When we think about a relaxing evening at home, we often picture ourselves lying on the couch watching romantic comedies or feel-good movies. But sometimes, we crave something more intense. On those nights when you’re ready to spend two hours on the edge of your seat without the usual guts and gore of classic horror films, thrillers on Netflix is your best bet.
Instead of endlessly scrolling through Netflix to find the perfect thriller, we present this curated list. We’ve gathered 21 of the best thrillers available on Netflix, ranging from high-intensity heist films to eerie post-apocalyptic tales. There’s something here guaranteed to get your heart racing.
The Accountant (2016)
Ben Affleck stars in this action thriller, but he’s far from a typical accountant. Instead, he uses his unique skills to clean up financial frauds for criminal organisations. When a job goes wrong, he becomes the target of a team of hitmen.
All Good Things (2010)
Revisit the Robert Durst drama with this 2010 thriller starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst. The film is a fictionalised account of Durst’s alleged murders, with Durst himself enjoying the film so much that he allowed director Andrew Jarecki to interview him. Those interviews became the basis for the true crime documentary The Jinx.
The Beguiled (2017)
Sofia Coppola sets her adaptation to the 1966 novel The Beguiled during the Civil War at a girls’ school in Virginia. A wounded Union soldier, played by Colin Farrell, disrupts the lives of the remaining students and teachers, leading to a tense and eerie atmosphere.
Bird Box (2018)
In this post-apocalyptic thriller, Sandra Bullock stars as a woman navigating a world where seeing mysterious entities drives people to insanity. To survive, she and her children must move about completely blindfolded.
The Call (2020)
This South Korean thriller involves a young woman in 2019 who starts receiving calls from a woman in 1999 on an old landline. Their interactions begin to change their lives in terrifying ways.
Darlings (2022)
This Hindi-language black comedy thriller stars Alia Bhatt as Badru, who, with her mother’s help, seeks revenge on her abusive husband. The film mixes dark humour with a gripping plot.
The Devil All the Time (2020)
This psychological crime thriller features a star-studded cast, including Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson. Set in mid-20th century Ohio, it weaves together the stories of several characters plagued by darkness and crime.
Emily the Criminal (2022)
Aubrey Plaza plays a young woman burdened by student debt and a felony conviction. Unable to find a good job, she gets involved in a credit card scam ring.
Fair Play (2023)
This Netflix original starts as a romance between Emily and Luke, who work at the same hedge fund. However, their relationship takes a dark turn when one of them gets a major promotion, leading to tension and resentment.
The Good Nurse (2022)
Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain star in this film based on the true story of serial killer Charles Cullen, a nurse who killed many patients over several decades. The film explores the disturbing events that led to his capture.
Hold the Dark (2018)
Set in a remote Alaskan village, this eerie film follows a wolf expert hired to track down wolves believed to have killed several children. The investigation leads to dark and unexpected places.
I Care a Lot (2020)
Rosamund Pike stars as Marla Grayson, who runs a scam targeting the elderly. When she picks the wrong target, a showdown with a powerful mafia boss ensues.
Inside Man (2006)
Spike Lee’s heist film features Clive Owen as the mastermind behind a bank robbery and Denzel Washington as the detective trying to stop him. The film’s intricate plot keeps viewers guessing until the end.
The Killer (2023)
David Fincher’s latest thriller stars Michael Fassbender as a professional assassin whose life spirals out of control after a major error on a job.
Leave the World Behind (2023)
In this apocalyptic thriller, Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke play a couple where a major cybersecurity attack disrupts their vacation. As tensions rise, they must navigate the chaos with the unexpected arrival of the rental house’s owner.
The Little Things (2021)
Denzel Washington and Rami Malek star as detectives tracking a serial killer, with Jared Leto playing the prime suspect. The film’s noir style and intense performances received praise despite mixed reviews.
Luckiest Girl Alive (2022)
Mila Kunis stars in this adaptation of Jessica Knoll’s novel, which deals with themes of sexual assault and gun violence. The story reveals the traumatic events that shaped the protagonist’s life.
Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)
Idris Elba returns as detective John Luther in this feature-length continuation of the TV series. The film follows Luther as he escapes from prison to stop a wealthy serial killer.
The Pale Blue Eye (2022)
Set in 1830, this mystery film stars Christian Bale as a detective investigating a murder at West Point. He enlists the help of a young Edgar Allan Poe, played by Harry Melling.
The Weekend Away (2022)
Leighton Meester stars as Beth, a new mom on a weekend getaway to Croatia. When her best friend goes missing, Beth must unravel a web of lies to find her.
The Woman in the Window (2021)
Amy Adams plays an agoraphobic woman who becomes embroiled in a serial killer’s plot after witnessing suspicious activity in her neighbourhood. The film is based on A.J. Finn’s bestseller.
Enjoy these thrilling picks and prepare for a night full of suspense and excitement!
This article was syndicated from Marie Claire USA
Translated and adapted by Praise Vandeh, Marie Claire Nigeria Content Writer