Psychological thrillers give a peek into the dark side of the human psyche and the notoriety that comes with twists and a mix of emotions. To keep guessing the next move in a thriller plot keeps us glued throughout the movie.
HBO Max has a long list of thriller movies that take you to the dark and mysterious world of twisted human beings. Thriller movies also provide deep insights into human behavior and thinking.
Thoroughbreds(2017)
Thoroughbred, written and directed by Corey Finely, gives an insight into the impulsive, psychopathic minds of two teenage girls who plot a murder.
Amanda, played by Olivia Cooke, has already been charged with animal cruelty. She has been best friends with Lily, played by Anya Taylor Joy. Lily and Amanda plot the murder of Lily’s stepfather.
Living in a pristine background, academically brilliant Lily agrees to the murder of her stepfather, giving a view of a world where murky intentions and sinister awaken inside the well-manicured, genteel homes.
Last Night In Soho(2021)
The eerie journey of Ellie, played by Thomasine McKensie, gets mired and murkier when she goes to London to pursue her dreams of becoming a fashion designer.
Ellie has been living with her grandmother because her mother has committed suicide. But there is more than glamor that Ellie has to handle coming to London.
Unable to fit into London’s uber-glamorous and notorious atmosphere, lucid dreams introduce her to a character called Sandie and all about her scandalous life.
Empathizing with Sandie and dealing with the chaos from her vivid dreams, Ellie finally comes to terms with showcasing her designs at a fashion show.
Dark Places (2015)
A teen boy, Ben, is charged with the massacre of his family members. Libby, played by Charlize Theron, is the sister of Ben. She had been puzzled all her growing years trying to find out why Ben massacred their family.
Ben is already serving time in prison writing poetry for crimes he never committed. Libby was only eight years old when she witnessed the gruesome massacre and turned Ben in with a testimony.
The movie has subplots that keep the audience intrigued. It has themes of satanic rituals, love, dysfunctional family diorama, and the quest to know the truth. Libby meets many characters who help her find the truth in the end.
Memento (2000)
Leonard Shelby plays Guy Pearse, who suffers from short-term amnesia. His mental condition makes it impossible to form new memories.
However, he has information from photographs to track his wife’s killer. With this mental condition, he is searching for the killer. The non-linear narrative makes the plot intriguing and hard to guess.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, the Oscar-nominated film depicts the burning quest of Guy Pearse and the challenges he faces to track his wife’s murderer. His journey is not easy dealing with amnesia as he forgets what happens in his daily life.
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
An abducted little girl is in the news. Detective Patrick, played by Ben Affleck, who has also directed the film, is challenged personally and professionally to resolve this case, knowing the toxic environment the abducted girl, Amanda, is raised.
Investigating yet another abduction, they find Amanda and bring her back to her mother, only to realize her mother doesn’t care enough for her daughter’s well-being.
The movie digs deeper into the plight of children from dysfunctional families and the dilemmas the investigating officer goes through.
Stoker (2013)
India Stoker, played by Mia Wasikowska, lives with her mother, Evelyn, played by Nichole Kidman, after her father dies in a car accident.
The sudden appearance of her uncle Charlie leads to India’s chagrin as she grows unstable and violent in his company. She does not trust him initially but follows her uncle Charlie’s psychopathic footsteps of killing and escaping those who trouble her.
India is still young and impressionable. Knowing her uncle Charlie killed her father, she empathizes with him and uses him to cover up a series of murders committed by India and Charlie.
A gory film that gives a disturbing view of the mind of India Stoker, who has to handle her mother’s unstable emotions, and uncle Charlie’s murderous instincts.
Insomnia (2002)
A murder of a teen boy in Alaska and Will Dormer, played by Al Pacino, the investigating detective, is a plot of self-deceit, chaos, and redemption.
Christopher Nolan’s Insomnia sets the LAPD detective to investigate a murder in Alaska, dealing with the guilt of accidentally shooting another police officer and his history, which is under the radar.
Will Dormer already has a lot to deal with professionally and resolve a murder mystery in Alaska.
Robin William plays the villain Water Finch who unburdens Dormer of his guilt in the end. However, the morality of doing the right thing and dealing with guilt keeps Dormer on his toes, making him an insomniac.
Misery (1990)
Misery is an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel by the same name and directed by Rob Reiner. Famous author Paul gets stuck in a blizzard. Annie Wilkies, played by Kathy Bates, rescues Paul. She is the number one fan of his novels.
Unfortunately, Paul is unaware of the psychological state and history of Annie, who holds him captive with the pretext of nursing him. After a struggle, he escapes but finds a similar waitress who claims to be his number one fan.
Annie Walkies has been reading all the novels of Paul Sheldon and is upset knowing the character ‘Misery’ that appears in all of Paul’s stories is killed. So she makes him write another novel to bring back ‘Misery’ to life during his captivity.
The movie depicts the character of Annie, a fan involved in the plot and characters of Paul Sheldon’s novels.
The Departed(2006)
Martin Scorcese’s The Departed has many layers that expose the twisted side of human nature. Billy Costigan, played by Leonardo Di Caprio, plays an undercover cop who joins Costello, played by Jack Nicholson.
Colin is raised by Costello as a kid and joins the police force. Billy and Collin deceive the employers of their true identity, where the mask of good vs. evil takes turns within the same characters.
Billy is sent to infiltrate Costello’s gang in South Boston, who lives a double life. He owns a bar and turns a hardcore, cold-blooded gangster by night.
The movie depicts themes of the inner nature of humans, faith, love, betrayal, and dilemmas dealing with precarious situations Billy and Colin are put through.
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