Top 5 Psychological Thriller films

5. Swallow (2019)

A refreshing modern addition to the psychological thriller genre, director Carlo Mirabella-Davis gave us the film Swallow. A grossly individual film, about a woman called Hunter, played by Haley Bennett, discovering within herself a desire to swallow strange objects. That only seemed to get bigger and harsher in shapes and sizes.

This is an inclusion to my tier list because I was truly fascinated by the plot of the film, moved by the stylistic and iconographic elements to the film, and will never forget the unusual nature of it.

4. We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)

The film We Need To Talk About Kevin, directed by Lynne Ramsay, is a chilling story of a child that grows up frightening his parents with his behaviour. Until he eventually commits a crime to ruin the reputation of his parents forever. Tilda Swinton stars as Kevin’s (Ezra Miller) mother Eva.

I chose this film for my list as the director’s use of a non-linear story apprehended me as a viewer. Confused and intrigued, you gaze at the screen for answers. Why is she being treated like that? What happened?

3. Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

The psychological thriller film, Silence Of The Lambs, directed by Jonathan Demme. is a film including subversive qualities, manipulative camera techniques, and editing to cause the viewers to be left on unawares and pondering who the real victim is. The Trainee or the killer? Actress Jodie Foster plays the role of police trainee Clarice Sterling alongside actor Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, whom she uses to grasp a better understanding of another killer on the loose. 

This film achieves a place on my list for its’ incredible use of tactical mind-games used by the two main characters. When analysed, it can be read, that the heavy use of manipulation by both the protagonist and antagonist has a heavy moral weighing over our society. 

2. Split (2016)

M.Night Shyamalan directed the hit film, Split, a unique angle for the psychological thriller genre. With 23 diagnosed personalities, the main character Dennis (among other names), is an astonishing performance given by actor James McAvoy. I enjoyed listening to an interview with him about the film on youtube where he explains the characterisations of each personality and why they behave how they do.

This film takes the number two spot for the underlying performance and storyline. For our main character to be a kidnapper struggling with a dissociative disorder, we knew we were going to be in for a surprise.

1. Psycho (1960)

The original psychological thriller film, Psycho, directed by Alfred Hitchcock is renowned for its enthralling portrayal of mental illness and infatuation. Main character Lila Crane, acted by Vera Miles, instills a role of a woman on the run hiding out in a motel where young boy Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) owns with his unstable mother. The shower scene of Lila’s death has become a memorable clip for the cinematic world and rightfully so as the compulsive stabbing visuals with high pitch string audio creates an atmosphere like no other.

I’m placing this first on my list as the use of creative camera shots alongside the chilling plotline, that leaves you shocked, is without question an unforgettable addition to this genre of film

This concludes my tier list of the best films under the psychological thriller genre. Thank you for reading and any feedback would be appreciated.