Top 15 Psychological Thrillers
Published on June 23, 2008 - 288 Comments
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
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1. sid - June 23rd, 2008 at 3:24 am
Hmm… must say a very predictable list, i’ve seen most of ‘em, but how can you even forget Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”.
2. tarheel - June 23rd, 2008 at 3:25 am
Great list!
3. ylekiot - June 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 am
Great list love that Silence of the Lambs is #1
4. jfrater - June 23rd, 2008 at 3:28 am
sid: did you actually read it? Let me quote from item 2:
“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.”
Additionally - Psycho is more horror than thriller.
5. Spart - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:05 am
Plenty to add to this list :
Sexy Beast - Ben Kingsley as you have never seen Gandhi
The Machinist - Christian Bale in full blown immersion
or
Lantana - very good Australian thriller, though not well known
6. Ghidoran - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:26 am
Hmm not my type of film.
7. MojoRisin - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:27 am
I love all these movies. I would also say maybe;
LA Confidential
Henry: Portrait of a serial killer
American Beauty
and Pi
Not sure if they all count, it is a very inclusive genre however.
And yes I must backup Spart on Lantana. Excellent Australian film. see it if you haven’t yet.
Also I have an idea for a list Jamie, how about Top 10 neo-noir films?
8. thethema - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:37 am
Another good list, will have to go out and buy ‘The Game’, was years ago that I saw it and I remember it being fantastic but somehow I had forgoten it even existed.
and ‘Silence of the Lambs’ is a worthy number 1
thanks again
9. Winglock - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:41 am
I think to make a thriller work you have to care for the main character/victim. This may sound a bit sick but when I watched Cape Fear the film didn’t make me care much for the lawyer and it lost it’s suspense. Still a great movie though.
10. Winglock - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:44 am
Also I think that ‘Event Horizon’ with Sam Neil is a must see for any thriller fans. When I first saw it it blew my mind.
11. DMR - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:49 am
Nice. I’m definitely gonna watch some of those. By the way, Disturbia was a semi-remake of Rear window, might wanna add that to its entry.
12. unhanand - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:57 am
I put a vote in for Gone Baby Gone. Without giving things away, this movie kept me guessing and was thrilling in a more abstract, philosophical way. (Though it does have aspects of more conventional thrillers.)
13. Lyn - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:59 am
Weeeeeee.. all my fave movies in one list
Excellent work, btw
14. WarningDontReadThis - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:01 am
Another reminder of how uncultured I am.
All though I’ve seen the last half hour of; “Silence of the lambs.”
I’m gonna see these this summer, seeing as I have the time.
15. astraya - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:02 am
Trivia fact: Anthony Hopkins’ performance in The Silence of the Lambs was the shortest performance to win best actor. He’s on screen for a total of 17 minutes.
I would call myself a fan of psychological thrillers, but I haven’t seen most of these.
16. WarningDontReadThis - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:03 am
Forgive me for not knowing the name, but wasnt there a movie staring the guy who played superman that was kind of like “rear window.”
17. Doghouse Riley - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:08 am
All good stuff, but I would not have left “Wait Until Dark” off the list.
18. Meiz - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:09 am
I love psychological thriller movies. I havent watched most of them and now I know what movies I should watch for weekend. Thanks Jamie!! I love u!
19. Dewsgirl - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:13 am
Excellent list, I hadn’t realized how much I love these types of movies. I love your website and you do a fantastic job with it.
jfrater: For the last week I have been obsessed with reading your lists and commments. I think I have learned more this week than I did an entire year of college. Thank you so much and keep up the good work.
20. Lewis_RATM - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:14 am
Why does everyone love ‘Silence of the Lambs’ so much?Hannibal is just a super anti-hero! I’s a gory superhero flick, He’s super smart and strong and he can do this that and the other, it just really glorifies violence.
21. rushfan - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:14 am
Love the genre. Love the list. Great job! WarningDon’tReaadThis: you must see as many of these movies as possible. Especially Memento, American Psycho, Taxi Driver and Seven.
Oh, and The Usual Suspects.
22. bucslim - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:33 am
jfrater - again with Mulholland Drive? More like lesbians lost in space. The only thing psychological about it is trying to sit through the whole thing without tearing your eyes out. Any film that makes you wonder if you left the iron on at home isn’t worthy of a mention. If I’m constantly looking at my watch wondering when this is going to end, ‘thrilling’ doesn’t come to mind. I’ve watched episodes of Sponge Bob that made more sense. Mulholland Drive makes Magnolia look like Citizen Kane.
Gotta hand it to you though on the Hitch thing, but I think Frenzy was worthy too. And not to beat a dead horse, but Chan Wook Park’s Trilogy was definitely in this category - especially Lady Vengeance. They’re mostly about revenge, but you could definitely label them thrillers. And there was plenty to be thrilled about in No Country for Old Men.
23. Daithi - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:34 am
Would Fight Club count as a psychological thriller? Awesome twist, great acting, fantastic suspense and tension.
24. Djb522 - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 am
Great list. One other movie I would have added is Sleuth (the old version with Michael Caine and Lawrence Olivier, not the new one with Jude Law). That movie had me guessing the entire way through. Truly an excellent film that any psychological thriller fan would love
25. fishing4monkeys - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:48 am
I love movie lists
That picture for #11 looks absolutly freaky! Why don’t more movies use nailguns as weapons? Guns are so cliche`! haha
26. fishing4monkeys - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:49 am
Isn’t there a remake of rear window with Johnny Depp? Forgive me if i’m wrong.
27. deedee0323 - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:51 am
Awesome list! I’ve seen most of the movies on this list but I’m dying to see American Psycho
28. Djb522 - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:52 am
fishing4monkeys
the johnny depp movie was secret window i believe. it’s actually based on a stephen king story. rear window is more like disturbia
29. Hobolad - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:53 am
“Isn’t there a remake of rear window with Johnny Depp? Forgive me if i’m wrong.”
There’s that “Secret Window” with Johnny Depp in it, but that’s something else.
30. Hobolad - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:55 am
Beaten to it *shakes fist*
31. jake ryder - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:56 am
No Polanski?
Repulsion, Rosemary’s Baby and Death and the Maiden all possible. I still think this is a good list though.
32. fabrulana - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:06 am
Interesting list, adding a few :
- Eyes of Laura Mars
- The Shining
- Blind Terror
- The Hitcher (1986 version)
33. Macness - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:07 am
I love most of those movies that I have seen on that list…but you should really put The Number 23 on there.
34. warrrreagl - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:12 am
I’m going to buck the trend here and make a comment that doesn’t involve telling you what you left off. Since it’s your list, I thought I’d say it was enjoyable reading, and if I wanted to add/replace items, I’d go somewhere and make my own list. As it stands now, I thought you did a superb job (and I’ve seen all but one of them).
35. Peri - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:12 am
#16 WarningDontReadThis: Yes, Christopher Reeve starred in a made-for-tv remake of Rear Window in 1998.
36. SocialButterfly - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:16 am
Amazing list Jamie.. .very well done! I am soo pelased to see some of my suggestions on here…lol.
37. Lauren - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:17 am
Great list! I love psychological thrillers but I’m sad to say I’ve only seen about half of the films on this list. Looks like I should head to blockbuster today!
38. longball - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:19 am
I haven’t seen any of the films on this list. I think i would either scare the shit out of myself or like them too much. Lol.
39. SoCalJeff - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:22 am
Good list. Memento, The Usual Suspects, and of course the work of the master Rear Window are amazing films. Could watch many of the films on this list over and over.
Have to admit I’m not a big fan of the Talented Mr. Ripley…but it seems to be on more than a few people’s “best of” lists so I must be in the minority on that on.
40. Tempyra - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:28 am
Ooh I haven’t seen ANY of these movies. I’ve seen Event Horizon (mentioned by Winglock) and half of The Machinist (mentioned by Spart). Event Horizon gave me nightmares and put me off thrillers. I fell asleep watching the Machinist.
Of the movies on the list I think I’d most like to see The Talented Mr. Ripley (’cos Matt Damon is hot (-; ) and maybe Memento, Taxi Driver and The Usual Suspects. Definitely not Silence of the Lambs!
What attracts people to thrillers may I ask?
41. Tempyra - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:29 am
I forgot to say: nice list, I enjoyed reading it
42. WarningDontReadThis - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:30 am
Tempyra: The thrill?
43. WarningDontReadThis - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:30 am
Sorry bad joke xD
Why wouldn’t you want to see silence of the lambs?
44. dangorironhide - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 am
The only film I’ve seen on this list is ‘Silence of the Lambs’, it’s easily one of the best films I’ve ever seen.
“It puts the lotion on it’s skin…”
45. Tempyra - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 am
WarningDontReadThis: *laughs* … but generally being ‘thrilled’ is a good thing, and ‘thrillers’ aren’t normally about good things, that’s what puzzles me.
I don’t wanna watch Silence of the Lambs because it sounds scary and gross
46. e4zy - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:45 am
Zodiac?
47. JwJwBean - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:46 am
3rd list with Straw Dogs on it. I think I will definitely need to make hubby add it to the blockbuster list.
48. Navik - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:51 am
thanks, i had planned on going to the movie rental place today, now i can look for some of these
49. Silarulz! - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:51 am
I think *Disturbia* is a remake of *Rear Window*. Dont know if its poor, Ive not watched *Rear Window* yet.
50. Elsa - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:54 am
I read the book Silence of the Lambs a few years before it came out on film. I was so nervous about whether they would do the story justice, as I have rarely seen a great story in written form translate well to the screen.
I was pleasantly suprised at what a great job they did.
Even knowing the story, it still scared the bejesus out of me
nice list.
51. cb - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:07 am
Zodiac, The Secret Window, Butterfly effect, hide and seek are all good ones absent from the list.
52. watching - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:08 am
Yay! Silence of the Lambs is one of my favourite movies of all times. I love psych thrillers too.
I really liked The Sixth Sense too.
I actually prefer Rebecca or Psycho over Rear Window.
53. Joel - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:19 am
Just watched Les Diaboliques this week, and it was amazing. One of the most suspenseful films I’ve ever seen. Though I would have chosen the original Cape Fear from 1962, because Robert Mitchum is disturbingly creepy. Great list overall, some of my favorite films on on here!
54. Joel - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:20 am
*are on here.
55. SoCalJeff - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:20 am
@48 / I don’t think Disturbia is a remake of Rear Window. Similar theme, but very different approach imho. If it is a remake, it certainly take very little from the original plot-line. I’m a little bit of a Hitchcock snob…don’t like any remakes of his films. Will say that I did enjoy Disturbia thought it was a decent, maybe not a great film but kept me watching.
56. Melissa - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:21 am
I actually think I would have picked Vertigo over Rear Window for a Hitchcock entry. Then again, I’m a sucker for movies with the “whoa, I didn’t see that one coming!” factor in it.
So when’s the surrealist film list coming out? I’m expecting to see at least one Greenaway movie on it (and I do kinda hope you don’t cop out with his only “mainstream” film, “The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover”). Good movie though it is, I prefer some of his other films, like “Drowning by Numbers” or “A Zed and Two Noughts”.
57. Kreachure - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 am
Great list, I love the genre!
I personally recommend Se7en, great cinematography and great story. Modern dark noir at its best.
58. Kreachure - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
And what, no love for M. Night Shyamalan?
Okay, let me rephrase that:
What, no love for Sixth Sense?
59. spacemanspiff - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
The psychological thriller genre is one of my favorites too. The Usual Suspects, Se7en and Memento are among my favorite movies of all-time. I found American Psycho to be an interesting concept and Christian Bale had a compelling character, but I feel like the ending (which, if i understand correctly follows along with the book closely) left me a little unsatisfied. I’ll need to check out a lot of the rest. Great list!
60. ravthewave - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
Memento is one of the best movies I have seen.
Christian Bale is my favorite actor. I have never seen a poor film from him. Very talented.
I love how he quotes music trivia before he makes his kills. Every time I hear Huey Lewis and The News I think of American Psycho.
Great List.
61. islanderbst - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:37 am
Fine list, nothing to complain about (although from past lists, I know I’m like the only one in LV that didn’t like American Pyscho)
Thanks for including Talented Mr. Ripley. Matt Damon is just amazing, and its cool that still being young, he has so many cool movies on his resume: (Good will hunting, dogma, bourne, etc.)
62. simuun - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:46 am
a great thriller is Blow Up by i believe Michelangelo Antonioni. The protagonist believes he may have captured a murder on camera but the more he dwelves into the mystery the more he (and the viewers) become unable to tell what is real and what is simply in our minds. An older movie, i think its from the 60’s, and some may find the long shots boring, but this is truly one of Antonioni’s greatest films and a must see for anyone interested in great cinema.
63. PSH Scotty J. - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:46 am
Very good list. The only quibble I have is the Cape Fear over The Departed. De Niro’s accent in Cape Fear ruined the movie for me.
64. GuyIncognito - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:50 am
Honestly I haven’t seen most of these, but they sound great. I will definintely be checking them out now. Thanks for the recommendations.
65. Marie - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:51 am
I love the Usual Suspects! Kevin Spacey at his best. Recently saw him in “21″ which sucked. Also glad you included “The Manchurian Candidate”, so much better than the remake!
66. Kreachure - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:53 am
Hmm, I hope you catch my drift:
What does The Departed have of ‘psychological’?
67. seeblind - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:54 am
Silence of the Lambs is a good choice for # 1
rear window would have been a good choice too
68. psychosurfer - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:55 am
Although entertaining, many of these films are for amateur and soft-core audiences, for a real thrill you should search outside of Hollywood, how about these for starters:
Peter Greenaway:
-The Draughtsman’s Contract
-The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover
-The Baby of Mâcon
David Lynch:
-Wild at heart
-Blue Velvet
-Twin Peaks (tv series first season and movie)
Chan-wook Park:
-Oldboy
-Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
Pier Paolo Pasolini:
-Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma (Salo and the 120 days of Sodoma)
Takashi Miike:
-Koroshiya 1 (Ichi the killer)
69. solensdrottning - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 am
Sounds like we need a Hitchcock list.
I saw “the game” and didn’t care for it. It just seemed like a bunch of silliness to me with no real thrills and one to many fake endings. I would have put “the sixth sense” in it’s place. And I absolutely agree with “silence of the lambs” being number one.
70. solensdrottning - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:04 am
and yes, I’m soft-core.
71. Mr.Graves - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 am
You could include ‘Primer’ an amazingly indepth mindscrew, and the original Canadian movie ‘Cube’ where they are all trapped in a box full of death traps and dont know how they got their or why. Both are great movies!
72. chershey - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:26 am
With not adding Mullholland Drive to the list due to it being more surrealist, I wouldn’t add American Psycho as it’s more satirical. Maybe it’s just me but I didn’t see it as a thriller, it was a comedy!
73. DiscHuker - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:27 am
psychosurfer: wow. i can’t believe anyone, with a straight face, would tell people to watch salo.
74. logar - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:27 am
Great list! When I read it, I immediately thought of “The 6th Sense”- would that be considered horror, or perhaps a supernatural thriller? In any case, whatever is said of M. Night’s work since, it was a mind-F.
75. Lori - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:30 am
Oooh. “The Cube” was freaky. Also, “Closet Land” was pretty good. It only starred two people, Alan Rickman and Madeleine Stowe. She played a children’s book author who is suspected of actually delivering secret anti-government messages through her books. The whole movie takes place in a room, where he interrogates and tortures her to get her to confess.
76. amanda - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
Frailty is one of my favorites. I am not usually impressed my Matthew McHonohey, but when he puts the pipe down and a shirt on, he can turn out a great performance!
77. amanda - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:40 am
*McConaughey
78. yondofan12 - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
fight club?
79. dxg01 - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:45 am
Great List!! I think Misery would have been a great addition as well.
80. houkama - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 am
Nice list!
Shame on me for still haven’t watched the first-ranked ones…
Maybe my memory is wrong, but “The Usual Suspects” wasn’t that much of a psychological thriller. A great movie, yes, but I don’t know if I’d put it too far into that genre..hmm..
81. Blogball - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
Speaking of Christopher Reeve there was a movie called Death Trap and also stared Michael Caine that I thought was pretty good. I think you could classify that as a Psychological Thriller.
82. MiSaNtHrOpE - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:56 am
Youre missing one thats very, very important: Though it’s anime, Satoshi Kon’s first work, Perfect Blue, is an excellent example of psychological horror/thriller at its finest.
Pop idol Nima lands an adult role after leaving her girl-band and some of her fans aren’t very happy about it.
83. MiSaNtHrOpE - June 23rd, 2008 at 9:00 am
A few others I should mention:
The Conversation
Donnie Darko
The Machinist
The Devil’s Backbone (Guillermo Del Toro; don’t know what the totle is in Spanish (El Diablo…))
84. Cubone - June 23rd, 2008 at 9:24 am
Could “Jacob’s Ladder” be on this list? That movie scared the piss outta me.
85. goof_ball - June 23rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
Ive never seen any of these, except Silence of the Lambs-which I LOVE! Good list, too.
86. Clouds - June 23rd, 2008 at 9:48 am
Great list! Not really deserving to be on the list but a very underrated movie is ‘The Village’. It had me wondering, ‘what the hell is this crap?’ til the twist at the end. Excellent.
87. bishopwhitet - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:00 am
I HATED The Usual Suspects. When they revealed the twist, it was like, “Ha ha! You just wasted two hours of your life!”
My notable omissions…
2LDK (japanese flick, kind of a horror movie, but very psychological nonetheless)
12 Monkeys (awesome flick)
Saw (which I expected to be a total slasher flick, but was pleasantly surprised to find it more of a psychological thriller)
88. Wally - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:01 am
Great list Jamie. You have made the transition well. Hope the jet lag isnt hurting too much.
Seven, Les Diabolique and Straw Digs are great choices.
89. Randall - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 am
This is a fantastic list, and thanks for including the original versions of Les Diabolique, Rear Window, and The Manchurian Candidate.
I would *not,* however, have included the remake of Cape Fear, but instead the original. But that’s just a personal preference. I also wouldn’t have included Fatal Attraction, which to me was always a cheap and hokey (if admittedly effective) thriller, and not all that psychological.
Play Misty for Me used to be on TV all the time, years ago, and I caught it must be half a dozen times… good film.
With Hitchcock, my personal favorite is Vertigo. But I’ve always viewed Vertigo and Rear Window as equals, really… one the lighter side of the psyche, the other the darker. Rear Window is all about the voyeurism, and Vertigo all about the ambiguity and weirdness of obsession and deception. Rear Window ties up so neatly and cleanly at the end, and has a fulfilling romance (but regardless, nothing on earth looks better than Grace Kelley in that film) whereas Vertigo is… anything but. It ends in tragedy and leaves no satisfied “well that wraps it up” feeling behind.
Finally, while I didn’t particularly care for it as much as some people did… “Fight Club” might have been a good inclusion here, as well.
90. tassadar - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 am
I believe that The Game is a comedy (a bad one).
Where is Rosemary’s Baby and Misery?
91. Randall - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 am
Oh yes… and Coppola’s “The Conversation” would have been an excellent one to include here, as well.
92. Tatom - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:11 am
This list is fantastic. Rarely do I read a list of top movies and want to see every movie on the list. This list inspires me to watch more movies.
93. SaturnIon - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:12 am
Awesome Awesome List!!
I love psychological thrillers.
I was surprised that Identity was not on the list, it’s a great movie.
Also, good call adding American Psycho, and Wal-Mart has the special edition DVD for 5 dollars!
94. G_reg71 - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
What about Pan’s Labyrinth? Would that count?
95. trojan_man - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
Great list…two other ideas: top ten worst psychological thrillers…and top ten worst remakes.
96. green - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:32 am
I think Pan’s Labyrinth is more of a surrealistic film.
Also I don’t the The Talented Mr Ripley deserves a spot.
97. green - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 am
anyone else happily surprised that M Night Shamalan wasn’t given a nod? He is way too overated in the psychological thriller genre
98. stlouisrams81 - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:42 am
I am always reminded of how great “the silence of the lambs” is. I have only seen bits and pieces of the movie and have yet to watch it all of the way through. Great list.
Tatom: i completely agree this list gives me the same feeling
99. carpe_noctem - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
Is it at all strange that most of these are amongst my favourite movies of all time?
I was surprised not to see Fight Club here, even as an honourable mention, because it certainly fulfils the psychological aspect. And excellent choice with Mulholland Drive, without question ranking in my favourite movies of all time, despite to this day having almost no clue what was going on in it…
100. lora_1117 - June 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 am
great list definetly my favorite type of movie too
101. Csimmons - June 23rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
is it weird that I have seen almost all of these? great list, I was gonna be pissed if Silence of the Lambs wasn’t #1.
Carpe: I agree, though I freaking love that film.
102. sikamikanica - June 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 am
I have now thanks to the list and comments over 30 movies on my ever-expanding list of films I must see
103. segue - June 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Great list.
I have only one bone to pick…I would have chosen the *original* Cape Fear, rather than the ho hum re-make.
The Extra movie was a wonderful surprise, especially as I kept hoping to find Mulholland Drive. somewhere on the List.
I could add a dozen favorites of my own, as I’m sure everyone here could, but it was nice to be reminded of some that hadn’t been thought about in a while.
Thanks.
104. Najeeb - June 23rd, 2008 at 11:41 am
Great List, and i do agree that SOTL is No.1
105. dofnup - June 23rd, 2008 at 11:43 am
Ah, yes, the oft misunderstood psychological thriller … I’ve seen 9 of these films (and really want to watch the rest). A few of these I watched with friends who simply didn’t get it, e.g. The Talented Mr. Ripley … but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Nice list!
106. MPW - June 23rd, 2008 at 11:46 am
This is an amazing list,my new favorite movie list. You did an outstanding job compiling these films.
American Psycho is one of my favorite movies of all time
No complaints from me about this list
107. Firewater621 - June 23rd, 2008 at 11:59 am
Great list! I *love* psychological thrillers, too - and I have to be sure I watch all of these. The Usual Suspects is one of my favorites. And, of course, Hannibal the Cannibal.
108. Dawn Bearer - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Great list, I think Silence of the Lambs was the best and easiest choice for #1.
109. Firewater621 - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
And to green: The Talented Mr Ripley should definitely be on this list - Matt Damon’s psycho was subtle and creeped me out.
110. Dawn Bearer - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Oh yeah I forgot, I highly recomend the movie “Hard Candy”
imo, it desearves a spot on the list.
111. romerozombie - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Taxi Driver. Saw it once when I was about 11. Didn’t get it. Gonna ahve to watch it again.
112. presto1775 - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Great list, I think a good addition might be The Sixth Sense, since it isn’t very scary and it defintiely has a psychological twist
113. romerozombie - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Agreed, Dawn Bearer. Ellen Page was fantastic. I think that was the first film I saw where I came away thinking about an actor’s performance and nothing else.
114. jfrater - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
solensdrottning (#68): we have a Hitchcock list:
http://listverse.com/entertain.....ck-movies/
115. jfrater - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:12 pm
bucslim (#22): You should know that I will take every opportunity to fit a David Lynch film in to a list
Oh - and I considered adding No Country For Old Men which I only recently had the opportunity to watch - I enjoyed it a lot but felt that it was perhaps too recent for this list - having not had more than a year or so to settle in to the repertoire so to speak 
116. ciunas - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Very interesting list — thanks. Difficult genre to define rigidly, but I’m glad you’ve excluded films with sci fi or supernatural elements & gorefests.
Good to see the excellent ‘Memento’ near the top. ‘Play Misty for Me’ is at once a valid & unexpected choice.
No complaints but lots of quibbles, natch. Only one film on here that’s not American, although I suppose ‘Straw Dogs’ is a sort of UK/USA hydrid. Unfortunately it’s also pretty thin stuff. Personally I don’t think ‘Fatal Attraction’ qualifies because it’s so OTT. So too Scorcese’s ‘Cape Fear’. The original was better. (BTW, how come Scorcese gets 2 inclusions but Hitchcock is limited to one?) ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ & ‘The Game’ have silly, insubstantial plots. ‘Se7en’ is OK but loses marks for being so pre10ious.
So, alternatives… I agree with Spart about ‘Lantana’ & ‘The Machinist’, although the latter is teetering on the cusp between the real & the surreal. How about ‘The Night of the Hunter’, with its spellbinding performance from Robert Mitchum? 3 Brit efforts from the 60s deserve consideration — Polanski’s ‘Repulsion’, Richardson’s ‘Laughter in the Dark’, Powell’s ‘Peeping Tom’?
One film I reckon should be on any such list is the recent ‘Das Leben der Anderen Das’ — called ‘The Lives of Others’ in the UK & America. Beautifully filmed & played slow-burning story of a Stasi agent in Cold War East Germany becoming emotionally involved with the subjects — a playwright & an actress — of his surveillance. Compelling & heartbreaking.
117. Ranger - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Wow, the only one i’ve seen is American Psycho. i have to go to blockbuster soon
118. Nelia - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Good list! I love thrillers, and numbers 1 and 2 are two of my favorite films of all time.
I would agree with Randall on Cape Fear though, Robert Mitchum is fantastic in the older version. Not that DeNiro wasn’t great, but something about Mitchum’s performance was so much creepier to me.
Otherwise, what I have seen in this list (about 9) is perfect for the top 15. Good stuff.
And well done picking Rear Window. It is a far superior film to Psycho. Psycho was brilliant for it’s time, but I can’t say I find it the least bit scary in this day and age. Rear Window and Vertigo have stood the test of time much more effectively. Vertigo would also have been an excellent choice for this list, perhaps over Rear Window, but my personal preference is for Rear Window.
119. jfrater - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Ranger: or Amazon - see links above
120. Ouchmaker - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Great list. A few classics are missing, but being such a large genre, you can’t expect to get every great psych thriller on it.
Rear Window is my favourite Hitchcock movie, and Memento is just so unique.
121. Billy - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
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.
122. jfrater - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
btw, virtually all films listed in the comments were considered for inclusion
The suggestions are all excellent - thanks.
123. jfrater - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
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.
124. mver - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:48 pm
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.
125. Mark - June 23rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Good list.
126. TheKID - June 23rd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
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.
127. Sedulous - June 23rd, 2008 at 1:04 pm
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
128. SC - June 23rd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
How about Primal Fear? Great acting by Edward Norton.
American Psycho is one of my favorites. So twisted….
129. warlord - June 23rd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
what about fight club that movie rules
130. cassie - June 23rd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
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
131. angryhobo - June 23rd, 2008 at 1:56 pm
great list, ill see em all.
132. Dawn Bearer - June 23rd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
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.
133. infallibleangel - June 23rd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
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.
134. K.Inez - June 23rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
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/
135. BooRadley - June 23rd, 2008 at 2:37 pm
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.
136. dapamico - June 23rd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I would submit the following:
The Conversation
Arlington Road
Collateral
Frantic
And technically, didn’t “Manhunter” introduce us to Hannibal Lecter?
137. Ty - June 23rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
“Bibliophile” means “lover of books,” not “lover of the Bible.”
138. Jen - June 23rd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
IS there a top 10 Hitchcock list on here? That would be something I’d like to see…
139. Jen - June 23rd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Nevermind, just found it. I’m glad Rope at least got a mention. I love Jimmy Stewart so hard.
140. Kreachure - June 23rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
“Technically”, the film Manhunter introduced us to ‘Hannibal Lecktor’!
141. Javier Bardem - June 23rd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
What about “No Country for Old Men” ?????
142. handymandy - June 23rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
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.
143. milky - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I watched Memento in my Gr. 12 Philosophy class, and I had to go buy it. It was just soo good
144. MPW - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
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
145. BrotherMan - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
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 fucking 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.
146. Vear Lynn - June 23rd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
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!
147. Mona - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
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!
148. cass - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
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!
149. vvribeiro - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:27 pm
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.
150. ciunas - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:31 pm
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.
151. stlouisrams81 - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
what about fightclub?
152. PirateXxEsque - June 23rd, 2008 at 5:58 pm
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.
153. BigTNguy - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
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.
154. stlouisrams81 - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
BigTNguy: I have never seen any of those but will check them out
155. deliciousdanger - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:47 pm
All very good, but one of my favourites was always Fight Club, which can vaguely fall into this genre. ^^
156. Duke of Omnium - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
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.
157. keng - June 23rd, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Donnie Darko!
158. Kreachure - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Fight Club is a dark comedy (as its director described it). It may be ‘psychological’, but it’s not a thriller.
159. MPW - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
What about “A History of Violence” although I’m probably wrong:)
160. ohrmets - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
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.”
161. stlouisrams81 - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
i loved donnie darko but am not sure if it is a thriller
162. ohrmets - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Oh, and also Charles Laughton’s singular masterpiece, “The Night of the Hunter.” Damn, that film will give you nightmares. Mitchum at his best.
163. ohrmets - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
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.
164. YeOldeCanonFodder - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
I was surprised that ‘A Beautiful Mind’ wasn’t on the list. The shed scene is pretty creepy…
165. felinefevah - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I’m suprised not to see “The Shining.” That was the first psychological thriller I saw, and what a classic.
“Heeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!”
166. frozen_midwest - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Some older ones:
Legend of Hell House, The Wages of Fear (the original French version, not the American remake), Picnic at Hanging Rock
167. felinefevah - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:38 pm
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.
168. Mikkle - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:43 pm
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!
169. Cedestra - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:54 pm
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.
170. stlouisrams81 - June 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
and that is why Donnie Darko is not a psychological thriller
171. ringtailroxy - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
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
172. Dilbert - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
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.
173. Brian B - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Great list but i would’v elike to have seen Marathon Man added.
174. Big_red_nut - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Great list, like always. Rear Window is on sometime this week so I may watch it
175. Maheahlaurus - June 23rd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Awesome list. I would also add Peeping Tom
176. YogiBarrister - June 23rd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Alfred Hitchcock 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.
177. Zachary - June 23rd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
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.”
178. Mike - June 23rd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
No The Shining?!?! What is this racism?!?! No, but I seriously feel that that one deserves a certain spot on this list.
179. Avi - June 23rd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
loved them all. all totally worth seeing!
180. justinmberger - June 23rd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
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…)
181. jfrater - June 23rd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Mike: The Shining is a horror - not a thriller