Exemplary psychological thriller movies

Following is a list of films that will never feel dated, even after decades. Some are yet to be discovered, while others don't get enough appreciation. That could change. Give a look (or two), maybe?

Taxi Driver

Martin Scorsese's Paul Schrader-scripted dark meditation on urban alienation and violence features a blistering Robert De Niro performance for the ages — a seminal masterpiece for many filmmakers.

Unbreakable

Only upon repeat viewings does one realise the ever-growing impact of M. Night Shyamalan's minimalist, thematically heavy take on the superhero genre that pits two unlikely characters against each other.

The Offence

One of the most underappreciated psychological thrillers ever made, Sidney Lumet's infinitely thought-provoking police procedural doubled as an excellent showcase for the 'character actor' in Sean Connery.

Prisoners

Starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal, Denis Villeneuve's exceptionally crafted investigation story takes us, and its characters, through quite a lot before revealing the final piece of the haunting puzzle.

The Prestige

Some Nolan fans say it's the one that turned them into a great admirer of the remarkably cerebral filmmaker who, like his characters, unravels one brilliant secret after another in this adaptation of a Christopher Priest book.

The Face of Another

Can a facial surgery radically alter the personality of the person who underwent it? Can it trigger questions about identity, beauty, existence, and other things? Directed by Japanese auteur Hiroshi Teshigahara, it's a one-of-a-kind film.

The Tenant

If you reside in a hostel alone, expect to find yourself creeped out max by this underappreciated Roman Polanski film, which also saw him play the main character who is slowly, chillingly transformed by disturbing events.

Misery

Stephen King may have drawn from his own fears to craft the source material — about an insane fan holding their favourite writer hostage — whose cinematic adaptation gets a fitting treatment from Rob Reiner.