Many crime thrillers have come and gone; many becoming memorable for their characters and narratives, but some are memorable for the chilling dialogue we get left with. Exploring the darkest sides of human nature, where good and evil butt heads, from cunning criminals to relentless protagonists, crime thrillers introduce us to characters who are captivating and chilling. In this article, we're going to cover the 10 most chilling quotes from crime thrillers. Each phrase contains a glimpse of the character's core, their motivations, problems, and obsessions.
10 "And man is the most dangerous animal of all." - Zodiac (2007)
The haunting remarks of Dave Toschi in Zodiac are chilling because they reflect a basic truth about human nature. "And man is the most dangerous animal of all.," means that humans, with their ability for cruelty and violence, can be more terrifying than any fictional monster and sometimes hide among us. Dave Toschi's character comes face-to-face with the inner turmoil and existential crisis that follows when trying to deal with an incomprehensible evil. Highlighting the film's underlying theme, which investigates the real-life unsolved case of the Zodiac Killer, the audience is starkly reminded that the danger often lies within us.
9 “It didn’t all work out the way we wanted. We’re not all here, but we did achieve something.” - Money Heist
This chilling remark from Money Heist, stated by The Professor, lands on our list because it digs into the deep mindset of a criminal genius. The bittersweet reflection on the outcome of their daring heist in this quote makes it popular with readers. The Professor, whose name is actually Sergio Marquina in the series, is the mastermind behind a carefully planned heist on the Royal Mint of Spain.
It comes at a crucial point in the show, when not all the team came out of the heist. "It didn't all work out the way we wanted. We're not all here, but we did achieve something," carries a sense of victory tinged with sadness. It means that even if the heist may have been successful in some ways, it also came at a high price.
8 “I broke my boy.” - Better Call Saul
Better Call Saul's mysterious Mike Ehrmantraut's unsettling declaration, "I broke my boy," is a sobering example of what leading a life entwined with crime takes. This quote really stands out and is chilling because it exposes a deeply haunted soul beneath the harsh exterior of his character. Muttered by Mike in a moment of vulnerability, it refers to his son, Matty, who was also a police officer and was tragically killed by corrupt cops. Mike's implied guilt for his son's murder makes this extremely upsetting. It tells us he regrets his involvement in crime and the effects it had on his family. It is implied by the word "broke" that he destroyed both his son's innocence and moral compass.
7 “Plata o plomo.” - Narcos
Pablo Escobar's terrifying "Plata o plomo" from Narcos captures the raw cruelty and authority of one of history's most notorious villains. Translating to "silver or lead" in English, it's a truly menacing statement. You can either choose silver and take the bribe to spare your life, or choose the deadly alternative, lead. With the context of the show, it's a seriously threatening ultimatum that Escobar issues to his competitors, police enforcement, and anybody else who tried to stand in his way.
6 “We’re all our own prisons. We are each our own eardens. We do our own time. Prison is in your mind.” - Mindhunter
Spoken by the infamous Charles Manson in Netflix's Mindhunter, this chilling line shows the depths of the human psyche and reveals the disturbing philosophy of a notorious criminal. "We're all our own prisons. We are each our own wardens. We do our own time. Prison is in your mind," suggests that people are only confined by the limitations of their own mind. Which implies that people are able to free or imprison themselves through their actions, thoughts, and beliefs. This also shows how Manson was skilled at psychological manipulation; skilled at persuading vulnerable people to not only join him, but do his evil bidding as well.
5 “I will find you. And I will kill you.” - Taken (2008)
Due to its intensity and the obvious message it delivers, this famous phrase from Bryan Mills in Taken, has earned its spot on the list of spine-chilling quotes. Bryan Mills, a retired CIA agent, uses his special set of abilities when his daughter Kim is kidnapped by human traffickers while visiting Europe. Delivered while speaking to the kidnapper of his daughter, "I will find you. And I will kill you," leaves no room for misinterpretation; a promise of swift and brutal justice. It really taps into the primal and relatable aspect of our human nature - the fierce desire to protect those we love.
Striking a chord with audiences because of how it shows the idea that someone can be a force when their family is threatened.
4 “Suffering? You haven’t seen anything yet.” - Saw III (2006)
This disturbing statement from John Kramer, a.k.a. the Jigsaw Killer, in the film Saw III is deserving of a spot on the list of chilling quotes from crime thrillers. It captures the character's cruel nature as well as his twisted philosophy, which drives the entire Saw franchise. He justifies his twisted actions and nightmare traps by thinking that he's teaching people the value of life and forcing them to confront, what he views, as their moral shortcomings. "Suffering? You haven’t seen anything yet," goes beyond physical pain, implying that there is deeper and more profound suffering that's going to lead them to appreciate their life.
3 “I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger.” - Breaking Bad
This iconic quote from Walter White in the series Breaking Bad is truly a chilling quote because it marks a transformative and chilling moment in the character's journey. Walter White begins as a meek and financially struggling high school chemistry teacher who turns to cooking meth to provide for his family after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
However, as the series progresses, he undergoes a dramatic transformation, becoming increasingly ruthless and power-hungry. "I am not in danger, Skyler. I am the danger," is delivered by Walter White to his wife, and it signifies the moment that he embraced his alter ego, "Heisenberg." It shows how intoxicated by the criminal world he's become and how far his moral descent has come.
2 “Did you miss me?” - Sherlock
This chilling line from Jim Moriarty in the BBC series Sherlock makes the list because it sums up this cunning and mysterious character who's ready to play some intense mind games. In this modern-day spin of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective stories, Jim Moriarty is Sherlock Holmes' arch-enemy; a criminal mastermind with a love for schemes and tormenting those around him. The line, "Did you miss me?," showcases that the conflict between them isn't over and Moriarty continues to be a menacing presence.
Sherlock, who is known for his self-confidence and rationality, is suddenly paranoid and obsessed with Moriarty's return that he can't focus on anything else. With this cat-and-mouse game that terrorizes Sherlock, we see how he's a master of psychological warfare and lures him in to play this dangerous game.
1 “I’m so much happier now that I’m dead” - Gone Girl (2014)
Amy Dunne, in Gone Girl, is a mysterious and complex character who initially appears to be a missing victim of a crime, but it becomes clear that there's actually more than meets the eye. "I'm so much happier now that I'm dead," reflects on Amy's warped sense of her ability to manipulate those around her and the satisfaction that it givers her. A revelation of her true nature, as she faked her own death and framed her husband for the murder.
It's a dark moment when the audience realizes that there's no empathy, and she truly gets pleasure out of the suffering of others. Her capacity for manipulation and willingness to go such extreme lengths to get what she wants.
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