With their blend of mystery, emotional puzzle boxes, and shocking plot twists, psychological thrillers place their characters in the most unimaginable situations possible – stopping short of involving the supernatural. Basically, the more far-fetched, the better! A great thriller never fails to get the adrenaline pumping in the best way. If you need some recommendations, here are the 10 best psychological thrillers you must watch! But if romantic films are more your cup of tea, check out our romantic film recommendations here.
Gone Girl (2014)
When Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) disappears on her fifth wedding anniversary, her husband Nick (Ben Affleck) quickly becomes the main suspect. As police uncover inconsistencies in his story, the media turns against him. But Amy’s diary and a series of clues reveal that nothing about their marriage — or her disappearance — is straightforward.
Bold, violent, and stylishly eerie, Gone Girl elevates what, on the outset, looks like a typical domestic thriller into a frenzied marital chaos and an eviscerating commentary on gender dynamics, scored to haunting perfection by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
The Girl on the Train (2016)
Bitterly divorced and recovering from alcoholism, Rachel (Emily Blunt) now spends her days obsessing over her ex-husband’s new family from the window of a train. Her meddling habit gets her embroiled in the missing person case of a young woman who lives next door to her ex and his new wife. In between separating reality from memory lapses resulting from her drunken episodes, Rachel falls deeper into a tangled web of deceit, betrayal, and manipulation.
Made in the wake of Gone Girl’s female-led thriller mania, The Girl on the Train employs similar psychological tricks and tropes that made the former so beloved. It also keeps plenty of fresh twists to keep you glued to the screen until the credits roll.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Tasked with pursuing a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill, rookie FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) goes to interview convicted cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to study the mind of a sociopath. As the investigation unfolds, Lecter becomes a key player in Sterling’s effort to catch Buffalo Bill before he claims more victims.
Anchored by the memorable performances of Foster and Hopkins, the film takes you on a gripping mental journey that delves into America’s fascinating history with serial killers.
A Simple Favor (2018)
Single mom vlogger Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) befriends the glamorous Emily (Blake Lively), the mother of her son’s friend. One day, Emily vanishes out of thin air – prompting Stephanie to track her down with the help of her husband, Sean (Henry Golding). Things get tricky when Stephanie and Sean begin a relationship. Almost at the same time, Stephanie discovers that Emily’s disappearance might be more complicated than it seems.
An unapologetically female thriller, the film trades the doom and gloom often associated with thrillers for highly polished homes and fashionable outfits – proving that the genre can get a makeover and still remain sharp.
Single White Female (1992)
Through an ad placement, software designer Allie (Bridget Fonda) finds a new roommate, an unassuming young woman named Hedra (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Although she and Hedra initially get along well, the latter slowly develops a weird obsession with Allie’s private life. Things take a turn for the worse when Hedra starts impersonating Allie and interferes with the people she knows.
The film captures a very specific yet relatable problem plaguing every working woman living in the city —the roommate problem —and then amps up the creepy factor by a hundred. Hedra’s antic has become a blueprint for catfishing that the title itself is now synonymous with impostor-like behavior.
The Woman in the Window (2021)
Anna (Amy Adams), an agoraphobic woman living alone, spends her days watching her neighbors from her window. One night, she witnesses what appears to be a violent crime in the house across the street. When the police find no evidence and question her sanity, Anna begins to doubt her own memories. She must uncover what truly happened before she becomes the next target.
A modern twist on Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, the film proves that the classic formula is a classic for a reason. If you’re interested in this twisted mystery, it’s available on Netflix.
The Menu (2022)
A young couple joins a group of wealthy diners at an exclusive restaurant on a private island run by celebrity chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes). As the courses are served, it becomes clear that each dish has a hidden message — and a deadly purpose. The guests realize they’ve been invited for reasons beyond fine dining. What starts as a luxury experience turns into a night of psychological and physical survival.
Equal parts disturbing and satirical, The Menu defies one designated genre. Instead, it’s a fusion of thriller, social commentary, and culinary spectacle, served up in a luxurious presentation.
Flightplan (2005)
On a flight from Berlin to New York, Kyle Pratt (Jodie Foster) wakes to find her young daughter missing. The crew and passengers insist the girl was never on board, and her name doesn’t appear on the manifest. Desperate, Kyle searches every corner of the plane, uncovering a possible conspiracy. She must prove her daughter’s existence before the plane lands — or before something worse happens.
Taut and unrelenting, this film captures a mother’s worst nightmare while also showcasing the lengths she would go to for her children.
Black Swan (2010)
Ballet dancer Nina (Natalie Portman) earns the lead role in Swan Lake, but the pressure to embody both the pure White Swan and the dark Black Swan begins to consume her. Her rival Lily (Mila Kunis)’s carefree energy threatens Nina’s control and sanity. As rehearsals progress, Nina’s grip on reality weakens. Her pursuit of perfection descends into obsession and self-destruction.
Only Darren Aronofsky can turn a subject as delicate as ballet into a subversive and horrifying film about a woman’s psychological decline.
The Invisible Man (2020)
After escaping her abusive tech-genius boyfriend, Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) learns he has died by suicide—only to suspect he’s found a way to make himself invisible. Strange events convince her she’s being stalked, though no one believes her. As she uncovers his secret technology, the danger becomes undeniable. Cecilia must outsmart the man no one can see before he completely destroys her life.
The film imbues the classic horror story it is based on with domestic violence and technological elements, giving it a sense of urgency that many women can relate to on a daily basis.
