As Netflix continues to be one of the most successful and prominent distributors of both film and television in the modern era of streaming services and digital media, they have made waves in releasing a massive amount of content in each distinct genre of filmmaking. One of the most prominent and impactful genres that Netflix has made its mark on is the thriller genre, releasing a wide array of not only high-octane action thrillers but also slow and methodical crime thrillers and other explorations of suspense.
Netflix has largely cemented itself as a hub for enticing and highly engaging original thriller filmsfrom a wide array of both legendarily talented filmmakers and rising stars in the industry. While other streaming services have their fair share of great original thrillers to offer, in terms of sheer mass and volume of great thriller experiences, Netflix has the competition beat. Several of these thrillers are so effective that they are in conversation as some of the best thrillers in recent memory.
10’Woman of the Hour' (2024)
Directed by Anna Kendrick
WhileAnna Kendrickis more commonly known for her work in various comedy films likePitch PerfectandA Simple Favor, her directorial debut withWoman of the Houris a dark andunnerving serial killer film. Based on a real-life story, the film follows the events surrounding the time when a notorious serial killer found himself competing as a contestant on the beloved TV game showThe Dating Gameduring the 1970s. On top of directing the film, Kendrick portrays the female contestant playing alongside this unknown mass murderer.
Woman of the Hourdoes a great job of setting up the pieces and building up to the main event gameshow, making sure that its core moments are oozing with tension and dread. The film shows not only the life of the innocent female contestant before her time in the game, but also various murders committed by Rodney (Daniel Zovatto) to get a sense of his pure evil nature despite his charming demeanor. Beyond the actual story being told, however,there is a powerful and deeply impactful subtext about the power dynamics of the eraand how ignorance leads to pure evil going unpunished.
Woman of the Hour
9’Gerald’s Game' (2017)
Directed by Mike Flanagan
The first of what would end up beingseveral Stephen King adaptationsby modern horror auteurMike Flanagan,Gerald’s Gamedoes a great job of balancing both the horror and the rising anxiety and tension of its premise. The film sees a married couple having fun at an isolated house for a holiday, getting up to some erotic sexual escapades. However, after Jessie (Carla Gugino) is handcuffed to the bed, her husband Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) suddenly dies of a heart attack, leaving her stuck with little hope of rescue.
Gerald’s Gamedoesa brilliant job of translating the tension and dread of the original King novel to the big screen, especially amplified by its powerful lead performance from Gugino. While it certainly plays with elements of horror filmmaking, it is much more in line with a psychological thriller, following the dread and inner demons that Jessie faces while in such a painful predicament. The film quickly cemented Flanagan as the go-to visionary for modern King adaptations, further amplified by his work on films likeDoctor SleepandThe Life of Chuck.
Gerald’s Game
8’I’m Thinking of Ending Things' (2020)
Directed by Charlie Kaufman
Whileacclaimed writer/director Charlie Kaufmanisn’t nearly as known for his work on thrillers,I’m Thinking of Ending Thingsacts as an ingenious combination of his signature style through the lens of a psychological thriller. The film follows a young woman (Jessie Buckley) who goes on a trip with her boyfriend (Jesse Plemons) to meet his parents (Toni ColletteandDavid Thewlis). However, the film proves to be much more dynamic and complicated than this simple premise would have one believe, as the story begins intersecting with seemingly unconnected footage of a school janitor (Guy Boyd) going to work.
Much like Kaufman’s other work,I’m Thinking of Ending Thingsis entirely defined by its subtext and deeper subliminal meanings, and while this can make for an inaccessible experience for traditional audiences,those in touch with the subtext will find a rich story of pain, humanity, and a yearning soul. The film is exceptional when it comes to the finer details and unnerving atmosphere of its story, amplifying these feelings of things being slightly off and uncomfortable until it reaches its confusing yet highly engaging third act.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things
7’The Devil All the Time' (2020)
Directed by Antonio Campos
A period-piece crime thriller that combines the culture of rural America with a more raw and guttural look at the people and pains of post-World War II,The Devil All the Timefollows a rarely explored piece of American history. The film follows the ins and outs of the town of Knockmstiff, Ohio and its neighboring backwoods, as various sinister characters and devilish opportunities begin to crop up around young Arvin Russell (Tom Holland). Amidst the pain and difficulties that he faces, Arvin is dedicated to fighting these evil forces that threaten him and his family.
More than anything else,The Devil All the Time’s greatest strengths come from howit brings to life the conniving yet heartfelt world of rural America in the mid-20th century. Various different characters breathe life into the world in their own distinct ways, whether it be through innocence and charm or unsuspecting evil and malice. Holland does a great job with one of his rare solely dramatic roles, yet it’s easilyRobert Pattinson’s performance as the manipulating Southern priest Reverent Preston Teagardin that steals the show and makes the film a must-watch thriller.
The Devil All The Time
6’The Night Comes for Us' (2018)
Directed by Timo Tjahjanto
The Night Comes for Usbrings together a lot of the same talent from the acclaimed Indonesian action thriller seriesThe Raidto create another raw and unrestrained action thriller that is basically a part ofThe Raidfranchise in everything but name. Theviolent martial arts filmfollows an elite Triad assassin (Joe Taslim) finding himself in the crosshairs of his former employers after sparing a young girl’s life during a massacre. Most notably, he is forced to face off against his friend Arian (Iko Uwais), who is attempting to kill him in an attempt to gain power among the gangs.
The Night Comes for Usfeatures a lot of the same highlights and entertaining aspects ofThe Raidseries,with cutthroat action and top-of-the-line choreography amplifying the action for true catharsis. Its relatively simple plot leads the way to some of the most entertaining and vicious action imaginable, providing a distinct style that is different from any of the action thrillers being made in the U.S.
The Night Comes For Us
5’Fair Play' (2023)
Directed by Chloe Domont
A sensual and conniving erotic thriller that delves into the difficulties of balancing a secret relationship while working at the same job,Fair Playgets intoall sorts of tension and psychological warfare as its broken characters shift in and out of love and competition. The film follows Emily Meyers (Phoebe Dynevor) and Luke Edmunds (Alden Ehrenreich), a duo of analysts working at a cutthroat Manhattan hedge fund who have been fostering a passionate relationship secret from their co-workers. However, after Luke engages Emily, they find themselves at a crossroads when Emily receives a promotion instead of Luke, creating a sting of jealousy in their relationship.
Fair Playis largely elevated by the inherent chemistry and dynamics between its two leads, with Dynevor and Ehrenreich having a flexible and ever-evolving relationship that ranges from undying passion to visceral anger. Their performances prove to elevate the thrills and tension of the film as a whole, making each moment and twist feel more palpable and impactful than the last. It delves into the toxic mentality that leads to the falling apart from relationships, and how some people simply can’t imagine not being the breadwinner in a relationship.
4’Carry-On' (2024)
Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra
Carry-Onharkens back to a simpler time of action thriller filmmaking, where simply having an engaging premise witha unique setting and sleek execution was enough to elevate a film to be as entertaining as possible. The film follows Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton), a TSA officer working on Christmas Eve who finds himself racing against the clock to stop a mysterious traveler (Jason Bateman) from getting a dangerous item onto a flight. It quickly becomes a game of cat and mouse between the two as they attempt to outsmart one another and stay one step ahead.
Considering how directorJaume Collet-Serrareleased a wide array ofgreat action thrillers throughout the 2010s,Carry-Onis not only a return to form for him as a director, but also a return to form for the genre as a whole. The airport setting simply works perfectly for this type of race-against-time thriller, with compelling characters and an array of twists and turns making the film a very entertaining crowdpleaser. Audiences certainly appreciated this return to form, asCarry-Onquickly became one of Netflix’s biggest successes of recent memory.
3’Operation Hyacinth' (2021)
Directed by Piotr Domalewski
While Netflix is widely celebrated for its various American film releases, there are also a great number of international features that are released by the company worldwide, with one of the most underrated being the Polish thrillerOperation Hyacinth. The film is based on the events surrounding the titular secret mass operation of the Polish communist police, where they attempted to create a national database of all homosexuals in Poland. The film follows a police officer delving into a dark rabbit hole after being personally dissatisfied with the result of a murder investigation.
Operation Hyacinthhas all the elements of a truly great crime thriller, with a large emphasis on mystery…
Operation Hyacinthhas all the elements of a truly great crime thriller, with a large emphasis on mystery and hidden information from its protagonist and the heightened fear of getting to the bottom of the truth. Its prospects as a Polish film have limited the spread of its influence among American audiences, yet the film is so effective with its filmmaking thatit easily deserves to be in the conversation of one of Netflix’s best thrillers to date.
2’Rebel Ridge' (2024)
Directed by Jeremy Saulnier
A frequent trend that has defined action thrillers of recent memory has been theJohn Wick-style of film, where a single vengeful man takes down hordes of enemies all by themselves. While it certainly has a lot of the same benefits as this style of thriller,Rebel Ridgeis a highly engaging twist on the premise, seeing a situation escalate to the point of no return. The film follows a former marine (Aaron Pierre) forced to confront corruption in a small town after their local law enforcement unjustly seizes a bag of cash that he needs to post his cousin’s bail.
Rebel Ridgeexcels not only in terms of energizing and exceptionally choreographed action, but also as a simple yet painfully relevant story of the abuse of power and corruption in local law enforcement. Pierre gives a committed lead performance that leans into both his stern capabilities as a former soldier as well as his cool, calm demeanor under all sorts of pressure. Not a second in the film goes by that isn’t impactful on the audience, making the film not only one of Netflix’s best thrillers but also one of theirbest original action movies.
Rebel Ridge
1’The Killer' (2023)
Directed by David Fincher
David Fincherhas been a widely beloved and impactful director when it comes to the thriller genre, with films likeSe7en,Zodiac, andGone Girlstill being considered some of the most acclaimed thrillers of all time. However,The Killerhas proven to be one of the most unique and dynamic thrillers that the director has ever released, actively going against the grain and commenting on his style and influence in the genre. The film follows an assassin (Michael Fassbender) who is forced to face off against his employers after a catastrophic miss on his latest mission.
From the outset,The Killerseems like it would fall into place and feel similar to Fincher’s previous thrillers, following a stern and calculated protagonist distancing himself from the horrors of murder. However, the film actively goes against this grain of thinking, satirizing this restrained mindset and showing the difficulties of living such an isolated, perfectionist lifestyle. Itbrilliantly comments and critiques Fincher’s own workwhile also evolving it to the modern era, making fora distinct evolution of his storytelling style and the must-watch thriller of the decade.
