The Best Thriller Films of All Time
I've always been completely fascinated by film. As my father was a film critic, I guess it's no surprise, and his love of cinema has since become my love. Now that I'm critically studying film at university, my appreciation of the movies I have seen throughout my life is much more grounded, and I've come to enjoy films in the thriller genre most of all.
Here are some of my favourite thriller films of all time:
(1) Memento, 2000
Easily one of my favourite films of all time, Memento is the gold standard of thriller. From hit director Christopher Nolan, Memento gives us more twists and turns than you are ever ready for, leaving you on the edge of your seat until the climax of the film. Not much can be said for the story without revealing massive spoilers, so just get out there and rent this film!
(2) Seven, 1996
By dark and gritty director, David Fincher, Seven is a morbid tale of mystery and suspense, as two police officers bind together to track down a gruesome serial killer who is taking 'revenge' on those who have manifested the Seven Deadly Sins throughout their life. Not for the faint of heart, Seven is incredibly graphic and violent, but is an absolute masterpiece that cannot be missed.
(3) The Usual Suspects, 1995
Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects is a film that is never absent from any favourite thriller list. With a snatch and grab crime story told in flashback, this film is a veritable armada of murder, deception and double crossing that will keep you guessing to the very end. Prepare to have your mind turned inside out when the twist of the film is revealed!
(4) Silence of the Lambs, 1991
Now, this is a movie that chilled me to my very core when I watched it as a child. Directed by Jonathan Demme, Silence of the Lambs is a grim and dark tale, as FBI agents recruit the help of convicted serial killer, Hannibal Lector, to help them track down a murderer on the loose with a similar profile. Absolutely terrifying, this film will have you on edge til the very end.
(5) Cape Fear, 1991
Directed by genius filmmaker, Martin Scorsese, Cape Fear is an exercise in suspense. Starring Robert De Niro as a former inmate convicted for rape that begins stalking the family of the lawyer that defended him, this film is one that builds the tension from the first scene, and does not let up until the very end. This is quite a disturbing film that will stay with the audience for some time.
(6) Psycho, 1960
What's a thriller list without Psycho? Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece shocked audiences to their very core when it was first released, and still manages to have an effect on people today. With some of the most recognised scenes in movie history, Psycho is a timeless story of crime mixed with horror, and should be watched by anyone who is serious about cinema.
Here are some of my favourite thriller films of all time:
(1) Memento, 2000
Easily one of my favourite films of all time, Memento is the gold standard of thriller. From hit director Christopher Nolan, Memento gives us more twists and turns than you are ever ready for, leaving you on the edge of your seat until the climax of the film. Not much can be said for the story without revealing massive spoilers, so just get out there and rent this film!
(2) Seven, 1996
By dark and gritty director, David Fincher, Seven is a morbid tale of mystery and suspense, as two police officers bind together to track down a gruesome serial killer who is taking 'revenge' on those who have manifested the Seven Deadly Sins throughout their life. Not for the faint of heart, Seven is incredibly graphic and violent, but is an absolute masterpiece that cannot be missed.
(3) The Usual Suspects, 1995
Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects is a film that is never absent from any favourite thriller list. With a snatch and grab crime story told in flashback, this film is a veritable armada of murder, deception and double crossing that will keep you guessing to the very end. Prepare to have your mind turned inside out when the twist of the film is revealed!
(4) Silence of the Lambs, 1991
Now, this is a movie that chilled me to my very core when I watched it as a child. Directed by Jonathan Demme, Silence of the Lambs is a grim and dark tale, as FBI agents recruit the help of convicted serial killer, Hannibal Lector, to help them track down a murderer on the loose with a similar profile. Absolutely terrifying, this film will have you on edge til the very end.
(5) Cape Fear, 1991
Directed by genius filmmaker, Martin Scorsese, Cape Fear is an exercise in suspense. Starring Robert De Niro as a former inmate convicted for rape that begins stalking the family of the lawyer that defended him, this film is one that builds the tension from the first scene, and does not let up until the very end. This is quite a disturbing film that will stay with the audience for some time.
(6) Psycho, 1960
What's a thriller list without Psycho? Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece shocked audiences to their very core when it was first released, and still manages to have an effect on people today. With some of the most recognised scenes in movie history, Psycho is a timeless story of crime mixed with horror, and should be watched by anyone who is serious about cinema.
