I can say that hands down, psychological thrillers are my all time FAVORITE movie genre. Psychological thrillers are movies with storylines that are embedded with frequent plot twists, surprises, or meanings that aren’t revealed till the end. These movies make viewers go through mental challenges, doubting themselves and their own theories about the movie meaning, all while having undertones of dread. After watching a good psychological thriller, I am left to really digest what I just witnessed and analyze my own life. Most of these movies are good at getting to the viewers psyche and making them doubt their own realities. Furthermore, I will be going through my favorite psychological movies that I still think about everyday.
- mother!
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Mother! came out in 2017 and the main character is played by Jennifer Lawerence. This movie took me through a whirlwind of emotions. After watching it for the first time, I was shook, confused, and unsettled. However, after watching an explained video on Youtube, it made perfect sense. The symbolism and motifs throughout this movie go deep. Basically, every single small detail represents something. After this watch, I sat with all my friends and had the deepest convos about religion, environmentalism, and the universe. So if you are into any of that… I HIGHLY suggest giving Mother! a watch!
- fight club
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Fight Club is just a classic in all aspects. First off, we get to see Brad Pitt, so automatically it’s a good movie. Second, the characters are so complex and have so many facets to themselves. I could watch this movie a million times over and uncover new meanings every time. The messages involve consumer culture, feminization in American culture and the impacts on masculinity, and awakening. The writer, Chuck Palahniuk, is such an interesting man. I would recommend researching this man because he has crazy stories. This movie is thought provoking and so mind-blowing! It’s a 20/10 from me!
- BLACk swan
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Black Swan is a 2010 movie where a ballerina, played by Natalie Portman, has her life dictated by her dancing. The viewer can’t trust the main character’s perspective and are led to doubt what she sees as reality. Black Swan shows the damage of perfectionism and obsession. I loved the progression of the plot line and the twists the viewer are put through.
- Hereditary
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This movie has literally traumatized me. After watching it for the second time, I don’t think I could ever do it again. This movie leans more into psychological horror and I can say it is terrifying. When the grandma of the Matriarch family dies, the mother and daughter begin to learn things about their ancestry and what things they have inherited. This movie genuinely had me jumping out of my chair and sometimes, late at night, I get flashbacks of scenes. If you want to have nightmares for a couple weeks, then watch Hereditary!!
- Men
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Men came out in 2022 and I feel like it needs to be talked about more! The main character becomes a widow and goes to vacation in the countryside. While they’re alone, weird things begin to happen, like a random naked man in the woods follows her home. Men has lots of themes of religion such as hints to the ‘original sin’ and the passing down of trauma and transgressions. This movie has very cool details. An example is that all the men that the main character comes across on her vacation are played by the same actor. The ending is for sure a shock but overall, an amazing watch!
- Gone girl
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Gone Girl is a film from 2014. Nick, a writer played by Ben Affleck, has a beautiful, perfect wife, played by Rosamund Pike. Their relationship looks like a blissful marriage on the outside. However, when she goes missing, the police make Nick the prime suspect. As the investigation progresses, the media causes the image of the happy marriage to disintegrate. This film shows that people who seem like complete opposites, can in the end, be the same. This movie is definitely for my mystery lovers!
- Parasite
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Parasite is full of comedy but is also terrifying, gross, and intense. It entertains crime and deals with classism. I felt every emotion while watching this and the viewer is made to feel sympathy for people that commit disgraceful acts.
There are so many more psychological thrillers that deserve to be added to the list but these account for my current favorites. I hope if there are movies on this list that you haven’t seen before, that you give them a watch because they are revolutionary!