70 Best Psychological Thriller Movies of All Time, Ranked

It could be said that we go to the movies in the first place for the thrills. The desire to experience new stories put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, and live out exciting events that might otherwise never be possible. We long for escapism. But that’s not what psychological thrillers are all about. Psychological thrillers focus less on external adventure and threat and more on the interior worlds of heroes and villains whose grasp on reality is dangerously close to failing.

It can be hard to pin down which films are psychological thrillers and which are just thrillers in which the characters are motivated by their psychology, which is why we are focusing on films that are 100% thrilling and 100% rooted in psychological anxiety. From Don't Look Now to Psycho, these are the best psychological thrillers that will provide food for thought.

70 'The Invisible Man' (2020)

A rare example of a remake that genuinely revolutionizes the story of the original picture, 2020’s The Invisible Man is a masterful reconstruction of a classic horror that uses its premise to address timely themes of the effects of domestic abuse and manipulation. Elizabeth Moss stars as Cecilia, the former lover of a controlling optics engineer who reportedly committed suicide following her escape from their house. However, when a series of bizarre and unsettling occurrences leads Cecilia to deduce that Adam (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) is still alive, she sets her mind to exposing the truth and bringing down her tormentor in the process.

Enhanced by Leigh Whannell’s use of lingering shots on empty spaces, eerie sound design, and a haunting score, The Invisible Man is an innovative and strikingly effective exploration of themes of control, trauma, and spousal abuse. Furthermore, its use of the concept of invisibility as a way to explore the lingering effects such trauma has on survivors is as chilling as it is palpable. It all conspires to make the film a heart-stopping and thought-provoking experience that is a testament to the impact remakes and re-imaginings can have when executed with intelligence.

69 'The Lost Daughter' (2021)

Based on the 2006 novel of the same name by acclaimed author Elena Ferrante, The Lost Daughter is a moving tale of tragic motherhood following a middle-aged university teacher (Olivia Colman in an extremely deserved Oscar-nominated role) whose beach vacation takes a wild turn as she begins to confront the troubles of her arduous past.

Although it is more of a psychological drama than necessarily a thriller, The Lost Daughter also resorts to elements of the genre to tell its dark story, and that is part of what makes it such an unsettling watch at times. Mental health struggles and trauma are evident in the Maggie Gyllenhaal-directed flick, as well as an intriguing handling of such a taboo subject (even these days). One of its strongest aspects is undoubtedly the writing, including how easy it is for audiences to empathize with Colman's on-screen counterpart, despite her choices being questionable to some.

68 'Burning' (2018)

Lee Chang-dong's Burning follows Jong-su (Yoo Ah-in), a struggling Seoul delivery driver who reconnects with childhood friend Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo) and introduces her to the enigmatic Ben (Steven Yeun), a wealthy man with a cryptic hobby: burning abandoned greenhouses. The film adapts Haruki Murakami's short story by transplanting it to contemporary South Korea, transforming the literary puzzle into a slow-burning psychological thriller that asks more questions than it answers.

Chang-dong traps audiences inside Jong-su's paranoia. What emerges is a psychological horror rooted in class anxiety and the paralysis of poverty. In Burning, the tension doesn't come from jump scares or plot twists but from the uncertainty of what we're witnessing and what we never know. It's precisely the unseen crime that becomes more haunting than any visible violence.

67 'Ex Machina' (2014)

A decade later, Ex Machina still ranks among Alex Garland’s most memorable and finest works, and understandably so. With beautiful cinematography and an engaging storyline, the film follows a young programmer named Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) who embarks on a wild adventure after winning a competition to spend a week at the home of his company’s CEO. He learns that Nathan (Oscar Isaac) has selected him to partake in a groundbreaking experiment, and he must evaluate the capabilities of his advanced humanoid, Ava (Alicia Vikander).

Ex Machina is an incredible science fiction film that explores several thought-provoking topics throughout, delving into the nature of AI and raising questions about its consciousness while examining the ethical implications of creating these beings. It is undoubtedly a psychological thriller in that it delves into these themes intriguingly through its believable narrative, providing food for thought and inciting audiences to question the consequences of AI tech in a potential future.

66 'Uncut Gems' (2019)

One of A24's most anxiety-inducing theatrical releases (though a limited one, since it also premiered on Netflix), Uncut Gems follows Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a jeweler in New York's Diamond District, drowning in gambling debts and personal chaos. When he acquires a rare Ethiopian black opal, Howard sees a chance at redemption. However, it all slowly descends into a nightmare when his compulsive need to chase the next win begins to eclipse any hope of control.

Uncut Gems illustrates cinema as a tool for psychological torture. Here, the Safdie brothers don't rely on traditional thriller mechanics (no grand reveals or cat-and-mouse games). Instead, they construct an anxiety attack through frenetic editing and overlapping dialogue, perfectly mirroring Howard's mental state. In this frantic fever dream, he is the threat itself, and his compulsion becomes the entire narrative.

65 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer' (2017)

The director of the Oscar-nominated picture Poor Things, Yorgos Lanthimos, has established himself as one of the most promising creatives in film. The Killing of a Sacred Deer, which centers around a charismatic surgeon (Colin Farrell) and his relationship with a teenage boy (Barry Keoghan, who is also an Oscar-nominated actor) whom he has taken under his wing, is yet another confirmation of his extraordinary skills as a filmmaker.

This absurdist psychological thriller also features horror elements, so it might be the right pick for anyone who enjoys psychological horror films, too. Although haunting and deeply unsettling at times, the disturbing The Killing of a Sacred Deer is beautifully shot and filmed, featuring witty comedic bits and amazing central performances on top of its utterly bizarre plot (as expected from the unconventional Greek director).

64 'Klute' (1971)

Armed with an arresting intelligence and two note-perfect performances from Donald Sutherland and Jane Fonda, Klute is a glistening example of the gritty intensity and atmospheric might of many of the best 70s thrillers. The neo-noir gem follows a small-town detective whose investigation into a missing person case leads him to a New York City call-girl. As Klute (Sutherland) tracks the escort, he learns that her life may be in grave danger.

Bolstered by the cinematography of The Godfather DoP Gordon Willis and the hyperrealistic presentation of the story that only amplifies its innate suspense and complexity, Klute is a gripping and grimy thriller that revels in its mind games and its sharp plotting. It embeds itself in the dark and dingy underbelly of big cities, leading to an entrancing tapestry of paranoia and fear that, coupled with its central character study and its stylish direction, makes for one of the most absorbing psychological thrillers of all time.

63 'Primal Fear' (1996)

Starring Edward Norton in one of his most memorable roles (and his feature film debut), this American legal crime thriller movie, based on the 1993 novel of the same name by William Diehl, is utterly intriguing, with its psychological elements elevating the story. The plot follows an altar boy accused of murdering a priest. In the meantime, the high-powered defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) steps into the picture and takes in the case, which reveals a lot more complicated than initially expected.

Violent and gripping, Primal Fear is a well-written and effective courtroom movie that is guaranteed to keep fans of the genre engaged. While Edward Norton’s chilling performance is undoubtedly an aspect that stands out the most in Gregory Hoblit’s must-see thriller, the 1996 movie also benefits from an entertaining premise that analyzes identity and the duality of mankind.

62 'Shock Corridor' (1963)

As a filmmaker, Samuel Fuller reveled in pushing narrative boundaries, and in his absolutely electric thriller that ranks high among the best psychological movies, Shock Corridor, he practically burst through them. Peter Breck plays Johnny Barrett, a journalist obsessed with winning the Pulitzer Prize, who embarks on a daring scheme to catch a headline. He will go undercover in a mental institution, live amongst the inmates, and get to the bottom of an unsolved murder.

It’s the kind of idea that sounds clever on paper, but puts Barrett in a harrowing position. Without backup, without a confidante, without any chance of respite or escape, he’s plunged into an environment of abuse, paranoia, and delusion, and repeatedly falls under the spell of his fellow inmates. Whether he solves the murder becomes a secondary concern; he’s trapped in a never-ending battle for his own sanity. Outstanding performances, disturbing writing, and daring imagery keep Shock Corridor shocking over 60 years later.

61 'The Skin I Live In' (2011)

The Skin I Live In is also a solid pick and undoubtedly one of the best Spanish features of recent times. Antonio Banderas plays Dr. Robert Ledgard, a disturbed plastic surgeon who keeps a woman (Elena Anaya) locked in his mansion. She is subjected to numerous surgeries as Robert attempts to perfect his synthetic skin.

Although it initially may feel more like a horror film than a psychological thriller, it is clear that, as it progresses, The Skin I Live In is definitely a part of the category. The themes this revenge essential tackles include identity, the human condition, obsession, and how far we’re willing to go for those we love. Equal parts terrifying and engaging, The Skin I Live In is a compelling psychological thriller that incites audiences to face uncomfortable questions.