Psychological thriller
{{short description|Genre combining thriller and psychological fiction}}
{{Excessive examples|date=October 2013}}
Psychological thriller is a genre combining the thriller and psychological fiction genres. It is commonly used to describe literature or films that deal with psychological narratives in a thriller or thrilling setting.
In terms of context and convention, it is a subgenre of the broader ranging thriller narrative structure,Dictionary.com, definition, [https://www.dictionary.com/noresult?term=psychological%2Bthriller psychological thriller (definition)]{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Accessed November 3, 2013, "...a suspenseful movie or book emphasizing the psychology of its characters rather than the plot; this subgenre of thriller movie or book – Example: In a psychological thriller, the characters are exposed to danger on a mental level rather than a physical one....", with similarities to Gothic and detective fiction in the sense of sometimes having a "dissolving sense of reality". It is often told through the viewpoint of psychologically stressed characters, revealing their distorted mental perceptions and focusing on the complex and often tortured relationships between obsessive and pathological characters.Christopher Pittard, Blackwell Reference, [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/public/tocnode?id=g9781405182904_chunk_g978140518290418_ss1-14 Psychological Thrillers], Accessed November 3, 2013, "...characteristics of the genre as 'a dissolving sense of reality; reticence in moral pronouncements; obsessive, pathological characters; the narrative privileging of complex, tortured relationships' ( Munt 1994)..." Psychological thrillers often incorporate elements of mystery, drama, action, and paranoia. The genre overlaps with the psychological drama and psychological horror genres, the latter generally involving more horror and terror elements and themes and more disturbing or frightening scenarios.{{Cite web|url= https://nofilmschool.com/thriller-genre-in-movies-and-tv-shows|title= Defining the Thriller Genre in Movies and TV|date= 5 November 2020}}
Definition
Peter Hutchings states varied films have been labeled psychological thrillers, but it usually refers to "narratives with domesticated settings in which action is suppressed and where thrills are provided instead via investigations of the psychologies of the principal characters."{{cite book|title=The A to Z of Horror|last=Hutchings|first=Peter|page=253|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2009|isbn=9780810870505|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N_5DPHOVG7YC&pg=PA253}} A distinguishing characteristic of a psychological thriller is it emphasizes the mental states of its characters: their perceptions, thoughts, distortions, and general struggle to grasp reality.{{cite book|title=Movies and the Modern Psyche | last=Packer | first=Sharon | publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2007|isbn=9780275993597|pages=87–90|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CX4goUP_yh0C&pg=PA87}}
According to director John Madden, psychological thrillers focus on story, character development, choice, and moral conflict; fear and anxiety drive the psychological tension in unpredictable ways. However, the majority of psychological thrillers have happy endings. Madden stated their lack of spectacle and strong emphasis on character led to their decline in Hollywood popularity.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/9032326/John-Madden-on-psychological-thrillers.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/9032326/John-Madden-on-psychological-thrillers.html |archive-date=2022-01-11 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=John Madden on Psychological Thrillers|last=Bowie-Sell|first=Daisy|work=Daily Telegraph|date=2012-01-23|access-date=2013-11-01}}{{cbignore}} Psychological thrillers are suspenseful by exploiting uncertainty over characters' motives, honesty, and how they see the world.{{cite web|first=Erin|last=Whitney|date=2012-11-15|work=Backstage|url=https://www.backstage.com/interview/gretchen-mol-returns-stage-modern-thriller-good-mother/|title=Gretchen Mol Returns to the Stage in 'The Good Mother'|access-date=2013-08-21|quote="element of a psychological thriller because ... suspenseful feeling of who did what, who's being honest ... about perception..."}} Films can also cause discomfort in audiences by privileging them with information they wish to share with the characters; guilty characters may suffer similar distress by virtue of their knowledge.
However, James N. Frey defines psychological thrillers as a style, rather than a subgenre; Frey states good thrillers focus on the psychology of their antagonists and build suspense slowly through ambiguity.{{cite book|title=How to Write a Damn Good Thriller|last=Frey|first=James N.|author-link=James N. Frey|pages=15–19|publisher=Macmillan Publishers | year=2010 | isbn=9781429913638|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=POPvQNgZYIQC&pg=PA15}} Creators and/or film distributors or publishers who seek to distance themselves from the negative connotations of horror often categorize their work as a psychological thriller.{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/story/six-things-that-still-drive-me-psycho|title=Six Things that Still Drive Me Psycho|last=Barton|first=Steve|work=DreadCentral|date=2008-05-27|access-date=2013-11-01}} The same situation can occur when critics label a work to be a psychological thriller in order to elevate its perceived literary value.
Literary devices and techniques
- Plot twist – Films such as Psycho and The Skeleton Key have advertised the fact that they contain plot twists and asked audiences to refrain from revealing spoilers. Psychological thrillers with poorly received plot twists, such as The Village, have suffered in the box office.{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2005-08-11-skeleton-key-main_x.htm|title=This Shocking Twist Is ... Secret|first=Anthony|last=Breznican|work=USA Today|date=2005-08-11|access-date=2013-10-31}}
- Unreliable narrator – Andrew Taylor identifies the unreliable narrator as a common literary device used in psychological thrillers and traces it back to Edgar Allan Poe's influence on the genre. Criminal insanity may be explored as a theme.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7833135.stm|title=The DNA of detection|last=Taylor|first=Andrew|author-link=Andrew Taylor (author)|work=BBC|date=2009-01-16|access-date=2013-10-31}}
- MacGuffin – Alfred Hitchcock pioneered the concept of the MacGuffin, a goal or item that initiates or otherwise advances the plot. The MacGuffin is frequently only vaguely defined, and it can be used to increase suspense.{{cite news|url=https://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/971272-196/the-week-in-preview-i-am-a.html|title=The Week in Preview: "I am a typed director. If I made Cinderella, the audience would immediately be looking for a body in the coach." – Alfred Hitchcock|first=Teresa|last=Santoski|work=The Nashua Telegraph|date=2012-08-13|access-date=2013-11-10|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051050/http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/971272-196/the-week-in-preview-i-am-a.html|url-status=dead}}
- Red herring – The term was popularized by William Cobbett and is defined as a kind of fallacy that is an irrelevant topic introduced to divert the attention of the audience. A red herring is used to lead the audience to make false assumptions and mislead its attention.{{cite news|url=https://literarydevices.net/red-herring/|title=Red Herring|date=2020}}
Themes
Many psychological thrillers have emerged over the past years, all in various media (film, literature, radio, etc.). Despite these very different forms of representation, general trends have appeared throughout the narratives. Some of these consistent themes include:
In psychological thrillers, characters often have to battle an inner struggle. Amnesia is a common plot device used to explore these questions. Character may be threatened with death, be forced to deal with the deaths of others, or fake their own deaths. Psychological thrillers can be complex, and reviewers may recommend a second or third viewing to "decipher its secrets".{{cite news | first=Stephen | last=Holden | date=2011-04-14 | work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/15/movies/the-double-hour-italian-thriller-review.html|title=Romance or Film Noir? Both, and a Thriller|access-date=2013-08-21}} Common elements may include stock characters, such as a hardboiled detective and serial killer, involved in a cat and mouse game.{{cite news | url=http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2011/07/31/your_psychological_thriller/ | title=Your Psychological Thriller | last=Wright | first=Chris|work=Boston Globe|date=2011-07-31|access-date=2013-10-31}} Sensation novels, examples of early psychological thrillers, were considered to be socially irresponsible due to their themes of sex and violence. These novels, among others, were inspired by the exploits of real-life detective Jack Whicher.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/apr/05/featuresreviews.guardianreview29|title=The Prince of Sleuths|last=Summerscale|first=Kate|author-link=Kate Summerscale|work=The Guardian|date=2008-04-04|access-date=2013-11-02}} Water, especially floods, is frequently used to represent the unconscious mind, such as in What Lies Beneath and In Dreams.{{cite book | title=Movies and the Mind|last=Indick|first=William|publisher=McFarland & Company | year=2004 | isbn=9780786480920 | page=70 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kU8B-6Bvb94C&pg=PA70}}
Psychological thrillers may not always be concerned with plausibility. Peter Hutchings defines the giallo, an Italian subgenre of psychological thrillers, as violent murder mysteries that focus on style and spectacle over rationality.{{cite book|title=The A to Z of Horror Cinema|last=Hutchings|first=Peter|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2009|isbn=9780810870505|pages=141–143|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N_5DPHOVG7YC&pg=PA141}} According to Peter B. Flint of The New York Times, detractors of Alfred Hitchcock accused him of "relying on slick tricks, illogical story lines and wild coincidences".{{cite news|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0813.html | title=Alfred Hitchcock Dies; A Master of Suspense|last=Flint|first=Peter B.|work=The New York Times | date=1980-04-30 | access-date=2014-03-23}}
Examples
= Screenwriters and directors =
- Brad Anderson – Ethan Anderton of firstshowing.net describes Anderson's psychological thrillers as "unique" and covering the theme of memory loss.{{cite web|url=https://www.firstshowing.net/2010/brad-anderson-helming-an-amnesiac-serial-killer-film-jack/|title=Brad Anderson Helming an Amnesiac Serial Killer Film 'Jack|last=Anderton|first=Ethan|work=FirstShowing.net|date=2010-05-14|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Dario Argento – Italian director known for his cult films in giallo, horror, and psychological thrillers. He is often referred to as "the Italian Hitchcock".{{cite book| last=Hutchings| first=Peter| title=Defining Cult Movies: the Cultural Politics of Oppositional Taste| year=2003| publisher=Manchester University Press| location=Manchester| isbn=978-0-7190-6631-3| editor1-last=Jancovich| editor1-first=Mark| editor2-last=Reboll| editor2-first=Antionio Lázaro| editor3-last=Stringer| editor3-first=Julian| editor4-last=Willis| editor4-first=Andy| chapter=The Argento Effect|pages=128–132|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cVVxu6D-ARgC&pg=PA128}}
- Darren Aronofsky – Frequently covers themes of madness, pursuit of perfection, and psychology.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/12/10/darren-aronofsky-swan-king/|title=Darren Aronofsky: The Swan King|first=Sara|last=Vilkomerson|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=2010-12-10|access-date=2013-11-02}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Aronofsky-Thrilled-By-Psychology-8429.html|title=Aronofsky Thrilled by Psychology|last=Morgan|first=Jason|work=Cinema Blend|date=2008-04-08|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Park Chan-wook – Korean director who explored the genre in his "vengeance trilogy" (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, and Lady Vengeance), Stoker, and The Handmaiden{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/mar/03/stoker-chan-wook-review|title=Stoker – review|last=French|first=Philip|author-link=Philip French|date=2013-03-02|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- David Cronenberg – Philip French states that Cronenberg is a "prime exponent" of a subgenre of psychological thrillers, body horror: "stories of terror involving parasites, metamorphoses, diseases, decomposition and physical wounds".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/feb/12/dangerous-method-david-cronenberg-review|title=A Dangerous Method – review|last=French|first=Philip|author-link=Philip French|work=The Guardian|date=2012-02-11|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Brian De Palma – Called a cineaste by Vincent Canby, de Palma is known for his psychological thrillers and horror films influenced by Alfred Hitchcock.{{cite book|title=The New York Times Guide to the Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made|editor1-last=Nichols|editor1-first=Peter M.|editor2-last=Scott|editor2-first=A.O.|last=Canby|first=Vincent|chapter=Dressed to Kill|publisher=Macmillan Publishers|year=2004|isbn=9780312326111|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=55qlWjbs14sC&pg=PA279}}
- Alfred Hitchcock – Hitchcock often applied Freudian concepts to his thrillers, as in Jamaica Inn, Rebecca, Spellbound, Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho and Marnie.{{cite news|first=Bosley|last=Crowther|author-link=Bosley Crowther|date=1941-11-21|work=The New York Times|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/film/112141hitch-suspicion-review.html|title=Suspicion a Hitchcock Thriller at Radio City|access-date=2013-08-21}}
- Satoshi Kon – Japanese anime director known for making psychological thrillers, such as Perfect Blue and Paprika.{{cite journal|url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=28778|title=Satoshi Kon Dies At 46|last=de Semlyen|first=Phil|journal=Empire|date=2010-08-27|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- David Lynch – His surreal films have inspired the descriptor "Lynchian", which Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly defines as "bizarrely banal, or just plain trippy."{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/2006/12/01/catching-david-lynch/|title=David Lynch wants to get in your bloodstream|last=Jensen|first=Jeff|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=2006-12-01|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Christopher Nolan – British-American director whose films deal with the mind, memory, and the line between fantasy and reality.{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-07-15-inception15_CV_N.htm|title=With 'Inception,' Chris Nolan's head games continue|first=Anthony|last=Breznican|work=USA Today|date=2010-07-16|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Roman Polanski – Described as a "world class director" by Sheila Johnston of The Independent, she states that his reputation was established by his "superb early psychological thrillers".{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/great-minds-share-a-cesspool-1615451.html|title=Great Minds Share a Cesspool|last=Johnston|first=Sheila|work=The Independent|date=1995-04-13|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Martin Scorsese – American director known for psychological thrillers such as Taxi Driver, Cape Fear and Shutter Island.{{Cite web|title=Martin Scorsese|url=https://www.psychologicalthrillers.net/director/martin-scorsese/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Psychological Thrillers|language=en-US}}
- M. Night Shyamalan – Indian-American director known for making psychological thrillers that often have a twist ending in them.
- David Fincher – American director known for his mainstream thriller films with psychological elements including Se7en and Gone Girl.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-02|title=The 25 Best Psychological Thrillers of All Time|url=https://collider.com/best-psychological-thrillers/|access-date=2021-01-05|website=Collider|language=en-US}}
= Film =
{{columns-list|
- Alice, Sweet Alice{{cite web | url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/alice-sweet-alice-v1483 | title=Alice, Sweet Alice (1977) - Alfred Sole | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie }}
- American Psycho{{Cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Nafees|date=2018-08-13|title=American Psycho Explained|url=https://www.highonfilms.com/american-psycho-explained/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=High On Films|language=en-US}}
- Black Mirror: Bandersnatch{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Jasmin|title=Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, an attempt at innovation or a total fail?|url=https://standard.asl.org/11679/culture/black-mirror-bandersnatch/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=The Standard}}
- Black Swan{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/10/arts/dance/10swan.html|title=The Many Faces of 'Black Swan,' Deconstructed|work=The New York Times |date=2011-02-10 |last1=MacAulay |first1=Alastair }}
- The Brave One{{cite news|url=https://theguardian.com/film/2007/sep/30/thriller.features|title=The Brave One|date=2007-09-30}}
- Burning{{Cite web|date=2018-10-09|title=New Haruki Murakami Adaptation 'Burning' Is A Feverish Psychological Thriller|url=https://adelaidefilmfestival.org/2018/10/new-haruki-murakami-adaptation-burning-is-a-feverish-psychological-thriller/|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Adelaide Film Festival|archive-date=2020-06-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608093704/https://adelaidefilmfestival.org/2018/10/new-haruki-murakami-adaptation-burning-is-a-feverish-psychological-thriller/|url-status=dead}}
- Cape Fear{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/capefearrhinson_a0a719.htm|title=Cape Fear|date=1991-11-15}}
- Cat's Eye{{cite web | url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/v8607 | title=Cat's Eye (1985) - Lewis Teague | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie }}
- Chronicle
- Climax{{Cite web|last=Bean|first=Travis|title=Exploring The Meaning Of Gaspar Noe's 'Climax'|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbean/2019/05/30/existence-is-a-fleeting-illusion-exploring-the-meaning-of-gaspar-noes-climax/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Forbes|language=en}}
- The Conversation{{Cite web |last=TheHaughtyCulturist |date=2020-04-19 |title=The Conversation (1974) and the art of betrayal |url=https://www.thehaughtyculturist.com/films/the-conversation-themes-analysis-explained/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=The Haughty Culturist |language=en-GB}}
- Cure{{cite web | url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/cure-v160659 | title=Cure (1997) - Kiyoshi Kurosawa | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie }}
- Dead Ringers{{Cite web|title=Dead Ringers {{!}} Synopsis & Analysis|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dead-Ringers|access-date=2021-08-13|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}
- Donnie Darko{{Cite web|date=2020-04-15|title=Why Donnie Darko Was So Ubiquitous In The Early 00s|url=https://creepycatalog.com/donnie-darko-explained-analysis/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Creepy Catalog|language=en-US}}
- Don't Worry Darling{{Cite web |date=2022-09-27|title='Don't Worry Darling' is a psychological journey for the modern thriller fan|url=https://dailyiowan.com/2022/09/27/review-dont-worry-darling-is-a-psychological-journey-for-the-modern-thriller-fan/|language=en|access-date=2022-11-13}}
- Enemy{{Citation|title=Enemy|url=https://a24films.com/films/enemy|language=en|access-date=2021-09-27}}
- Eraserhead{{Cite web |last=Kronberg |first=Joe |title="Eraserhead" – a surreal and psychological thriller that will keep you guessing |url=https://jhsblackandwhite.com/eraserhead-a-surreal-and-psychological-thriller-that-will-keep-you-guessing/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=The Black & White}}
- Fatal Attraction{{cite news|last=Wiggins|first=Brent|date=November 4, 2022|title=Fatal Attraction: Why it's Still One of the Best Thrillers After 35 Years|url=https://movieweb.com/fatal-attraction-best-thriller-35-years/|url-status=live|work=MovieWeb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920093946/https://movieweb.com/fatal-attraction-best-thriller-35-years/|archive-date=September 20, 2023|access-date=December 18, 2023}}
- Fight Club{{Cite web|last=Frazer|first=Bryant|date=1999-10-19|title=Fight Club|url=https://deep-focus.com/fight_club_1999_1/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Deep Focus {{!}} Movie Reviews for the Internet|language=en-US}}
- Funny Games
- The Game{{Cite web|last=Evangelista|first=Chris|title=David Fincher's "The Game" Turns 20 {{!}} Features {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/features/david-finchers-the-game-turns-20|access-date=2021-09-27|website=www.rogerebert.com/|date=7 September 2017 |language=en}}
- Gerald's Game{{Cite web|last=Leydon|first=Joe|title=Film Review: Gerald's Game|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/festivals/geralds-game-review-stephen-king-1202570269|website=variety.com/|date=25 September 2017 |language=en}}
- Get Out{{Cite web|title='Get Out' an outstanding, twisted psychological thriller|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2017/04/01/get-out-an-outstanding-twisted-psychological-thriller.html|access-date=2021-09-27|website=The Jakarta Post|language=en}}
- The Gift{{Cite web|last=Ebiri|first=Bilge|title=The Gift Lives Up to the Term 'Psychological Thriller'|url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/08/gift-earns-the-term-psychological-thriller.html|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Vulture|date=8 August 2015 |language=en-us}}
- Gone Girl{{Cite web|date=2013-03-19|title=Gone Girl: what makes Gillian Flynn's psychological thriller so popular?|url=http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/mar/19/gone-girl-gillian-flynn-thriller|access-date=2021-09-27|website=the Guardian|language=en}}
- Goth{{cite web | url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/goth-vm302350417 | title=Goth (2003) - Brad Sykes | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie }}
- The Handmaiden{{Cite web|last=Sims|first=David|date=2016-10-21|title='The Handmaiden' Is a True Cinematic Masterpiece|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/10/the-handmaiden-review/504992/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=The Atlantic|language=en}}
- Hard Candy{{cite web | url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/v313594 | title=Hard Candy (2005) - David Slade | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie }}
- Hereditary{{Cite web|last=Hagen|first=Kate|date=2019-10-30|title=Essential Psychological Thrillers: Mallika Pal on HEREDITARY|url=https://blog.blcklst.com/essential-psychological-thrillers-mallika-pal-on-hereditary-3f0fe7ac3c4b|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Medium|language=en}}
- Hider in the House{{Cite web |author=Variety Staff |date= December 31, 1988|title=Hider in the House|url=https://variety.com/1988/film/reviews/hider-in-the-house-1200427958/|website=Variety |access-date= February 5, 2023}}
- The Hitcher{{cite web | url=https://wickedhorror.com/horror-reviews/the-hitcher-1986-review-vehicular-terror/ | title=The Hitcher 1986 Captured the Essecnce of Terror on the Open Highway | date=20 June 2019 }}
- Horse Girl{{Cite web|title=Horse Girl Explained - What really happened|url=https://www.thisisbarry.com/film/horse-girl-ending-explained-director-netflix-movie-meaning/|access-date=2023-01-09|website=This Is Barry|date=18 April 2020 |language=en}}
- I'm Thinking of Ending Things{{Cite web|last1=Kohn|first1=Eric|date=2020-09-04|title=Charlie Kaufman's Guide to 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things': The Director Explains Its Mysteries|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/09/charlie-kaufman-explains-im-thinking-of-ending-things-1234584492/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=IndieWire|language=en}}
- Inception{{Cite web|title=Inception: Making Christopher Nolan's Psychological Action Epic|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/inception-making-christopher-nolan-psychological-action-epic/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Empire|date=18 August 2020 }}
- Insomnia{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Insomnia movie review & film summary (2002) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/insomnia-2002|access-date=2021-09-27|website=www.rogerebert.com/|language=en}}
- The Jacket{{cite web | title=The Jacket (2005) | website=FilmAffinity | date=March 4, 2005 | url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film186063.html | access-date=May 13, 2024}}
- Jacob's Ladder{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Jacob's Ladder movie review & film summary (1990) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/jacobs-ladder-1990|access-date=2021-09-27|website=www.rogerebert.com/|language=en}}
- The Lighthouse{{Cite web|last=Randi Altman|date=2019-11-25|title=Director Robert Eggers talks about his psychological thriller The Lighthouse|url=https://postperspective.com/director-robert-eggers-talks-about-his-psychological-thriller-the-lighthouse/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=postPerspective|language=en-US}}
- The Machinist{{Cite web|last=Oksenhorn|first=Stewart|title='The Machinist': a haunting psychological thriller|url=https://www.aspentimes.com/news/the-machinist-a-haunting-psychological-thriller/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=www.aspentimes.com|date=7 December 2004 |language=en-US}}
- Martha Marcy May Marlene{{Cite web|date=2012-02-05|title=Martha Marcy May Marlene – review|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/feb/05/martha-marcy-may-marlene-review|access-date=2021-09-27|website=the Guardian|language=en}}
- Memento{{Cite web|title=Film Advent Calendar: Memento is a psychological thriller that finds the perfect way to tell its story {{!}} The Northern Quota|url=https://thenorthernquota.org/entertainment/film-advent-calendar-memento-psychological-thriller-finds-perfect-way-tell-its-story|access-date=2021-09-27|website=thenorthernquota.org|date=22 December 2018|archive-date=2022-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703001829/https://thenorthernquota.org/entertainment/film-advent-calendar-memento-psychological-thriller-finds-perfect-way-tell-its-story|url-status=dead}}
- Misery{{cite web | url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/misery-v32861 | title=Misery (1990) - Rob Reiner | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie }}
- Mulholland Drive{{Cite web |date=2021-10-12 |title=Mulholland Drive at 20: David Lynch's audacious puzzle remains a mystery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/oct/12/mulholland-drive-at-20-david-lynch-audacious-puzzle-remains-a-mystery |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}
- Nightcrawler{{Cite web |last=Gelbart |first=Bryn |date=2021-08-13 |title=Movies Like Nightcrawler Psychological Thriller Fans Need To See |url=https://www.looper.com/487633/movies-like-nightcrawler-psychological-thriller-fans-need-to-see/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Looper.com |language=en-US}}
- Nocturnal Animals{{Cite web|title=Nocturnal Animals - Understanding That Ending|url=https://www.thisisbarry.com/film/nocturnal-animals-2016-movie-plot-ending-explained/|access-date=2023-01-09|website=This Is Barry|date=29 March 2017 |language=en}}
- Obsession{{Cite web |last=cinephiliabeyond |date=2016-05-02 |title='Obsession': When De Palma Stepped Out of Hitchcock's Shadow • Cinephilia & Beyond |url=https://cinephiliabeyond.org/obsession-de-palma-stepped-hitchcocks-shadow/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Cinephilia & Beyond |language=en-US}}
- Oldboy{{Cite web |last=La |first=Christina |date=2020-10-21 |title=4 Korean Psychological Thriller Movies To Watch This Spooky Season |url=https://www.kpopfoods.com/blogs/thesauce/korean-psychological-thriller-movies |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=KPOP Foods |archive-date=2022-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704101304/https://www.kpopfoods.com/blogs/thesauce/korean-psychological-thriller-movies |url-status=dead }}
- Paprika{{Cite web |last=Brei |first=Elizabeth |date=2020-05-28 |title=Paprika: 5 Reasons Why It's The Perfect Psychological-Thriller Anime (& 5 Better Alternatives) |url=https://www.cbr.com/paprika-best-psychological-anime-alternatives/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}
- Parasite{{Cite web |last=Stringfellow |first=Jonathan |title=Parasite: Home Invasion on a New Psychological Level |url=https://uproarcsu.com/entertainment/parasite-home-invasion-on-a-new-psychological-level/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=The Uproar}}
- Perfect Blue{{Cite web |last=Kurland |first=Daniel |date=2021-11-06 |title=Perfect Blue: 10 Ways It's Still The Perfect Psychological Horror Movie |url=https://www.cbr.com/perfect-blue-perfect-psychological-horror-anime/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}
- Persona{{Cite web |last=cinephiliabeyond |date=2017-01-19 |title='Persona': Ingmar Bergman's Psychological Masterpiece as the White Whale of Critical Analysis • Cinephilia & Beyond |url=https://cinephiliabeyond.org/persona-ingmar-bergmans-psychological-masterpiece-white-whale-critical-analysis/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Cinephilia & Beyond |language=en-US}}
- Pi{{Cite web |last=Rutherford |first=James |date=2019-06-08 |title='Pi': A Brilliant Psychological Thriller From the Mind of Darren Aronofsky |url=https://www.brooklynfilmfanatic.com/post/___pi |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=brooklynfilmfanatic |language=en}}
- Psycho{{Cite web |date=2021-06-16 |title=How Alfred Hitchcock film 'Psycho' changed horror forever |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/how-alfred-hitchcock-psycho-changed-horror-forever/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=faroutmagazine.co.uk |language=en-US}}
- Rear Window{{Cite web |last=cinephiliabeyond |date=2016-05-11 |title='Rear Window': Hitchcock's Cinematic Exploration of Voyeurism Disguised as a Top-Notch Thriller • Cinephilia & Beyond |url=https://cinephiliabeyond.org/rear-window-hitchcocks-cinematic-exploration-voyeurism-disguised-top-notch-thriller/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Cinephilia & Beyond |language=en-US}}
- Repulsion{{Cite web |title=Repulsion |url=https://www.criterion.com/films/404-repulsion |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=The Criterion Collection |language=en}}
- Requiem for a Dream{{Cite web |title=Jared Leto Was Never The Same After Requiem For A Dream |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/805861/jared-leto-was-never-the-same-after-requiem-for-a-dream/ |access-date=2022-09-05 |website=Slash Film |date=21 March 2022 |language=en}}
- The Screaming Skull{{cite web | url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-screaming-skull-vm1093765 | title=The Screaming Skull (1958) - Alex Nicol | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie }}
- Se7en{{Cite web |title=Seven (Se7en) |url=https://www.psychologicalthrillers.net/movie/seven/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Psychological Thrillers |language=en-US}}
- The Shining{{Cite web |title=Why 'The Shining' is the best psychological horror film |url=https://www.yourclassical.org/story/2016/05/05/shining-best-psychological-horror-film |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=www.yourclassical.org |date=5 May 2016 |language=en}}
- The Silence of the Lambs{{Cite web |last=Goyal |first=Sarthak |date=2016-07-09 |title='The Silence of the Lambs': The Quintessential Psychological Thriller |url=https://thecinemaholic.com/the-silence-of-the-lambs/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=The Cinemaholic |language=en-US}}
- Sisters{{Cite web |last=Rickey |first=Carrie |title=Sisters: Psycho-Thriller, Qu'est-ce Que C'est? |url=https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/5994-sisters-psycho-thriller-qu-est-ce-que-c-est |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=The Criterion Collection |language=en}}
- The Sixth Sense{{Cite web |title=The Sixth Sense |url=http://www.filmcritic.com.au/reviews/s/sixth_sense.html |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=www.filmcritic.com.au}}
- Shutter Island{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=Joshua |date=2021-09-17 |title=Shutter Island Ending Explained: Scorsese's Psychological Thriller Delivers A Masterful Twist |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/607850/shutter-island-ending-explained-scorseses-psychological-thriller-delivers-a-masterful-twist/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=SlashFilm.com |language=en-US}}
- Spider{{Cite web |title=Spider : Production Notes |url=https://www.cinema.com/articles/2016/spider-production-notes.phtml |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=www.cinema.com}}
- Stoker{{Cite web |title=Stoker: A Tale of Female Maturescence with a Tinge of Hitchcock {{!}} Re:Views Magazine |url=http://reviewsmagazine.net/stoker-a-tale-of-female-maturescence-with-a-tinge-of-hitchcock/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=reviewsmagazine.net|date=12 December 2018 }}
- Taxi Driver{{Cite web |title=Taxi Driver |url=https://www.psychologicalthrillers.net/movie/taxi-driver/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Psychological Thrillers |language=en-US}}
- The Thing{{Cite web |last=Greene |first=Vincent |date=2020-03-25 |title=The Thing (1982): Suspense-filled, Psychological Horror at Its Savage Best {{!}} 25YL |url=https://horrorobsessive.com/2020/03/25/the-thing-1982-suspense-filled-physcological-horror/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Horror Obsessive |language=en-US}}
- Tom at the Farm{{Cite web |date=2018-04-03 |title=Why you should watch: 'Tom at the Farm' |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/movies/article/2018/04/03/why-you-should-watch-tom-farm |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=SBS Movies |language=en}}
- Us{{Cite web |last=Emma |date=2019-03-22 |title="Us" Review: A Terrifying Awesome Psychological Thriller |url=https://www.fanbolt.com/95440/us-review-a-terrifying-awesome-psychological-thriller/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=FanBolt |language=en-US}}
- Vanilla Sky
- Vertigo{{Cite web |last=Tomastik |first=Joseph |date=2022-04-03 |title=Vertigo (Review): Hitchcock's Perfect Descent into Madness |url=https://loudandclearreviews.com/vertigo-review-alfred-hitchcock-film-1958/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Loud And Clear Reviews |language=en-US}}
- The Woman in the Window}}
= Television =
{{columns-list|colwidth=25em|
- Damages{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-24-et-damages24-story.html|title=This lawyer earns her fee|last=McNamara|first=Mary|work=Los Angeles Times|date=2007-07-24|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Dexter{{cite news|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8270130|title=There will be blood on CBS via 'Dexter'|last=Barney|first=Chuck|work=San Jose Mercury News|date=2008-02-15|access-date=2013-11-03|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080644/http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8270130|url-status=dead}}
- Dollhouse{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=03978317-3343-471e-bda1-9b1a059003e9&sponsor=|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131104104412/http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=03978317-3343-471e-bda1-9b1a059003e9&sponsor=|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-11-04|title=Fox takes chances with Fringe, Dollhouse|date=2008-07-14|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Exile{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8489426/Exile-BBC-One-final-episode-preview.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8489426/Exile-BBC-One-final-episode-preview.html |archive-date=2022-01-11 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Exile, BBC One, final episode, preview|work=Daily Telegraph|date=2011-05-03|access-date=2013-11-03}}{{cbignore}}
- The Following{{cite journal|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/the-following-natalie-zea-claire-414083|title='The Following': Natalie Zea Previews Fox's Psychological Thriller From Kevin Williamson|last=Ng|first=Philiana|journal=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2013-01-21|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Hannibal
- Homeland{{cite news | first=Gary | last=Levin | title=At heart of 'Homeland' is a psychological thriller | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/LIFE/usaedition/2011-09-29-Homeland-feature--_ST_U.htm | work=USA Today | date=2011-09-29 |access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Jessica Jones{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/news/176457_everything_you_need_to_know_about_marvel_jessica_jones|title=Everything You Need to Know Before Binge-Watching Marvel and Netflix's 'Jessica Jones'|last=Boone|first=John|work=Entertainment Tonight|date=2015-11-20|access-date=2016-02-13}}
- Mad Dogs{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/directv-latin-america-nabs-mad-dogs-1118042039/|title=DirecTV Latin America nabs 'Mad Dogs'|first=Anna Marie|last=de la Fuente|date=2011-08-31|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Mr. Robot{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-ca-st-tvpreview-robot-20150531-story.html|title=TV Preview Wealth disparity, hackers and cyber threats in 'Mr. Robot'|last=Eyerly|first=Alan|work=Los Angeles Times|date=2015-05-29|access-date=2016-02-13}}
- You{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/film-tv/netflix-thriller-you-is-part-gone-girl-part-american-psycho-and-its-back-for-a-second-season/news-story/b142bd459d6607c7989802d1a41daeab|title=Netflix Thriller 'You' Is Part Gone Girl, Part American Psycho And It's Back For A Second Season|work=GQ|date=January 14, 2019|access-date=April 20, 2019}}
}}
= Literature =
- Humayun Ahmed – Known for a series of Bengali psychological thrillers based on a professor of psychology named Misir Ali, which The Daily Star called unique in Bengali literature.{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-243794|title=The night of eternal stars is yours . . .|last=Feroze|first=Towheed|work=The Daily Star|date=2012-07-28|access-date=2015-11-24}}
- Nicci French – The pseudonym of husband-and-wife team Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, authors of eleven best-selling psychological thrillers.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/jul/13/blue-monday-nicci-french-review|title=Blue Monday by Nicci French – review|last=Unsworth|first=Cathi|work=The Guardian|date=2011-07-13|access-date=2013-10-31}}
- Patricia Highsmith – Reuters described her psychological thrillers as "intricately plotted" which existed in a "claustrophobic and irrational world".{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-05-mn-28288-story.html|title=Patricia Highsmith; U.S. Mystery Novelist|work=Los Angeles Times|agency=Reuters|date=1995-02-05|access-date=2013-11-03}}
- Henry James – Known for The Turn of the Screw and other horror stories.
- Jonathan Kellerman – The Baltimore Sun described Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels as "taut psychological thriller[s]".{{cite news|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1992-01-26-1992026078-story.html|title=Private Eyes|last=Korbren|first=Gerri|work=Baltimore Sun|date=1992-01-26|access-date=2013-10-31}}
- Stephen King – John Levesque of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer called Stephen King a "master of the psychological thriller".{{cite news|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Stephen-King-s-miniseries-makes-about-as-much-1078330.php|title=Stephen King's miniseries makes about as much sense as our traffic|last=Levesque|first=John|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=2002-01-24|access-date=2013-10-29}}
- Minette Walters – The Sun-Sentinel stated that Walters has gained a cult following for her "dark, well-constructed psychological thrillers."{{cite news|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-03-23-9703180293-story.html|title=Homeless, Home to Die|last=Cogdill|first=Oline H.|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=1997-03-23|access-date=2013-11-01}}
- Freida McFadden – The New York Times published an article on "how Freida McFadden Conquered the Thriller Genre." She is one of the most popular and bestselling authors of psychological thrillers with more than 7 million copies sold across ebook, paperback and audio.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/22/books/freida-mcfadden-thriller-best-seller.html|title=How a Boston Physician Conquered the Thriller Genre|last=Alter|first=Alexandra|work=New York Times|date=2024-06-22|access-date=2024-07-27}}
= Anime and manga =
{{columns-list|colwidth=25em|
- Death Note{{Cite web|last=jeager32|date=2014-04-02|title=Death Note: Gold Standard for Psychological Thriller Anime|url=https://stompcomp.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/death-note-gold-standard-for-psychological-thriller-anime/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Comp Stomp|language=en}}
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/madoka-magica-beginnings-may-be-better-than-the-series-5950073|title=Madoka Magica: Beginnings May Be Better Than the Series|website=Kotaku|date=October 9, 2012|access-date=October 8, 2017}}
- Neon Genesis Evangelion{{Cite web |last=Han |first=Karen |date=2021-08-13 |title=Why Neon Genesis Evangelion Is One of the Greatest Anime Ever Made |url=https://slate.com/culture/2021/08/evangelion-explained-streaming-netflix-amazon-prime.html |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Slate Magazine |language=en}}
- Tomodachi Game
- Classroom of the Elite
- Kakegurui
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Monster
}}
= Video games =
- Alan Wake – Combines psychological thriller with shooter gameplay.{{cite news |last=Lammers |first=Dirk |date=2010-06-01 |title='Alan Wake' combines psychological thriller with shooter |work=North Jersey Media Group |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/95293559_Fear_the_dark__Alan_Wake.html |access-date=2013-10-29}}
- Heavy Rain – Time called Heavy Rain a combination of Choose Your Own Adventure and psychological thriller in which players hunt down a serial killer.{{cite magazine |last=John |first=Tracey |date=2009-12-29 |title=Choose Your Own Adventure in Psychological Thriller 'Heavy Rain' |url=https://techland.time.com/2009/12/29/choose-your-own-adventure-in-psychological-thriller-heavy-rain/ |magazine=Time |access-date=2013-10-31}}
- Hotline Miami – An independent top-down game with psychological aspects of crime-thriller genre influenced by several films.{{Cite web |date=2014-09-03 |title='Hotline Miami' takes players on an acid trip into a realm of depravity |url=https://www.popoptiq.com/hotline-miami-takes-an-acid-trip-into-a-realm-of-depravity/ |access-date=2021-06-27 |website=PopOptiq |language=en-US}}
- Silent Hill series as a whole.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.imdb.com/keyword/psychological-thriller/ Psychological thrillers] at the Internet Movie Database
- [http://www.addictivebooks.com/ Short reviews of some of the best psychological crime fiction books]
{{film genres}}
{{Filmsbygenre}}
Category:Psychological thrillers