While kidnapping movies can be terrifying, psychological thrillers on Netflix are the epitome of mind-bending entertainment. What exactly are psychological thrillers? They are movies that frighten people in a more nuanced way, frequently delving into fundamental existential concerns and probing questions. Is the situation unfolding onscreen genuine? Has that character been deceased the entire time? Is it possible for someone to genuinely see ghosts? If you find yourself pondering these types of inquiries, you are likely watching a psychological thriller.
The Platform (2019)
IMDb rating: 7.0/10 | Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller | Lead Cast: Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Antonia San Juan | Director: Luis Prieto
The Platform (2019) is a Spanish-language dystopian thriller film that takes place in a vertical prison called the pit. In this prison, inmates are housed in cells stacked on top of each other. A platform carrying food descending through the levels once a day.
However, the platform stops at each level for only two minutes, leaving those on the lower levels starving. The story follows Goreng, a new inmate, as he navigates the brutal hierarchy of the pit to bring change. Along the way, he encounters other inmates with their own struggles, and together they face the harsh realities of human nature. Watch this psychological thriller on Netflix to learn the reality of life.
Awake (2021)
IMDb rating: 4.9/10 | Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama | Lead Cast: Gina Rodriguez, Ariana Greenblatt, Lucius Hoyos | Director: Mark Raso
Awake (2021) is a science fiction thriller where a global event has caused all electronics to stop working, causing sleeplessness. As a result, society begins to rapidly collapse due to the lack of rest and widespread panic. The story follows a former soldier named Jill, who is struggling to keep herself and her two children safe.
When it becomes apparent that Jill’s daughter may have the cure, they embark on a dangerous journey. to find a way to save humanity. Along the way, they face challenges and obstacles, including dangerous individuals who will stop at nothing to get their hands on Jill’s daughter. Don’t miss out on the best psychological thrillers on Netflix, if you love adventurous movies.
The Discovery (2017)
IMDb rating: 6.2/10 | Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Romance | Lead Cast: Robert Redford, Mary Steenburgen, Brian McCarthy | Director: Charlie McDowell
The Discovery (2017) is a science fiction romantic drama that takes place in a world where a scientist named Thomas Harbor has discovered scientific proof of the afterlife. This revelation has caused a worldwide epidemic of suicides. People seek to escape their current lives to avail a better existence in the afterlife. The story follows Thomas’ son, Will, as he meets a woman named Isla who is also curious about the discovery. Together, they attempt to reconcile their feelings about death and the afterlife while navigating the complexities of their relationship. As tensions rise, they must confront the truth about Thomas’ discovery and its impact on humanity. This intense movie is surly a must watch among the psychological thrillers on Netflix.
Behind Her Eyes (2021)
IMDb rating: 7.2/10 | Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller | Lead Cast: Simona Brown, Eve Hewson, Tom Bateman | Director: Erik Richter Strand
Behind Her Eyes is a one of the latest British psychological thrillers on Netflix limited that revolves around the complicated relationships between the characters. The story follows a single mother named Louise, who begins an affair with her psychiatrist-married boss David. However, things become increasingly complex as Louise strikes up a friendship with Adele. She begins to uncover the dark secrets that David and Adele have been keeping from each other and from her.
As the story unfolds, the audience is pulled into a web of lies, betrayal, and manipulation. Along the way, the series creates a gripping mystery that keeps viewers guessing until the very end.
The Weekend Away (2022)
IMDb rating: 5.6/10 | Genre: Drama, Mystery, Crime | Lead Cast: Leighton Meestr, Christina Wolfe, Ziad Bakri | Director: Erik Richter Strand
The Weekend Away (2022), a gripping mystery thriller, Beth (played by Leighton Meester) finds herself in a race against time when her best friend Kate mysteriously disappears during a girls’ trip. As she desperately searches for answers, Beth must navigate through the twists and turns of the investigation, facing unexpected obstacles and revelations along the way.
Further as the weekend progressing, the situation becomes more and more unsettling, and the audience is drawn into the suspenseful story, joining Beth on her emotionally charged journey to uncover the truth behind Kate’s vanishing. With each passing moment, the stakes get higher and the mystery more complex, as Beth realizes that there is much more to her friend’s disappearance than meets the eye. As the tension builds and the clues begin to add up, Beth is forced to confront her own past and the secrets she thought she had buried, as she races against time to solve the puzzle and bring Kate home. Grab your popcorn and watch one of the most suspicious psychological thrillers on Netflix.
Intrusion (2021)
IMDb rating: 5.3/10 | Genre: Drama,Thriller | Lead Cast: Freida Pinto, Logan Marshall-Green | Robert John Burke | Director: Adam Salky
Intrusion is a 2021 thriller film that follows a married couple, Meera (Freida Pinto) and Henry (Logan Marshall-Green), who move to a small town in the hopes of starting a new life. However, their idyllic existence is shattered when a mysterious intruder breaks into their home and assaults Meera. As they try to recover from the trauma, Meera becomes increasingly paranoid and suspicious of those around her, including her husband.
Simultaneously, with the help of a sympathetic detective, Meera delves deeper into the investigation. She uncovers dark secrets and disturbing revelations about their community. As the danger escalates and the truth becomes harder to ignore, Meera must fight for her life. With powerful performances, Intrusion is a gripping thriller that explores the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly peaceful small-town life. Make sure to watch one of the best psychological thrillers on Netflix for an amazing weekend.
Hypnotic (2021)
IMDb rating: 5.3/10 | Genre: Drama,Thriller | Lead Cast: Kate Siegel, Jason O’Mara, Dulé Hill | Director: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote
Hypnotic is a 2021 thriller film that follows a young woman named Jenn (played by Kate Siegel) who seeks the help of a renowned hypnotist, Dr. Michael Strother (Jason O’Mara), to deal with her insomnia. However, as Dr. Strother delves deeper into Jenn’s subconscious, he discovers that she has a troubling past. As the hypnotherapy sessions continue, Dr. Strother becomes increasingly entangled in Jenn’s life.
Meanwhile, a serial killer is on the loose. Dr. Strother begins to suspect that there may be a connection between the killer and his patient. With the help of a detective, Dr. Strother races against time to save Jenn from a dangerous fate. With a twisting plot, Hypnotic is a one of the gripping psychological thrillers on Netflix that explores the power of the mind.
Oxygen (2021)
IMDb rating: 6.5/10 | Genre: Drama,Thriller | Lead Cast: Mélanie Laurent, Mathieu Amalric, Malik Zidi | Director: Alexandre Aja
Oxygen is a 2021 science-fiction thriller film that follows Liz (Mélanie Laurent), a woman who wakes up in a cryogenic pod with no memory of how she got there or who she is. With the help of an artificial intelligence named MILO (Mathieu Amalric), Liz discovers that she has only 90 minutes of oxygen left and must find a way to escape before it’s too late.
While she struggles to piece together her identity, Liz realizes that she may be the key to saving humanity from a catastrophic event. With passing time, Liz must use all her wits and to outsmart MILO. She must also navigate the complex technological systems of the cryogenic pod. As the oxygen runs out, Liz must confront the truth about who she is and how to survive. With a gripping storyline, Oxygen is a heart-pounding thriller that explores the limits of human consciousness.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
IMDb rating: 6.6/10 | Genre: Drama, Thriller | Lead Cast: Jesse Plemons, Jessie Buckley, Toni Collette | Director: Charlie Kaufman
I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a 2020 one of the best psychological thrillers that follows a young woman named Lucy (Jessie Buckley) as she travels with her boyfriend Jake (Jesse Plemons) to his parents’ remote farm. While they journey deeper into the countryside, Lucy begins to have strange and disturbing thoughts. This leads her to question the nature of her relationship with Jake and the reality of her surroundings.
Moreover, as the visit with Jake’s parents becomes unsettling, Lucy’s grip on reality begins to slip away, and she finds herself caught in a nightmarish maze of memories. With each twist and turn, the true nature of Lucy’s journey becomes increasingly ambiguous. This leaves the audience questioning what is real and what is merely a construct of her imagination. With haunting performances, I’m Thinking of Ending Things is a thriller that delves into the darkest corners of human psyche.
Rebirth (2016)
IMDb rating: 5.0/10 | Genre: Drama,Thriller | Lead Cast: Fran Kranz, Adam Goldberg, Nicky Whelan | Director: Karl Mueller
Rebirth is a 2016 psychological thriller of Kyle (played by Fran Kranz), an unhappy man who attends a self-help seminar called Rebirth. He hopes of finding purpose and meaning in his life. However, what he initially assumes to be a typical weekend soon takes a dark turn. He finds himself drawn into a mysterious and sinister world of mind games and manipulation.
Kyle becomes increasingly suspicious of the Rebirth organization and its charismatic leader, Aaron (Adam Goldberg). He begins to uncover the group’s true intentions. As he delves deeper into the twisted world of Rebirth, Kyle begins to question his own sanity. With a twisting plot, Rebirth is a dark and unsettling exploration of the dangers of blindly following self-help and motivational movements.
Begin Watching Psychological Thrillers on Netflix
There is a huge plethora of psychological thrillers on Netflix that offer viewers an intense, mind-bending viewing experience. From the suspenseful and terrifying to the surreal and thought-provoking, there is something for every taste in this genre. These films provide a glimpse into the darkest corners of the human psyche and the fragile nature of our perceptions of reality, leaving viewers questioning their own thoughts and perceptions long after the credits have rolled. Whether you are looking for a thrilling night in or a deep dive into the human mind, the psychological thrillers on Netflix will not disappoint.
