The Best Psychological Thrillers Of The 21st Century
This is a small selection of our best psychological thrillers from the 21st century, and they still fascinate us.
Of course, it was not easy to put together this list, given that there are so many to choose from.
These films are so challenging that you almost feel like part of the story. Some may not fully qualify as thrillers, but we chose to include them anyway.
Psychological thrillers from the 21st century
In this list of psychological thrillers, we will not focus on films that only tell a story, but on the films that make you think and feel as if you are participating.
There are certainly many other movies that you can include in this list, so feel free to leave a comment regarding who you think should be on this list.
Keep in mind that we also focus on the quality of the film, and not just the psychology-related content.
Psychological thrillers: Inception (2010) by Christopher Nolan
Inception is a film by British director Christopher Nolan that presents the dreams of some of the main characters, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page in the lead roles.
Its main psychological aspect is not just about dreaming. In fact, it also involves stories that will make you reflect on what motivates people to do something and the complexity of long-term grief.
Mullholand Drive (2001) by David Lynch
It’s hard to rate a film by David Lynch. In this case, the film Mullholland Drive addresses the question of what would happen if dreams were turned into nightmares?
It is a film starring Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring, and it contains all of David Lynch’s psychological elements. He does not give us a linear story, but instead tries to “wake” the audience and keep it awake.
The film shows us and restlessness, sadness, fear, panic and shock with the help of pictures, sounds, music, dialogues… It is as if he wanted to play with the minds of the spectators.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) by Michel Gondry
In this film, it is Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet who have the main roles. It is a very raw and emotional film that makes the brain think.
Can technology make you forget all about your previous romantic relationships so that you do not suffer from a breakup? Can one get over such a painful situation without any pain at all?
There is no answer to this question, but there is one thing you should keep in mind: pain, and the related recovery process, make it easier for you to adapt to the world in which you live.
Boyhood (2014) by Richard Linklater
Richard Linklater managed to turn this story into a masterpiece. How can you turn a 12-year-old boy’s life into a movie? This is exactly what the director and his team did.
They recorded the boy’s days, every year, for a whole decade; a boy who becomes a teenager during these years.
In the film, you get to see how the boy goes through a difficult period in life, namely puberty. It’s a movie with love stories, broken hearts and more.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) by Wes Anderson
You may be surprised to see this film in this list, but there is no doubt that Wes Anderson is a fantastic director, one who knows how to play the characters in a fantastic way.
Proof of this is The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Anderson addresses both positive and negative aspects in humans. Friendship, loyalty, ambition, love, solidarity, pettiness… There is not a feeling that is not addressed in this film.
Lost in Translation (2003) by Sophia Coppola
This is a fantastic film by Sophia Coppola starring Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray.
What happens when two lonely and sad souls find each other far from home, where they are completely free and no one really understands them?
Best Psychological Thrillers: Memento (2000) by Christopher Nolan
We started with Christopher Nolan and we will also end the article with him. This film runs backwards (from end to beginning) and tells the story of a man who wants revenge on his wife’s death.
However, he hits himself in the head and loses his short-term memory. So he constantly forgets things that are happening in the present in his life.
He then begins to take notes and even gets tattoos to remember things and achieve his goal. Interesting right?
These are our best psychological thrillers, and they will make you reflect and think, even if psychology is not the main subject. They will really make you think.
