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".
The Island (1980)
5.3/10
Director: Michael Ritchie
Starring: Michael Caine, David Warner, Angela Punch McGregor, Frank Middlemass
Based on the novel by "Jaws" author Peter Benchley, this action-packed, high-seas adventure stars Michael Caine, who plays a British reporter investig... Read more
The Formula (1980)
5.6/10
Director: John G Avildsen
Starring: George C Scott, Marlon Brando, Marthe Keller, John Gielgud, Beatrice Straight, R...
Steve Shagan adapted his own best-selling novel for the screen with George C Scott and Marlon Brando heading the cast. Barney Caine is a police detec... Read more
The Chain Reaction (1980)
5.5/10
Director: Ian Barry
Starring: Steve Bisley, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Mel Gibson
AKA "Nuclear Run" Stylish Aussie thriller about a nuclear scientist who, after being exposed to radiation, attempts to blow the whistle on a power pla... Read more
The Hunter (1980)
6.4/10
Director: Buzz Kulik
Starring: Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, Kathryn Harrold, LeVar Burton, Ben Johnson
The true story of Ralph 'Papa' Thorson, a modern day bounty hunter, stars legendary actor Steve McQueen in his final screen role. Thorson's exploits a... 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
Cruising (1980)
6.4/10
Director: William Friedkin
Starring: Al Pacino, Paul Sorvino, Karen Allen, Richard Cox
New York City detective Steve Burns (Al Pacino) receives orders from Captain Edelson (Paul Sorvino) to solve a series of brutal murders in the gay com... Read more
Raise The Titanic! (1980)
4.8/10
Director: Jerry Jameson
Starring: Jason Robards, Richard Jordan, David Selby
An expensively made but huge loss making production about the biggest salvage job of all time. Adapted from Clive Cussler's best-seller and stars Jaso... Read more
Love And Bullets (1979)
5.6/10
Director: Stuart Rosenberg
Starring: Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, Rod Steiger, Henry Silva, Strother Martin, Bradfo...
Arizona cop is sent to Switzerland to bring in the girlfriend of a dangerous mobster so she can testify against him. The mobster sends someone too - a... Read more
Bloodline (1979)
4.8/10
Director: Terence Young
Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Beatrice Straight, Ben Gazzara, Gert Frobe, Irene Papas, James M...
Based on a mystery novel by Sidney Sheldon and directed by Terence Young, this thriller is the story of Elizabeth Roffe (Audrey Hepburn), who inherits... Read more
Cuba (1979)
5.7/10
Director: Richard Lester
Starring: Brooke Adams, Chris Sarandon, Denholm Elliott, Hector Elizondo, Jack Weston, Lon...
Violent action and torrid passion amid the turmoil of the 1959 Cuban Revolution, with Sean Connery as a soldier of fortune fighting for the anti-Castr... Read more