Ramesh Rengarajan Introduction
Are you a fan of suspense, mystery, and edge-of-your-seat thrills? Look no further than Netflix for some of the best and most pulse-pounding thriller movies available. In this article, we have compiled a list of the top 10 thriller movies to watch on Netflix in 2023. From classic favorites to modern masterpieces, these movies are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
1. “The Devil All the Time” (2020):
“The Devil All the Time” is a 2020 thriller movie directed by Antonio Campos and starring Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Bill Sarsgaard, and Riley Keough. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Donald Ray Pollock. The story follows several characters in post-World War II America whose lives become intertwined in disturbing ways. Among them are a young man named Arvin Russell (Holland), a corrupt preacher (Pattinson), and a couple (Sarsgaard and Keough) who prey on hitchhikers. The movie is a dark and gritty exploration of the consequences of violence, corruption, and religious extremism. “The Devil All the Time” has been praised for its talented ensemble cast, its complex and interwoven plot, and its haunting portrayal of a particular time and place in American history. The movie’s themes of morality, faith, and the lasting impact of trauma have also been widely discussed and analyzed.
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2. “Gone Girl” (2014):
“Gone Girl” is a 2014 psychological thriller movie directed by David Fincher and starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. The movie is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn. The story follows Nick Dunne (Affleck), a man whose wife Amy (Pike) goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. As the investigation unfolds, Nick becomes the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance and the media frenzy that follows takes a toll on his life and reputation. But as the mystery deepens, it becomes clear that nothing is quite as it seems. “Gone Girl” has been praised for its intricate and twisty plot, its sharp and satirical commentary on media and relationships, and its strong performances. The movie’s exploration of themes such as marriage, identity, and the dark side of human nature has also been widely discussed and analyzed.
3. “The Invitation” (2015):
“The Invitation” is a 2015 thriller movie directed by Karyn Kusama and starring Logan Marshall-Green, Tammy Blanchard, and Michael Huisman. The movie follows Will (Marshall-Green), a man who attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife Eden (Blanchard) and her new husband David (Huisman) at their luxurious home in the Hollywood Hills. As the night wears on, Will becomes increasingly uneasy and begins to suspect that something sinister is afoot. The movie is a slow-burning and atmospheric exploration of grief, trauma, and the power of cults. “The Invitation” has been praised for its nuanced performances, its taut and suspenseful plot, and its skillful use of tension and ambiguity. The movie’s themes of grief, loss, and the danger of blindly following charismatic leaders have also been widely discussed and analyzed.
4. “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991):
“The Silence of the Lambs” is a 1991 psychological thriller movie directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. The movie follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Foster), who is assigned to interview the infamous cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins) in order to gain insight into the mind of another serial killer on the loose. As Clarice becomes increasingly drawn into the case and the twisted mind games of both Lecter and the killer known as Buffalo Bill, she must confront her own traumas and vulnerabilities. “The Silence of the Lambs” has been widely acclaimed for its masterful performances, its tight and suspenseful plot, and its exploration of themes such as psychology, gender, and power. The movie’s iconic characters, memorable scenes, and enduring impact on popular culture have also made it a classic of the thriller genre.
5. “Nightcrawler” (2014):
“Nightcrawler” is a 2014 thriller movie directed by Dan Gilroy and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, and Riz Ahmed. The movie follows Lou Bloom (Gyllenhaal), a driven but morally ambiguous young man who becomes a freelance crime journalist in Los Angeles. Lou’s unscrupulous methods for obtaining footage become increasingly extreme as he chases the perfect story, and he becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the police and rival journalists. As Lou’s ambitions and obsession with success spiral out of control, the movie delves into themes such as media ethics, the nature of ambition, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. “Nightcrawler” has been praised for Gyllenhaal’s intense and transformative performance, as well as its biting social commentary and tense atmosphere. The movie’s exploration of the dark underbelly of media and society has also been widely discussed and analyzed.
6. “Prisoners” (2013):
“Prisoners” is a 2013 thriller movie directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Viola Davis. The movie follows Keller Dover (Jackman), a desperate father who takes matters into his own hands when his daughter and her friend go missing. As the police investigation led by Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) stalls, Keller becomes increasingly convinced that a suspect he briefly encountered, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), is responsible for the abductions. Keller takes Alex hostage and begins a brutal interrogation, but as time runs out and the truth becomes increasingly elusive, Keller’s actions and motivations come under scrutiny. “Prisoners” has been praised for its intense and emotional plot, its exploration of moral ambiguity, and its strong performances. The movie’s themes of revenge, justice, and the lengths that desperate people will go to protect their loved ones have also been widely discussed.
7. “Shutter Island” (2010):
“Shutter Island” is a 2010 psychological thriller movie directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Ben Kingsley. The movie takes place on an isolated island off the coast of Massachusetts, where two U.S. Marshals, Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Ruffalo), are sent to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a high-security mental institution. As they delve deeper into the investigation, they begin to uncover a web of conspiracies and dark secrets, including the possibility of illegal experiments on patients. The plot twists and turns as Teddy struggles with his own past traumas and personal demons. “Shutter Island” has been praised for its thrilling plot, atmospheric setting, and strong performances, particularly by DiCaprio. The movie’s exploration of themes such as mental illness, trauma, and the nature of reality has also been widely discussed and analyzed.
8. “The Girl on the Train” (2016):
“The Girl on the Train” is a 2016 psychological thriller movie directed by Tate Taylor, based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Paula Hawkins. The movie stars Emily Blunt as Rachel Watson, a recently divorced alcoholic who becomes fixated on a seemingly perfect couple she sees during her daily train commute. When the woman in the couple goes missing, Rachel becomes entangled in the investigation and begins to uncover dark secrets about the couple and her own past. The movie is filled with twists and turns as Rachel’s unreliable memory and drinking habits make it difficult for her to distinguish reality from fantasy. “The Girl on the Train” has been praised for Blunt’s strong performance, its intense atmosphere, and its exploration of complex themes such as addiction, trauma, and domestic violence.
9. “Wind River” (2017):
“Wind River” is a 2017 thriller movie directed and written by Taylor Sheridan, starring Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, and Graham Greene. The movie takes place on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming, where a young Native American woman is found dead in the snow. An FBI agent, Jane Banner (Olsen), is sent to investigate, and she teams up with a local game tracker, Cory Lambert (Renner), to solve the mystery. As they uncover the truth behind the woman’s death, they must also confront the harsh realities of life on the reservation, including the prevalence of sexual assault and the lack of resources to address it. “Wind River” has been praised for its strong performances, suspenseful plot, and poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by Native American communities.
10. “The Call” (2020):
The Call”. This 2020 South Korean movie is a mystery thriller that revolves around two women living in different time periods who are connected through a phone call. When a woman in the present time accidentally dials a number from the past, she connects with a woman who was living in the same house 20 years ago. As they communicate and try to change the past, they realize that their actions have unexpected and dangerous consequences. The movie stars Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo and was directed by Lee Chung-hyun. It has received positive reviews for its suspenseful plot and strong performances.
