A perfectly made thriller has all the capacity to hook you more than any other type of film. It may compete against a scary horror film or a funny romantic comedy, but when the thrills work, there's nothing better for engaging the viewer and forcing them to watch until the end.
In the sea of thrillers and mystery movies available out there, some may get overlooked. However, considering it's one of the most popular genres out there, the following films are sure to impress. If you have Netflix and you like thrillers, then these underrated films must be on your watchlist.
10 Calibre (2018)
In Calibre, two friends, Marcus and Vaughn, decide to go on a hunting trip in the Scottish Highlands. They're not very welcome in town, but they don't pay attention to the locals. The problem is that the next day, they accidentally shoot a boy and kill him, and they try to make a run out of town, but it doesn't turn out to be easy. Calibre is one of the most underrated films in the entire Netflix catalog.
One Small Mistake
The 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes should be enough to convince you to see this sleeper hit that went unnoticed in 2018 but built up its cult status over the years. The fact that one small mistake is enough to send the characters deep down a violent path makes it all the more realistic and poignant in its approach.
9 I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017)
I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore follows Ruth, a nurse who finds someone has broken into her home and stolen some goods. When she attempts to find the thief alongside her neighbor Tony, they uncover a conspiracy that's bigger than they thought. Melanie Lynskey and Elijah Wood play Ruth and Tony in probably their best roles to date.
A Near-Perfect Thriller
The film is directed by Jeremy Saulnier's frequent collaborator, Macon Blair, and he has taken a lot of his friend's resources and applied them to an outstanding comedy thriller that will leave you shaking when it gets serious. The scene in which Ruth and Tony face high-profile criminals will make you laugh until someone dies.
8 The Clovehitch Killer (2018)
The Clovehitch Killer is the story of 16-year-old Tyler Burnside, a teenager living in a very Christian community which is still going through the emotional effects of a serial killer who stopped his murderous rounds ten years ago. When Tyler gets shunned by his friends because of a bondage photograph he finds, he starts suspecting his father may be the killer.
A Gritty and Modern Thriller That Hits Close to Home
A slow-burn thriller that's guaranteed to leave a mark, The Clovehitch Killer stars Dylan McDermott and Charlie Plummer as father and son, the two leads in a film that progresses into a nightmarish coming-of-age story about horror being disturbingly close. Director Duncan Skiles, in an impressive debut, was inspired by the BTK serial killer story.
7 Alone (2020)
Alone follows a widow named Jessica who's driving across the country attempting to deal with grief. An episode of road rage introduces her to a man who, at first, seems harmless, but then she keeps running into him. Eventually, she discovers his intentions are darker, and he has plans for her.
Formulaic Yet Very Effective
The film perfectly follows its "maniac chases woman" formula. But as much as it sticks to the tropes of the subgenre, there's strong character development that's made better by Jules Willcox's perfect portrayal of a victim. Marc Menchaca, one of the most underrated actors on television, gives a great performance as Sam, the unhinged madman trying to capture Jessica.
6 All Good Things (2010)
Andrew Jarecki's All Good Things follows David Marks, the heir to a real estate empire, who marries Katie McCarthy and they begin their life together. The problem is that Katie realizes they have different intentions, and when she discovers her husband is part of shady businesses, she vanishes. Of course, all the evidence points to David, who finally reveals himself to the world.
The True Story That Was Impossible to Believe
If the story sounds familiar, that's because it is. Jarecki drew inspiration (but changed the names) from the story of Robert Durst, the mogul who was linked to several murders in the 20th century. All Good Things impressed the real Durst so much that he decided to open himself up to Jarecki and tell his story in The Jinx, the docuseries that was essential to him being convicted a few years ago because he confessed on a hot mic.
5 Mercy (2016)
In Mercy, four siblings gather in the farmhouse where their mother is dying. They have decided to come together, and although they seem estranged from each other, they have decided to have a cordial reunion. The problem is that masked strangers stand outside and have decided to attack them.
One of the Best Movie Twists in Recent Years
Not many people know about Mercy because Netflix didn't do a very good job promoting it, and it mostly remains hidden in the algorithm. Nevertheless, it's a fascinating exercise in genre storytelling with a narrative style that'll keep you hooked until it delivers its unexpected and mindblowing twist ending. You won't be prepared for what happens.
4 The Hater (2020)
The Hater follows Tomasz, an insecure but clever young man who's fascinated with an upper-class family. When he gets a job inciting hate on a modern troll farm, he finds out he can use his skills to disarm the integrity of the Krasucki family and make them implode with a few social posts.
Hate is Abstract and Effective
Jan Komasa's social thriller is one of the best films of 2020. It's a great depiction of today's dependence on social media and how it can influence us, and not the right way when it comes to basic communication. Its resemblance to real-life tragedy is very eerie, and the performance by Maciej Musiałowski as Tomasz is masterful.
3 The Stranger (2022)
The Stranger is the story of Mark Frame, an undercover police agent whose only goal is to get a suspect to confess. Henry Teague is the main suspect in the abduction and murder of a young teenager, but there's no proof that he actually did it. Frame insists he can get Teague to confess by befriending him, but their friendship goes too far, and the policeman falls down a rabbit hole of pure deceit.
The Deconstruction of Evil
Based on the true story of the agents who participated in the investigation of a notorious murder case in Australia, The Stranger is a solid psychological thriller that depends solely on two impressive performances by Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris. It's one of the highest-rated films on the list, with a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
2 The Occupant (2020)
In The Occupant, a lonely business executive is going through a rough patch at work and gets fired unexpectedly. Javier is forced to sell his apartment because he has no money to care for his family, and when new occupants move in, he starts to mess with them. He infiltrates the relationship and ultimately causes Tomás and Lara's relationship to crumble.
It's Only Human to Feel That Way
A crafty Spanish thriller, The Occupant (originally titled Hogar, in English, Home) is a fine execution of thriller tropes that are fortunately restricted by its clever script. You won't imagine Javier will do what you're thinking he's going to do. Oh, but he does in this cool study of family morals and the limits of human decency.
1 1922 (2017)
1922 is the story of Wilf James, a farmer whose relationship with his wife is broken due to their lack of agreement in regards to their land. Wilf convinces their son, Henry, that they should murder Arlette in order to get some money. When they do, a series of unfortunate incidents begin, and Wilf ultimately learns that he should have thought this better.
One of Stephen King's Most Underrated Features
Based on Stephen King's novella of the same name, 1922 stars Thomas Jane in a very good role that navigates through a moral whirlpool of guilt, eventually stopping at a fair display of karma. Holding a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film remains an underseen King film with a great balance between psychological horror and white-knuckle thriller theory.
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