The Evolution of the Thriller Genre
Thriller is one of the most challenging genres to define in film. Unlike other genres that are defined by specific styles or subjects, thrillers are characterized by the emotions they evoke in the audience. This genre encompasses a wide range of subgenres, including film noir, psychological horror, courtroom dramas, science fiction, crime stories, monster movies, and whodunits. Each of these subgenres contributes to the unique experience of a thriller, making it a versatile and dynamic category.
At their best, thrillers masterfully manipulate suspense through suggestion and timing. However, in recent years, the genre has become somewhat predictable. Audiences now expect twists, and familiar tropes often give away the ending, making even the most tense setups formulaic. Despite this, some films continue to defy expectations, keeping viewers guessing until the final frame with little to no predictability.
Gone Girl: A Masterclass in Unpredictability
David Fincher is a master when it comes to psychological thrillers, as proven by The Game and Se7en. Based on Gillian Flynn’s book of the same name, Gone Girl is no exception to Fincher’s stylistic approach to the genre. Following Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), a man caught in the conspiracy surrounding his wife Amy’s (Rosamund Pike) disappearance, the film reveals its main twist midway through. However, the mystery behind Amy’s disappearance isn’t the sole purpose of the story.
With characters as complex as Amy and Nick, the film is incredibly unpredictable. Neither character, especially Amy, reveals their next move, and each revelation forces the audience to reassess everything they thought they understood. Overall, Gone Girl is the perfect example of what a thriller should be, leaving viewers unsettled by the extremes of behavior.
Se7en: The Quintessential Psychological Thriller
Another David Fincher classic that leaves little to the imagination, Se7en is an unforgettable entry in the crime genre. With its gruesome murders, exceptional acting, and memorable quotes, it’s no surprise the film remains loved and influential to this day.
The film follows retiring detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), who takes on one last case alongside newly assigned partner David Mills (Brad Pitt). Together, they uncover a series of murders and soon realize they’re pursuing a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) selecting victims he believes represent each of the seven deadly sins. While the murders are intentionally predictable, the rest of the film is not, supported by a final act that no fan of the genre saw coming. Even 30 years later, viewers are still reeling from the shocking and unexpected nature of Se7en.
Shutter Island: Keeping Viewers Guessing Until the End
Martin Scorsese is no stranger to suspenseful thrillers, but few of his films are so defined by a single and devastating twist as Shutter Island. Inspired by a classic noir film, Out of the Past, the film follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane. Experiencing visions, Teddy is forced to confront a possible personal connection to the island, while his sanity is slowly chipped away.
The mystery thriller revolves around a revelation that reshapes the entire story and casts the main character in a new light. With only a few subtle clues throughout, the twist is timed so carefully that viewers are completely unprepared for its impact.
Searching: A Unique Entry to the Genre
The screenlife subgenre, which sees an entire film played out on screens (Unfriended, Host, Spree, etc.), has become popular over the past 10 years. One of the most unique and interesting movies to use this concept was Searching, a mystery thriller directed by Aneesh Chaganty.
The film follows David Kim (John Cho), a desperate father trying to locate his missing teenage daughter, using her laptop for clues. Searching could easily have been a generic entry with very little impact, if it weren’t for its innovative approach. Realizing he knows very little about his daughter, David trawls through hours of messages, photos, and emails, eventually discovering his daughter’s whereabouts with an unexpected twist. There are subtle clues that can be picked up upon a rewatch, but for first-time viewers, Searching is a surprisingly effective and unpredictable thriller.
Parasite: Highly Unpredictable From Start to Finish
Many films famous for their twists often struggle to make the early portion of the story engaging, relying too much on suspense and subtle hints to build toward the big reveal. Parasite is an exception to this in the best way possible. The film sets up an interesting premise from the start, later delivering a shocking twist that completely shifts the tone.
What makes the twist in Bong Joon-ho’s Best Picture winner even more remarkable is that the film remains unpredictable afterward. Viewers are left wondering how the characters will respond and what choices they will make in the wake of the twist. Unlike many mystery thrillers, where the twist is the climactic payoff, Parasite uses its twist to push the story forward in unexpected ways.
American Psycho: Continuously Throwing Viewers Off
One of the most provocative and unsettling horror thrillers of the early 2000s, American Psycho earned a devoted cult following thanks to its sharp satire and symbolism. Concluding with a twist, of sorts, American Psycho builds its unpredictability through the perspective of a dangerously unreliable narrator.
Christian Bale’s Patrick Bateman is immediately introduced as a psychopath, but his escalating acts of violence and obsession make his behavior increasingly shocking and unpredictable as the story unfolds. The film reaches a climax in a masterful final act, where Bateman’s grip on reality unravels entirely, leaving viewers with more questions than answers.
Gone Baby Gone: A Disturbing and Twisty Thriller
Ben Affleck’s Gone Baby Gone is isn’t a film for the faint of heart, but it is nonetheless an incredible addition to the genre. The story follows Detective Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) as he searches for three-year-old Amanda McCready in a rough Boston neighborhood.
Often considered one of the strongest mystery thrillers of recent years, the film starts as a straightforward kidnapping case before taking several shocking detours. The film concludes with a revelation that will not only shock viewers but leave them with unsettling questions about right and wrong. By twisting familiar kidnapping tropes and ending with a conclusion that feels both unavoidable and devastating, Gone Baby Gone secures its reputation as one of the most unpredictable and provocative thrillers of the past 25 years.
Mulholland Drive: Combining Surrealism and Suspense
David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive is a mysterious and surreal thriller that combines dream logic with psychological tension, leaving viewers unsure of what’s real from start to finish. It opens with Betty Elms (Naomi Watts), a hopeful actress new to Los Angeles, helping Rita (Laura Harring), an amnesiac survivor of a car accident, piece together her identity.
Their search leads them to the name Diane Selwyn, and from there, the story unravels into a feverish maze. Lynch uses the plot and hypnotic visuals to pull viewers into a puzzle where every answer only creates more questions.
Oldboy: A Gripping Twist on the Revenge Subgenre
Oldboy is a brutal and unforgettable thriller that achieves one of cinema’s most shocking plot twists. The film begins with Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) being kidnapped and held in a private prison for 15 years. When he’s suddenly released, he embarks on a mission to find out who imprisoned him and why.
Along the way, he forms a bond with Mi-do (Kang Hye-jung), a young woman who helps him in his search, and the two eventually become romantically involved. Oldboy pushes psychological thrillers to their limits, delivering a story that shocks to the core with its examination of vengeance and manipulation.
The Menu: A Disturbing Take on Dining Elitism
The Menu follows a group of wealthy guests invited to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime culinary event, only to realize the staff has dark plans for them. What starts as a critique of pretentious food culture, complete with overly artistic dishes and arrogant critics, quickly turns into a full-on psychological thriller.
With each carefully crafted course and every shocking death, the film exposes hidden motives among both the staff and their increasingly desperate diners. Its combination of horror, suspense, and dark comedy makes The Menu an unpredictable ride. Just when viewers think they understand Chef Slowik’s (Ralph Fiennes) intentions, the film pivots, keeping its audience constantly unsettled.
