The thriller genre is among the most popular in cinema.
However, few sub-genres are more popular or acclaimed than the psychological thriller.
The 90s produced countless psychological thrillers, many of which became iconic.
10’Bad Influence' (1990)
James SpaderandRob Lowestar inCurtis Hanson’s psychological thrillerBad Influence.
Spader shines with his usual creepy intensity, while Lowe delivers one of the best performances of his career.
Stylish but uneven,Bad Influenceis an early Hanson film that hinted at the greatness to come.
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Apt Pupilrises on the strength of SirIan McKellen’s performance.
With his psyche in that state, Nix develops additional personalities, leading him down an increasingly violent path.
Per De Palma tradition,Raising Cainpulls no punches with its depiction of mental issues.
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The plot centers on a woman involved in the killing of her best friend’s loathsome and abusive husband.
Thrilling and pleasantly twisting,Mortal Thoughtsis among the most underrated mystery movies from the 1990s.
The film follows Faith, a struggling artist who agrees to an elaborate commission for wealthy widow Frances.
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Trick of the Eyecould easily be an average, by-the-numbers mystery with heavy doses of melodrama.
Like most of Haynes' other films,Safeis demanding and highly allegorical.
Falling Downoffers a scathing takedown of commercialism and a puzzling take on male fragility and victimization.
3’Copycat' (1995)
Three-time Oscar nomineeSigourney Weaverstars in the 1995 psychological thrillerCopycatopposite Oscar winnerHolly Hunter.
Copycatdoesn’t reinvent the genre but thrives on the strength of its cast.
1’Insomnia' (1997)
Acclaimed Swedish actorStellan Skarsgardstars in the 1997 Norwegian psychological dramaInsomnia.
The plot concerns a police detective investigating a murder in a secluded town.
NEXT:The Best Thriller Movies of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb
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