David Fincher is known for directing thought-provoking, dark films with a very particular sense of humor. His crime thriller Se7en is heralded as one of the best in the genre, but it is far from the only film of its caliber.
There are (albeit few) other thrillers that can grip audiences as well as Se7en from start to finish. These succeed thanks to a variety of factors, like great direction, strong performances and shocking plot twists. Thankfully, while Fincher’s film is not currently streaming, many of the films on par with it are available online.
10 Prisoners Take a Parent’s Fear to a Whole New Level
Streaming on Max
Years before Denis Villeneuve took a turn with Dune, he directed this psychological thriller. Prisoners focuses on a father and a detective – played by Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal, respectively – who are desperate to find answers after two little girls go missing. They quickly identify a suspect but do not have enough information to connect him to the crime.
In this film, Jackman, Gyllenhaal and Paul Dano give some of their best performances, with Jackman especially showcasing his strengths as a father on the brink. The way the story unfolds, in addition to an ambiguous ending, leaves viewers with some questions. But, these questions do not take away from the film’s impact – rather, they add to its memorability.
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Prisoners
R
DramaMystery
Thriller- Release Date
- September 20, 2013
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
9 The Ghost Writer Employs Director Roman Polanski’s Talents
Streaming on Peacock, Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
With The Ghost Writer, the acclaimed director and one-time husband of the late Sharon Tate – Roman Polanski – takes the political thriller to another level. The film focuses on The Ghost, an unnamed ghostwriter played by Ewan McGregor, who is hired to finish the memoirs of a former U.K. Prime Minister (portrayed by Pierce Brosnan). The former politician is a controversial figure, and the Ghost begins to believe he is keeping unsavory secrets.
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The brilliance of this film is the way in which its twists and turns consistently *feel* as though they should be obvious…making the reality even more surprising. Like Prisoners, it also ends with some ambiguity, leaving viewers with questions that will remain unsolved.
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The Ghost Writer
PG-13
Mystery
Thriller- Release Date
- February 12, 2010
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
8 Side Effects Only Seems Like a Basic Film About the Dangers of Certain Medications
Streaming on Pluto TV, Sling TV, etc.
Steven Soderbergh’s Side Effects is, admittedly, not as good as Se7en. That being said, its main twist is explosive. The film focuses on a woman, Emily, who begins taking an experimental medication after her husband is released from prison. But, the medication has seemingly unexpected side effects…which have widespread consequences.
The trailer for this film intentionally sets audiences up to believe they are going to see one movie, when they will, in fact, see another. A star-studded cast including Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, and Catherine Zeta-Jones gives further depth to a story that is anything but simple.
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Side Effects
R
Thriller Drama- Release Date
- February 6, 2013
- Runtime
- 106 minutes
- Director
- Steven Soderbergh
7 Annihilation May Be Alex Garland’s Best Directorial Feature
2018, Streaming on Paramount+
Die-hard fans of Alex Garland may disapprove of Annihilation making this list over Ex Machina, but the 2018 film continues to stand out above other thrillers. While it does lean more toward horror than thriller at times, it boasts stunning visual effects and an underlying sense of wrongness that stays with viewers far past the film’s end.
Annihilation tells the story of a woman, Lena, whose husband has seemingly returned home safely after being presumed dead. She then goes with a female ensemble to investigate Area X – the place where her husband first went missing. There is a fairly significant discrepancy between the critic and audience scores for this film, with critics generally liking it more than audiences. Their consensus on Rotten Tomatoes is that it features “an impressively ambitious – and surprisingly strange – exploration of challenging themes.”
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Annihilation
R
Sci-Fi
Mystery
Horror- Release Date
- February 23, 2018
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
6 12 Monkeys Succeeds Despite Some Confusing Plot Points
Currently Available to Rent
When Brad Pitt was cast in 12 Monkeys, he was still a fairly new entity in the Hollywood scene. But, by the time the film was released in the United States, he had already been seen by audiences in a variety of successful films, including Se7en. His performance, as well as stellar turns by Bruce Willis and Madeleine Stowe, helped make this movie a hit.
The film focuses on a man who travels back from the 2030s to the 1990s, in order to learn more about a plague that will kill most of humanity. Directed by Monty Python member Terry Gilliam, 12 Monkeys works as a dramatic thriller, even when its storyline becomes a bit cluttered. It simultaneously feels like an ‘80s film and a modern masterpiece, giving it a timeless quality for fans of the genre.
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2014, Streaming on Starz
For moviegoers who like to see justice prevail before leaving the theater, Nightcrawler may be a poor choice. This dark, gritty crime thriller (once again starring Jake Gyllenhaal) focuses on a morally bereft thief who becomes a successful freelance media photographer, or “stringer.” But, as his investment in the job increases, so does his willingness to make unhinged decisions.
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Nightcrawler is the polar opposite of forgettable. It questions not only the ethics of media but also how American society rewards those who produce the desired produce no matter the ethical cost. Offering a slow burn, the film is not intended for all audiences. That being said, it has found a welcome home among critics and viewers alike.
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Nightcrawler
R
Crime
Drama Thriller- Release Date
- October 31, 2014
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
4 The Manchurian Candidate Is a Classic for a Reason
1962, Streaming on Pluto TV and Amazon Prime Video
In the same year that Se7en’s David Fincher was born, The Manchurian Candidate was released in the U.S. The film focuses on a soldier who had been unknowingly brainwashed when he was captured at the end of the Korean War. The brainwashing then leads him to commit terrible crimes against his will.
This film is heralded as a classic for many reasons. Obviously, in some ways, it is a product of its time. But, it remarkably continues to resonate with modern audiences, in part because of how politics and power are shown to be gained through schemes. One audience member on Rotten Tomatoes says it is “incredibly prescient…for the present MAGA movement,” and that “the ending will shock you.”
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The Manchurian Candidate
PG-13
Thriller DramaMystery
- Release Date
- October 24, 1962
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
3 Donnie Darko Establishes Jake Gyllenhaal as a Genre Powerhouse
Streaming on Peacock, Philo, Tubi, etc.
Believe it or not, entries on this list were not chosen exclusively from Jake Gyllenhaal’s IMDb page, though it may seem like it. Donnie Darko is one of his earliest efforts and, decades later, it is still one of his best. Gyllenhaal stars as the titular character, who is visited by a giant demonic-looking rabbit while sleepwalking.
As deeply thought-provoking as it is troubling, Donnie Darko details a chilling story while, on a larger scale, questioning if everyday actions have any real meaning. Following its release, it has become a cult classic. A remastered version was released in theaters in 2017, in honor of the film’s 15th anniversary.
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Donnie Darko
R
DramaDocumentary
FantasyMystery
Sci-Fi
- Release Date
- October 26, 2001
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
RENT
BUY
2 Trainspotting Blends a Thriller With a Black Comedy
1996, Streaming on Paramount+
Danny Boyle’s masterpiece Trainspotting focuses on a heroin addict, his life and his friends. In many ways, it is a black comedy that skillfully showcases the dangers and entrapment of drug abuse. Yet, it can also be considered a thriller, given the extremely questionable circumstances in which the main character finds himself.
Trainspotting differs from films like Se7en in numerous ways, but it is built on an unsteady emotional foundation that often mirrors its characters’ experiences. Its sequel, T2 Trainspotting, is also worth a watch, though it does not quite match its predecessor’s quality. Both films remind viewers that there is always hope, even when situations are truly desperate.
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1 The Silence of the Lambs Sets a Standard for the Genre
Streaming on AMC+ and Philo
Like Annihilation, The Silence of the Lambs sometimes toes the line between horror and thriller,.That being said, it keeps its viewers on pins and needles from start to finish. The film tells the story of a student training for the FBI, who is asked to interview an imprisoned cannibal in an effort to get essential information about another case.
The Silence of the Lambs shines under the direction of Jonathan Demme, who ironically directed the 2004 adaptation of The Manchurian Candidate. It also features career-best performances by Jodie Foster, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Ted Levine. It examines twisted minds and to what lengths people will go for answers.
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Silence of the Lambs
R
DramaCrime
Horror Thriller- Release Date
- February 14, 1991
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
RENT
BUY
