15 criminally underrated thrillers you should watch right now

Here are 15 thrilling movies – including titles like Fear and Frailty, Arlington Road, and A Simple Plan – that deserve more recognition.

Thrillers are versatile movies that often blend different genres. When well-made, they can seamlessly combine elements of crime, suspense, horror, romance, comedy, or drama.

It’s easy for fantastic thrillers to be missed when they first come out, or quickly fade from memory after their initial run in cinemas.

Here are 15 exciting movies that we think deserve more attention. They’re hidden gems from the past 70 years and are definitely worth seeking out.

15. Fear

Release date: April 12, 1996
Director: James Foley
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon, William Petersen, Alyssa Milano

Okay, so this story really got to me. It’s about a sweet, quiet teen who starts falling for an older guy who seems amazing at first. But things quickly turn dark – he gets super controlling and possessive, and then it escalates into really scary, violent behavior. It’s a tough story to watch, honestly.

The 1990s delivered a string of terrifying characters – abusive husbands (like in Sleeping with the Enemy), dangerous babysitters (The Hand That Rocks the Cradle), and menacing landlords (Pacific Heights). Fear continued this trend with a terrifying boyfriend, surprisingly played by Mark Wahlberg. He’s completely believable as a charming but disturbed person, and the movie builds to a truly suspenseful and exciting climax.

14. Sleep Tight

Release date: October 14, 2011
Director: Jaume Balagueró
Cast: Luis Tosar, Marta Etura, Alberto San Juan

This story follows a seemingly friendly apartment concierge who secretly becomes obsessed with one of the residents and starts controlling her life behind the scenes.

Sleep Tight is a deeply unsettling home invasion thriller that stands out because the threat is already inside the house from the start. Luis Tosar gives a chillingly subtle performance, transforming everyday life into something terrifying, and leaving a lasting sense of unease – you might even find yourself looking under the bed before going to sleep!

13. A Perfect Getaway

I absolutely loved A Perfect Getaway! It came out back in August 2009, and David Twohy did a fantastic job directing it. The cast is great too – Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant, and Kiele Sanchez all deliver. Basically, it’s about a couple on their honeymoon in Hawaii who start to suspect that other tourists might actually be killers. It’s super paranoid and you genuinely start to question everyone they meet. What really hooked me was how cleverly the movie messes with your head – it’s full of twists and turns, and the director uses the beautiful Hawaiian landscapes so well. The script is a real masterclass in misdirection, keeping you guessing until the very end!

12. The Friends of Eddie Coyle

Released on June 26, 1973, and directed by Peter Yates, The Friends of Eddie Coyle stars Robert Mitchum, Peter Boyle, Richard Jordan, and Steven Keats. The film follows a tired Boston arms dealer, Eddie Coyle, who must decide whether to cooperate with the police to avoid jail time. He finds himself caught between his loyalty to his criminal associates and his own survival in a world where no one can be trusted. It’s admired for its realistic and somber depiction of low-level crime, thanks to Peter Yates’ direction and a memorable, haunting performance by Robert Mitchum. The film maintains its gritty realism all the way to its powerful and tragic ending.

11. Roadgames

Released on April 10, 1981, this thriller is directed by Richard Franklin and stars Stacy Keach, Jamie Lee Curtis, Marion Edward, and Grant Page. The story follows a solitary truck driver and a young hitchhiker who believe a murderer is targeting drivers on an Australian highway, and their attempts to prove it put them in harm’s way. It’s a suspenseful Australian film reminiscent of Rear Window, but set on the open road, with a striking landscape and a compelling, if unlikely, romance between Keach and Curtis that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

10. One False Move

Released on May 8, 1992, this film is directed by Carl Franklin and stars Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Cynda Williams, and Michael Beach. The story follows three fugitives who encounter a small-town sheriff looking for excitement, leading to the uncovering of hidden truths for everyone involved. This intelligent and atmospheric Southern thriller established Carl Franklin as a skilled director of modern noir. The chemistry between Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton is particularly strong, thanks to a script that expertly blends suspense with thoughtful moral questions.

9. Séance on a Wet Afternoon

Released on April 10, 1964, this film is directed by Bryan Forbes and stars Kim Stanley, Richard Attenborough, and Nanette Newman. The story centers around a woman who pretends to be psychic and her quiet husband. They kidnap a child as part of a plan to appear more successful, but things quickly go wrong. What makes this film stand out is Kim Stanley’s captivating and haunting performance in a thriller that feels remarkably modern. Director Bryan Forbes expertly creates suspense through atmosphere and psychological tension, delivering a powerful and impactful story. It’s so good, in fact, that it’s being remade, with Rachel Weisz taking the lead role.

8. Frailty

Released in 2002 and directed by Bill Paxton, Frailty stars Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, and Matt O’Leary. The film centers on a man who shares the story of how his devout father became convinced he was destined to destroy demons disguised as people, and the devastating impact this belief had on their family. It’s a chilling and thought-provoking horror story fueled by faith and fear, beginning with a haunting confession from Matthew McConaughey’s character to an FBI agent about the ‘God’s Hand’ serial killings.

7. The River Wild

Released on September 30, 1994, this thrilling film is directed by Curtis Hanson and stars Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn, and John C. Reilly. The story follows a family’s rafting trip that takes a dangerous turn when they encounter a group of violent criminals, forcing them to fight for survival. It’s a highly entertaining movie that showcases Meryl Streep in an unexpected action role, facing off against Kevin Bacon’s compelling and ruthless villain—a man who underestimates a mother’s protective instincts. Expect plenty of action and suspense!

6. Arlington Road

Release date: July 9, 1999
Director: Mark Pellington
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack, Hope Davis

The story follows a grieving professor who studies domestic terrorism. While looking into his work, he starts to question the true identities of the people who recently moved in next door.

Arlington Road is a masterclass in suspenseful filmmaking. Featuring strong performances from Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins, the film builds incredible tension through their captivating and uneasy interactions. Even 25 years later, the shocking and explosive climax remains powerfully impactful.

5. The Last of Sheila

Released on June 14, 1973, and directed by Herbert Ross, The Last of Sheila stars James Coburn, Dyan Cannon, Raquel Welch, and Ian McShane. The film centers around a rich movie producer who hosts a murder-mystery party on his yacht, but the game takes a dark turn as hidden secrets are revealed. What makes this movie special is its clever script, co-written by the surprising pair of Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins, inspired by games they used to play with friends. It’s a witty Hollywood satire filled with suspense, where each plot twist feels earned and satisfying.

4. Breakdown

Released: May 2, 1997
Directed by: Jonathan Mostow
Starring: Kurt Russell, J.T. Walsh, Kathleen Quinlan, and M.C. Gainey

The story: A couple is stranded in the desert when their car breaks down. The husband gratefully accepts help from a trucker, but his wife mysteriously vanishes.

Why it’s good: Breakdown is a tightly-wound, suspenseful thriller reminiscent of classic Hitchcock films. Kurt Russell gives a compelling performance as an average man caught in a terrifying situation. The movie blends elements of films like Duel, The Vanishing, The Hitcher, and The Lady Vanishes, creating a perfectly paced and engaging story.

3. Thief

Released: March 27, 1981
Directed by: Michael Mann
Starring: James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Robert Prosky, and Willie Nelson

The story: A skilled safecracker is trying to leave his life of crime, but a final job and the people he works for won’t let him quit.

Why it’s good: Michael Mann’s first feature film is a perfectly crafted neo-noir. It features beautiful nighttime scenes, a powerful electronic soundtrack, a gripping performance by James Caan, and a thought-provoking story that creates a captivating and mysterious thriller.

2. Headhunters

Released on April 27, 2012, this film is directed by Morten Tyldum and stars Aksel Hennie, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and Synnøve Macody Lund. The story follows an art thief who picks the wrong target – a dangerous ex-soldier who turns the tables on him. This slick and darkly humorous Norwegian thriller is full of surprises, with a captivating back-and-forth between Hennie and Coster-Waldau. It all leads to a wildly unpredictable and entertaining ending.

1. A Simple Plan

Released: December 11, 1998
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Starring: Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Bridget Fonda, Brent Briscoe

The Story: Three men find a plane crash filled with money and decide to keep it, a decision that leads to terrible and fatal consequences.

Why it’s good: A Simple Plan is a darkly funny, modern take on the classic Western The Treasure of Sierra Madre, exploring the darker aspects of human nature. The script, adapted from Scott B. Smith’s novel, is concise and impactful, and director Sam Raimi tells a gripping and tragic story with perfect pacing.

2025-11-07 13:21