[+] Top10nerScore81.248 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Denis Villeneuve
WRITERS: Aaron Guzikowski
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Roger Deakins
STARRING: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Drama, Crime
THEME: Police Procedural
When Keller Dover’s daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family?
Prisoners dives deep into psychological torment and ethical dilemmas, crafting a haunting narrative that keeps viewers guessing. Its exploration of desperation and moral boundaries delivers a compelling and unsettling examination of human behavior.
[+] Top10nerScore81.434 / 100
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DIRECTOR: David Cronenberg
WRITERS: David Cronenberg
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Mark Irwin
STARRING: James Woods, Deborah Harry, Sonja Smits, Peter Dvorsky
GENRE: Body Horror, Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Satire, Digital Horror, Surrealism
As the president of a trashy TV channel, Max Renn is desperate for new programming to attract viewers. When he happens upon “Videodrome,” a TV show dedicated to gratuitous torture and punishment, Max sees a potential hit and broadcasts the show on his channel. However, after his girlfriend auditions for the show and never returns, Max investigates the truth behind Videodrome and discovers that the graphic violence may not be as fake as he thought.
Videodrome immerses audiences in a psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines disturbing visuals with a thought-provoking narrative. Its unsettling examination of media manipulation and identity offers a profound commentary on the sinister influence of technology.
[+] Top10nerScore81.515 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Rob Reiner
WRITERS: William Goldman
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Barry Sonnenfeld
STARRING: Kathy Bates, James Caan, Richard Farnsworth
GENRE: Psychological Thriller
THEME: Chamber Film
Novelist Paul Sheldon crashes his car on a snowy Colorado road. He is found by Annie Wilkes, the “number one fan” of Paul’s heroine Misery Chastaine. Annie is also somewhat unstable, and Paul finds himself crippled, drugged and at her mercy.
A gripping blend of psychological terror and dark humor, Misery showcases Bates’ chilling performance, making King’s tale of obsession unforgettable. With taut direction by Reiner, it keeps audiences on the edge, proving that the most terrifying monsters are human.
[+] Top10nerScore81.575 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Dan Gilroy
WRITERS: Dan Gilroy
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Elswit
STARRING: Jake Gyllenhaal, Riz Ahmed, Rene Russo
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Crime, Satire, Neo-Noir
When Lou Bloom, desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.
Nightcrawler delivers a gripping narrative with Gyllenhaal’s chilling portrayal at its core. The film’s incisive look at media manipulation and personal ambition crafts an intense and thought-provoking journey, highlighting a darkly captivating exploration of ethics and ambition.
[+] Top10nerScore81.738 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Stanley Kubrick
WRITERS: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur Schnitzler, Frederic Raphael
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Larry Smith
STARRING: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Mystery, Psychological Thriller
After Dr. Bill Harford’s wife, Alice, admits to having sexual fantasies about a man she met, Bill becomes obsessed with having a sexual encounter. He discovers an underground sexual group and attends one of their meetings – and quickly discovers that he is in over his head.
Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut delves into the labyrinth of desire and deception with a thrilling psychological edge. Its enigmatic narrative and dreamlike visuals forge a disquieting exploration of the subconscious, making it a profound and unsettling journey through hidden fears.
[+] Top10nerScore81.824 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alex Garland
WRITERS: Alex Garland
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Rob Hardy
STARRING: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alicia Vikander
GENRE: Science Fiction, Psychological Drama, Psychological Thriller
THEME: Artificial Intelligence
Caleb, a coder at the world’s largest internet company, wins a competition to spend a week at a private mountain retreat belonging to Nathan, the reclusive CEO of the company. But when Caleb arrives at the remote location he finds that he will have to participate in a strange and fascinating experiment in which he must interact with the world’s first true artificial intelligence, housed in the body of a beautiful robot girl.
Ex Machina excels at intertwining a compelling narrative with a deep dive into artificial intelligence and its ethical quandaries. Its sharp direction and thought-provoking plot provide a striking analysis of human nature and technology, leaving a lasting and impactful impression.
[+] Top10nerScore82.317 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Roman Polanski
WRITERS: Gérard Brach, Roman Polanski
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sven Nykvist
STARRING: Roman Polański, Isabelle Adjani, Melvyn Douglas, Jo Van Fleet, Bernard Fresson, Lila Kedrova, Claude Dauphin, Shelley Winters
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Horror
A quiet and inconspicuous man rents an apartment in France where the previous tenant committed suicide, and begins to suspect his landlord and neighbors are trying to subtly change him into the last tenant so that he too will kill himself.
The Tenant expertly blends psychological unease with a chilling thriller narrative. Through claustrophobic settings and a haunting portrayal of paranoia, it reveals a disturbing descent into madness, making it a gripping and unnerving cinematic experience.
[+] Top10nerScore82.451 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Brian De Palma
WRITERS: Brian De Palma
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Vilmos Zsigmond
STARRING: John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow, Dennis Franz
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Neo-Noir, Psychological Drama
MOVEMENT: New Hollywood
Jack Terry is a master sound recordist who works on grade-B horror movies. Late one evening, he is recording sounds for use in his movies when he hears something unexpected through his sound equipment and records it. Curiosity gets the better of him when the media become involved, and he begins to unravel the pieces of a nefarious conspiracy. As he struggles to survive against his shadowy enemies and expose the truth, he does not know whom he can trust.
Blow Out intricately blends psychological tension with a riveting thriller narrative, showcasing De Palma’s deft direction. The film’s meticulous sound design and haunting visuals enhance the unsettling atmosphere, drawing viewers into its labyrinth of conspiracy and paranoia.
[+] Top10nerScore82.510 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Lee Chang-dong
WRITERS: Lee Chang-dong, Oh Jung-mi
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Hong Kyung-pyo
STARRING: Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Drama, Psychological Thriller
Deliveryman Jongsu is out on a job when he runs into Haemi, a girl who once lived in his neighborhood. She asks if he’d mind looking after her cat while she’s away on a trip to Africa. On her return she introduces to Jongsu an enigmatic young man named Ben, who she met during her trip. And one day Ben tells Jongsu about his most unusual hobby…
Burning captivates with its enigmatic narrative, masterful direction, and mesmerizing performances. With a haunting atmosphere and thought-provoking themes, it ignites a cinematic fire that lingers long after the credits roll. A must-watch for aficionados of psychological dramas.
[+] Top10nerScore82.528 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Robert Eggers
WRITERS: Robert Eggers, Max Eggers
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jarin Blaschke
STARRING: Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Psychological Horror, Gothic Horror
THEME: Chamber Film
Two lighthouse keepers try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.
The Lighthouse captivates with its eerie portrayal of isolation and descent into madness. Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe offer mesmerizing performances, while the film’s atmospheric tension and striking imagery craft an unforgettable journey into the human mind.
[+] Top10nerScore82.743 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock
WRITERS: Frederick Knott
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Burks
STARRING: Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Crime
THEME: Chamber Film
An ex-tennis pro carries out a plot to have his wife murdered after discovering she is having an affair, and assumes she will soon leave him for the other man anyway. When things go wrong, he improvises a new plan—to frame her for murder instead.
Dial M for Murder is a masterful psychological thriller that explores the dark realms of betrayal and cunning. Its expertly woven suspense and intricate plotting reveal Hitchcock’s unmatched skill in creating tension and misdirection, resulting in a truly compelling narrative.
[+] Top10nerScore82.787 / 100
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DIRECTOR: John Frankenheimer
WRITERS: Lewis John Carlino
CINEMATOGRAPHY: James Wong Howe
STARRING: Rock Hudson, Salome Jens
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Science Fiction, Psychological Drama
THEME: New Hollywood
A secret organisation offers wealthy people a second chance at life. The customer picks out someone they want to be and the organisation surgically alters the customer to look like the intended person, stages the customer’s death, gets rid of the intended person and the customer takes on a new life.
Seconds mesmerizes with its psychological depth and thrilling paranoia. John Frankenheimer crafts a haunting tale of identity and reinvention, blending unsettling visuals with a gripping narrative. It’s a bold, mind-bending thriller that lingers long after the credits roll.
[+] Top10nerScore82.812 / 100
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DIRECTOR: David Lynch
WRITERS: David Lynch, Robert Engels, Mark Frost
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ronald Víctor García
STARRING: Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise, Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Phoebe Augustine
GENRE: Surrealism, Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Horror
In the questionable town of Deer Meadow, Washington, FBI Agent Desmond inexplicably disappears while hunting for the man who murdered a teen girl. The killer is never apprehended, and, after experiencing dark visions and supernatural encounters, Agent Dale Cooper chillingly predicts that the culprit will claim another life. Meanwhile, in the more cozy town of Twin Peaks, hedonistic beauty Laura Palmer hangs with lowlifes and seems destined for a grisly fate.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me skillfully delves into the enigmatic and haunting world of David Lynch’s beloved TV series, offering a mesmerizing prequel that fleshes out characters and deepens the mystery. A captivating journey into the heart of darkness.
[+] Top10nerScore82.853 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Martin Scorsese
WRITERS: Laeta Kalogridis
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Richardson
STARRING: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Drama
World War II soldier-turned-U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by his troubling visions and also by a mysterious doctor.
Shutter Island masterfully navigates the labyrinth of the mind, blending suspense and psychological depth flawlessly. With DiCaprio’s captivating performance and Scorsese’s expertise, it’s a gripping thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, long after the credits roll.
[+] Top10nerScore83.367 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Michael Haneke
WRITERS: Michael Haneke
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jürgen Jürges
STARRING: Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Mühe, Arno Frisch, Frank Giering, Stefan Clapczynski
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Satire, Postmodernism
THEME: Home Invasion
Two psychotic young men take a mother, father, and son hostage in their vacation cabin and force them to play sadistic “games” with one another for their own amusement.
Funny Games is a chilling psychological thriller that deconstructs the genre with its relentless tension and unsettling realism. Haneke’s unnerving direction and the film’s provocative themes force viewers to confront the dark side of human nature and media violence.”
[+] Top10nerScore83.398/ 100
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DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock
WRITERS: Alma Reville, Sally Benson, Thornton Wilder
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Joseph A. Valentine
STARRING: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotton, Henry Travers, Patricia Collinge, Hume Cronyn, Macdonald Carey
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Film noir
A bored teen living in Santa Rosa, California, Charlotte “Charlie” Newton, is frustrated because nothing seems to be happening in her life and that of her family. Then, she receives wonderful news: her uncle (for whom she was named), Charlie Oakley, is arriving for a visit. But Uncle Charlie may not be the man he seems to be.
Shadow of a Doubt is Hitchcock intertwines psychological tension with gripping thrills. The film masterfully explores the duality of human nature through its chilling portrayal of an unsettling family dynamic, creating a taut narrative that captivates and disturbs.
[+] Top10nerScore83.421 / 100
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DIRECTOR: George Sluizer
WRITERS: George Sluizer, Tim Krabbé
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Toni Kuhn
STARRING: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets, Johanna Ter Steege
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Drama
Rex and Saskia are enjoying a biking holiday in France when, stopping at a gas station, Saskia disappears.
A chilling psychological thriller, The Vanishing deftly manipulates tension and dread, creating a haunting exploration of obsession and fear. Its meticulously crafted narrative and unsettling atmosphere reveal the darkest corners of human psyche, leaving an unforgettable impact.
[+] Top10nerScore83.716 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Nicolas Roeg
WRITERS: Daphne du Maurier, Chris Bryant, Allan Scott
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Anthony B. Richmond
STARRING: Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland, Hilary Mason
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Horror, Gothic Horror
Laura and John, grieved by a terrible loss, meet in Venice, where John is in charge of the restoration of a church, two mysterious sisters, one of whom gives them a message sent from the afterlife.
Don’t Look Now masterfully blends psychological tension with eerie atmospherics. Sutherland and Christie deliver haunting performances, navigating a labyrinth of grief and supernatural dread. Its unsettling mood and sharp narrative make it a quintessential psychological thriller.
[+] Top10nerScore83.812 / 100
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DIRECTOR: John Frankenheimer
WRITERS: George Axelrod
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Lionel Lindon
STARRING: Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury, Janet Leigh, James Gregory
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Political Thriller, Political Drama
Near the end of the Korean War, a platoon of U.S. soldiers is captured by communists and brainwashed. Following the war, the platoon is returned home, and Sergeant Raymond Shaw is lauded as a hero by the rest of his platoon. However, the platoon commander, Captain Bennett Marco, finds himself plagued by strange nightmares and soon races to uncover a terrible plot.
The Manchurian Candidate is a sharp psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines paranoia and political intrigue. Its unsettling narrative reflects Cold War anxieties, delivering a gripping portrayal of mind control and manipulation that remains eerily relevant.
[+] Top10nerScore84.112 / 100
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DIRECTOR: M. Night Shyamalan
WRITERS: M. Night Shyamalan
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tak Fujimoto
STARRING: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Drama
Following an unexpected tragedy, child psychologist Malcolm Crowe meets a nine year old boy named Cole Sear, who is hiding a dark secret.
M. Night’s The Sixth Sense redefines the psychological thriller genre with its haunting atmosphere and intricate storytelling. Willis and Osment deliver compelling performances, unraveling a gripping tale of fear and redemption that lingers long after the credits roll.
[+] Top10nerScore84.141 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock
WRITERS: Ben Hecht, Arthur Laurents, Patrick Hamilton, Hume Cronyn
CINEMATOGRAPHY: William V. Skall, Joseph A. Valentine
STARRING: John Dall, Farley Granger, James Stewart, Edith Evanson, Joan Chandler, Cedric Hardwicke, Constance Collier, Douglas Dick
GENRE: Crime, Psychological Thriller
THEME: Chamber Film
Two men attempt to prove they committed the perfect crime by hosting a dinner party after strangling their former classmate to death.
Rope crafts a gripping psychological thriller with its seamless blend of tension and human psychology. Hitchcock’s innovative use of real-time suspense and claustrophobic setting heightens the overall intensity, making it a chilling exploration of moral boundaries.
[+] Top10nerScore84.236 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan
WRITERS: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Wally Pfister
STARRING: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Drama, Psychological Thriller, Period Drama
A mysterious story of two magicians whose intense rivalry leads them on a life-long battle for supremacy – full of obsession, deceit and jealousy with dangerous and deadly consequences.
[+] Top10nerScore84.275 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Michael Haneke
WRITERS: Michael Haneke
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Christian Berger
STARRING: Daniel Auteuil, Juliette Binoche, Maurice Bénichou, Annie Girardot, Bernard Le Coq
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Drama
A married couple is terrorized by a series of videotapes planted on their front porch.
Caché is a brilliantly crafted enigma, intricately weaving suspense and social commentary. Haneke’s unflinching direction and powerful performances from Juliette Binoche and Daniel Auteuil make it a mesmerizing exploration of hidden truths and psychological tension.
[+] Top10nerScore84.326 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Robert Aldrich
WRITERS: Robert Altman, Lukas Heller
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ernest Haller
STARRING: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Maidie Norman
GENRE: Psychological Thriller
Two aging film actresses live as virtual recluses in an old Hollywood mansion. Jane Hudson, a successful child star, cares for her crippled sister Blanche, whose career in later years eclipsed that of Jane. Now the two live together, their relationship affected by simmering subconscious thoughts of mutual envy, hate and revenge.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? captivates with its haunting performances from Hollywood legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, weaving a chilling tale of sibling rivalry and psychological suspense. Its enduring influence on the thriller genre remains unmatched.
[+] Top10nerScore84.389 / 100
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DIRECTOR: David Lynch
WRITERS: David Lynch, Barry Gifford
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Peter Deming
STARRING: Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, Balthazar Getty
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Surrealism, Neo-Noir
A tormented jazz musician finds himself lost in an enigmatic story involving murder, surveillance, gangsters, doppelgangers, and an impossible transformation inside a prison cell.
David Lynch’s Lost Highway immerses viewers in a labyrinthine psychological thriller that defies linear storytelling. Its haunting atmosphere, with unsettling shifts in reality and identity, grips audiences, making every scene a disorienting yet compelling journey
