Many horror movie fans go to the movies to enjoy a popcorn scare at their favorite movie.horror, Butpsychological thrillersit is a completely different animal. His stealthy fears that last a long time in the game get into your head and stay there, sparking a fear that stays with you long after the credits roll. For those who like to think about movies (and aren't too prone to nightmares), the slow-moving kind of scare is much more satisfying.
"There is a clear difference between 'suspense' and 'surprise' and yet many images constantly confuse them," he said.Alfredo hitchcock,One of the most respected psychological thriller authors of all time. What makes his films so iconic is his ability to keep viewers (sometimes literally) on the edge of their seats. But while there is O.G. genre, other directors have also mastered the art of suspense -Jordana Peele'a,Martin ScorseseIdavid fincheraJust to name a few,they have made a name for themselves with groundbreaking movies filled with twisting plots and characters that are not what they seem.
If you arean avid fan of psychological thrillersdo you want to be scared stupid or are you lookingdizzying movieTo watch during demon season, we've rounded up the best creepy movies. And even if it costs a lot to scare you, you can sleep with the light on just in case.
Parasite (2019)
You'll never look at your basement the same way again after watching this chilling film, which became the first foreign-language film ever to win a Best Picture Oscar. It's a brilliant commentary on classicism that's alternately sickening, terrifying, and even terrifyingly funny.
taxi driver (1976)
Directed by director Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro as a Vietnam vet whose rage and paranoia take a sharp turn, the film is widely considered one of the greatest movies of all time.
Babadook (2014)
Pro Tip: Don't let your kids watch this or they won't sleep anymore. A single mother must protect her son from an evil presence that appears in her home just after a terrifying AF children's book does the same. The premiere in 2014 caused quite a stir and is still a must-see.
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Blue Velvet (1986)
Everything that involves a severed human ear, the kidnapping of a nightclub singer's son, and a sinister plot catch our attention. It's a timeless David Lynch classic, so if you haven't seen it, add it to your list now.
Zodiac (2007)
This chilling police trial of the real Zodiac killer stands the test of time and showcases director David Fincher's talent for creating truly terrifying scenes.
The Woman in the Window (2021)
Looking out the window of her New York home one night, psychologist Anna Fox (Amy Adams) witnesses the murder of her neighbor across the street...or is she? Unable to leave the house due to agoraphobia, alcohol addiction and hallucinations, Anna struggles to understand what she thinks she has seen.
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The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
This film adaptationA classic novel by Thomas HarrisIt follows a young FBI cadet named Clarice (Jodie Foster) who needs help tracking down a serial killer. She ultimately turns to jailed former psychiatrist and cannibal killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), for help, and the results are deeply disturbing.
The Girl on the Train (2016)
Every day on her way to work, Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) sees a picture-perfect couple pass by. When a woman goes missing, Rachel finds herself at the center of a missing persons investigation that becomes increasingly difficult with each shocking revelation.
Exit (2017)
If you are a city mouse who is afraid of a forest that is too quiet, you will like this mouse. Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams) take a weekend trip to meet their family at their farm. Though they're apparently there because Chris is about to get to know his parents better, he still finds himself in increasingly scary situations.
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The Sixth Sense (1999)
When an 8-year-old says, "I see dead people," you know you're in for a chills ride. In this movie, a child psychologist (Bruce Willis) tries to help a boy named Cole who claims he can talk to the dead. If you don't already know the plot twist at the end, all we'll say is: you never know what's going to happen.
Black Swan (2010)
The disciplined Nina (Natalie Portman) would do anything to further her dance career. She lands the lead role in Tchaikovsky's productionswan lake, comes face to face with the wild child Lily (Mila Kunis). As she fights for the role, Nina begins to lose her grip on reality as her rivalry pirouettes into the sinister.
American Psycho (2000)
The film is set in 1980s New York and centers on Patrick (Christian Bale), an investment banker who disguises his nocturnal alter ego as a serial killer. As time passes, his co-workers and friends become suspicious, but will they ever get to the truth? You'll have to look to find out.
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Lost Girl (2014)
Former writer Nick (Ben Affleck) and his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) may seem like the perfect couple. But when Amy goes missing on her fifth wedding anniversary, Nick becomes the prime suspect. A series of twists uncovers the shocking truth about what happened, and it's sure to shock you.
Mi (2019)
When a group of attackers show up at her family's beach house, Adelaide's (Lupita Nyong'o) worst fears come true. The situation becomes even more terrifying when Adelaide and her family realize that each attacker looks like one of them. If the mere premise doesn't scare you, the story that unfolds certainly does.
Misfortune (1990)
After writer Paul (James Caan) crashes his car, ex-nurse Annie (Kathy Bates) comes to his aid. But when she discovers that Paul is killing off her favorite character from his books, she doesn't take it lightly, to say the least. Get ready for hair-raising twists and terrifying scenes involving the sledgehammer.
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The Shining (1980)
Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes a job as a winter caretaker at an isolated historic resort and brings his family to give them a chance to bond. But the idyllic setting hides a dark history that begins to invade Jack's mind, and this is only the beginning. There are terrifying twin sisters, ghostly visions, and one of the most harrowing chase scenes in movie history.
Vertigo (1958)
This must-see Alfred Hitchcock film tells the story of a former San Francisco police detective (James Stewart) who finds himself embroiled in a case to prevent the suicide of his friend's wife. This is one of the most suspenseful movies of all time, so remember to breathe.
The Joker (2019)
Arthur (Joaquin Phoenix) is a comedian yearning for a little levity in an increasingly gritty Gotham City. However, his tragic history of abuse and mistreatment has taken its toll on him. Over time, Arthur, a mental patient, becomes a sinister character: the Joker.
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Mom (2019)
Lonely Sue Ann (Octavia Spencer) befriends a group of teenagers and agrees to let them have fun in her basement, away from their parents' interference. But she's not the cool old lady they think when things start to happen that make the teens question their hospitality and the darker side of their friendship emerges.
Shutter Island (2010)
The handsome Edward Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) begins an investigation into the disappearance of a woman who escaped from a psychiatric hospital. But along the way, he slowly realizes that her mind can also fail. Soon getting off the island safely will become a struggle in itself, one that will stick in your head in this video.
Larry'ego Stansbury'ego
contributing writer
Larry Stansbury is a writer whose work appeared in POPSUGAR,sports illustrated,your campus,distractand more. It covers a wide range of topics, including entertainment, lifestyle, and sports. Larry graduated with a bachelor's degree. He earned a BA in writing and rhetoric from Syracuse University in 2018. When he's not writing, he's working out, eating carbs or dancing to the next Little Mix song.
Liz Schumer
Editor
Lizz (she/her) is a senior editor atGood Housekeepingwhere he runs the GH Book Club, edits essays and longer columns, and writes on pets, books, and lifestyle topics. For almost twenty years, a journalist, author, among others, ofbody biographyIIt became Buffalo.She also teaches journalism as an assistant professor at the New York University School of Professional Studies and creative nonfiction at the Muse Writing Center, and is a trainer at the New York Writing Room.