Fans of heart-racing feature films know that often, there's nothing better than watching an edge-of-your-seat story in a darkened theater (or living room). Thankfully, 2024's movie slate includes several can't-miss thrillers, from gripping psychological films to twisty murder mysteries to film festival hits. Here's what thrillers are on our must-see list this year.
'Blink Twice'
Zöe Kravitz's directorial debut—formerly known as Pussy Island—premiered this year. It follows a tech billionaire (Channing Tatum) who invites a cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) to join him and his friends to his private island. You know how this goes: Nothing is as it seems.
'Caddo Lake'
M. Night Shyamalan produced this twisty thriller that’ll wash over you like flood waters. Its story begins by focusing on a young woman (Eliza Scanlen) investigating the disappearance of her missing little sister, which may be connected to a local lake, and, eventually, she crosses paths with a man (Dylan O’Brien) trying to find out if the body of water had anything to do with his mother’s death. As it turns out, the lake holds more secrets than originally fathomed, taking this film down many gripping currents.
'Carry-On'
If your taste in Christmas movies aligns more with Die Hard than Love Actually, add Carry-On to your holiday season watch list. In a creepy turn from Jason Bateman, he goes toe-to-toe with Targon Egerton as the two play a mysterious passenger smuggling a package on a plane and the TSA trying to stop him, respectively. Buckle up for a turbulent ride.
'Civil War'
This harrowing film from Annihilation director Alex Garland depicts a fictional near-future America in the middle of an armed civil war (because that's just what our collective anxiety needs right now). Kirsten Dunst leads the movie as a photojournalist documenting atrocities as a massive Fourth of July invasion unfolds in Washington, D.C.
'Conclave'
Conclave may not be a thriller per se, but it takes what we love about them—twists, turns, a moody atmosphere—and applies them to a drama about the papacy. When the Pope dies without a successor lined up, it’s up to Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) to organize a conclave, or the process in which cardinals descend upon the Vatican and vote for a new Catholic church leader. Drama abounds, as does heavenly production design and cinematography, and even vaping. God bless.
'A Different Man'
Edward (Sebastian Stan), an insecure aspiring actor, finds a miracle cure for his facial disfigurement. But, per the film's description, "his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he loses out on the role he was born to play and becomes obsessed with reclaiming what was lost."
'Heretic'
Two Mormon missionaries (Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher) end up on the doorstep of a sadistic atheist (Hugh Grant), who has a sadistic, calculated plan for them, in Heretic. The A24 film takes many turns and balances an eerie yet humorous tone (cue “Creep” by Radiohead!), but faith that this labyrinthian religious thriller is worth descending into.
'It's What's Inside'
In this indie psychological thriller picked up from Sundance by Netflix, a group of former college friends reunite for a pre-wedding weekend. But one of the guests brings a mysterious suitcase that turns the festivities into "existential chaos," per Netflix.
'Juror #2'
This Clint Eastwood-helmed legal thriller became a quiet, acclaimed hit—so much so that it might be a surprise award-season one-to-watch. Toying with what we’ve come to recognize in courtroom dramas, it zeroes in on a jury member and recovering alcoholic who comes to believe over a case that he may be involved and could get an innocent man convicted. Nicholas Hoult leads the cast and has received immense praise for his portrayal
'Love Lies Bleeding'
In this romantic thriller, reclusive gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) falls hard for ambitious bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O'Brian). "Their love soon leads to violence as they get pulled deep into the web of Lou's criminal family," per the film's description.
'Monkey Man'
Dev Patel directs and stars in this action-thriller inspired by Hanuman, the Hindu god of wisdom, strength, and courage. He plays the Kid, an anonymous fighter who's spent his life preparing to take vengeance against the corrupt officials who killed his mother and destroyed his home.
'Mothers' Instinct'
Cue the "literal mother-off" jokes: Oscar-winners Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway play best friends raising sons of the same age in 1960s suburbia in this tense psychological thriller. Per the film's description, after their lives are "shattered by a tragic accident involving one of their children," the pair's "familial bonds are gradually undermined by guilt and paranoia and a gripping battle of wills develops, revealing the darker side of maternal love."
'A Quiet Place: Day One'
This prequel to the suspenseful hit franchise will transport viewers to the first days of the alien invasion. The film leaves the Abbott family (played in the first two films by John Krasinski and Emily Blunt) behind to instead follow a new woman (Lupita Nyong’o’) as she navigates the horrific first moments in the city that never sleeps (or quiets down), N.Y.C.
'Rebel Ridge'
Dozens of thrillers head straight to streaming every year, but not all are as gripping as Rebel Ridge. Aaron Pierre stars as a Marine who ends up having to face off against law enforcement when police unfairly seize the money he was planning to use to post bail for his cousin. Working with a court clerk (AnnaSophia Robb) to get the funds back, they spiral into a deep corruption case, making for an action-thriller hybrid that takes pointers from classic Westerns, while examining racism in America.
'Speak No Evil'
If you consider James McAvoy one of your earliest and most charming crushes, our apologies in advance. His latest terrifying role (our kingdom to see him in another romance movie!) is as one half of a British couple (also including Aisling Franciosi) who hit it off with an American family (Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy) on vacation and invite them to their remote estate. You can guess things aren't about to go as planned, but you won't be able to predict every turn.
'Strange Darling'
This non-chronological horror-thriller tells the story of a notorious serial killer in six chapters, starting with a frenetic chase as The Lady (Willa Fitzgerald) flees from a man known as The Demon (Kyle Gallner). To keep spoilers at a minimum, all we'll say is to prepare for some mind-blowing twists.
'The Substance'
In this gruesome body-horror thriller, Demi Moore stars as Elisabeth Sparkle, a washed-up star facing the end of her career who's drawn to the mysterious titular drug, which splits her into her current body and a gorgeous 20-something double called Sue (Margaret Qualley). Per the film's description, "The only rule? Time needs to be split: exactly one week in one body, then one week in the other. No exceptions. A perfect balance. What could go wrong?"
'Trap'
M. Night Shyamalan's latest film stars Josh Hartnett as Cooper, a mild-mannered dad taking his teen daughter (Ariel Donoghue) to see her favorite pop star, Lady Raven (played by the director's daughter, Saleka Night Shyamalan). Once there, Cooper discovers that the whole concert is a trap to catch a notorious serial killer known as the Butcher. One problem: The Butcher is Cooper.
'Twisters'
The 1996 action thriller Twister (which starred Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton, and Cary Elwes as storm chasers following the most powerful tornado in decades) is the latest '90s classic to get a 2020s revival. Seen as a spiritual sequel, the new movie sees Daisy Edgar-Jones as a meteorologist who meets up with a ragtag group of YouTuber twister wranglers (led by a very charming Glen Powell) while working in Oklahoma. It's a blast with an excellent soundtrack to match.
'Woman of the Hour'
For Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, she turned her attention to a stranger-than-fiction true-crime case. Loosely based on the instance in which real-life serial killer Rodney Alcala appeared on—and won—the reality show The Dating Game amid his killing spree in 1978. Interspersed with flashbacks of women who fell victim to and survived his crimes, she aims to center their stories while examining how American culture allowed for a seemingly charming male manipulator and murderer to run free in the ‘70s.
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