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The 21st century has revolutionized cinema. With advances in technology and storytelling, the way consumers view movies has changed significantly. Whether you’re heading to the theaters for a big blockbuster or watching the latest film on your favorite streamer, what hasn’t changed is the desire to be entertained. And nothing is as entertaining as a juicy thriller.
Over the past 25 years, filmmakers have brought audiences on extraordinary rides through mystery and action, the dreamworld and reality. Critically acclaimed and audience-revered, these 10 films have had such an enduring impact that they are the best thrillers so far this century. From visionary directors and award-winning actors, if you seek a thrill, these flicks are mandatory viewing.
1
‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007)
Very few directors know how to make an atmosphere a thrill in and of itself quite like Joel and Ethan Coen. With a brilliant resume behind them, they made their mark in the 2000s with their neo-Western crime thriller No Country for Old Men. Based on Cormac McCarthy‘s 2005 novel, the film brings audiences to the desert landscape of 1980 West Texas. The story follows a trio of men: Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a Vietnam War veteran and welder who stumbles upon a large sum of money in the desert, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a hitman who is sent to recover the money, and Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), a sheriff investigating the crime while battling a changing world he feels ill-equipped to handle. Through the ideals of pessimism and nihilism, and through fate and circumstance, the story isn’t about who ends up with the loot; It’s about the chase between the hunt and the hunted, a role each of the main characters adopts throughout the film.
A well-received film that added quite a lot of accolades to the Coens’ mantle, No Country for Old Men has been regarded as the Coen Brothers’ “magnum opus.” Technically brilliant with masterful storytelling and profound exploration of morality and relentless evil, No Country for Old Men was a thriller like never before. In fact, it was only the fourth Western to win the top prize at the Academy Awards. Both Jones and Brolin brought their A-game to the film, but it was Bardem who completely stole the picture, turning Anton Chigurh into a newfound villain who embodied an almost cosmic evil. No Country for Old Men is a gripping story that’s suspenseful and one of the most defining films of the century.
2
‘Parasite’ (2020)
Films about class can be touch-and-go, as they’re bound to strike a chord, but the way Bong Joon Ho brought those themes to life was truly captivating. The South Korean black comedy thriller follows the Kims, a poor family who cunningly infiltrate the lives and home of the wealthy Park family by posing as unrelated, highly qualified employees. Diving deep into the themes of class struggle, greed, and social inequality, Parasite pushes the individuals to dark, chaotic, and tragic consequences that redefine how the desperate poor fight amongst themselves for scraps from the rich.
A juicy long con story, Parasite symbolized class warfare in an entertaining manner that offered a raw peek into the reality of many. Though set in South Korea, the socioeconomic divides depicted between the Kims and the Parks could be found in any country in the world. A story about the haves and the have-nots, Parasite‘s universal themes helped the film reach mainstream audiences, and it won Best Picture at the Oscars, making it the first non-English-language film to do so. A near-flawless entry, the film is predictably stressful. You know there simply can’t be a happy ending, yet you can’t help but look anyway to figure out how you get to the tragic end. A staircase thriller, Parasite is Downton Abbey in another country during its darkest timeline. Parasite is a groundbreaking film that helped Western audiences truly appreciate the brilliance of South Korean cinema.
3
‘Memento’ (2000)
Perhaps a film ahead of its time, Memento gave audiences a reason to pay attention to every detail of the film they’re watching. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, from a short story by his brother, Jonathan Nolan, the film follows Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), a man who suffers from anterograde amnesia, which causes short-term memory loss and an inability to form new memories. Using an elaborate system of photographs, handwritten notes, and tattoos, Leonard attempts to uncover the perpetrator who killed his wife and caused him to sustain his condition. The entrancing mystery keeps audiences on their toes as they work alongside the protagonist to discover exactly who “John G.” is.
Through two different filming approaches — the black-and-white story in chronological order and the color sequences in reverse order — it puts the audience directly into Leonard’s perspective. Nolan’s expert storytelling devises all the elements that allow Memento to stand on its own, while pushing the noir genre to new places. By the point that the story converges, audiences will be left with their jaws on the floor thanks to a twist they never saw coming. With truth and illusion at the forefront of the script, Memento is intricately told, proving thrillers don’t need to follow a cookie-cutter mold. Had it not been for Memento, perhaps the setup for Nolan becoming one of the world’s greatest directors never would have happened.
4
‘Mulholland Drive’ (2001)
Many individuals have attempted to capture the allure of surrealistic filmmaking reminiscent of David Lynch. But as much as filmmakers try to infuse their work with Lynchian themes, no one will ever be quite like him. Perhaps his greatest film is 2001’s Mulholland Drive. The neo-noir mystery thriller follows an aspiring actress (Naomi Watts) who arrives in Los Angeles and befriends a woman (Laura Harring) suffering from amnesia after a car accident. With the tagline, “A love story in the city of dreams,” Mulholland Drive blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, leaving audiences interpreting the film for the rest of eternity, just as Lynch would want it.
Breaking down the appeal of Los Angeles by exposing the dark, nightmarish side of Hollywood, Mulholland Drive‘s ambition watches as Lynch plays with illusion and image through shifting identities, reflecting the nature of fame and the perception of persona in the industry. Playing with dreams and alternate realities, Mulholland Drive provides the interpretation that fits your needs. Because of the Lynchian intricacies, symbolism, and visuals, Mulholland Drive is not necessarily a film you can grasp on first watch. Nor should it be. The rewatchability of Mulholland Drive has made it a timeless work of art.
5
‘Inception’ (2010)
Almost a decade later, it was now Nolan who was playing in the world of dreams with the exceptionally daring Inception. Grasping the plot of Nolan’s intricate science fiction thriller is not for the casual viewer. The world Nolan crafts is mindblowing, thanks in part to its strong ensemble and captivating script. Dense and layered, Inception follows Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a professional thief who steals corporate secrets by infiltrating the subconscious of his target. He’s offered a chance to have his criminal history erased as payment for the implantation of another person’s idea into a target’s subconscious. Tackling themes of memory, grief, and the perception of reality, Inception is one of the most fascinating sci-fi thrillers of all time.
With a masterful philosophical question at its heart, Inception is the kind of film that forces you to think while you’re engaged by its exceptional action. From a cinematic standpoint, it’s Nolan at his finest. From a cultural perspective, we’ve literally incepted Inception as the title has been colloquialized. A unique spin on the heist thriller, Inception goes beyond the norms of typical crime films to craft its own identity. Through that, Nolan’s ability to visually structure a world of dreams and illusions allows for some mind-blowing cinematic moments. If you’re a fan of Nolan’s epics, you must take a moment to relive the brilliance of Inception.
6
‘The Departed’ (2006)
There are many things you relate to The Departed: the giant all-star cast with their attempts at Boston accents, the usage of Dropkick Murphy‘s “Shipping Up to Boston,” and Martin Scorsese finally winning his only Oscar for Best Director to date. Not a bad trio of things! The Departed follows Billy Costigan (DiCaprio), an undercover Massachusetts State Police trooper, who infiltrates mob boss Frank Costello’s (Jack Nicholson) organization, while a criminal named Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) simultaneously infiltrates the state police to work as Costello’s informant. Both men become consumed by their double lives, and when their respective organizations become aware of a mole, each must race to uncover the other’s identity before they are exposed. A remake of the Hong Kong film Internal Affairs and using the real-life Boston Winter Hill Gang as a basis, The Departed made it clear that Scorsese was maintaining his hold on exceptional filmmaking in the 21st century.
A deadly cat-and-mouse game where moles are a-plenty, The Departed is a gritty portrayal of betrayal, identity, and morality through the complex relationship between cops and criminals. An engrossing gangster drama with edge and grit, The Departed was more than just a thrilling film; it was a look at the tragedy of America. With a wide-spanning cast, including Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, Vera Farmiga, and Anthony Anderson, The Departed is a masterclass on all fronts. Whether you consider it his crowning achievement or not, this is the film that afforded Scorsese a chance to give an acceptance speech, so it’s special nevertheless.
7
‘Mystic River’ (2003)
Having a brilliant career in front and behind the camera, Clint Eastwood has an innate ability to bring out captivating performances from his actors. Perhaps the best example of this is the 2003 neo-noir mystery thriller Mystic River. Based on the 2001 novel by Dennis Lehane, Mystic River starts in the past in 1975, as three friends, Jimmy Markum (Jason Kelly), Sean Devine (Conor Paolo), and Dave Boyle (Cameron Bowen), are playing when Dave is abducted by two men posing as police officers. Dave escapes after several days of abuse, but the incident leaves him deeply scarred and affects his relationships for decades. Years later, Jimmy’s (Sean Penn) 19-year-old daughter, Katie (Emmy Rossum), is murdered. Sean (Kevin Bacon) is now a homicide detective assigned to the case, and Jimmy is the grieving, vengeful father. Dave (Tim Robinson), the last person to see Katie alive, becomes a prime suspect. A character-driven thriller, Mystic River is a haunting look into trauma, revenge, and guilt.
A somber yet visceral story, Mystic River delivered powerhouse performances that truly made you feel every drop of emotion. The well-crafted film should be considered Eastwood’s greatest directorial achievement. It’s more than just a self-explanatory whodunit police procedural — Mystic River‘s ability to connect the past to the present while still making you question the actions showcases why Eastwood’s masterful direction elevated the source material. Though neither the film nor Eastwood was victorious at the Academy Awards, Penn and Robbins deserved their awards for their sensational, career-defining turns.
8
‘Gone Girl’ (2014)
Gillian Flynn‘s novels are more than just juicy beach reads and book club suggestions — they’re escapism at its finest. Serving as the first film or television adaptation of her novels, Gone Girl left audiences wanting more Flynn on the screen. Directed by David Fincher, Gone Girl is the twisted story of Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) as he becomes the prime suspect in the sudden disappearance of his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), on the couple’s fifth wedding anniversary. Nick’s public image deteriorates through the ongoing media frenzy, and police pressure mounts. As he attempts to clear his name and prove his innocence, the truth about Amy is brewing beneath the surface, leading to a shocking outcome that inspired real-life traps.
A cult postmodern mystery, audiences flocked to the theaters to see Gone Girl. Perhaps in hopes of not being spoiled or simply being part of the hype, Gone Girl inspired future mystery thrillers by adopting a dark, intelligent, and stylistic approach that went beyond the simple. Gone Girl led audiences to seek out complex, unsettling thrillers. Affleck and Pike are a dynamic duo, with the latter earning great praise for her performance. Gone Girl is a brilliant examination of how reality and perception go hand in hand, but the truth can alter everything. If you’re still stuck on that shocking twist, believe me, you’re not alone.
9
‘Get Out’ (2017)
Jordan Peele was best known as the guy from Mad TV and his long-running collaboration with Keegan-Michael Key. Then it was all thrown out the window thanks to 2017’s exceptional horror thriller, Get Out. Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a young Black man, and his girlfriend, Rose Armitage (Allison Williams), a white woman, go upstate to visit her parents for the weekend. At first, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behavior as a nervous attempt to deal with their daughter’s interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries leads him to a truth that he never could have imagined. A shocking film that is an unwavering exposé of the lie of post-racial America, Get Out not only reshaped the genre’s diversity but also gave audiences a new respect for Peele’s brilliance.
A unique and effective blend of horror and social commentary, Get Out is meant to be uncomfortable. Because of Peele’s ability to infuse heavy-handed truths in exchange for subtlety, the conversations that abound become essential to the horrors audiences are witnessing. The way in which the Armitage family and their group display performative acceptance should scare anyone watching about the perceived actions of those around them. Is it a cheery facade, or a long con with predatory intentions? Subverting horror forever, Get Out is one of the most impactful and crucial masterpieces ever crafted. By spanning genres, Get Out became a game-changer in Hollywood.
10
‘Zodiac’ (2007)
We have a potentially unhealthy fascination with true-crime stories. Perhaps it’s our affinity to try to solve them. Before podcasting was even a possibility, true-crime fans sought out their favorite stories through film and television. If there’s one serial killer who’s continued to mesmerize audiences because their identity is still unknown, it’s the Zodiac killer. The unsolved mystery has inspired many adaptations, but perhaps the greatest of them all is Fincher’s Zodiac. Focusing on the individuals obsessed with bringing the killer down — cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), detective Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo), and reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) — Zodiac follows as they are taunted by letters, bloodstained clothing, and ciphers mailed to newspapers.
Rather than focusing on the gory details, Fincher perfectly provides the atmosphere surrounding the killings. The fear of the unknown is the film’s most captivating torment. The detail and care that the filmmakers took to ensure that the reality of the manhunt was unparalleled. They embarked on their own 18-month investigation to grasp the nature of the case for the individuals involved. By diving deep into the attention to detail and accuracy of both the real-life investigation and the obsession around it, the film made them central. The main ensemble plays well together as they explore the intricate nuances of their characters, hoping to solve the compulsive puzzle.
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https://collider.com/best-thriller-movies-last-25-years/
Michael Block
Almontather Rassoul
