Horror movies like Scream and The Exorcist have been Halloween essentials since their releases. Don’t get me wrong—these two were my introduction to scary movies, and will always remain cult classics. However, the adrenaline rushes and spookiness only last the duration of the movie itself. If you’re looking for something more clever to get under your skin and make you question your own sanity, look no further than these twistedly terrifying psychological thrillers. Be forewarned: these films will leave a lasting impression.
Shutter Island (2010) dir. Martin Scorsese
Shutter Island tends to get overshadowed by Christopher Nolan’s Inception, released just a few months after. Compared to Inception, though, Shutter Island's events could actually happen in real life. This movie features Leonardo DiCaprio as a U.S. Marshal and Mark Ruffalo as his partner, who are called to an insane asylum on Shutter Island to investigate a mysterious disappearance. With dark stormy nights, World War II flashbacks, and an eerie lighthouse, this movie is sure to freak you out—but it’s the utterly shocking twists and turns that make this movie simply unforgettable.
Se7en (1995) dir. David Fincher
Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman co–star in this darkly gruesome thriller. A soon to be retired detective and his rookie counterpart try to find a serial murderer who kills people that represent each of the seven deadly sins. It’s an original, methodical, and brutal slow burn. I leave you with one final question: what’s in the box?
Oldboy (2003) dir. Park Chan-wook
Oldboy is the infinitely more disturbing older cousin to Bong Joon–ho's Parasite. I felt like I became the movie's protagonist, and I was just as confused, angry, and determined as he was. When I tell you my jaw dropped, I’m not exaggerating—nothing could’ve prepared me for this tale of revenge, and I applaud its ability to make me want to take a shower immediately.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
Yorgos Lanthimos's films are disturbingly creative. They are out–of–the–box and outrageous in their own distinct ways. The Killing of a Sacred Deer makes this list above all others, because it made me feel like I was watching something I shouldn’t be. A review on Letterboxd describes this perfectly paced descent of a family into madness as “a man who plays god meets a boy who plays devil.” Though there is a supernatural element to this one, it’s the dive into the nature of the human psyche and morality that make this movie terrifyingly realistic.
Funny Games (1997) dir. Michael Haneke
A family. An isolated country home. A carton of eggs, some golf clubs. Oh, and two cunning young sadists. Over the course of one night, they abuse, torture, and humiliate a father, mother, and son. But don’t be fooled: this isn’t your average home invasion flick. The intruders smirk evilly, break the fourth wall, and even toy with the viewer’s sense of reality. You won’t look at vacation the same way after this one.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) dir. Lynne Ramsay
Tilda Swinton is absolutely chilling in her portrayal of Eva Khatchadourian, an emotionally– disconnected mother struggling to build a relationship with her son Kevin. The movie jumps between multiple timelines, but I promise you’ll be able to put the pieces together. Though it’s Kevin who drives the plot, the focus is on Eva, making We Need to Talk About Kevin a deeply and heartbreakingly unsettling look into the dark side of motherhood.
Rope (1948) dir. Alfred Hitchcock
What makes the perfect crime? A list of psychological thrillers wouldn’t be complete without a Hitchcock, but allow me to up the ante with his first color film, Rope. This film will make you question whose side you’re on. Two pretentious Harvard grads strangle a former classmate and throw a dinner party to show that they are “intellectually superior,” but the complete unraveling of their plan before your eyes will make you feel as if you’re the one about to get caught. Not to mention the extremely clever camerawork and not–so subtle gay subtext. This experimental film paved the way for many more to follow, and is absolutely a must watch.
Mulholland Drive (2001) dir. David Lynch
Don’t worry about not understanding this movie: it’ll throw you for a loop, and that’s part of the ~experience~. David Lynch captivatingly explores the relationship between fantasy and reality in this dreamlike Hollywood-set film. It’s beautiful, puzzling, and even more so than any other movie on this list, will leave you pondering your own life.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) dir. Jonathan Demme
I’ve saved the best for last. Each and every time I sit down to watch, I get to join Clarice Starling in her mission to solve her first murder case. The Silence of the Lambs takes you deep into the mind of an FBI agent, a renowned psychiatrist turned cannibal, and a deranged serial killer. The performances are outstanding, the suspense never dies, and the relationship (dare I say friendship?) between Starling and Dr. Hannibal Lecter is unparalleled. It’s truly special.
