Thrillers & Suspense
Thriller and Suspense Films promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension.
A genuine thriller is a film that relentlessly pursues a single-minded goal, to provide thrills and keep the audience cliff-hanging on the 'edge of their seats' as the plot builds towards a climax. Plots of thrillers often involve characters which come into conflict with each other or with outside forces - the menace is sometimes abstract or shadowy.
Below is a grand line-up of the best in contemporary Thrillers & Suspense made since 1965. Following a similar theme, with generally a darker look is the "Film Noir" feature, well worth checking out. The exploits of "James Bond 007" may also be accessed stage left.
Right: Frances McDormand makes an arrest in the Coen Bros "Fargo".
Catch A Fire (2006)
6.7/10
Director: Phillip Noyce
Starring: Tim Robbins, Derek Luke, Bonnie Henna, Mncedisi Shabangu, Tumisho Masha, Sithemb...
Tells the story of freedom fighter and political prisoner Patrick Chamusso who became politicised in the 1980s when he was falsely accused of bombing... Read more
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
7.5/10
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Ben Whishaw, Alan Rickman, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Dustin Hoffman, Corinne Marchand
Born amidst the stench of 18th century Paris, Jean-Baptiste develops a highly sensitive sense of smell. As he grows older this keen sense obsesses him... Read more
Rush Hour 3 (2007)
6.2/10
Director: Brett Ratner
Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Hiroyuki Sanada, Youki Kudoh, Max von Sydow, Yvan Att...
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker return in the third entry in the popular buddy cop comedy franchise. An attempt on the life of Chan's old friend, a Chine... Read more
Black Book (2006)
7.8/10
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Starring: Sebastian Koch, Carice Van Houten, Thom Hoffman, Derek De Lint
Director Paul Verhoeven covered everything in Hollywood from erotic thrillers to science fiction films, but the return to his native country (and lang... Read more
Hidden Agenda (1990)
7/10
Director: Ken Loach
Starring: Frances McDormand, Brian Cox, Brad Dourif, Mai Zetterling
Paul Sullivan, an American lawyer with an international reputation, has been shot in Northern Ireland. Police say he failed to stop at a roadblock. De... Read more
Changeling ( Blu-ray ) (2008)
7.8/10
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore, John Malkovich, Michael Kelly, Amy Ryan
Based on a shocking true story, director Clint Eastwood's riveting drama stars Angelina Jolie as a single mother in 1928 Los Angeles whose son goes mi... Read more
In the Electric Mist (2009)
6.1/10
Director: Bertrand Tavernier
Starring: James Gammon, John Goodman, Kelly Macdonald, Mary Steenburgen, Ned Beatty, Tommy...
While investigating a series of grisly murders, veteran detective Dave Robicheaux (Tommy Lee Jones) navigates his way through the Louisiana bayou and... Read more
Unstoppable (2010)
6.8/10
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Denzel Washington, Kevin Dunn, Rosario Dawson, Ethan Suplee, Chris Pine
An unmanned train loaded with a dangerous and unstable chemical is racing out of control on a Pennsylvania railroad track. Now, a seasoned engineer (D... Read more
Cube / Cypher ( Blu-ray ) (1997)
Director: Vincenzo Natali
Starring: David Hewlett, Jeremy Northam, Nicky Guadagni, Nicole de Boer, Maurice Dean Wint...
A blu-ray double feature from director Vincenzo Natali. 'Cube' (1997, 92 mins) - Six strangers wake up inside a three-dimensional maze of interlocking... Read more
The Double Hour ( La doppia ora ) (2009)
6.7/10
Director: Guiseppe Capotondi
Starring: Filippo Timi, Ksenia Rappaport, Antonia Truppo, Gaetano Bruno
Guido (Filippo Timi), a former cop, is a luckless veteran of the speed-dating scene in Turin. But, much to his surprise, he meets Slovenian immigrant... Read more