michael Powell
WRITERS: Leo Marks
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Otto Heller
STARRING: Karlheinz Böhm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey, Maxine Audley
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Psychological Horror
Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he’s making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.
Peeping Tom is a pioneering psychological thriller, lauded for its creative camera-work and daring exploration of voyeurism. Powell’s bold vision challenges societal norms, provoking introspection while delivering a gripping narrative. Critics applaud its lasting impact on the genre.
[+] Top10nerScore85.244 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
WRITERS: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tokushô Kikumura
STARRING: Koji Yakusho, Masato Hagiwara, Tsuyoshi Ujiki
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Police Procedural, Crime, Psychological Horror
A wave of gruesome murders is sweeping Tokyo. The only connection is a bloody X carved into the neck of each of the victims. In each case, the murderer is found near the victim and remembers nothing of the crime. Detective Takabe and psychologist Sakuma are called in to figure out the connection, but their investigation goes nowhere…
Cure is an enigmatic and unsettling exploration of the human psyche. Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s expertly crafted thriller keeps audiences captivated with its eerie atmosphere and profound examination of the blurred lines between sanity and malevolence, leaving a lasting impact.
[+] Top10nerScore85.760 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock
WRITERS: Raymond Chandler, Czenzi Ormonde
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Burks
STARRING: Farley Granger, Robert Walker, Ruth Roman, Leo G. Carroll
GENRE: Crime, Psychological Thriller
A psychotic socialite confronts a pro tennis star with a theory on how two complete strangers can get away with murder—a theory that he plans to implement.
Strangers on a Train expertly weaves suspense and psychological tension. The film’s innovative narrative, coupled with Walker’s captivating performance, establishes it as a timeless thriller, showcasing Hitchcock’s unparalleled storytelling prowess and cinematic finesse.
[+] Top10nerScore86.485 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Roman Polanski
WRITERS: Gérard Brach, Roman Polanski
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gilbert Taylor
STARRING: Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, Yvonne Furneaux, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux
GENRE: Psychological Horror, Psychological Thriller
In Roman Polanski’s first English-language film, beautiful young manicurist Carole suffers from androphobia (the pathological fear of interaction with men). When her sister and roommate, Helen, leaves their London flat to go on an Italian holiday with her married boyfriend, Carole withdraws into her apartment. She begins to experience frightful hallucinations, her fear gradually mutating into madness.
Repulsion offers a striking psychological journey into the mind’s darkest realms. Through Polanski’s adept use of claustrophobic imagery and Deneuve’s deeply unsettling performance, the film crafts a gripping exploration of isolation and the disintegration of mental stability.
[+] Top10nerScore87.040 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock
WRITERS: Robert E. Sherwood, Joan Harrison
CINEMATOGRAPHY: George Barnes
STARRING: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson, George Sanders, Florence Bates, Reginald Denny
GENRE: Mystery, Romance, Psychological Thriller
THEME: Gothic
Story of a young woman who marries a fascinating widower only to find out that she must live in the shadow of his former wife, Rebecca, who died mysteriously several years earlier. The young wife must come to grips with the terrible secret of her handsome, cold husband, Max De Winter. She must also deal with the jealous, obsessed Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, who will not accept her as the mistress of the house.
Rebecca weaves a shadowy tale of obsession and identity, where Hitchcock masterfully explores the psychological depths of guilt and insecurity. Gothic vibes and a haunting, unseen presence envelop the viewer, making this thriller an enduring study of human fears.
[+] Top10nerScore87.339 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan
WRITERS: Christopher Nolan
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Wally Pfister
STARRING: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, Marion Cotillard
GENRE: Action, Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller
THEME: Heist Film
Cobb, a skilled thief who commits corporate espionage by infiltrating the subconscious of his targets is offered a chance to regain his old life as payment for a task considered to be impossible: “inception”, the implantation of another person’s idea into a target’s subconscious.
Inception revolutionizes the heist genre with its inventive twist on dream manipulation. By merging high-stakes thrills with a complex narrative, it offers an intricate and exhilarating journey through layered realities. A dazzling cinematic puzzle that keeps viewers on the edge.
[+] Top10nerScore87.475 / 100
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DIRECTOR: David Lynch
WRITERS: David Lynch
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Frederick Elmes
STARRING: Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern, Hope Lange, Dean Stockwell
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Crime, Neo-Noir
The discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of criminals who have kidnapped her child.
Blue Velvet delves into the eerie underbelly of suburbia, blending psychological tension with noirish surrealism. Lynch’s vivid visuals and haunting score amplify the disturbing, dreamlike descent into darkness, making this thriller a mesmerizing study of hidden desires.
[+] Top10nerScore87.641 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Darren Aronofsky
WRITERS: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J. McLaughlin
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Matthew Libatique
STARRING: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Psychological Drama
THEME: Dance Film
A journey through the psyche of a young ballerina whose starring role as the duplicitous swan queen turns out to be a part for which she becomes frighteningly perfect.
Black Swan delves deep into psychological tension, masterfully portraying a dancer’s descent into madness. Aronofsky’s direction and Portman’s stunning performance create an intense portrait of obsession and identity, blending surreal imagery with suspenseful storytelling.
[+] Top10nerScore88.404 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Hiroshi Teshigahara
WRITERS: Kōbō Abe
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Hiroshi Segawa
STARRING: Eiji Okada, Kyoko Kishida
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Psychological Thriller
THEME: Chamber Film
MOVEMENT: Japanese New Wave
An amateur entomologist leaves Tokyo to study an unclassified species of beetle found in a vast desert. When he misses his bus back to the city, he is persuaded of spending the night with a young widow in her hut by a sand dune, who is forced to constantly clear the sands that threaten to engulf it.
Woman in the Dunes mesmerizes with its haunting visuals and profound symbolism, immersing viewers in a psychological labyrinth of desire and survival. Teshigahara creates a masterclass in tension and atmosphere, while the cinematography turns sand into an enigmatic character.
[+] Top10nerScore88.747 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Roman Polanski
WRITERS: Roman Polanski
CINEMATOGRAPHY: William A. Fraker
STARRING: Mia Farrow, Ruth Gordon, John Cassavetes, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, Ralph Bellamy
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Horror, Psychological Thriller
MOVEMENT: New Hollywood
A young couple moves into an infamous New York apartment building to start a family. Things become frightening as Rosemary begins to suspect her unborn baby isn’t safe around their strange neighbors.
Rosemary’s Baby mesmerizes with its chilling atmosphere and psychological depth. Its slow-burning tension and masterful storytelling keep viewers on the edge of their seats, while Mia Farrow’s haunting performance elevates the film to an unforgettable cinematic experience.
[+] Top10nerScore89.416 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Charles Laughton
WRITERS: James Agee, Charles Laughton
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Stanley Cortez
STARRING: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, Billy Chapin, Sally Jane Bruce
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Southern Gothic
An expressionist classic about a corrupt preacher who holds nefarious motives for marrying an unsuspecting widow. Her terrified young children, soon become savvy to this strangers act.
The Night of the Hunter brilliantly melds psychological tension with noir stylistics, crafting a haunting thriller. Laughton’s directorial debut delivers a chilling exploration of evil’s manifestation, with its shadowy imagery and unsettling atmosphere captivating from start to finish.
[+] Top10nerScore89.507 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Henri-Georges Clouzot
WRITERS: Henri-Georges Clouzot, Jérôme Géronimi
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Armand Thirard
STARRING: Paul Meurisse, Simone Signoret, Véra Clouzot, Charles Vanel
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Crime
The cruel and abusive headmaster of a boarding school, Michel Delassalle, is murdered by an unlikely duo – his meek wife and the mistress he brazenly flaunts. The women become increasingly unhinged by a series of odd occurrences after Delassalle’s corpse mysteriously disappears.
Diabolique shines with its ability to create a profoundly unsettling atmosphere while delving into themes of betrayal and fear. The film’s clever narrative and suspenseful progression make for a compelling journey into psychological manipulation and deceit.
[+] Top10nerScore89.724 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Francis Ford Coppola
WRITERS: Francis Ford Coppola
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Bill Butler, Haskell Wexler
STARRING: Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Cindy Williams, Frederic Forrest
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Drama
THEME: New Hollywood
Surveillance expert Harry Caul is hired by a mysterious client’s brusque aide to tail a young couple. Tracking the pair through San Francisco’s Union Square, Caul and his associate Stan manage to record a cryptic conversation between them. Tormented by memories of a previous case that ended badly, Caul becomes obsessed with the resulting tape, trying to determine if the couple are in danger.
The Conversation is a haunting exploration of paranoia and guilt, where Coppola’s meticulous direction and Hackman’s subdued performance craft a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the darkest corners of human obsession, surveillance, and the fragility of truth.
[+] Top10nerScore89.916 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Jordan Peele
WRITERS: Jordan Peele
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Denson Baker, Toby Oliver
STARRING: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford, Lil Rel Howery
GENRE: Psychological Horror, Satire, Psychological Thriller
Chris and his girlfriend Rose go upstate to visit her parents for the weekend. At first, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter’s interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead him to a truth that he never could have imagined.
Jordan Peele’s Get Out redefines the psychological thriller genre with its chilling exploration of racial tensions. Combining sharp satire with intense suspense, the film skillfully unearths the horror lurking beneath a seemingly perfect surface, engaging viewers on multiple levels.
[+] Top10nerScore91.035 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Satoshi Kon
WRITERS: Sadayuki Murai
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Hisao Shirai
STARRING: Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto, Shiho Niiyama, Shinpachi Tsuji, Masaaki Okura, Yosuke Akimoto, Emiko Furukawa
GENRE: Anime, Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Horror, Postmodernism
A retired pop singer turned actress’ sense of reality is shaken when she is stalked by an obsessed fan and seemingly a ghost of her past.
Perfect Blue is a riveting psychological thriller praised for its innovative animation techniques and Kon’s visionary direction. Blending reality and fantasy seamlessly, it captivates audiences with its mind-bending narrative and insightful exploration of identity in the digital age.
[+] Top10nerScore92.535 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Fritz Lang
WRITERS: Fritz Lang, Thea von Harbou, Egon Jacobson
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Fritz Arno Wagner
STARRING: Peter Lorre, Otto Wernicke, Gustaf Gründgens, Theodor Loos
GENRE: Crime, Psychological Thriller
Anxious to capture elusive child killer Hans Beckert, police begin rounding up every criminal in town. The underworld leaders decide to take the heat off their activities by catching the murderer themselves. Once the locals identify Beckert, they mark him by chalking the letter “M” on his back.
Fritz Lang’s M masterfully intertwines psychological depth with gripping suspense. The film’s portrayal of societal anxiety and moral ambiguity creates a compelling atmosphere, immersing viewers in the unsettling reality of a community confronting its darkest fears.
[+] Top10nerScore92.610 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock
WRITERS: John Michael Hayes
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Burks
STARRING: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, Wendell Corey, Raymond Burr
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller
THEME: Chamber Film
Professional photographer, J.B.Jeffries, is confined to his Greenwich Village apartment after breaking his leg. He looks in on the intimate dramas at play in his neighbours’ apartments. Eventually, he becomes convinced that a salesman murdered his nagging wife.
Hitchcock’s Rear Window intricately weaves suspense and psychological tension, leveraging innovative set design and expert cinematography. Stewart’s compelling performance, coupled with Kelly’s charm, adds nuance to this voyeuristic exploration, solidifying it as a timeless classic.
[+] Top10nerScore92.741 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Park Chan-wook
WRITERS: Park Chan-wook, Hwang Jo-yoon, Lim Joon-hyung
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jeong Jeong-hun
STARRING: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung, Kim Byeong-ok
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Drama
MOVEMENT: New Korean Cinema
Imprisoned by a sadistic captor for 15 years, Oh Dae-su survives only because of his will to get even with the villain who has made his life a living hell. But when he’s suddenly released without explanation, he embarks on a quest for revenge and finds himself plunged into a Kafkaesque conspiracy.
Oldboy delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche with relentless intensity. Its gripping narrative and striking visuals craft a psychological thriller that unravels with harrowing depth, keeping viewers engrossed in its intricate, unpredictable journey.
[+] Top10nerScore92.820 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan
WRITERS: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Wally Pfister
STARRING: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior, Stephen Tobolowsky
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller
Leonard Shelby is tracking down the man who raped and murdered his wife. The difficulty of locating his wife’s killer, however, is compounded by the fact that he suffers from a rare, untreatable form of short-term memory loss. Although he can recall details of life before his accident, Leonard cannot remember what happened fifteen minutes ago, where he’s going, or why.
Memento redefines the psychological thriller, unraveling a fractured narrative that immerses viewers in Leonard’s fragmented memory. Its nonlinear storytelling and complex themes of identity and revenge create a mind-bending journey into the depths of human consciousness.
[+] Top10nerScore92.937 / 100
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DIRECTOR: David Fincher
WRITERS: Andrew Kevin Walker
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Darius Khondji
STARRING: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, John Doe, Gwyneth Paltrow
GENRE: Crime, Psychological Thriller, Neo-Noir
THEME: Police Procedural
Set in an unnamed urban city deluged by rain and eroded by decay, newbie David Mills and soon to be retiree Det. William Somerset are paired up to solve their first and final case, respectively. A diabolic collective of murders inspired by the seven deadly sins.
Fincher’s Se7en masterfully explores human depravity through a grim, atmospheric narrative. The film’s relentless tension and haunting visuals immerse viewers in a world of moral ambiguity, where each meticulously crafted scene heightens the sense of dread and inevitability.
[+] Top10nerScore94.676 / 100
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DIRECTOR: David Lynch
WRITERS: David Lynch
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Peter Deming
STARRING: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Ann Miller, Robert Forster
GENRE: Mystery, Surrealism, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Drama, Neo-Noir
Blonde Betty Elms has only just arrived in Hollywood to become a movie star when she meets an enigmatic brunette with amnesia. Meanwhile, as the two set off to solve the second woman’s identity, filmmaker Adam Kesher runs into ominous trouble while casting his latest project.
Lynch’s Mulholland Drive is a psychological thriller that defies easy interpretation. Its labyrinthine narrative weaves dreamlike intrigue with unsettling tension, reflecting Lynch’s talent for creating a haunting and enigmatic atmosphere. A compelling dive into the surreal.
[+] Top10nerScore98.012 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock
WRITERS: Alec Coppel, Samuel A. Taylor
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Burks
STARRING: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Romance
A retired San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend’s wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.
Vertigo enraptures audiences with its intricate narrative layers and mesmerizing visuals, skillfully weaving themes of obsession and identity. Stewart’s compelling portrayal elevates the film to dizzying heights of psychological suspense, cementing its status as a cinematic landmark.
[+] Top10nerScore98.126 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Jonathan Demme
WRITERS: Ted Tally
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tak Fujimoto
STARRING: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Crime
THEME: Police Procedural
Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI’s training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.
A chilling symphony of suspense, The Silence of the Lambs elegantly weaves a web of psychological intrigue. Foster’s portrayal captivates, while Hopkins’s Hannibal Lecter embodies eerie charisma. A timeless thriller, leaving audiences breathless and enthralled.
[+] Top10nerScore98.952 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock
WRITERS: Joseph Stefano
CINEMATOGRAPHY: John L. Russell
STARRING: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Horror
Marion, frustrated with her job and her lover, decides to follow a sudden impulse to steal $40,000 and leave town. She stops for the night at the ramshackle Bates Motel and meets the proprietor Norman Bates, a young man with an interest in taxidermy and a difficult relationship with his mother.
Hitchcock’s Psycho is a cinematic masterpiece that revolutionized psychological thrillers with its intense suspense and innovative storytelling. Its eerie atmosphere and profound exploration of the human psyche deliver an unforgettable experience. As a genre-defining classic, it firmly establishes itself as…
The Greatest Psychological Thriller of All Time
| Blood Simple | 1984 |
| Chinatown | 1974 |
| Deliverance | 1972 |
| Duel | 1971 |
| Elevator to the Gallows | 1958 |
| Fight Club | 1999 |
| Hereditary | 2018 |
| Infernal Affairs | 2002 |
| Joker | 2019 |
| Klute | 1971 |
| Mother | 2009 |
| Notorious | 1946 |
| Parasite | 2019 |
| Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance | 2002 |
| Take Shelter | 2011 |
| The Devil’s Backbone | 2001 |
| The Handmaiden | 2016 |
| The Lady Vanishes | 1938 |
| The Shining | 1980 |
| The Third Man | 1949 |
| The Unknown | 1927 |
| The Wages of Fear | 1953 |
| Twelve Monkeys | 1995 |
| Uncut Gems | 2019 |
| Zodiac | 2007 |
| 10 Cloverfield Lane | 2016 |
| Annihilation | 2018 |
| Body Double | 1984 |
| Cape Fear | 1991 |
| Climax | 2018 |
| House of Games | 1987 |
| Insomnia | 2002 |
| Martha Marcy May Marlene | 2011 |
| Searching | 2018 |
| Sisters | 1972 |
| Suspicion | 1941 |
| Tenebre | 1982 |
| The Bird with the Crystal Plumage | 1970 |
| The Brood | 1979 |
| The Dead Zone | 1983 |
| The Experiment | 2001 |
| The Housemaid | 1960 |
| The Invisible Guest | 2016 |
| The Invisible Man | 2020 |
| The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog | 1927 |
| The Parallax View | 1974 |
| This Man Must Die | 1969 |
| Unbreakable | 2000 |
We hope you enjoyed the list and discovered some inspiration for your next movie night.
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