Being captivated by a mystery movie is quite understandable — these films often give wings to our imagination and ignite our curiosities. Because they draw viewers into webs of intrigue and questioning their engaging narratives, they often makes us feel like they’re part of the investigation because of how emotionally invested we get.
Although there are plenty of captivating mystery films that fully draw viewers in, some stand out for their thrilling premises and relentless tension, keeping viewers hooked and fully on edge throughout their entirety. To celebrate the emotional rollercoasters and intensity that the genre provides,we analyze some of the most thrilling mystery movies of all time, ranking them by greatness and analyzing what makes them such exhilarating watches.
10’Knives Out’ (2019)
Director: Rian Johnson
Filled with twists and turns,Knives Outwas one of the most anticipated films of 2019, and understandably so.StarringDaniel Craigin the lead role,Rian Johnson’s gripping movie follows a detective investigating the death of a wealthy, eccentric family’s patriarch (the lateChristopher Plummer, who is, as usual, brilliant in his role).
Many aspects makeKnives Outa movie worth seeing, ranging from its well-written characters with distinct personalities — includingAna De Armas' protagonist, an immigrant named Marta — to its social commentary on themes like class dynamics (the “eat-the-rich” narrative is quite evident in this) and family dysfunction.What makes Riordan’s movie a thrilling mystery, though, is its unpredictable, clever narrativethat will keep audiences guessing until the end, as well as the volatile and intense family dynamics.
Knives Out
9’Cape Fear' (1991)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese’sCape Fear, starringRobert De Niro,Nick Nolte, andJessica Langeamong other talents, tells the story of a convicted sexual assaulter who is released from prison after serving a fourteen-year sentence. The first thing he does? Stalking the family of the lawyer who originally defended him.
Whether we’re talking about Robert De Niro’s chilling portrayal or the cat-and-mouse tension that builds up through its narrative,Cape Fearis definitely a thrilling mysterythat will keep audiences on edge. Disturbing, unpredictable, and violent are three words that describeScorsese’s wild movie, with its dark cinematography heightening its anxiety-inducing moments. It is worth noting, however, that audiences who prefer psychological thrills may want to checkShutter Islandif they haven’t already.
8’The Sixth Sense' (1999)
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
M. Night Shyamalan’s box-office hit is an eerie psychological drama that follows a child psychologist (Bruce Willis) who starts treating a young boy named Cole with a disturbing secret (Haley Joel Osment): he sees and communicates with the dead. The film is known for having an iconic twist ending which has made it one of the most memorable films in 1990s pop culture.
The Sixth Sense’s ghostly appearances are certainly part of what makes this a thrilling mystery. However, the way thatNight Shyamlan’s movie fully immerses audiences in its unsettling atmosphere— characterized by haunting visuals and muted colors — and genuinely gets them invested in the central relationship between its two leads (incredibly well performed by both Willis and Osment) is amazing. This, in addition to all the subtle clues and visual hints it features, results in a mystery must-see.
The Sixth Sense
7’Zodiac' (2007)
Director: David Fincher
The firstDavid Fincherfilm on this list isZodiac, starringJake Gyllenhaal,Robert Downey Jr., andMark Ruffaloin the lead roles. Although it sheds light on the lives of everyone involved — including the detectives and newspaper people — it mostly focuses on a cartoonist slowly becoming obsessed with tracking down the unidentified serial killer who terrorizes Northern California.
Given that the Zodiac Killer’s identity remains a mystery after all these years,thisslow-burn mysterybenefits from a layer of realism and tension that makes its narrative even more gripping and absorbing; its true crime roots, combined with Fincher’s unique, highly atmospheric vision, slow-burn pacing, and a big focus on the character development, makeZodiacan unpredictable and impressive movie that keeps viewers guessing.
6’Chinatown' (1974)
Director: Roman Polanski
WhileRoman Polanskihas understandably become a controversial figure in the film industry, saying that his films were not influential and important for their artistry would be a lie.Chinatownis a hard-boiled detective thriller following a private detective hired to expose an adulterer (Jack Nicholson) in 1930s Los Angeles. Soon enough, he finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.
Deception and corruption are notable themes in Polanski’s picture, with Nicholson’s character often pursuing the truth despite the dangers he faces.It’s nearly impossible not to be invested in this mystery narrative, whether for its unpredictability and suspense or its memorable ending, which leaves a bitter taste in the audience’s mouth. At its center,Chinatownis anchored by morally ambiguous characters and a gritty, moody setting.
5’Gone Girl' (2014)
Fincher’sGone Girlis the second film of his mentioned on this list, and it is far from difficult to understand its appeal. StarringRosamund Pikeasthe unforgettable Amy Dunne, this 2014 film focuses on an intense media circus: a man (Ben Affleck) sees the spotlight turned on him when it’s suspected that he may or may not have something to do with his wife’s disappearance.
Gone Girl’s unreliable narrators and conflicting perspectives make it a thrilling filmthat keeps audiences invested in its narrative. Not only is it filled with unforgettable twists and turns — talk about the “cool girl” monologue — and an intriguing exploration of the complexity of relationships, but it also delivers a compelling social commentary on media sensationalism and the public’s obsession with scandal and speculation, elevating its engrossing story to higher levels.
4’Memento' (2000)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan’sMementowas the film that launched his career as a prominent filmmaker, capturing the attention of many with its unique storytelling that unfolds non-linearly. The film starsGuy Richieand tells the story of an insurance investigator who suffers from amnesia, using notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks has killed his wife.
Although it does benefit from Nolan’s astounding direction,Memento’s thrilling twists and turns and the unreliable narrator at its center make it an even more absorbing film, with its central mystery keeping audiences on the edge of their seats to discover the truth. Themes of memory and identity are a huge part ofMemento’s appeal, deepening its storyline and providing viewers with thought-provoking messages in the meantime.
3’Mulholland Drive' (2001)
Director: David Lynch
Audiences who find themselves intrigued by dream-like narratives may want to giveMulholland Drivea watch if they haven’t yet;Lynch’s surrealist movieexamines stardom and deceit by following an amnesic woman (Laura Harring) as she searches for clues and answers in Los Angeles after surviving a car wreck.
Whether thanks to its ambiguous characters, foreshadowing, or iconic fragmented structure,Mullholland Drive’s appeal, particularly in the mystery genre, is undeniable. Not only isLynch’s film incredibly entertaining and visually striking, but complex and cerebral. Lynch’s psychological approach to this captivating story, which explores themes of obsession and trauma, helps elevate it. Its climax is one of the most memorable in film to many, and the intense atmosphere also plays a part in what makesMulholland Drivea great picture.
Mulholland Drive
2’Rear Window' (1954)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Rear Windowis one ofAlfred Hitchcock’s best for many reasons, starting with the masterful way it builds suspense and its innovative photography. StarringJames StewartandGrace Kelly, the story centers around a bored photographer recovering from a broken leg who passes the time by watching his neighbors. He then begins to suspect one of them has committed a murder.
Hitchcock’s film expertly tackles themes of voyeurism and obsession, providing audiences with food for thought and an engaging narrative to keep boredom at bay. At its core,Rear Windowis fundamentally an intense, thrilling mystery in that it draws audiences to put the pieces together as tension escalates. Its three-dimensional, complex characters and moments of revelation make it an even more unforgettable film, featuring top-notch cinematography and sound design that help create palpable suspense.
Rear Window
1’Se7en' (1995)
Se7enmay be one of the most traumatizing films in the mystery genre, not only due to the dark themes and psychological tension, but also for its lingering sense of impeding doom. The film follows two detectives (Morgan FreemanandBrad Pitt) who hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.
AlthoughSe7enfeatures some unsettling depictions of murder, it is also incredibly suggestive: often, it implies instead of explicitly depicting. This makes its storytelling even more impactful and frightening (and ultimately quite difficult to shake off) because it taps into the darkest corners of viewers' minds and imagination. Additionally,Seven’s masterfully built atmospheric tension, psychological horror, and harrowing ending make Fincher’s picture one of the most thrilling in the category.
