It is hard to pigeonhole the thriller genre into just a single definition. Thriller movies are part of such a broad category that has many different sub-genres. Whether it’s a thriller-horror or psychological thriller, and even down to comedic thrillers, it’s a genre that definitely has something for any audience that craves the darkness and mysteries within the film world. However, with many different sub-genres, thriller does have some strong constant themes throughout such as cliffhangers, red herrings, plot twists, betrayals, and of course, suspense.
In a world with many classic films that defined the thriller genre such asAlienorCape Fear, the modern take on the thriller is something quite impressive. In the last decade or so, there has been a surplus in suspense films with some being good, some being bad, and some being certain to become classics themselves. Narrowing it down,there are modern thriller films (from the 2010s onwards) that have gained significant critical acclaim over the years, often being called “instant classics” at the time of their premieres. These will undoubtedly come to define the thriller genre from this era, for future generations to look back on and enjoy.
15’Shutter Island' (2010)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
ThisMartin Scorsesedirectorial is not only a highly acclaimed film but also unarguably one ofLeonardo DiCaprio’s best performances. Adapted fromDennis Lehane’s eponymous novel,Shutter Islandfollows Deputy U.S. Marshal Edward “Teddy” Daniels (DiCaprio), who arrives at the titular psychiatric facility with his partner, Deputy Marshal Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), to investigate a missing person case. During their investigation, Teddy discovers a series of mysterious and disturbing events that lead him to believe that there is more to the medical facility than it seems.
A masterfully directed film,Shutter Islandboasts powerful performances by DiCaprio and Ruffalo, and the rest of the ensemble cast, which includesBen Kingsley,Michelle Williams,Emily Mortimer, andPatricia Clarkson. Withmind-bending plot twists, unpredictable character arcs, and several neo-noir elements, the film is hailed as a modern classic that leaves a lasting impression and engages the audience at every step, like a good mystery thriller. —Maddie P
Shutter Island
14’Black Swan' (2011)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Black Swanfollows Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a ballerina who gets the lead part in a New York City Ballet production ofTchaikovsky’sSwan Lake, where she is set to play the dual role of White Swan Odette and the Black Swan Odile. But Nina’s dancing competence aligns more with the innocent and tender Odette, while a newcomer fellow dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), is better at embodying the uninhibited Odile. Overcome with performance pressure, her bottled-up emotions, and a manipulative mother, Nina begins to spiral and lose her sanity.
Darren Aronofsky brings his signature style to this psychological horror drama with surreal and disturbing elements, often blurring the lines between Nina’s story and the ballet she performs. Poetic and cinematic, conceptually and visually,Black Swanappears more like a darker rendition ofSwan Lakerather than a film, with Portman’s portrayal of a dancer descending into madness becoming the real appeal of the film. —Maddie P
Black Swan
13’The Lighthouse' (2019)
Directed by Robert Eggers
StarringWillem DafoeandRobert Pattinsonas the lead characters,The Lighthousefollows two lighthouse keepers on a remote and marooned outpost in 19th century New England, where a young Ephraim Winslow (Pattinson), arrives for a four-week job on a remote New England outpost to assist his elderly but demanding supervisor, Thomas Wake (Dafoe). As they continue with their daily jobs, the two lighthouse keepers find themselves haunted by strange and mysterious occurrences and visions, causing psychological turmoil and loss of sanity.
Although billed as a psychological thriller,Robert Eggers’ second directorial feature defies genre and swerves between horror, drama, mystery, and character study. Shot in black and white, the film’s stunning visuals feature symbolist art, 1930s French cinema, and late 19th-century photography of New England. Supported by powerful performances of the lead actors,The Lighthouseexcels with its grim and forbidding atmosphere,like a Hitchcockian thrillerthat will be etched in your memory forever. —Maddie P
The Lighthouse
12’The Gift' (2015)
Directed by Joel Edgerton
Are past bygones ever truly bygones? Young married couple Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn’s (Rebecca Hall) lives are going according to plan until a chance encounter with a friend from Simon’s high school sends everything into a terrifying tailspin. At first, Simon doesn’t remember Gordo (Joel Edgerton), but after a string of impromptu meetings and puzzling gifts become problematic, a terrifying secret from the past is revealed after more than 20 years.
When she discovers the frightening truth about what transpired between Simon and Gordo, Robyn begins to wonder: How well do we really know the people closest to us?In that way,The Giftcan be strangely unnerving, especially as the revelations lead to quick escalations and unexpected turns, aided by achilling performance from Bateman. Viewers' perspectives are challenged by some clever directorial choices that pay off in the end.
11’The Killing of a Sacred Deer' (2017)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
A strong and compassionate friendship gradually develops between Martin (Barry Keoghan), 16, and Dr. Steven Murphy (Colin Farrell), his father’s surgeon, after the sudden death of his father on the operating table. Even though Martin’s sincere intentions are immediately overshadowed by a hazy but unsettling sense, the orphaned teen will quickly win the approval of Dr. Steven’s ideal family with pricey gifts and an invitation to dinner. Then, out of the blue, the happy family is subjected to harsh punishment. Ultimately, only an unthinkable and unbearable choice that demands a pure sacrifice can purge the soul because the sins of one person burden the entire family. But one must acknowledge the sin to receive catharsis.
Yorgos Lanthimos' disturbing psychological thriller,The Killing of a Sacred Deeris infused with the director’s off-kilter humor and love for the bizarre and totally unexpected. It’s an increasingly sickening viewing experience, veering dangerously into horror territory, but maintains a chilling level of suspense all throughout.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
10'10 Cloverfield Lane' (2016)
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg
Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up in a secret bunker with two men named Howard (John Goodman) and Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.) after being involved in a car crash. She accepts Howard’s offer of a pair of crutches, which maintain her movement despite the car accident injuries to her leg. Howard advises her to “get good on those” before leaving the bunker. She has been informed that there has been an alien attack and that the environment has been tainted. Michelle must decide whether it is preferable to be inside or outside as Howard and Emmett’s motives quickly come into doubt.
10 Cloverfield Laneis the follow-up to the 2008 found-footage classic,Cloverfield. The 2016 sequel is a fascinating spin on the franchise’s story, with directorDan Trachtenbergmaking the most of thelimited space presented in the movie. Not a second of the film’s 104-minute runtime is wasted, witheach moment being more tense than the last as the truth begins to come to the surface.
10 Cloverfield Lane
9’Saltburn' (2023)
Directed by Emerald Fennell
DirectorEmerald Fennell’sSaltburnbecame an internet sensation when it premiered, further proving Barry Keoghan plays a certain type of unsettling character in his most popular films. In this case, Keoghan plays Oliver, a student at Oxford who becomes obsessed with a wealthier fellow student, Felix (Jacob Elordi). When Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer at his dysfunctional family’s titular estate, dark things begin to happen at every turn.
A darkly comedic psychological thriller,Saltburntook over the online world, with its shocking and strange sexual scenes becoming the subject of discussions and even memes. It’s Keoghan who’s undoubtedly at the center of the cultural phenomenon, however, with his performance as the cunning Oliver earning him praise from critics and new fans. Plus, who can forget that instantly iconic dance scene?
8’The Menu' (2022)
Directed by Mark Mylod
A refreshingly original story brought to the world of thrillers,The Menuis one of thebest movies of 2022. Directed byMark Mylod,The Menufollows the story of a young couple, Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), who travel to a remote island to partake in a costly and avant-garde dinner. The affluent guests here travel far for a chance to dine on the course meal by the elusive and eccentric chef, Slowik (Ralph Fiennes), and his henchmen-like service team. As Margot goes into dinner skeptical of the whole night’s sense of suspense and snobbery, she learns that the chef has a few surprisingly terrifying additions to the ingredients going into the night’s meal.
The Menuis a fantastic eat-the-rich film that blends dark comedy, horror, and thriller elements seamlessly. Ralph Fiennes is incredible as the villainous and vengeful chef who is determined to create the perfect course meal, with his performance flawlessly complemented by Anya Taylor-Joy’s defiant character who is determined to make it out of the island alive.
7’Uncut Gems' (2019)
Directed by Benny and Josh Safdie
Adam Sandlerleads theSafdie Brothers' gritty crime thriller that follows a fast-talking New York City jeweler slowly being buried by his debts. Howard Ratner (Sandler), a formerly prosperous New York jewels dealer, is now deeply in debt due to his gambling addiction, which has also destroyed his family and business. Always on the lookout for the next big wager, Howard believes he has struck it rich when he comes across a rare uncut Ethiopian opal that has a highly interested high-profile bidder. Howard is forced to understand he can’t keep avoiding the consequences of his actions as he gets closer to ultimately winning big, though.
Uncut Gemsis a nightmare of a movie, but for the right audience, in the most thrilling way possible. The A24 film has earned a reputation as a fast-paced, unrelenting, and anxiety-inducing flick that’s carried by Sandler’s dramatic turn as the troubled Howard. The stress is worth it for the distinct viewing experience thatUncut Gemsoffers.
Uncut Gems
6’Nightcrawler' (2014)
Directed by Dan Gilroy
Nightcrawleris set in the seedy underbelly of modern Los Angeles. Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), a determined young man in need of employment, enters the fast-paced world of Los Angeles crime journalism. Lou enters the competitive, deadly world of nightcrawling, where each police siren cry means a potential payday for camera crews, and victims are converted into dollars and cents. These freelance camera crews film crashes, fires, murders, and other mayhem. Lou blurs the lines between spectator and participant to become the focus of his own narrative with the help of Nina (Rene Russo), an experienced former participant in the local TV news industry’s blood sport.
Director Dan Gilroy brings out thebest of Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays the dangerously obsessed freelance journalist with incredible intensity. As Lou learns what it takes to get paid in that industry, he’s willing to break more and more rules, never realizing that he has crossed a line somewhere and he can’t turn back.
