Thriller
Movies are reserved for the most fearless of movie fanatics. Unlike many horror movies, thrillers are full of conflict, unpredictable twists, and tensions that make people sit on the edge of their seats. Moreover, the anxiety, terror, and uncertainty inflicted on audiences by thrillers can be questionable, their close ones and even their reality.
We have heard the recommended classics thousand times, such as Se7ven, The Silence of the Lambs, and Psycho. However, there’re some brilliant ones that you might have not seen before. Whether you’re an avid thriller fan looking for your next excitement or trying to decide on mind-blending movies to watch alone or with friends, this list below is a great recommendation.
Here are 10 must-watch thriller movies that you shouldn’t ignore. Let’s scroll down and check them out!
#1 Frenzy (1972)
Source: @imdb
Given that Frenzy is Hitchcock's last great film, it's really surprising that it hasn't gotten as much attention as some other horror films. But maybe that's due to how out of place it is in the 1970s setting. The new decade and Hollywood, in general, brought a new series of horror movies. Shabby landscapes, unmistakable moral ambiguity, and next to no room for comedy defined what audiences got out of thrillers in 1970.
#2 The Stunt Man (1980)
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The Stunt Man begins with a thrilling escape that turns into the film's defining joke, that there's nothing more dangerous than the movie. The Stunt Man is an integral comedy thriller, a comedy so sinister that it makes some of Coen's films seem out of date. O'Toole is bigger than a movie director's life, which may or may not is plotting to kill a stuntman and rob him of his interest. The constant swerving between thinking Cameron is in real danger or just imagining it keeps viewers on their toes.
#3 Cop Land (1997)
Source: @imdb
The sheer star power of Cop Land is incredible. Stallone, De Niro, Keitel, and Liotta have a complete blast and chew-up dialogue like it’s the last flick they’ll appear in. Robert Patrick is fantastic as usual in support, and you got 5 future Sopranos just for the fun of it. It is pretty impressive how James Mangold has been relaxing in the background for decades on end just for the fun of it. Maybe Cop Land does not stand at the top of its genre. But it’s a more than worthwhile venture into police corruption.#4 The Outpost (2019)
Source: @imdb
Like Black Hawk Down, it follows a group of men left to battle an enemy they can scarcely see in an isolated location. When it comes to stances on war, The Outpost has a very similar balance to Black Hawk Down. It is not meant to be pro-war but very pro-soldier, often showing the virtue and camaraderie of the team on which the story is based.#5 Play Misty for Me (1972)
Source: @imdb
While Frenzy confronts some of the horrors of the 1970s, Play Misty for Me relies entirely on them. This is a psychological thriller where every scene that isn't painted in Giallo's fierce color is a portrait of a sleazy cityscape. Indeed, Play Misty for Me revels in being dirty. His first love gradually catches up with Clint's Dave when he receives mysterious calls to play the song "Misty.”#6 The Ipcress File (1965)
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Why do you watch The Ipcress File? Probably because it’s called the plain James Bond film of the 1960s. Whereas Bond was about flash and the spectacle of the spy world The Ipcress File is totally stripped of all glamor. Michael Caine gives a great performance as his spy character stumbles upon bad missions and the inconvenience of his own.
#7 The Falcon and The Snowman (1985)
Source: @imdb
Why do you watch The Ipcress File? Maybe because it's called the plain James Bond movie of the 1960s. While Bond is about the glitz and glamor of the spy world The Ipcress File is completely stripped of all its glitz. Michael Caine gave a brilliant portrayal as his spy character stumbled upon the challenging missions and inconveniences of espionage.#8 Street Smart (1987)
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Street Smart is slowly but definitely becoming a widely talked about underrated film. That is large because of a mesmerizing portrayal from Morgan Freeman, who provides even more proof he is one of the best to ever do it. Street Smart owes that actor a lot. Not that the film lacks much, but Morgan injects adrenaline into every word, every gesture.#9 Deep Cover (1992)
Source: @imdb
Deep Cover continues to grow as it goes along. As many have noted, what begins as a blaxploitation feature that seeks to deliver the same awesomeness as Shaft becomes something much different in the end. It is evident from early on that everyone involved in the movie had high aspirations for the project. Laurence Fishburne and Jeff Goldblum breathe life into the tired formula of an undercover cop and the drug lord. Their portrayal mixed with Bill Duke capturing a lively LA all make Deep Cover a must-watch noir not so much concerned with where the genre has been and much more focused on where it is going.#10 To Live and Die in LA (1985)
Source: @metacritic
Like John Schlesinger, Willian Friedkin's career was defined by underappreciated traits. The French Connection was an important part of the '70s classics but by the '80s he certainly lost some of the attention. To Live and Die in LA doesn't have The French Connection's influences, but it perfectly distills the trends of the time. This work remains as fierce and critical of law enforcement as his '70s masterpiece, but to consider it a continuation of his work from the previous decade would be a big mistake.