Summary
While thrillers can leave viewers on the edge of their seats with excitement,the most disturbing psychological thrillersget to the very heart of human nature and make audiences confront the darkest recesses of mankind. From heart-racing crime stories of sinister serial killers to surreal dreamscapes that shake the very foundations of perceived reality, the psychological thriller genre goes to extremes seldom seen in other types of movies. These tense and shocking stories can often be too much for viewers to bear, as the uncomfortable nature of taut narratives pushes audiences out of their usual comfort zones.
Likethe best thrillers, the most disturbing releases in the psychological thriller genre confront the very nature of self as protagonists, anti-heroes, and villains are brought on wayward journeys of self-discovery. Filmmakers like David Fincher and Darren Aronofsky have made careers in this genre as their highly acclaimed and confrontational filmmaking styles address deeply psychological and thought-provoking themes. While they don’t always make for comfortable viewing,the most disturbing psychological thrillers of all time were certainly memorable.
10 Most Underrated Psychological Thrillers From The 2010s
The 2010s was an excellent time for psychological thrillers, and many incredible releases have fallen under the radar and deserve more attention.
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The Game
Cast
Directed by David Fincher, The Game is a mystery thriller released in 1997. Michael Douglas stars as Nicholas Van Orton, an investment banker brought into a mysterious game by his brother hosted by the wealthy. As the game continues to integrate into his life, he begins to see the cracks in the facade of the group’s game, ultimately revealing a dark conspiracy at the center.
The filmography of David Fincher has been littered with highly disturbing psychological thrillers that delve into the fractured nature of identity and how humans experience the world. One prime example of this wasThe Game, which saw Michael Douglas embroiled in a complex mystery where it was impossible to tell what was real and what part of the intricate game he had been signed up for as a birthday gift from his brother.The complex nature ofThe Gamemeant the lines between real life and the game began to bluras a larger conspiracy revealed itself.
With a dark atmosphere and consistent tension,The Gamewas an unnerving viewing experience that toyed with the viewer through a unique and twisted sense of humor.
The Gamewas disturbing because viewers, much like Douglas as the wealthy businessman Nick Van Orton, were left paranoid and questioning throughout its runtime, trying to decipher the true meaning behind its narrative. With a dark atmosphere and consistent tension,The Gamewas an unnerving viewing experience that toyed with the viewer through a unique and twisted sense of humor. Whilethe ending ofThe Gamedidn’t quite deliver on the power of its premise, it still stood among the most psychologically disturbing thrillers ever.
Vertigo
Vertigo: Released in 1958, Vertigo is a psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film follows a retired San Francisco detective with acrophobia, played by James Stewart, as he investigates the peculiar behavior of an old friend’s wife, portrayed by Kim Novak, leading to a complex obsession.
It’s a testament to the timeless appeal of Alfred Hitchcock that films likeVertigostill pack such a gutwrenching punch so many decades since they were first released. While this mystery story did not appear disturbing at first glance, asits slow-building narrative became increasingly darker throughout its runtime, viewers were left profoundly shocked by the time the credits had rolled. What started as a standard story of a private detective investigating the strange behavior of an acquaintance’s wife soon became a disturbing look at control, obsession, and the darkest recesses of human nature.
Acting legend James Stewart shed his good guy persona to play the deeply layered investigator Scottie Ferguson, whose chilling demeanor came to the forefront in his relationship with Madeleine Elster, played by Kim Novak. WhileVertigoreceived a mixed reception when it was released as its darker narrative turned off audiences, it’s since beenreevaluated as a contender of Hitchcock’s magnum opus. As a truly disturbing thriller,Vertigowas even voted the greatest movie of all time inSight and Soundmagazine’s 2012 poll.
10 Best Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Movies
Director Alfred Hitchcock was known as the Master of Suspense and delivered some of the greatest mystery movies the world has ever seen.
Taxi Driver
Martin Scorsese’s classic 1976 film stars Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, a Vietnam veteran turned New York City cab driver whose increasingly disturbed mental state due to his PTSD begins to drive him to more and more violent actions as he attempts to rid the city of what he sees as the “scum” on the streets. Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel, Cybill Shepherd, and Albert Brooks also star in the film.
Martin Scorsese took home the Palme d’Or at Cannes for his disturbing psychological thrillerTaxi Driverin 1976. As the perfect example of how 1970s filmmakers began to tackle darker themes amid the New Hollywood movement,Taxi Driver’sgritty atmosphere and cynical worldview captured the moral decay and harsh aesthetics of New York City during this time. WithRobert De Niro as the lonely outcast cab driver Travis Bickle,Taxi Driverwas a powerful character study with an immensely effective screenplay by Paul Schrader.
Bickle’s chronic insomnia and isolating loneliness madeTaxi Driveramust-see masterpiece of the 1970s, whose disturbing nature was only outweighed by the sorrow at the heart of its title character. As Bickle sought vigilante justice to save a child prostitute played by a young Jodie Fosterand take out Harvey Keitel as an oppressive pimp, a sense of vulnerable sadness lay at the core of its violence narrative.Taxi Driverwas disturbing because it highlighted an epidemic of loneliness that continues to be seen in the horrifically violent crimes committed by troubled young men to this day.
Mulholland Drive
David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive is a neo-noir mystery about aspiring actress Betty, who becomes involved with a woman suffering from amnesia and a mysterious blue box. Starring Naomi Watts and Laura Harring, the 2001 surrealist film explores themes of identity, memory, and Hollywood’s dark side.
When something is disturbing, it’s likely to cause worry and anxiety, which are emotions that pervade much of the work of the acclaimed auteur David Lynch. This was true for his gloomy atmospheric directional debut,Eraserhead,right through the surrealist mysteryMulholland Drive.This highly unusual story blended a dreamlike atmosphere with a neo-noir styleto produce a film that’s absolutely unlike anything else and oozed Lynch’s distinctive and often disturbing artistic voice.
Part ofMulholland Drive’spower was the way the lines between fantasy and reality began to blur as the characters' identities became increasingly uncertain. While primarily the story of an aspiring actress named Betty Elms (Noami Watts), to attempt to sum upMulholland Drivein just a few sentences would be a fool’s errand, as it truly has to be experienced to be understood. Through a fragmented narrative and disturbing imagery,Mulholland Drivepeeled back the curtain on the dark underbelly of the City of Dreams.
Jacob’s Ladder
Jacob’s Ladder is a horror mystery centering on a mourning father and scarred Vietnam War vet named Jacob that is dealing with dissociation. After his child dies, Jacob struggles to separate reality from his delusions. Jacob’s Ladder stars Tim Robbins alongside Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello, Matt Craven, and Jason Alexander.
WatchingJacob’s Laddercan feel like a fever dream wrapped up in a panic attack, as its disturbing nature and outrageous imagery make for heart-racing viewing. Through the story of a dissociated Vietnam War veteran dealing with the death of his child,Tim Robbins gave an extraordinary performanceof a man spiraling into madness as he must decipher if what he’s experiencing is his reality or psychotic delusions. As a twisted look at trauma and PTSD,Jacob’s Ladderwas an effective film that pushed audiences well out of their comfort zone.
Jacob’s Ladderwas a nerve-shattering experience that was not for the faint of heart, but the pressing themes behind its surreal imagery made it all the more compelling. As a creepy cross between arthouse cinema, war movies, and Lynchian surrealism, this was one of the most disturbing movies of the 1990s. While it may not be for everyone,Jacob’s Ladderwill certainly strike a chord with those looking for a disturbing psychological thriller.
Oldboy
Oldboy follows the story of a man mysteriously imprisoned for 15 years without explanation. Upon his release, he embarks on a quest to uncover the identity of his captors and understand the motivations behind their actions. This gripping tale navigates through themes of vengeance and discovery.
The disturbing nature of Park Chan-wook’s action-thrillerOldboymade it one of the most famous South Korean movies that gained widespread viewership in the West. Following the story of Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik), who was imprisoned in a hotel room for 15 years without knowing the identity of his captor, this tense story got to the heart of the psychological torment of extended isolation. With plenty of style,Oldboyloosely adapted the Japanese manga of the same name to produce a thrilling story filled with shocking twists and turns.
However, the film’s disturbing nature wasOldboy’sshocking twist ending, which cemented its story as truly unforgettable.
With impressive action sequences, intense fight scenes, and an iconic one-shot hallway showdown,Oldboyticked all the right boxes when it came to spectacular entertainment value. However,the film’s disturbing nature wasOldboy’sshocking twist ending, which cemented its story as truly unforgettable.With a romantic subplot, the revelation that Oh Dae-su had fallen in love with and had a sexual relationship with his own daughter left viewers’ jaws on the floor as this disturbing reveal pushed the boundaries of acceptability in cinema.
10 Films To Watch If You Liked Oldboy
Fans of the film Oldboy or revenge films, in general, should take a look at this list of the best revenge movies with similar themes and characters.
Requiem for a Dream
Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream follows the lives of four drug addicts as they fall deeper into their addiction and pull their loved ones on a downward spiral along with themselves. The 2000 psychological drama is an adaptation of Hubert Selby Jr.’s eponymous novel and counts with a star-studded cast that includes the likes of Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, Christopher McDonald, and Mark Margolis.
Director Darren Aronofsky powerfully depicted the most disturbing aspects of addiction inRequiem for a Dream. Asa psychological thriller based on a novel by the cult author Hubert Selby Jr., this film depicted four characters affected by addiction in different ways, as stories such as a heroin addict’s son’s struggles were juxtaposed with his mother falling victim to prescription medication. ThroughoutRequiem for a Dream’sruntime, the intensity of their habits only became more pronounced, and the movie was an emotional rollercoaster of dark intensity.
Requiem for a Dreamwas truly disturbing, as audiences were forced to watch the characters' ambitions, delusions, and dreams being shattered by the harsh realities of existence. While the entire cast should be lauded for effectively demonstrating the horrors of addiction,Ellen Burstyn’s performance as Sara Goldfarb was particularly compelling. As Sara believed she was soon to appear on television, she started a crash diet to lose weight, only for the very foundations of her life to crumble below her feet due to a sudden and accidental addiction to diet pills.
Mother
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, Mother! stars Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem as Mother and Him, a couple whose life at their country estate is disrupted by the arrival of a stranger. Acting as a biblical allegory, Aronofsky uses ambiguous imagery and dreamlike storytelling. Michelle Pfeiffer and Ed Harris star alongside Lawrence and Bardem.
Mother!was a highly divisive film by Darren Aronofsky that continued to showcase his talent for creating highly disturbing and emotionally devastating cinematic worlds. WithJennifer Lawrence as the titular mother, this surreal story with biblical influences was a harrowing allegory for the treatment of Mother Earth, as its thought-provoking narrative, excessive violence, and singular artistic vision pushed many mainstream viewers past the point of comfort. As a darkly comic story about a young woman whose tranquil life with her husband was obliterated by the arrival of a mysterious couple,Mother!truly made for harrowing viewing.
With an environmental message about the way humanity has affected and destroyed Mother Earth,Mother!was simultaneously an uncomfortable and highly compelling film. With surreal imagery and a dreamlike narrative,Mother!was concerned with getting a visceral reaction from its audience rather than telling a straightforward and easily digestible story. While it may not be appreciated by all viewers,the disturbing metaphors inMother!made it an unforgettable psychological thriller.
Se7en
David Fincher’s crime thriller Se7en follows the seasoned Detective William Somerset after he is assigned a new partner, the young and idealistic David Mills (Brad Pitt). The two find themselves investigating a deranged killer staging murders inspired by each of the seven deadly sins. On the hunt for the twisted John Doe (Kevin Spacey) before he can kill again, the two detectives soon discover that they’re much deeper into the case than they realized.
David Fincher’sSe7enwas a surprise sleeper hit that grossed $327,333,559 worldwide (via Box Office Mojo) and undeniably influenced the psychological thriller genre. Asa dark crime story about a sinister serial killer committing murders based on the seven deadly sins,Se7en’sinnovative depiction of a calculated killer and truly shocking twist ending made it one of the most memorable movies of the 1990s. As Fincher’s breakout movie after the lackluster response toAlien 3,Se7enwas also a definitive film for its stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Spacey.
Se7enwas brutal and relentlessly grim, but that’s the reason it’s still remembered so vividly almost three decades later.
Se7enwas a highly disturbing movie throughout, butSe7en’stwist ending, which showcased Pitt’s character’s wife Tracy Mills’ severed head being delivered in a box, made for one of the bleakest movie conclusions ever seen on screen. The dark nature ofSe7enproved that audiences could connect with stories that pushed them out of their comfort zone, and it allowed subsequent movies likePrisonersandNightcrawlernot to shy away from the darker sides of the human capacity for evil.Se7enwas brutal and relentlessly grim, but that’s the reason it’s still remembered so vividly almost three decades later.
The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling, portrayed by Jodie Foster, as she seeks the help of imprisoned Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, to solve a series of gruesome murders. Directed by Jonathan Demme, this 1991 psychological thriller delves into the dark world of criminal profiling and the complex relationship between a young investigator and a brilliant, but dangerous, psychopath.
Although he wasn’t the first or last to play the cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Anthony Hopkins’ performance inThe Silence of the Lambsdefined the character. Asone of just three films to win Academy Awards in all the major five categories, this Thomas Harris adaptation was as compelling as it was disturbing. In the story of FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) tracking down a killer named Buffalo Bill, disturbing tension was on full display as she sought Lecter’s advice in a thriller that edges on outright horror.
It Happened One Night,One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, andThe Silence of the Lambsare the only movies to win Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards.
The Silence of the Lambswas packed with heart-racing suspense, boosted by impeccable performances from the entire cast. As Clarice spoke to Lecter to get into the mind of a killer, the truly disturbing nature of those compelled to murder was brought to the forefront, and Hopkins made viewers' skin crawl with his offputting but oddly charismatic portrayal.The Silence of the Lambswas the gold standard ofdisturbing psychological thrillers, and its innate power has yet to be topped.
The 15 Best Quotes From The Silence Of The Lambs
From Hannibal Lecter eating liver with chianti to having an old friend for dinner, these are the greatest quotes from The Silence of the Lambs.
