As a huge fan of thrillers, I think Sicario is easily one of the best we’ve seen this century – and honestly, it really is! But there are a few films that just edge it out for me. Taylor Sheridan wrote these three incredible movies—Sicario, Hell or High Water, and Wind River—and they all feel connected. They’re basically modern Westerns that don’t shy away from the tough stuff happening in America today, like social issues, racial tensions, and political problems. They really dig deep.
Sicario is a perfect, modern film that has become even more impressive over time. It’s a relentlessly suspenseful thriller where Emily Blunt plays an FBI agent who gets involved with a secretive task force she doesn’t fully understand. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the movie excels at telling a story with minimal dialogue, and features unforgettable scenes like the intense highway confrontation.
While Sicario is consistently ranked among the greatest thrillers, a few older films are just a bit better. These classics seem to flow seamlessly, with excellent action, writing, and overall quality. Some were even groundbreaking for the thriller genre and influenced films like Sicario itself.
5. Heat (1995)
It’s no surprise that Heat ranks so highly. This classic film by Michael Mann is often what comes to mind when people think of a great thriller. The nearly three-hour movie tells the story of a determined police officer (Al Pacino) and a professional thief (Robert De Niro), and how their conflict impacts everyone around them.
Michael Mann spent ten years developing Heat, and even filmed an early version as the TV pilot L.A. Takedown. While known for its impressive action sequences and filmmaking quality, the film’s strongest point is its compelling story. Despite having many characters, the plot is easy to follow, and the acting is consistently excellent.
Heat explores complex themes like the all-consuming nature of obsession and its emotional consequences, as well as the blurred boundaries between law enforcement and criminals. Though not strictly an action movie, it features incredibly well-crafted heist scenes, notably a bank robbery shootout considered one of the greatest ever filmed.
Heat is a film that holds up to repeated viewings, revealing new details and subtleties each time. It’s essential viewing for anyone getting into film, and it’s no surprise that movies like The Town and Den of Thieves have clearly borrowed from its style and ideas over the years.
4. Sorcerer (1977)
After the huge success of films like The French Connection and The Exorcist, director William Friedkin had a lot of creative freedom. He chose to remake the French thriller The Wages of Fear, a story with a simple but gripping premise: a group of down-on-their-luck men are tasked with transporting highly volatile dynamite across treacherous landscapes to extinguish an oil fire, all while risking a catastrophic explosion at any moment.
Sorcerer came out the same summer as Star Wars, with hopes of being a massive hit. While it’s fun to imagine Sorcerer succeeding and Star Wars flopping, that didn’t happen. Instead, Friedkin’s thriller failed at the box office and was soon forgotten, while George Lucas’ space opera became a cultural phenomenon.
Now considered a classic almost 50 years later, Sorcerer might be William Friedkin’s best film. It’s a tense and gritty action thriller about a group of flawed individuals who must team up to survive an incredibly dangerous situation. The movie is also famous for its atmospheric score by Tangerine Dream, which really enhances the overall mood.
The film Sorcerer was made under incredibly difficult circumstances, and that struggle is truly felt throughout the movie. If you found the highway scene in Sicario gripping, prepare yourself for the intense bridge sequence in this overlooked ’70s classic.
3. Man On Fire (2004)
Denzel Washington didn’t become an action star until later in his career, and Man on Fire was the movie that unexpectedly established him in the genre. Based on the A.J. Quinnell novel, the film features Washington as Creasy, a bodyguard who seeks violent revenge when the young girl under his protection is kidnapped in Mexico City.
While there have been other versions of Man on Fire, including films from 1987 and a Netflix series coming in 2026, Tony Scott’s movie is still considered the best. Denzel Washington gives an outstanding performance as Creasy, who begins as a disillusioned man, finds purpose through his work, and ultimately transforms into a relentless force seeking revenge.
The film is primarily a compelling exploration of character, with Denzel Washington leading a strong supporting cast featuring Christopher Walken, Mickey Rourke, and Dakota Fanning. The connection between Washington’s character and Pita, played by Fanning, feels authentic and well-developed, making both her kidnapping and presumed death deeply impactful for the audience – just as they are for him.
Scott’s direction and editing skillfully reveal the main character’s growing inner turmoil. The film, Man on Fire, also benefits from a strong script that gives Denzel Washington memorable lines – like his chilling declaration, “Forgiveness is between them and God. It’s my job to arrange the meeting.”
2. Wind River (2017)
Though technically his first time directing (he doesn’t claim credit for the low-budget horror film Vile), Wind River is considered Taylor Sheridan’s strongest work. This gripping thriller follows a murder investigation on a Native American reservation, revealing unsettling truths along the way.
What makes Wind River so effective is its straightforward approach to both how it’s made and the story it tells. It also represents Jeremy Renner’s strongest leading role – even better than The Hurt Locker. He’s ideally suited for the part of the film’s grieving but stoic main character, and writer Taylor Sheridan provides him with powerful speeches that really showcase his talent.
The acting in Wind River is excellent, with strong performances from Elizabeth Olsen, Jon Bernthal, and Gil Birmingham (known from Yellowstone). While the mystery itself isn’t overly complex, it builds to a particularly gripping confrontation and a very intense gunfight—one of the most powerful Taylor Sheridan has created.
The film Wind River delivers justice, but doesn’t offer much comfort to those who are mourning. It would be great to see Taylor Sheridan, after building such a large television presence, return to the simpler, more focused storytelling of his 2017 film.
1. No Country For Old Men (2007)
Josh Brolin has become a standout actor in modern Westerns, especially with his roles in films like Sicario and No Country for Old Men. The latter, directed by the Coen Brothers, is a unique blend of thriller, action, and even horror. In it, Brolin’s character unknowingly sets himself and his loved ones on a dangerous path after stumbling upon money from a failed drug deal.
A terrifyingly efficient killer named Chigurh (Javier Bardem) quickly begins pursuing Llewelyn Moss. Unlike many award-winning films that don’t hold up over time, No Country for Old Men remains exceptional. It’s flawlessly crafted from beginning to end, boasting stunning visuals and a unique mix of dark humor and growing dread.
While “No Country for Old Men” features some impressive action sequences – like a shootout between Moss and Chigurh in a hotel – it’s much more than just an action movie. The film deeply explores themes of death, getting older, and whether true justice is even possible.
2026-07-23 19:19