“Behind every smile lies a secret, and behind every secret, a danger.”
Here is the best Psychological thriller movies, you should not miss.
10. Coherence 2012 [ imdb-7.2]
“Coherence, directed by James Ward Byrkit, is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller that unfolds during a dinner party among friends. When a comet passes overhead, strange and inexplicable events begin to occur, causing reality to fracture and alternate timelines to intersect. As tensions rise and trust erodes, the group struggles to make sense of their surroundings and navigate the increasingly surreal and dangerous situation. “Coherence” is praised for its clever premise, intricate storytelling, and suspenseful atmosphere, offering a unique blend of science fiction and psychological thriller elements that keeps viewers guessing until the very end.
9. Take Shelter 2022 [imdb-7.3]
Take Shelter is a psychological thriller that stars Michael Shannon as Curtis LaForche, a devoted husband and father who begins to experience terrifying apocalyptic visions and dreams. Convinced that these visions are warnings of an impending disaster, Curtis becomes obsessed with building a storm shelter in his backyard, much to the concern of his wife, played by Jessica Chastain, and skepticism of those around him. As Curtis struggles to discern whether he is truly foreseeing a catastrophic event or `descending into madness, the film explores themes of paranoia, family dynamics, and the fragility of mental health. “Take Shelter” is praised for its tense atmosphere, powerful performances, and thought-provoking exploration of existential fears and personal resilience.
8. Cabin in the Woods [imdb-7.3]
The cabin in the Woods directed by Drew Goddard, is a horror-comedy film that subverts traditional genre tropes. The story follows a group of five friends who decide to vacation at a remote cabin in the woods. Unbeknownst to them, their every move is orchestrated by technicians in an underground facility who manipulate their surroundings and events to orchestrate a series of horrific encounters. As the friends unwittingly play out classic horror scenarios, they must confront both the dangers lurking in the cabin and the sinister forces controlling their fate from afar. “The Cabin in the Woods” blends satire, suspense, and shocking twists to deliver a fresh take on the horror genre, challenging audience expectations and conventions along the way.
7.Doctor’s Sleep [imdb-7.3]
“Doctor’s Sleep”, directed by Mike Flanagan, is a supernatural horror film based on Stephen King’s novel and serves as a sequel to “The Shining.” The story follows an adult Danny Torrance, who struggles with trauma and the psychic abilities he possessed as a child at the haunted Overlook hotel. Battling alcoholism and inner demons, Danny finds purpose in protecting a young girl named Abra Stone, who shares his psychic gifts. Together, they must confront a cult known as the True Knot, who feed on the essence of children with similar powers. As they face off against these malevolent forces, Danny is forced to revisit his haunted past and embrace his role as a “Doctor Sleep” to protect Abra and himself from a terrifying fate.
6. It [imdb-7.3]
“It” , directed by Andy Muschietti, is a supernatural horror film based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name. Set in the town of Derry, Maine, the story revolves around group of children who are terrorized by a malevolent entity that often takes the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. As the children face their worst fears and confront the haunting past of their town, they band together to defeat the creature, drawing strength from their unity and resilience in the face of unimaginable horror. “It ‘ blends coming-of-age themes with visceral scares, capturing the essence of childhood fears and the power of friendship in overcoming darkness.
5. Hereditary [imdb-7.3]
Hereditary directed by Ari Aster, is a chilling horror film that explores the disturbing dynamics of a family grappling with grief and inherited trauma. After the death of secretive and enigmatic mother, Annie Graham and her family begin to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry. As shocking and inexplicable occurrences escalate, Annie’s reality blurs between psychological breakdown and supernatural terror, leading to a harrowing confrontation with a malevolent and ancient force that threatens to destroy them all. “Hereditary” is renowned for its unsettling atmosphere, nuanced performances, and unflinching exploration of family bonds and the horrors that can lurk within them.
4. The Lighthouse [imdb-7.4]
The Lighthouse, directed by Robert Eggers, is a psychological horror film set in the late 19th century. The story follows two lighthouse keepers, Thomas Wake and Ephraim Winslow who are assigned to maintain a remote and mysterious lighthouse on a desolate New England island. As isolation and paranoia set in, their sanity begins to unravel midst strange visions, power struggles, and supernatural forces. Shot in black and white with a claustrophobic atmosphere, the film explore themes guilt, obsession , and the darkness within the human psyche, creating a haunting and atmospheric tale of psychological descent.
3. American psycho [imdb-7.6]
“American psycho directed by Mary Harron, is a dark satire based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis. Set in the 1980s, the film follows Patrick Bateman, a wealthy and successful investment banker in Manhattan. On the surface, Bateman is charming, handsome, and appears to have it all. However, beneath his veneer of affluence lies a chilling and violent psychopath who indulges in sadistic fantasies and brutal murders. As Bateman’s grip on reality lessens and his violent urges escalate, the film delves into themes of materialism, identity crisis, and the moral decay of a superficial society.
2. Black Swan [imdb-8.0]
black swan directed by Darren Aronofsky, is a psychological thriller centred around Nina Sayers, a dedicated ballet dancer played by Natalie Portman . Nina lands the lead role in a production of “Swan Lake,” but her pursuit of perfection spirals into an obsessive struggle for artistic excellence and personal identity. As she immerses herself deeper into the demanding role of the delicate White swan and its seductive counterpart, the Black Swan, Nina’s grip on reality begins to unravel, blurring the line between performance and madness in a haunting exploration of ambition and self-destruction.
1. Shutter Island [imdb8.2]
shutter island directed by Martin Scoresese, unfolds a gripping psychological thriller set in 1954. U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his partner Chuck Aule, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, travel to a remote island housing a psychiatric facility for the criminally insane. Their mission: investigate the disappearance of a patient, Rachel Solando. As Teddy delves deeper into the mysteries shrouding the island, he confronts disturbing truths about the institution, his own haunted past, and the unsettling secrets that threaten to consume him.
For more movie recommendations, also check out