The best psychological thrillers are born from a marriage of danger and cerebral uncertainty. The inability to discern what is real from what isn’t makes any situation more intense. Generally, these films tend to stray away from the comforts of familiar plotlines and reliable narrators, opting for a more abstract approach to storytelling while challenging the viewer to take a closer look. In a good psychological thriller, nothing is ever obvious.
The very nature of a psychological thriller relies on good performances driving it. As the innermost emotions and perceptions of the protagonists in these stories are brought to center stage, the actors and actresses delivering them must strike the right chords. These are some of the best psychological thrillers that demonstrate fantastic acting.
20’Oldboy' (2003)
Directed by Park Chan-wook
IfPark Chan-wookis considered a prominent South Korean filmmaker, it is largely because ofOldboy. A loose adaptation of the eponymous Japanese manga, the action thriller follows the story of a businessman, Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik), who is held captive in a sealed hotel room for 15 years, unaware of his captor or their motive. When he finally gets released, Dae-su discovers that he is still caught in a web of conspiracy and violence, and sets out to seek revenge from his mysterious captor (Yoo Ji-tae). However, his quest gets more complicated when he falls in love with a young chef, Mi-do (Kang Hye-jung).
A strange butpowerful story of revenge,Oldboymakes its mark with Min-sik’s remarkable performance as the anguished, distraught victim, and Ji-tae’s equally brilliant portrayal of his sadistic captor. The film is considered one of the greatest of all time and a zeitgeist of Korean cinema in the early aughts. —Maddie P
19’Uncut Gems' (2019)
Directed by Benny and Josh Safdie
Eccentric gemstone dealer Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), operating out of the bustling chaos of New York City, secures what he believes to be his biggest sale yet: an incredibly rare uncut opal from Ethiopia. Looking to clear his gambling debts and make a deal with a high-profile buyer, Howard soon finds himself in over his head as he tries to juggle obligations with associates, family, and relentless mobsters.
Simply put,Uncut Gemsis one of the most impressive feats of filmmaking and screenwriting of the 21st century. The Safdie brothers captured lighting in a bottle; no other movies have forward momentum and energy quite likeUncut Gems. This is in no small part thanks to various fantastic performances, particularly Sandler—his turn as the neurotic diamond dealer isfull-bodied and unlike anything the seasoned performer has accomplished before. It’s perhaps the fastest 135 minutes one could experience, a cinematic, near-perfect adrenaline shot sure to leave viewers breathless by the end and will make real-life feel in slow motion.
Uncut Gems
18’The Conversation' (1974)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is an intensely private and paranoid surveillance expert. With his own designed technology, Caul can spy on anybody he pleases and does so as a professional for his business. When Caul spies on an unassuming young couple, a sinister plot unravels that could spell danger for everybody involved.
Directed masterfully by legendary directorFrancis Ford Coppola,The Conversationis a brilliant psychological thrillerthatexcels thanks to a powerhouse lead performance from Hackman.The Conversationis essentially a one-man performance; the distance between Caul and the unraveling narrative places Hackman’s performance at the forefront, and it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Caul is an emotionally complex and deeply engaging character and Hackman embodies him with elegance.
The Conversation
17’Parasite' (2019)
Directed by Bong Joon Ho
The Kim family has known nothing but poverty their entire lives; their primary source of income is folding pizza boxes in their cramped basement apartment. When the son Ki-woo is presented with the opportunity to tutor the daughter of the wealthy Park family, it appears that their luck is turning around. Soon enough, every member of the Kim family schemes their way into the Park’s daily routine with prosperous (and eventually deadly) results.
Parasiteis a meticulously crafted masterpiece thatstands as one of the best movies of the 21st century. It’s also a movie absolutely chock-full of fantastic performances. The sharp and surprisingly comedic screenplay allows for each member of the Kim family to shine as their respective personalities are expanded upon. It’s nothing too over the top; much like the movie itself,the performances are nuanced and even understated at times.
16’The Shining' (1980)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
The Torrence family heads to the secluded Overlook Hotel. Located in the picturesque mountains of Colorado, the family takes the opportunity to live at and maintain the lodge during its off-season. It isn’t long before the isolation and crippling writer’s block begins to drive Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson) towards insanity. Not only one of the greatest horror movies of all time but one of cinema’s most influential and widely referenced,The Shiningis a piece of pop culture that has long since been immortalized.
The legacy thatThe Shininghas left behind needs little introduction. While legendary directorStanley Kubrick’s horror adaptation was widely misunderstood upon its release, it is now rightfully referred to as a genre classic. Also etched into cinema history forever is Nicholson’s performance as Jack Torrence. Not to discount the strong work from castmatesShelley DuvallandDanny Lloyd, but, simply put,Nicholson is operating on another level here. His mental deterioration is captured with a harrowing physicality. Subliminal directorial tricks help to reinforce what is without a doubt one of the greatest horror movie performances of all time.
The Shining
15’The Silence of the Lambs' (1991)
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Young and eager F.B.I. cadet Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is asked to question the infamous cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). Another serial killer runs rampant, Clarice must rely on the genius intellect of Dr. Lecter for assistance in locating him. Of course, Dr. Lecter’s own motives are far from righteous.
One of the mostwidely celebrated psychological thrillers of all time,The Silence of the Lambsis a vehicle driven by its two lead performances. Foster is mesmerizing as agent Starling. Her veil of stoicism suppresses a deep fear and vulnerability and Foster gives the character layers. Hopkins gives a performance that has since been etched into film history as one of the greatest ever.Lecter’s gaze is enough to make one’s blood run cold. It’s no wonder why both Foster and Hopkins took home Academy Awards that season.
The Silence of the Lambs
14’Gone Girl' (2014)
Directed by David Fincher
Following his wife’s (Rosamund Pike) abrupt disappearance, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports the incident to the police. Strange circumstances surrounding her disappearance along with his questionable behavior lead to Nick being caught in a media storm. Nick must do everything he can to prove himself innocent all the while unearthing a twisted plot left behind by his wife.
Gone GirlisDavid Fincherat his most playful.Gone Girlis razor-sharp entertainmentthat’s suspenseful, intriguing, and impeccably crafted.The movie’s success is largely due to Affleck and Pike’s lead performances, who are perhaps the most dysfunctional married couple in movie history. Affleck is appropriately aloof as a husband who’s unable to hold up to scrutiny. Pike received an Academy Award nomination for her steely and conniving turn as a spouse with everything to lose.
13’Memento' (2000)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
The last thing that Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) can remember is the murder of his wife. As a result of brain trauma, Shelby is left unable to form new memories and must leave notes for himself on Polaroid pictures. The most important things that he must remember are tattooed onto his body. With only the killer’s name to go off, Shelby’s circle of those he can trust is ever shrinking.
DirectorChristopher Nolan’s second feature film, and his first with a proper budget,Mementois also one of his best and most intimate. Pearce is superb as the lead;Shelby’s condition makes for a compelling narrative hook and Pearce is always convincing.Carrie-Ann MossandJoe Pantolianoalso deliver memorable supporting roles in this smartly crafted and twisty thriller.
12’Nightcrawler' (2014)
Directed by Dan Gilroy
Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a desperate, slick-talking young man who’s okay with making a dishonest living. When he discovers the L.A. crime journalism scene, Lou purchases a video camera and is quick to earn the attention of major news outlets. Soon, this young would-be upstart proves dangerously ambitious, willing to do just about anything for the perfect shot.
Gyllenhaal is undoubtedly one of the most talented actorsworking today, andNightcrawleris a spectacular showcase of his capabilities. Lou Bloom is a deeply unsettling character; he’s unpredictable, and his strange expressions make it difficult to get a read on him emotionally.Gyllenhaal expertly navigates Bloom’s dark transformationand bolsters an already gripping and confidently made thriller.
Nightcrawler
11’The Stranger' (2022)
Directed by Thomas M. Wright
A circumstantial conversation between two strangers on a bus leads to a sturdy friendship between Mark (Joel Edgerton) and Henry (Sean Harris). Henry is a rugged and damaged soul who finds comfort in the friendship of Mark. However, neither man is completely honest about who they really are, and eventually, their deepest secrets begin to surface.
The Strangeris amassively underrated psychological thriller supported by career-best performances from both Edgerton and Harris. Harris' gruff appearance and gravelly vocal delivery wonderfully complement the dark tone of the movie and his character’s off-kilter demeanor. Edgerton is reserved and contemplative, hinting at a past that continuously haunts him.The Strangeris an excellent movie featuring strong performances that deserve far more attention.
