Recommend me some great psychological thrillers/horror films!

[Hannibal21]

Title of thread says it all.

Quite possibly my favorite subgenre(s) of all time, yet recently I feel as if I haven't seen enough of 'em, not enough great ones anyways, so I've recently been developing a massive craving for these types of films (for the reason mentioned already, and the fact that I want to have some movies to watch for my little Halloween marathon).

Two requirements:
-they should of course, be scary (in a subtle way) and/or really suspenseful and intriguing, without having to rely on blood/gore to get the job done
-the atmosphere should have most or at least some of the following qualities: bleak, surreal, nightmarish, dark, gothic, eerie, bizarre

That's all. Recommend away and thanks in advance! :)

[blk_flower]

I think Jacob's Ladder kind of counts
scary, plays with your head but I wont say much

[chinton]

The Changeling is great.

You'll never look at wheelchairs the same way again

[Mr-Blonde]

I always dug the original Wicker Man. Stay away from the remake though.

[zeppelin]

Well, I know you've seen most of the ones I would recommend...Repulsion is one of your favorites, but I don't remember if you've seen Knife in the Water. If not, I think you would definitely like that. I personally like it a lot more than Repulsion. Definitely one of Polanski's best.

Have you seen Targets? It was Peter Bogdanovich's first movie, and it contains Boris Karloff's best performance outside of the Frankenstein movies. And it's definitely really creepy.

Again, I think you've probably already seen it, but Open Your Eyes is one of my favorite psychological thrillers of recent years. Way better than its more well-known remake, Vanilla Sky. And I don't think it would really affect your appreciation of it if you already know the plot from Vanilla Sky, because they have their definite differences.

I know you hated A History of Violence, but I'm not sure how keen you are on other David Cronenberg movies. I'm not a big fan of him myself, but Dead Ringers is a great movie, in my opinion. I would definitely recommend that one.

What about The Changeling? Have you seen that? That's one of my 3 favorite ghost movies of all-time, along with The Shining and The Others. It has a similar feel to those movies as well. Well, maybe not so much The Shining, but definitely like The Others.

I know for certain you've seen Peeping Tom...I'm pretty sure you've also seen Diabolique...hmmm...a lot of people love The Vanishing (the original, that is). I personally didn't think it was that great, but it's definitely worth seeing if you're into that kind of movie (which you are).

And it's not really a psychological thriller in the strictest sense, but I would strongly recommend Carl Theodor Dreyer's Vampyr, if you haven't seen it. I know you love The Passion of Joan of Arc, so it should be right up your alley.

I'm struggling to think of a more obscure one. Maybe The Company of Wolves? That's not really a psychological thriller, and it's not *great*, but it's an interesting take on the werewolf story. It certainly fits those adjectives you were asking for...bleak, surreal, nightmarish, dark, gothic, eerie, bizarre. Check, check, check for all of them.

I probably haven't been much help, but I honestly can't think of anything in this genre that you haven't already seen. :p

[arto_j]

Have you seen Seance on a Wet Afternoon? I saw a few years back and I really thought it rocked, with fantastic performances by Kim Stanley and Richard Attenborough. I think you'd like it.

[bowieee]

Give Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock a whirl.

[Cronos]

Ringu 1-3
parts 1 and 3 (aka Ringu 0, the lesser of the trilogy) freaked the shit out of me, part 2 isnt at all creepy but an excellent follow up to the first

i'm guessing you've already seen the original Haunting but i thought id mention it anyway, some very nice atmosphere and creepy moments in it

[Hannibal21]

Some great quality flicks mentioned here so far, here are the ones that I have seen:

Jacob's Ladder
The Changeling
The Wicker Man (just recently saw it)
Knife in the Water
Open Your Eyes
The Vanishing
Ringu

I like or love all of these movies except for The Vanishing, which I found to be quite boring. The Changeling, along with Halloween, and The Shining, is one of the essential horror movies, and I of course will be using them for my Halloween marathon.

I recall seeing bits and pieces of Dead Ringers, but not the whole thing, so I'd have give that one a watch.

This may come as a surprise, but I actually haven't seen the original Haunting. That's another one I've been meaning to watch later this month.

Picnic at Hanging Rock has been on my radar for a while, I'm just not sure why I never got around to it. I'll make it a goal this time around. Ditto Dreyer's Vampyr.

I've never had much interest in The Company of Wolves, but zeppelin's description of it makes it sound like something I would really like, so I'll be adding that one to my queue as well.

Both Targets and Seance on a Wet Afternoon sound very interesting as well, I'll be sure to check 'em out.

Thanks for the recommendations, guys! If anyone thinks of any more, keep 'em comin'!

[Buck Turgidson]

My Little Eye. I seem to be the only person on the planet who thinks this but that film was about as legitimately frightening as any that I've seen in a very long time.

For me, it meets the tests of "bleak" and "nightmarish", especially if you watch it in the Winter, like in the film's setting.

[chinton]

My little Eye is so underrated.

[Philip Marlowe]

Here's a few obvious Hollywood thrillers with Secret Window fitting most of the criteria the other two Derailed and Identity I thought were quality hollywood psychological thrillers worthy of at least one viewing.

Angel Heart I'm surprised that no one has mentioned this film maybe it's just not considered that good or just not considered in this gnere.

Deathtrap defaintly not for everyone the film takes place basically on one set and has about four main characters. Lumet's tight directing is great for this type of filmmaking and Caine and Reeve perform admirally.
Caine also made another film like Deathtrap called Sleuth with even less characters.

Mario Bava's The Girl Who Knew Too Much it would be a hard rent you would probably have to buy it but worth every cent.

Dark City fits in there with Jacob's Ladder

Stir of Echoes now that's it's been a few years and it's not compared to The Sixth Sense anymore. I think this could probably get some more looks. It's very well done.

William Friedkin's Cruising if you not homophobic this could be up your alley.

The Ninth Configuration wouldn't know how to explain this one but it's got all of the following qualities your looking for.

Below I found this film original fresh extremely well rounded and with a knockout pacing.

Pi purly psychological maybe it doesn't have much of the other things your looking for in it but on that alone I still recommend it.

The Thing (John Carpnter) You've probably seen this one but if you haven't you should. This one screws with you from the start. Next in the Carpenter canon I'd got with In the Mouth of Madness which I think has been overlooked by many. Same with Prince of Darkness.

[A.J. Hakari]

Originally posted by Buck Turgidson
My Little Eye. I seem to be the only person on the planet who thinks this but that film was about as legitimately frightening as any that I've seen in a very long time.

For me, it meets the tests of "bleak" and "nightmarish", especially if you watch it in the Winter, like in the film's setting.

Buy this man a beer. MY LITTLE EYE is indeed one intense, absorbing flick that really creeps up on you.

Just this week, I saw a flick called DEEPWATER, with Lucas Black and Peter Coyote, which was a bizarre little thriller that wasn't great but was better than usual straight-to-DVD fare. Think of what would happen if David Lynch adapted Tennessee Williams, and it was just okay. There you have DEEPWATER. :)

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

Ju-On 1 and 2.

[HerbertWestPwns]

I second The Ninth Configuration

I'd also reccomend:
The Exorcist III
Session 9
Angel Heart
Barton Fink (kinda dificult to describe)
The Dead Zone
Frailty (if you haven't already seen it)
The Last Man on Earth
The Machinist

[Strider]

http://www.impawards.com/2001/posters/session_nine.jpg

Hannibal, I don't know if you've seen this one already. But I highly recommend Session 9. Halloween is the perfect time for a first viewing or a rewatch (I plan to do that soon).

Strider

[otter]

I think "The Cell" fits your criteria rather well.

Awsome visuals as well. Let me know what you think if you watch it. :D

[TylerDurden182]

Session 9

[bankholdup]

I had only heard the title of The Changeling, never the plot. I just saw it on Netflix, and it sounds intriguing. Is it really that good? I need something to watch this Halloween as well. Sorry for stealing your thunder, Han.

[A.J. Hakari]

Originally posted by bankholdup
I had only heard the title of The Changeling, never the plot. I just saw it on Netflix, and it sounds intriguing. Is it really that good? I need something to watch this Halloween as well. Sorry for stealing your thunder, Han.

That's some good shit there, Bank. Very classy, very creepy horror. :cool:

[chinton]

See The Changeling now


Oh and see Lady In White. Great genre hopping horror film.

[Mr-Blonde]

Even though it stars Paul Walker, Joyride is another great one to watch.

Also Cronenberg's The Brood is a subtley creepy film.

[Tuukka]

Changeling indeed is a great movie - One of the best horror movie ever made.


Creepy, non-gory movies, some of which have already been mentioned:

The Others
Arlington Road
Kafka
Session 9
Frailty
Angel Heart
Below
Los Sin Nombre (Nameless)
Rosemary's Baby
Invasions Of The Body Snatchers (The best version from the 70's)

[chinton]

I thought I was the only one who reconized the brilliance of the 70s Body Snatchers.

[dman476]

Originally posted by Hannibal21
Some great quality flicks mentioned here so far, here are the ones that I have seen:

The Changeling
Originally posted by chinton
See The Changeling now
______________________________

Just thought I'd point that out for clarity's sake. :)

Originally posted by chinton
I thought I was the only one who reconized the brilliance of the 70s Body Snatchers.
I love the 70s Body Snatcher.
For cheese, the original beats it, but as an actual film, the 70s version is amazing. I especially love the end...it just works.
Also, thanks for putting down Lady in White on the list.
I looked it up on imdb, and I'm very intrigued.
I'll be watching it on Halloween. :D

[chinton]

curious to see what you think of Lady In White dman. It's such an odd film cause it's really not any one film. It has horror elements, small town-humor elements, suspense elemtns, a murder mystery, and a coming-of-age all in one.


I'm so glad you love the 70s Body Snatchers. To me it has one of Top 5 favorite endings in a horror film ever.

[Hannibal21]

*puts Lady in White back in queue*

Oh, and I'm glad to see appreciation for Angel Heart here. It's definitely a favorite of mine.

Btw, has anyone here seen The Devil's Backbone? I have it on my queue and I expect it to arrive next week. I've heard lots of good things about it.

[A.J. Hakari]

Originally posted by Hannibal21
Btw, has anyone here seen The Devil's Backbone? I have it on my queue and I expect it to arrive next week. I've heard lots of good things about it.

A few years ago, yep, but I remember digging it a lot. :cool:

[chinton]

Devils Backbone is great. Infintely better than any English speaking film Del Torro has ever done. Another genre hopping film.

[dennisv]

Rosemary's Baby
The Shining
The Machinist
Brokeback Mountain

[TylerDurden182]

Devil's Backbone is good. It's been a long time since I saw it, but I remember liking it.

[MidnightAngel]

Lost Highway
Mulholand Dr.
Carnival of Souls
Seance
The Addiction

[dman476]

Originally posted by chinton
curious to see what you think of Lady In White dman. It's such an odd film cause it's really not any one film. It has horror elements, small town-humor elements, suspense elemtns, a murder mystery, and a coming-of-age all in one.


I'm so glad you love the 70s Body Snatchers. To me it has one of Top 5 favorite endings in a horror film ever.
I'm very curious to see it as well. Sounds like an amazing film.
And yes, I adore the 70s Body Snatcher.
The ending is perfection, and ultimately, in my 5 favorite horror endings as well. I can't think of a better one at the moment...

[ChemicalRomance]

Hey Hannibal, THE EYE?

[Cronos]

Originally posted by Hannibal21
*puts Lady in White back in queue*

Oh, and I'm glad to see appreciation for Angel Heart here. It's definitely a favorite of mine.

Btw, has anyone here seen The Devil's Backbone? I have it on my queue and I expect it to arrive next week. I've heard lots of good things about it.

can't believe i forgot about Lady In White, absolutely amazing film, definitely worth seeing

i too love Angel Heart....and the 70s Body Snatchers is another favourite of mine

as for The Devils Backbone, another brilliant film. cast/direction/effects are all excellent and it also has some very nice atmosphere and creepy moments, i highly recommend it

also if you havent already seen it, and while it may not entirely fit the "psychological" criteria, i also highly recomment Del Toro's Cronos (it was my introduction to Del Toro and i instantly loved it....partly inspiring my name :p). a lot of why i love it is that it concentrates on characters and story more than anything else so i really got into it, if you end up liking Devils Backbone i'd recommend giving it a watch

[Duke Nukem]

I know many will disagree, but "Hide and Seek."

[ilovemovies]

I don't care what anybody says, Eye of the Beholder is a great movie!


Others that I love:

Identity (it's part slasher flick and part psychological thriller and it's fantastic!)
Joy Ride
Suspect Zero
Unbreakable
The Sixth Sense
Lost Souls
The Watcher
The Pledge
The Gift
The Caveman's Valentine
Angel Eyes
Below
Insomnia
One Hour Photo
The Mothman Prophecies
Abandon
In the Cut

[starcat]

the hand that rocks the cradle...i was on the edge of my seat the first time i saw this one

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally posted by Hannibal21
Btw, has anyone here seen The Devil's Backbone? I have it on my queue and I expect it to arrive next week. I've heard lots of good things about it. http://www.joblo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=90874

As Tayzlor could doubtless tell you, I double dipped for it when the revised DVD was released. I can't say enough great things about this film. It's definitely supernatural, but it's very subtle in it's creepiness. It's almost more sad than frightening.

A melancholy horror film :cool:

[Philip Marlowe]

Everybody is saying great things about Devil's Backbone and so should they and I'm saying the same but for me it more of a discovery film that really didn't get talked about much and that's part of it's charm if that makes any sense. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't go into it with too much hype. The Pace isn't super fast, it's incredibly creepy and atmopheric as hell. killer fllm, hope you enjoy.

[Buck Turgidson]

I had a similar experience.

I ran across it one night on MoreMax, having never heard of it and not knowing Del Toro from Adam* and it simply floored me. I ordered the DVD within a few days.


*This was before Blade II, which, parenthetically, I quite like, although it definitely doesn't fit in this category :D

[deftdelivery]

I second THE EYE - that movie was creepy as hell.

I also recommend PAPERHOUSE. A little, vastly unknown 80's movie that has one of the creepiest sequences ever in the horror genre. Check this one out.

I don't second SESSION 9...didn't even creep me out once. I don't know why. One of those movies that I had hyped up so much...when I finally watched it, I was extremely let down.

[HerbertWestPwns]

and if you like The Devils Backbone I'd also recommend you check out Del Toro's first horror movie, Cronos.

[Philip Marlowe]

The Hitcher
American PSycho
Nightwatch
Minus Man
Gaslight
Wait Until Dark
The Dark Half
Jennifer Eight
Dead Calm
Marathon Man

[HanzoSword]

The movie that scared me more than any other was The Blair Witch Project, followed by The Excorcism of Emily Rose. Both movies left me nervous in a dark room!:D

For thriller aspect: The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Psycho (the original)
All fantastic for suspense!

[Powerslave]

Don't Look Now, a great movie, and truly frightening
Mulholland Drive isn't a horror movie, but it's one of the more profoundly unsettling movies I've ever seen.
Lost Highway-same as above, but to a lesser extent, and just not as good either
The Eye, definitely
In The Mouth Of Madness, John Carpenter, haven't seen it for a while now but I remember it being really unsettling and bizarre. Has some Lovecraft stuff going on in there too, if I remember correctly.
The Sixth Sense, worth mentioning again
Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer-Incredibly disturbing, though I'm not sure it's the type of thing you're looking for

[S. Spiff]

The Shining!
The Shining, The Shining, The Shining!

btw, sorry if someone has posted this already. i didn't bother looking through all the replies.

The Shining is by far one of my favorite films. Its not a slasher film...its all about the suspense, the dread. Stanley Kubrick KNEW how to use music, and it will have your skin crawling. No Halloween party is complete without this film!

Chilling, memorable quotes:
"redrum...redrum...redrum..."
"Danny's not here Mrs. Torrance"
"come play with us Danny...for ever...and ever...and ever"
"Heere's Johnny!"