Psychological thrillers are my favorite types of film. They hold the majority of positions in my DVD collection and are the ones I watch most often. Nothing can beat the heart racing as you anticipate the next move and better yet, these films don’t need to be filled with gore and blood to shock and frighten. These are films that involve the brain – not just the senses. So here are my pick of the ten best psychological thrillers ever. As usual, if you don’t agree – or simply think of others that would be great for an extended list, mention it in the comments. Competition: this list includes a competition. More information is given at the bottom of the article.
The 1950s. Manhattan lavatory attendant, Tom Ripley, borrows a Princeton jacket to play piano at a garden party. When the wealthy father of a recent Princeton grad chats Tom up, Tom pretends to know the son and is soon offered $1,000 to go to Italy to convince Dickie Greenleaf to return home. In Italy, Tom attaches himself to Dickie and to Marge, Dickie’s cultured fiancée, pretending to love jazz and harboring homoerotic hopes as he soaks in luxury. Besides lying, Tom’s talents include impressions and forgery, so when the handsome and confident Dickie tires of Tom, dismissing him as a bore, Tom goes to extreme lengths to make Greenleaf’s privileges his own. This was the first film I saw Matt Damon in, and I was extremely impressed by the way he managed to make me feel so uncomfortable in every scene. To top it off, Philip Seymour Hoffman makes a cameo appearance in the film.
Happily married New York lawyer Dan Callagher has an affair with his colleague Alex, and the two enjoy a love weekend while Dan’s wife and kid are away. But Alex will not let go of him, and she will stop at nothing to have him for herself. Just how far will she go to get what she wants? This film has prevented me from ever seeing Glenn Close as anything but evil – watch this for some good old 80s frights.
When workaholic businessman Nicholas Van Orton turns 48, his long absent drug-addicted brother turns up and gives him a special gift for his birthday – membership of an exclusive game. Nicholas, against his better judgement signs the waiver form and his life is turned upside down. This film is a lesser known work by the director of Se7en – and while it is not as popular, it is an excellent film which really draws you in to the suspense and intrigue. I guarantee you will love it. From a perspective of the twisted psychological aspects of the film, this probably tops the list.
Sam Bowden is a small-town corporate attorney/”Leave It to Beaver”-esque family-man. Max Cady is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. What do they have in common? Fourteen years, ago Sam was a public defender assigned to Max Cady’s rape trial, and he made a serious error: he hid a document from his illiterate client that could have gotten him acquitted. Now, the cagey, bibliophile Cady has been released, and he intends to teach Sam Bowden and his family a thing or two about loss. It was a toss up between this film and the Departed – and I chose Cape Fear because the Departed is a fairly new film and is a remake of an Asian film. Having said that, if you haven’t seen the new Departed – you should see that too.
Patrick Bateman is handsome, well educated and intelligent. He is twenty-seven and living his own American dream. He works by day on Wall Street, earning a fortune to complement the one he was born with. At night he descends into madness, as he experiments with fear and violence. This film has more cringe moments than any other I have seen. This is probably the most gruesome of the films on the list – but it does manage to keep it as “tasteful” as possible. The worst scene for me is one involving a drawer full of medical implements. If you have seen the film you will know what I mean.
The wife and mistress of a sadistic boarding school headmaster plot to kill him. They drown him in the bathtub and dump the body in the school’s filthy swimming pool… but when the pool is drained, the body has disappeared – and subsequent reported sightings of the headmaster slowly drive his ‘killers’ (and the audience) up the wall with almost unbearable suspense. This film was remade under the title Diabolique in 1996 starring Sharon Stone. The original is so much better – avoid the new one.
Upon moving to Britain to get away from American violence, astrophysicist David Sumner and his wife Amy are bullied and taken advantage of by the locals hired to do construction. When David finally takes a stand it escalates quickly into a bloody battle as the locals assault his house. This is Dustin Hoffman as you have never seen him. This is one of my favorite psychological thriller cum revenge movies – it is definitely worth the purchase/download. Be warned: some of the scenes in this film are quite disturbing.
Disc jockey Dave Garver (Clint Eastwood) attracts the amorous attentions of a demented fan named Evelyn Draper (Jessica Walter). Evelyn lets Dave pick her up at a bar; later at her apartment, Evelyn admits that she is the cooing caller who repeatedly asks Dave to play the Erroll Garner classic “Misty.” From then on, the film is a lesson in how one casual date can turn your whole life around. Evelyn stalks Dave everywhere, ruins his business lunch, assaults his maid, mutilates his house and all of his belongings, and finally threatens to butcher his girlfriend Tobie Williams (Donna Mills). You’ll never be able to hear that song again without looking over your shoulder. This was Clint Eastwood’s directorial debut, and what a debut it is!
After a waterfront explosion, Verbal, an eye-witness and participant tells the story of events leading up to the conflagration. The story begins when five men are rounded up for a line-up, and grilled about a truck hijacking (the usual suspects). Least pleased is Keaton a crooked cop – exposed, indicted, but now desperately trying to go straight. The cops won’t leave him alone, however, and as they wait for their lawyers to post bail, he is talked into doing one more job with the other four. All goes tolerably well until the influence of the legendary, seemingly omnipotent “Keyser Soze” is felt. Although set in the modern day, it has much of the texture of the forties, plus suspense, intrigue (a fairly high body count), and lots of twists in the plot. This movie ranks #20 on the IMDB top 250 – and for a very good reason: it has a star studded cast, excellent direction, and excellent cinematography.
Memento chronicles two separate stories of Leonard, an ex-insurance investigator who can no longer build new memories, as he attempts to find the murderer of his wife, which is the last thing he remembers. One story line movies forward in time while the other tells the story backwards revealing more each time. This is not just a thrilling film – it is a clever film that really does leave you guessing all the way through. Guy Pearce is fantastic in this must-see movie.
This thriller portrays the exploits of a deranged serial-killer. His twisted agenda involves choosing seven victims who represent egregious examples of transgressions of each of the Seven Deadly Sins. He then views himself as akin to the Sword of God, handing out horrific punishment to these sinners. Two cops, an experienced veteran of the streets who is about to retire and the ambitious young homicide detective hired to replace him, team up to capture the perpetrator of these gruesome killings. Unfortunately, they too become ensnared in his diabolical plan. Anyone who has seen this film can not deny the psychological thrill of waiting to see what nasty thing the serial killer has lined up for the next sin! This is a brilliant film and if you haven’t seen it – you must.
New York City cab driver Travis Bickle constantly, almost obsessively, reflects on the ugly corruption of life around him, and becomes increasingly disturbed over his own loneliness and alienation. In nearly every phase of his life, Bickle remains a complete outsider, failing to make emotional contact with anyone. Unable to sleep night after night, Travis haunts the local pornography emporiums to find diversion, and begins desperately thinking about an escape from his depressing existence. The superb acting of Robert De Niro gives this film a constant chill. Every minute he is on the screen – the viewer is nervous. This is a masterful thriller by one of the modern greats – Scorsese.
After Raymond returns from the Korean War as a decorated hero, the other members of his platoon can’t really remember what he did to win his medal. Two of the soldiers start having recurring nightmares, and one of them decides to investigate Raymond’s current activities. What dark and sinister secrets are being withheld by the Government and the Army? This film was so good that it spawned a remake (a far inferior one, I should add) starring Denzel Washington. This original version includes excellent performances from Janet Leigh, Frank Sinatra, and the indomitable Angela Lansbury.
Professional photographer L.B. “Jeff” Jeffries breaks his leg while getting an action shot at an auto race. Confined to his New York apartment, he spends his time looking out of the rear window observing the neighbours. He begins to suspect that the man opposite may have murdered his wife. Jeff enlists the help of his society model girlfriend Lisa Freemont and his nurse Stella to investigate. I could only select one Hitchcock film for this list (otherwise it would be a top 10 Hitchcock list) and Rear Window seemed the obvious choice. It has brilliant acting, excellent film work, and plenty of suspense.
Clarice Starling, a young intelligent FBI trainee, has been sent to the Batlimore state hospital for the Criminally insane to interview an inmate Dr. Hannibal – the cannibal – Lecter. A brilliant and renowned psychiatrist turned serial killer. She must match wits with Lecter to gain clues in the search for “Buffalo Bill” – an unknown psychopathic serial killer. Silence of the Lambs has to take number one spot – not only is it clearly the best of the genre, it introduced to the world one of the most scary, intelligent, and vile characters in film history: Dr Hannibal Lecter. I think it is also fair to say that it was one of the best performances of Jodie Foster.
I have added this as a bonus rather than putting it in the list because it seems to me to be more suited to the surrealist genre. Having said that, it does certainly contain many elements of a psychological thriller so I want to give it a mention at least. This atmospheric film takes you on a bizarre ride through Los Angeles and the life of a budding film star – and ultimately takes you nowhere. It is typical of Lynch in that the film simply can not be explained – watch out for the surrealist film list – it will certainly feature there.
At 1pm GMT tomorrow, I will select one commenter from this list to win a prize of the great recently published book Top 10 For Men – a book of over 250 lists of interest to men (though women will no doubt love it also). Topics include What’s the most common murder weapon? What is the hottest variety of chilli? Who is the most searched for woman on the internet? To read an official excerpt of the book, go here.
The prize winner will be one randomly selected commenter – as usual you can enter more than one comment to improve your chances, but your comments must add value to this list – that means no comments designed just to have a better chance at winning. The winner must be a registered user of the List Universe. You can click here to register.
Finally, many thanks to Octopus Books for donating the prize for this competition.
Sources: this article uses synopsis information from IMDB – the Internet Movie Database
Jacob’s Ladder and 12 Monkeys are favorites of mine, but I don’t know what 2 movies I’d bump from the list to add them!
And I don’t know which side of the Cape Fear argument I’m on. There’s just enough off a difference between the two to make both great. But the “auditorium” scene between DeNiro and Juliette Lewis makes their movie feel dirtier.
btw, virtually all films listed in the comments were considered for inclusion
The suggestions are all excellent – thanks.
Dawn Bearer: Hard Candy was definitely a thriller – but I have to confess that I found it too much of a b-grade to include it here.
excellent list. i’m impressed that you were able to mix in new and classic films, which most list-makers fail to do. in any case, i just wanted to add that if i’d made the list i would’ve put ‘rear window’ on first place- simply based on plot, not on performances. not that james stewart’s or grace kelly’s performances in ‘rear window’ were not great.
Good list.
I just added all of these to my “must watch” list of films, other than Rear Window, which I’ve already seen…and cape fear and American Psycho…which I refuse to see.
The Game is one of my all time favorites. I hadn’t heard of it when I first watched it a few years back. My little sister put it on so I figured I would check it out until I got bored. I was glued and when the ending happened I was freakin’ blown away. Haven’t had that experience with a movie since. Awesome
How about Primal Fear? Great acting by Edward Norton.
American Psycho is one of my favorites. So twisted….
what about fight club that movie rules
im def going to download most of these later tonight..a friend was talking about the game today and said they werent crazy about it but after your description i think they maybe they werent paying enough attention
great list, ill see em all.
In Hard Candy, due to the controversial nature of the work, the budget was kept under a million dollars so that the production company would not ask to change anything.
Also this is David Slade’s (the director) first feature film, he worked with music videos before.
But imo, we can’t deny Ellen Page in the movie as romerozombie saw.
Even though it’s brand new and on the crest of the pop-culture wave at the moment… I think that “No Country for Old Men” belongs on this list as well.
Javier Bardem’s performance in that movie was………..!
I was very impressed with the originality and sleekness of that one.
If you liked The Talanted Mr. Ripley you will also likely enjoy the first film version of that story…
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054189/
Great list! Thanks for all the new ideas for my Netflix list. I agree with Doghouse Riley that “Wait Until Dark” deserves a place on the list. Audrey Hepburn was superb in that one. Another movie that I love and consider to be a psychological thriller is “Deliverance.” Sure, it has some graphic violence, but to me, the movie was more about Jon Voight’s character’s struggle against the last killer and against his own limitations as he tried to save his wounded friends. It took everything he had, physically and psychologically.
Also, I think “Memento” is brilliant, and SOTL deserves first place.
I would submit the following:
The Conversation
Arlington Road
Collateral
Frantic
And technically, didn’t “Manhunter” introduce us to Hannibal Lecter?
“Bibliophile” means “lover of books,” not “lover of the Bible.”
IS there a top 10 Hitch*****list on here? That would be something I’d like to see…
Nevermind, just found it. I’m glad Rope at least got a mention. I love Jimmy Stewart so hard.
“Technically”, the film Manhunter introduced us to ‘Hannibal Lecktor’!
What about “No Country for Old Men” ?????
Well, on a funny side note:
Ever since my husband and I saw Usual Suspects years ago, we’ve always answered any “who” question with “Keyser Soze!” always said quickly, in a hushed whisper with an accent. Even the kids do it when we ask them who made the mess.
Also, being twisted, and in good company, we’ve quoted American Psycho countless times. But our favourite is always, when giving something to someone-”Don’t just stare at it, eat it!” My husband can also do the whole 80′s music retrospective from memory-moves and all. Good times.
I watched Memento in my Gr. 12 Philosophy class, and I had to go buy it. It was just soo good
I normally do not complain but this is a bit bothersome
One story line “movies” forward in time
It is from the Memento description
it should be moves
Alright…o.k. This is messed up:
Within the past few weeks I started, once again, trying to read the copy of American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis that I purchased some years ago after watching the movie that I also purchased some years ago.
This book is *****ing annoying and meticulous! The first time I started to read I made it through maybe 50 pages and could not continue due to the fact that it was so descriptive and narcisstic. Then I picked it up again recently and I cannot put it down.
Once the reader sees through the black and white of the pages in the book the truth really comes forth. If you enjoyed the movie like I did then read the book and emerse yourself in the world of glitz, glamour and gore…respectfully speaking.
Fabulous list. I have seen all but Fatal Attraction. I have also seen most of the alternate suggestions. I am gonna have to watch a few of these again. It’s been a while. I don’t own any of these, but I have gift certificates for Best Buy!
I was very young the first time I ever saw “Les Diaboliques” on the telly, I was probably 4 or 5 years old. Till then I had no idea movies could generate so much anguish, fear and be so entertaining at the same time. Sure, I had already experienced some “emotions” at the movies, I cried plenty watching “Bambi”, “The Fox and the Hound”, “E.T.” and many other movies that were aimed at me, but nothing like the panic inducing, the edge-sitting or nail-biting of the great psychothriller genre. I have been a huge fan ever since.
Great list, although it could have easily been a top20 or even 30 to include more foreign films such as Ingmar Bergman’s “Persona” and/or “Through a Glass Darkly” both haunting, enigmatic and disturbing. But great list nonetheless!
Two Scorceses and two Finchers and only one Hitchcock?
I´d probably have gone for Vertigo.
I´d also suggest Night of the Hunter, (and more Bob Mitchum as Max Cady in the original Cape Fear – he cameos in the remake by the way) Blood Simple and maybe stretching the topic, L.A. Confidential. (Well if Usual Suspects can be on the list – amazing flick by the way – never a waste of two hours!
And lastly I thought American Psycho was a comedy – the Huey Lewis scene and the bit with the business cards- GOLD!
I’m surprised that only one person (amanda) mentioned “Frailty”. It is a rather thrilling movie with a explosive conclusion. Although I don’t know which movie I’d exclude, I’ll would surely add this one to my list.
Brotherman: ‘American Psycho’ is a hell of a book in every sense. Worth persevering with. The prose is hypnotic & draws you into Bateman’s disintegrating personality. The torture scenes in the middle section are almost unbearable to read.
what about fightclub?
I think that you should have extended the list, and added in the most recent Hannibal Lector one (the one where it shows why he is the way he is), and AMerican Beauty.
Three movies I could think of:
Primal Fear (thanks SC)
Breakdown – I thought Kurt Russell did a great job expressing the fear of having a loved one kidnapped and the cinematography (sp?) was great.
Fargo – not sure if it would fit the category, but Bill Macy was at his best in that one.
BigTNguy: I have never seen any of those but will check them out
All very good, but one of my favourites was always Fight Club, which can vaguely fall into this genre. ^^
If you could only choose one Hitchcock, I would have picked Rear Window fifth behind Vertigo, Strangers on a Train and North by Northwest and even Shadow of a Doubt. Especially the last one: Teresa Wright is the innocent girl who slowly learns the horrible, creepy truth; and Joseph Cotten was so effective as the adored uncle.
Also, what about Out of the Past, where Robert Mitchum knows he’s being betrayed, and springs the trap anyhow? It was remade as Against All Odds, but Jeff Bridges wasn’t Mitchum.
Donnie Darko!
Fight Club is a dark comedy (as its director described it). It may be ‘psychological’, but it’s not a thriller.
What about “A History of Violence” although I’m probably wrong:)
You forgot “The Conversation” by Francis Ford Coppola!
“The Game” was okay, but if you wanted to give some love to Fincher, you should have picked his most recent–and best–work, “Zodiac.”
i loved donnie darko but am not sure if it is a thriller
Oh, and also Charles Laughton’s singular masterpiece, “The Night of the Hunter.” Damn, that film will give you nightmares. Mitchum at his best.
jfrater, what about Roman Polanski’s “The Tenant”!?! I forgot about this movie for a moment, but it is surely the EPITOME of a psychological thriller.
I was surprised that ‘A Beautiful Mind’ wasn’t on the list. The shed scene is pretty creepy…
I’m suprised not to see “The Shining.” That was the first psychological thriller I saw, and what a classic.
“Heeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!”
Some older ones:
Legend of Hell House, The Wages of Fear (the original French version, not the American remake), Picnic at Hanging Rock
Donnie Darko is most definatly a psychological thriller. He’s being tormented by a giant (creepy as HELL) bunny who doesnt really exist (psychological), and you have no idea what’s going to happen next (thriller). The movie is pure psycho creepiness.
Always a thanks to Listverse for providing me with ideas on what to do on what was appearing to be a pretty bland night ahead of me.
Now it’s Psychological Thriller Movie Monday!
This list made me realize how much I like psychological thrillers. I *really* liked The Game; I also love movies with plot twists.
I admit to not reading all the comments, but I would suggest “Fracture”. And “Frailty”.
I don’t agree with Donnie Darko being a thriller- psychological, yet, but it lacked the suspense you usually find in the listed movies.
and that is why Donnie Darko is not a psychological thriller
i just knew that Silence of the Lambs would be 1!
what about:
Fallen
Signs (
i know, i know, Shyamalan and all… it still was a great movie and i liked how all the ‘hints’ throughout the movie tie together)
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
The Life of David Gale
(Kevin Spacey is such a great actor!!!)
i saw The Sixth Sense with the BF at the theater when it came out… and about 30 minutes into the movie i had guessed the ending and whispered it to my BF. he said… nah… it’s too easy to be that!
but it was… sometimes Shyamalan is too predictable to those of us familiar with the horror/phycho/thriller genre… or people who where overexposed to Stephen King books as a child and teenager…(such as myself)
ringtailroxy
Gotta go with the *original* Cape Fear over the remake. Although De Niro was great, the rest of the cast dropped the ball on the remake.
Also have to add Primal Fear. That was one of the best I’ve seen.
I need to see The Game again. It has been years since I have seen it.
One that probably nobody else will even remember that I liked was “Shattered”. I doubt it was a great film by any means, but the ending surprised me when I first saw it.
Great list but i would’v elike to have seen Marathon Man added.
Great list, like always. Rear Window is on sometime this week so I may watch it
Awesome list. I would also add Peeping Tom
Alfred Hitch*****alone could take up the entire list.
If it hasn’t been mentioned already, David Mamet’s HOUSE OF GAMES is a top notch psychological thriller.
Of course, you know that Rear Window spun off Disturbia, which was far inferior as well.
I have to agree with the number one spot. Hannibal Lecter freaks me out in every way possible — not his looks, but his voice is creepiest to me.
“…Hello, Clarice.”
No The Shining?!?! What is this racism?!?! No, but I seriously feel that that one deserves a certain spot on this list.
loved them all. all totally worth seeing!
The best psychological thrillers have amazing scores to them. The film score for The Talented Mr Ripley is fantastic, and uses a beautiful theme that turns ugly real fast… just like the film. Suspense is really created by the music that supports it. Most of these films have music that were inspired by classics– Bernard Hermann, Nino Rota… Fantastic. Great list! I would have included The Reaping though, which added a new perspective to Psychological Thrillers (another amazing score…)