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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".

Sleuth (1972)

8/10
Director: Joseph L Mankiewicz
Starring: Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine

Mystery tour-de-force based on Anthony Shaffer's play starring Laurence Olivier as an eccentric writer of mystery novels coercing his wife's lover Mic... Read more

Seven (1995)

5.2/10
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C McGinley, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, R Lee...

An unmissable, atmospheric thriller about a serial killer who slays victims according to the seven deadly sins (gluttony, sloth, envy, etc). Assigned... Read more

Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)

6.4/10
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes, Danny Tre...

Third and final film in writer/director Robert Rodriguez's "El Mariachi" trilogy (following "El Mariachi" and "Desperado") stars Antonio Banderas as t... Read more

Man on Fire (2004)

7.7/10
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Dakota Fanning, Marc Anthony, Radha Mitch...

Denzel Washington reteamed with "Crimson Tide" director Tony Scott for this blazing actioner based on the novel by A.J. Quinnell. Hired to protect the... Read more

Eastern Promises (2007)

7.7/10
Director: David Cronenberg
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Sinead Cusack

Following on from 'A History of Violence', director David Cronenberg again imbues a familiar Hollywood story with his trademark raw style and a searin... Read more

Tell No One (2006)

7.5/10
Director: Guillaume Canet
Starring: Francois Cluzet, Marie-Josee Croze, Andre Dussollier, Kristin Scott Thomas, Fran...

A pediatrician, Alexandre Beck (Francois Cluzet), misses his beloved wife Margot (Marie-Josee Croze), who was brutally murdered eight years ago when h... Read more

The Long Good Friday (1980)

7.7/10
Director: John MacKenzie
Starring: Bob Hoskins, Bryan Marshall, Eddie Constantine, Helen Mirren

Bob Hoskins, in his breakthrough film role, stars as a London racketeer fast losing control of his gangland empire; Helen Mirren shines as his classy... Read more

Amen (2002)

7.3/10
Director: Constantin Costa-Gavras
Starring: Ulrich Tukur, Mathieu Kassovitz

In WWII Germany, a chemical engineer and SS lieutenant is shocked to learn that the Zyklon B he helped develop to purify drinking water will be used t... Read more

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

6.7/10
Director: Guy Hamilton
Starring: Sean Connery, Charles Gray, Jill St John, Bernard Lee, Desmond Llewelyn, Lois Ma...

This seventh instalment of the Bond series sees the British Government become suspicious when large shipments of uncut diamonds begin disappearing dur... Read more

Spy Game (2001)

7.1/10
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack, Stephen Dillane, Marianne Jean-B...

Retiring CIA operative Robert Redford learns that Brad Pitt, a younger agent he trained, has been captured by the Chinese government and will be put t... Read more