By Ann Silverthorn
We love thrillers that make us say, “I didn’t see that coming!” Better yet, those that offer the unexpected and make us practically jump out of our seats. How about the thrillers that keep us guessing, and after the big reveal, make us want to watch it again to see how it all fits together—to experience what we missed the first time around?
Here are seven thrillers that are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Some are vintage and others are newer, but all of them contain elements that make a great thriller: a good story, a likable main character, tension, twists, and an epic ending.
Rosemary’s Baby – 1968 (R)
Oftentimes thrillers mesh the real with the not-so-real world. Rosemary and Guy (Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes) move into an 1800s Manhattan building known as The Bramford (exterior shots of “The Dakota,” former home of John Lennon and the site of his murder in 1980). They meet a sweet and creepy older couple—Roman and Minnie Castevet—who overstep their neighborly boundaries when Rosemary becomes pregnant. Ruth Gordon won the best supporting actress Oscar for her role as Minnie.
Coma – 1978 (PG)
Based on an early Michael Crichton novel, a young medical resident (Geneviève Bujold) begins to notice a large number of otherwise healthy patients falling into a comatose state. She expresses her concern to her physician boyfriend (Michael Douglas), but he’s not convinced, plus, he’s up for chief resident and doesn’t want to rock the boat. That doesn’t stop Bujold’s character from delving into the mystery and the danger that goes with it.
Basic Instinct – 1992 (NR)
Michael Douglas stars as Nick Curran, a San Francisco police detective investigating the murder of a former rock star. Prime suspect is Catherine Tramell, a seductive novelist played by Sharon Stone, but frustrated Curran can’t find the evidence he needs to nab her. Curran finds it difficult to stay objective as other murder cases pile up while he’s in the middle of a steamy affair with Tramell.
Basic Instinct 2 – 2006 (R)
Nearly 15 years after the first Basic Instinct came the sequel, in which Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) is again under suspicion, this time in London for the death of her athlete boyfriend. Scotland Yard appoints a psychiatrist to evaluate her, and much like the detective in the first installment, he loses his professional perspective and becomes obsessed with proving Tramell’s guilt.
Flightplan – 2005 (PG-13)
Jodie Foster plays a mother who takes her child on a trans-Atlantic flight and then loses track of her on the plane. The pilot and air marshal say they can’t find a record of the child boarding the aircraft, making Foster’s character doubt her sanity. But motherly instinct prevails, and she won’t stop until she finds her little girl.
Dream House – 2011 (PG-13)
This is one of those films you might want to watch more than once. Nothing is quite as it seems when a young, city family relocates to the suburbs. After learning that horrific murders occurred in their home, things start to get weird and the father, Daniel Craig, won’t rest until he is sure his family is safe. Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz also star.
The Gift – 2015 (R)
Simon and Robyn are one of those perfect couples for whom everything seems to go right—that is until Simon (Jason Bateman) meets an old high-school classmate, whose life hasn’t gone so well. It’s possible that Simon had something to do with the classmate’s sorry state and, as his wife realizes this, the seemingly perfect marriage falls into crisis.
Ann Silverthorn is a freelancer and blogger who writes in a wide variety of genres. She especially loves movies and sharing her thoughts about them.
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