Psychological Thriller Movies
Psychological thrillers are a genre of film captivating audiences all around the world. These movies leave viewers in suspense, awaiting the unexpected. The purpose of psychological thrillers is to evoke feelings of unease as the story unravels, involving a mental process to unravel the disconcerting feelings. These thrilling stories typically depict the protagonist in conflicts and use advanced grammar structure and technique to heighten the suspense and evoke emotions.
The most common features of a psychological thriller is making the viewers question the fine line between reality and illusion. To evoke this emotion the filmmaker meticulously uses sound, the setting and the story to make audiences turn the pages of their mind and question the truth of the protagonist’s journey.
One of the most iconic psychological thrillers is Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, released in 1960. The movie is based on the novel written by Robert Bloch. Soon after its release the movie made history, being known as the first psychological thriller. The character Norman Bates’ struggle through his gruesome regime is shown to put the audiences in a state of awakening. As the story unravels Hitchcock reveals how Bates is a masterpiece of an anti-hero character.
Through the movie, Hitchcock builds tension through scenes of suspense and uses the power of imagination to keep viewers engaged in the movie. He also makes us question the thin line between good and bad and how the hidden traits of our psyche leads to the reveals of both.
Similar to Psycho, another thriller movie released in 1999, The Sixth Sense, created by M. Night Shyamalan presents a journey that is both haunting and terrifying. The movie challenges the viewers’ perception of the post-death reality, as the protagonist is able to see dead people.
The movie was deemed as a masterpiece by critics as it kept the audiences wanting for more, as the story slowly uncovers the protagonist’s mental plunge down a psychological abyss. The use of sound and detailed cinematography techniques help create an eerie atmosphere that keeps the audiences glued to the screen.
The Sixth Sense is one of the few movies that have left a lasting impression on the audiences. It aptly shows the struggles of an eight-year-old boy who must grapple with his disorder – to be able to see dead people. The movie also reveals how the terrifying depths of our minds can be explored, shown in a manner that is both terrifying yet beautiful.
Political Thriller Movies
Political thrillers are a distinct genre of films that deal with political topics with realism and suspense. These movies explore the human psyche and showcase the reflexive relationship between human nature and politics. By amalgamating political and social influences, political thriller movies focus on creating a tense atmosphere, keeping the viewers hooked onto their seats.
One of the most iconic political thrillers is David Fincher’s The Game, released in 1997. Starring Michael Douglas, the movie is based on a wealthy investment businessman who is sent on a deadly game, being constantly bamboozled by the various illusions created by his opponents, forcing him to question his reality.
The Game was critically acclaimed for its fresh take on the political thriller genre, making it stand out from its counterparts. The movie notably deals with the conflict between money and human emotions, showing how easy it is to fall prey to deception.
Another thriller that has made a stunning impact on its audiences is The Hunt for the Red October, released in 1990. Directed by John Mctiernan, the movie depicts the fictional events surrounding an advanced Soviet sub’s attempt to uncover secrets to the Northern Atlantic.
The Hunt for Red October successfully at playing its audience’s emotions, creating suspense through its plot and by creating a parallel game between two superpowers. It takes us through a tense game of hide and seek between the main characters played by Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin and makes the audience wonder who will come out victorious.
The movie cleverly displays how political chaos and the power-play of two countries can affect the lives of its citizens. The Hunt for the Red October is a classic in its own right, setting the standard for future political thrillers.
Suspense Thriller Movies
Suspense thrillers are a genre of film that elicit feelings of shock and surprise. These movies usually focus on wrongdoing and human obsessions, and often involve espionage, conspiracy and crime.
One of the greatest suspense thrillers ever made is Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, released in 1959. The movie horror genre has found new life recently especially through Jordan Peele’s Us, released in 2019. Following the success of Get Out, Peele’s Us showcases a family’s struggle to survive as they face off against their doppelgangers – the Tethered.
Us is considered one of the best horror movies ever made, as it successfully showcases themes of fear, racism and politics whilst also creating a unique and thrilling action-packed ending.
Rather than having jump scares, this psychological thriller involves more of a psychological breakdown of the characters. The movie successfully delves into the dark recesses of the minds of the protagonists, and serves as a warning to viewers of how cruelty and ignorance becomes the second nature in a time of despair.
For horror fans everywhere, Us excels as an example of how powerful horror movies can be, and how these types of thrill rides can be delivered tastefully – without overly relying on gore.
Another great psychological thriller is Seven, released in 1995. A crime thriller written by Andrew Kevin Walker and directed by David Lynch, Seven centers on a serial killer targeting victims of the seven deadly sins.
Seven is widely recognized as one of the most iconic psychological thrillers of the 1990s and is widely celebrated as one of the most cleverly crafted, thrilling and intellectual movies of the genre. What sets it apart is the use of heinous crimes, bleak atmosphere and stylistically twisting story that plays constantly on the viewer’s mind.
The movie delivers an emotional impact from an ethical perspective, and demonstrates the power of film to turn moral teachings into a thrilling narrative.
Moreover, Seven sets a benchmark for the psychological thriller genre, expertly using scenes of violence and questions of morality to capture the minds of its audiences in ways that few movies can.
Mystery Thriller Movies
Mystery thrillers are popular film genre often involving stories of crime and lack of logic. Unlike other thriller movies, mystery thrillers are centered on solving a certain crime or riddle.
Audiences are kept hooked onto the movie and rarely lose interest, as the story progresses mystery thrillers often become unpredictable. These movies are often characterized by their ability to evoke fear by showing an unknown entity.
A popular mystery thriller is Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige, released in 2006. The movie follows two rival magicians as they compete in a stage show against each other, whilst attempting to learn each other’s tricks.
The Prestige is a classic example of a mysterious story that keeps its audiences engaged. The visuals and the intricately woven storyline effectively conveys the harsh reality of the rivalry between the two magicians, as well as the drive for the “perfect” trick.
The Prestige drives home the point that nothing is ever as easy as it seems and that for something to be deemed “perfect” it must be willing to pay the ultimate price. It is a captivating tale of obsession, featuring performances from its lead actors that are thought-provoking and chilling.
Another remarkable mystery movie is Memento, released in 2000. The film is unique in its execution and features a unique form of reverse-chronological narrative. The movie follows the protagonist, an amnesiac while he attempts to uncover the truth of his wife’s murder.
The movie’s brilliance lies in its ability to constantly keep its audience guessing and enthralled by the journey. The reverse-chronological narrative helps to further heighten the feeling of deceit and mystery.
Memento is regarded as one of the greatest mystery thriller movies ever made and features a unique execution of suspense and thrill. It’s ability to keep its audience engaged as the protagonist makes his search for the truth of his wife’s escape is remarkable, and its themes of memory, deception and guilt linger in the audiences’ minds well after the movie’s conclusion.
Horror Thriller Movies
Horror thrillers are a type of movie intended to frighten and unnerve its audience by depicting frightening scenarios and situations. These movies often involve elements of terror, death, monsters and the supernatural, alongside psychological conversations of fear and dread.
One of the most successful horror thrillers is The Shining, released in 1980. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the movie follows the life of Jack Torrance, who is staying at a haunted hotel over the winter.
The Shining is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror movies ever made and its impact on the genre is still felt to this day. The brilliance of this movie lies in its ability to create a sense of dread and tension, almost as if something lurking in the next corner.
Moreover, Kubrick’s choice of symbolism, use of disturbing images and carefully constructed sound are all essential ingredients to the stunning performance delivered by Jack Nicholson. The movie effectively plays off the drama and terror that consumes the protagonist as his sanity departs, creating a truly unforgettable horror movie.
The horror genre has found new life recently especially through Jordan Peele’s Us, released in 2019. Following the success of Get Out, Peele’s Us showcases a family’s struggle to survive as they face off against their doppelgangers – the Tethered.
Us is considered one of the best horror movies ever made, as it successfully showcases themes of fear, racism and politics whilst also creating a unique and thrilling action-packed ending.
Rather than having jump scares, this psychological thriller involves more of a psychological breakdown of the characters. The movie successfully delves into the dark recesses of the minds of the protagonists, and serves as a warning to viewers of how cruelty and ignorance becomes the second nature in a time of despair.
For horror fans everywhere, Us excels as an example of how powerful horror movies can be, and how these types of thrill rides can be delivered tastefully – without overly relying on gore.
Thriller Movies Of Different Genres
Thriller movies have been a staple of Hollywood for many years, but the genres that have become popular have changed and evolved. For example, the psychological thrillers that were popular in the 1950s and 1960s were replaced by the suspense thrillers of the 1970s and 1980s, and the crime thrillers of the 1990s.
Today, thrillers of different genres dominate the box office. Films such as The Silence of the Lambs, scream, Panic Room and Gone Girl have captivated audiences worldwide and have been critical and commercial successes.
These films all have the common denominator of creating suspense, tension and fear. They are typically found in the psychological thriller, horror, crime and suspense genres, all of which thrive off of creating a narrative that keeps audiences in suspense, unable to predict what is about to happen next.
The use of non-linear timelines, complex characters and unpredictable plot twists have become hallmarks of the thriller genre. Directors such as Christopher Nolan, Alfred Hitchcock and Stanley Kubrick have all played a pivotal role in popularising the genre.
The use of technology, sharp editing and intricate narrative structures have become paramount for any good thriller. For example, the psychological thriller Don’t Breathe incorporates a masterful score and detailed sound design, which combines to create an intense atmosphere of suspense and anxiety.
The genre has
