10 Underrated Thriller Movies You Need to Watch

Thrillers have given us some of cinema’s most famous and beloved films, but it’s especially rewarding to discover lesser-known titles within the genre. From critically acclaimed movies like Parasite to the suspenseful mystery of Se7en and the mind-bending Mulholland Drive, thrillers consistently rank among the best films ever made.

Those movies are great, but let’s talk about some amazing thrillers that haven’t gotten the attention they deserve. These are films that were overlooked when they came out, or have faded into obscurity, but are truly worth watching. If you haven’t seen them yet, you really should!

Super Dark Times (2017)

The indie film Super Dark Times is a real find for fans of the genre. Made with very little money, it didn’t earn much at the box office – just over $30,000. Some independent films actually make more than that in a single day!

The thriller Super Dark Times has been available on streaming platforms like Netflix. It’s about a group of high school friends whose after-school play with a sword leads to a tragic stabbing.

This movie tells a gripping story about how a shocking experience shatters the characters’ innocence and leads them down a path of suspicion and envy. It’s unpredictable and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Though not a blockbuster, Super Dark Times is critically acclaimed, boasting a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Finder’s Fee (2001)

It’s hard to find many movies as surprisingly good as Finder’s Fee. It wasn’t widely released, and actually took two years to make it to theaters after it first premiered. But once you see it, you’ll find a lot to enjoy.

The acting in Finder’s Fee is really strong. Erik Palladino stars, and he’s supported by a fantastic cast including Matthew Lillard, Ryan Reynolds, James Earl Jones, and Robert Forster. You rarely see that much talent in bigger-budget films.

Finder’s Fee tells the story of Tepper, who returns a lost wallet only to discover it contains a $6 million lottery ticket. When the wallet’s owner joins Tepper’s regular poker game, things get complicated as everyone’s greed leads them down a dangerous path.

Emily The Criminal (2022)

Aubrey Plaza immediately stood out as a talented actress, and she’s continued to improve with each role. Many believe her performance in the 2022 film Emily the Criminal was her best yet.

I’m really hooked on this new crime thriller! It’s about a woman named Emily who gets into a credit card scam to try and pay off her student loans. It quickly spirals out of control and pulls her into a much darker, more dangerous criminal world than she ever expected. Honestly, I immediately connected with Emily because who hasn’t struggled with debt? It makes you really root for her, even as things get crazy.

Despite a quiet initial release, the thriller Emily the Criminal gained popularity on Netflix. Critics and audiences have given it high marks – it boasts a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – praising its insightful look at society and Aubrey Plaza’s compelling performance. Many consider it a standout thriller of the last few years.

Luce (2019)

Luce is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller. The movie centers on Luce, a Black teenager whose unsettling school essay leads his white adoptive parents to question their beliefs and everything they thought they knew about him.

The film, focusing on a Black teenager raised by white parents, sparks important conversations about racism, class differences, and the dangers of making assumptions. Because the audience is never fully privy to Luce’s thoughts, the movie maintains a suspenseful and unsettling atmosphere, particularly in its final moments.

One of the best parts of the movie Luce is its cast, featuring strong performances from Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the lead role, Naomi Watts and Tim Roth as his parents, and Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer as his teacher. The film received positive reviews and was nominated for three awards at the Independent Film Awards.

Blink Twice (2024)

Image via MGM

The newest movie on this list is Blink Twice, released just over a year ago. While it didn’t get a lot of publicity, people who saw the trailer or heard about it were eager to watch, especially because of the actors involved and the fact that it marked Zoë Kravitz’s first time directing.

Blink Twice is a thriller about a group of friends who accept an invitation to a billionaire’s exclusive island getaway. What starts as a fun trip quickly turns unsettling as they begin experiencing gaps in their memories. As they investigate, they uncover a terrifying truth, making for a suspenseful and ultimately shocking story.

The actors were all excellent, especially Naomi Ackie and Adria Arjona, who created characters that audiences quickly connected with. Channing Tatum was surprisingly good as the villain. However, Zoë Kravitz truly stood out – her direction of the film earned widespread praise and multiple award nominations.

Memories Of Murder (2003)

Bong Joon Ho is now a widely recognized director, largely thanks to his film Parasite. It achieved major success, winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and was even hailed by The New York Times as the best movie of the 21st century.

If you liked that movie, you’ll probably love his 2003 thriller, Memories of Murder. The film, which is based on a 1996 play and a true crime case, centers on two detectives trying to solve a series of murders and sexual assaults that happened in the late 1980s.

Though it didn’t immediately reach a wide audience, Memories of Murder quickly gained a dedicated following. Critics particularly loved its smart script, skillful direction, and the way it used humor to explore a dark and serious story. Many consider it to be among director Bong Joon Ho’s finest work, and that’s saying something.

The Game (1997)

David Fincher, similar to Bong Joon Ho, is a highly respected and successful director in Hollywood. He’s known for popular and critically acclaimed films like Gone Girl, Fight Club, Zodiac, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Because of his consistent success, it might be surprising to discover a lesser-known work in his collection.

A truly great, yet surprisingly overlooked film is The Game. It’s fantastic and deserves more recognition, especially considering it stars big names like Michael Douglas and Sean Penn. It’s baffling that it isn’t more well-known.

The show, The Game, centers around a rich banker who gets pulled into a mysterious game by his brother. This game quickly blends into his everyday life. What makes it so captivating is that, like the viewers, the main character is constantly kept guessing about what’s actually happening and what’s staged as part of the game.

Bound (1996)

The Wachowskis first gained recognition as filmmakers in 1996 with their debut film, Bound. While they later became famous for The Matrix in 1999, Bound stands out as a smaller, more intimate film, largely confined to a single setting.

Bound tells the story of Violet and Corky, who fall passionately in love and then risk everything by planning to steal two million dollars from Violet’s dangerous mafia boyfriend. It’s a thrilling and captivating film that keeps you invested in hoping these two women succeed.

Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly deliver captivating performances, with their incredible chemistry making every scene they share truly memorable. Over time, Bound has gained a dedicated fanbase, particularly among LGBTQ+ audiences.

Thoroughbreds (2017)

If a movie review compares a film to both American Psycho and Heathers, you know it’s worth checking out. That’s definitely true of Thoroughbreds, which really does capture the vibe of those two classics.

Thoroughbreds is a gripping movie about Lily, a privileged high schooler, and her detached friend Amanda. They unexpectedly connect and, in a shocking turn of events, decide to murder Lily’s stepfather, enlisting a drug dealer to help. This dark story, combined with skillful filmmaking and a powerful soundtrack, creates a truly suspenseful experience.

Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke deliver fantastic performances as Lily and Amanda, respectively. The film also features a final performance by Anton Yelchin. Thoroughbreds is a critically acclaimed movie, earning an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is considered one of the most compelling films of the 2010s, showcasing the talent that would make Taylor-Joy and Cooke household names.

The Handmaiden (2016)

Park Chan-wook is famous for directing the highly praised film Oldboy, but many believe his masterpiece is actually The Handmaiden. Released thirteen years after Oldboy, this film somehow surpasses his previous success, offering even more unexpected and surprising plot twists.

The movie The Handmaiden begins with a Korean woman employed as a maid for a wealthy Japanese heiress, with the intention of swindling her. But the story takes a surprising turn after the first part, completely changing the plot. The second half is equally captivating, and then delivers yet another unexpected twist.

The Handmaiden is a truly gripping and captivating film. It was a critical success in 2016, appearing on numerous ‘best of the year’ lists, and has become a favorite within the LGBTQ+ community, currently boasting a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

2025-10-30 17:05