From goosebumps to racing hearts, tingling skin and writhing innards, nothing beats the rollercoaster of emotions that certain films evoke. If you’re ready for that kind of unbridled fun, you’ll love this list of the best Netflix thrillers to watch in December 2021.
I’ve included every must-see game in a variety of genres, including horror, detective, action, romance, and more. So grab some snacks (and company) for comfort and tune in to these best Netflix thrillers.
1 Nightcrawler (2014)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Neo-noir psychological thriller
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed.
Directed by: Dan Gilroy
Jake Gyllenhaal has gone from strength to strength in several films over the past decade. In Nightcrawler, you get one of his best big screen performances. This neo-noir psychological thriller contains a gripping story that will make you question all of human nature.
Spill the Sauce: Louis Bloom barely makes ends meet by stealing and scavenging. When he finds a camcorder and uses it to film violent crime, the news director joins forces to boost his station’s ratings. What follows is an understanding of how far people can go to realize their ambitions.
Gyllenhaal plays Lou, a photojournalist who realizes he has a penchant for filming violent crime. To his surprise, his videos are highly valued both economically and socially. Of course, if you encounter death and destruction so often, you are bound to become desensitized to them.
This is what happens to Gyllenhaal’s character Lou. The film is a disturbing revelation about human nature and how ambition can be combined with mental and physical abuse, resulting in absolute disaster. Nightcrawler is one of the best Netflix thrillers you can watch today!
2. Looking (2018)
Source: Netflix
Genre: mystical thriller
Cast: John Cho, Michelle La, Debra Messing
Directed by: Anish Chaganti
I would watch any movie starring John Cho. The former star of the Harold & Kumar franchise has come a long way and his acting skills have aged like fine wine. With Searching you get exceptional copywriting combined with stellar acting.
A film about David Kim and the investigation into the sudden disappearance of his daughter. No, this is not a Taken movie. You won’t get high-octane action scenes here. However, you get a story that will keep you on your toes.
Spill Sauce: When David Kim’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, he starts his own investigation. While the police have given up hope of finding his child, David sits down at his daughter’s laptop to trace her steps in hopes of reuniting with her.
In addition, the film’s use of social media is impeccably portrayed and the understanding of how even a completely civilian person can use digital footprints to their advantage. One of the biggest attractions of the film is the way it is shot. The entire movie was filmed primarily using iPhone and GoPro cameras, which gives the film a real indie sweetness.
In terms of thrillers to watch on Netflix, you can’t find anything better than Search. Watch the gripping storyline and mesmerizing performance of John Cho.
3. Munich (2005)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Drama Thriller
Cast: Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Geoffrey Rush
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Eric Bana of Hulk fame, Daniel Craig in a non-Bond avatar, and the legendary Steven Spielberg, what more could you want from a movie? Munich tells the story of the massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics that shocked the world, and the Israeli government’s retaliation for the aggression of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Spill the Sauce: When 12 Israeli athletes are killed by the Palestine Liberation Organization, the Israeli government launches a covert retaliation operation. The five misfits are assigned a mission and show from ground level the horrors of the war waged in the shadows.
As you can imagine, this film has a rather political background. More importantly, it’s a gruesome tale of war, politics, and the transient nature of human life. As Avner, played by Eric Bana, recruits four seemingly ordinary people to find the killers of Israeli athletes, he questions the morality of his actions.
Despite being a politically charged film, Munich leaves an indistinguishable aftertaste in the mouth, drawing a fine line between opposing sides. In fact, this is a humane view of military losses, even those that were carried out in secret. Eric Bana’s performance is also to be commended as he delivered an Oscar worthy performance at the very least.
4. Zodiac (2007)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Psychological thriller
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr.
Director: David Fincher
If you’re looking for the best thrillers to watch on Netflix and haven’t watched Zodiac yet, what are you waiting for? With an ensemble cast paired with one of the best directors of all time, Zodiac is the quintessential psychological thriller to watch this weekend!
Spill the Sauce: An unknown man calling himself the Zodiac Killer tracked down and murdered numerous people in 1960s San Francisco. A pair of detectives and reporters become an unhealthy obsession with exposing the Zodiac killer amid much ridicule. Can they find the killer before it’s too late and they get lost?
The film is set in the late 1960s and 1970s, when San Francisco is gripped by fear due to serial murders committed by a lunatic who calls himself the Zodiac Killer. Basically, two investigators and two reporters are obsessed with the idea of understanding the mind of the killer and apprehending him.
What’s more, what’s quite frightening is the certainty with which the killer taunts the crew, sending them cryptic messages and taunting their attempts to find him. Although the real Zodiac killer was never caught, this film provides a huge insight into how a serial killer works.
5. Platform (2019)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller
Cast: Emilio Boile, Zorion Eguileor, Alexandra Masangkai
Directed by: Halder Gaztelu-Urrutia
Who doesn’t love dystopian sci-fi thrillers? There is a good chance that you may not have heard of the Platform. Of course, as a Spanish film, it didn’t get much attention in the main movie scene. However, now is your chance to watch one of the best Netflix thrillers of all time.
The platform is a unique concept. Basically, people are locked inside a monumental building with countless floors. Depending on the floor, the residents of the house are either feasting or starving. What’s more, the people living on the top floor are prospering, and the massive food table is being moved from one floor to another.
Spill the Sauce: The dystopian society is an unusually tall building that houses residents from various socioeconomic backgrounds. However, the upper class thrive by playing with the lives of the less fortunate. Take a look at the horrors of social extremism in this mind-blowing dystopian sci-fi thriller!
As expected, when the table reaches the lower floors, there is almost no food left. This leads to a struggle between the inhabitants to get as much food as possible. In addition, after a knockout, residents move to different floors. This leads to unexpected twists and turns that change the dynamics of each floor.
In addition, the film often spills over between genres, making it almost impossible to classify it under one banner. It also provides a rather dangerous and understandable look at how we move forward as a society, albeit with some dramatic flair. Watch this movie to see the mind-blowing concept!
6 Red Notice (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Comedy Thriller
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot.
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
Here’s a star-studded and light-hearted Netflix action movie that quickly broke into the Top 10 most watched English films of all time.
Spill the Sauce: An Interpol agent reluctantly teams up with a renowned art thief to catch an even more notorious criminal. But is it even possible to track down the most wanted thief in the world? Find out in this exciting chase full of thrills and sensations.
“Red Notice”is like Indiana Jones’ love child and “Mission Impossible”! It’s full of little references to both iconic franchises that will make fans smile.
It’s just the easy art heisting romp we need to escape the stresses of life right now. With quirky, punchy dialogue, it’s a treat to watch and will tickle your nerves.
I appreciate how it is perfectly balanced between comedy and thrill. Each actor is perfect for his role and does not disappoint. It’s one of Netflix’s most expensive films, and lives up to the hype despite lackluster reviews from critics. The end hints at a sequel, and I really hope that it will happen.
7. Guilty (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Crime Thriller
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ethan Hawke, Riley Keough
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
It is an American remake of the acclaimed 2018 Danish film of the same name. According to critics, it does not live up to the merits of the original; but I think it’s still one of the best thrillers on Netflix, especially if you haven’t seen the original Danish version.
Splash Sauce: Joe Baylor is a troubled police detective who works as an emergency operator. He tries to rescue a kidnapped caller in distress. But the day unfolds to be full of some heartbreaking revelations. Will Joe be able to save the woman on the phone?
The entire plot unfolds in one day in an emergency center. The high drama of the phone calls will keep you on your toes as you vouch for Joe and the woman he’s trying to save.
The performances really drive this movie, and there are some unexpected voice cameos on the phone that will leave you stunned.
Overall, director Antoine Fuqua did a wonderful job, and the poignant dialogue keeps it interesting despite most of the scenes taking place in the same place.
8. Powder Milkshake (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Action Thriller
Cast: Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Carla Gugino
Directed by: Navot Papushado
Powder Milkshake is one of the latest action-thrillers on Netflix that boasts spectacular action scenes with strong female characters. It’s all about a young hitman who is abandoned by her mother as a teenager and raised by The Firm, a crime syndicate her mother once worked for.
Splash Sauce: When a risky hit goes wrong, Sam must reunite with her mother and the gang known as the Librarians to take down the Firm and protect the life of an innocent 8-year-old girl. Will this group, representing three generations of women, be able to defeat The Firm’s powerful henchmen?
While not particularly unique in its handling, Gunpowder Milkshake is highly entertaining, full of wild action and amazing stunts. I especially liked the witty humor and sarcastic cynicism reminiscent of a comic book.
They’re out of touch with reality, but that’s what makes them a great watch for a fun night out. Ladies, gather your friends and tune in!
9 Night Teeth (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: mystical thriller
Cast: Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Debbie Ryan, Lucy Fry
Directed by: Adam Randall
This is for you, my vampire friends! As the name suggests, Night Teeth is a night in which a pair of beautiful, powerful vampires bare their fangs and wreak havoc.
Spill the Sauce: College student Benny works as a chauffeur to earn extra money. But he soon comes to regret his choice when he is captured by a pair of mysterious female passengers who lead him straight into the middle of a war between the vampires and the defenders of the human world. Can he make it out alive and save the City of Angels?
It has a sexy yet creepy vibe that highlights the weirdness of the world and oozes fun. I loved the dialogue and suspense that made you laugh one moment and squirm the next.
This film is best seen as a kind of love letter to the vampire genre. It plays with clichés and imagery we’ve seen before and that’s what makes it a good time for fangs!
10. Blood Red Sky (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Thriller/Action
Cast: Peri Bomeiste, Dominic Purcell
Directed by: Peter Thorwart
Get ready for some good old gore, crazy surprises, and ridiculously creepy moments that will keep you on your toes. Blood Red Sky is an action horror movie about a plane hijacking that is one of the best high-altitude thrillers I’ve seen in a while.
Spill Sauce: A group of terrorists hijack an overnight transatlantic flight. Among the passengers is a mysteriously ill woman and her son. What will she do to protect her little child?
I love how the plot defies the demands from the start and combines the supernatural with the family ties kinship premise. It may lack the deeper psychological clues that I love in thrillers, but it’s filled with the chaos that makes movies like this so fun. I will definitely think about it the next time I get on a plane!
11. Safety (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Thriller/Drama
Cast: Marco D’Amore, Maya Sansa
Directed by: Peter Chelsom
From the very beginning of the seaside town scene, accompanied by voice-overs, this film has a haunting quality that becomes more intense as the story progresses. It walks a tightrope between captivating you and offering the right balance of thrill and chill.
Spill the Sauce: After attacking a young woman, a security expert and his family are entangled in an ugly web of secrets and find themselves in a perfect Italian seaside town. Who pays for security?
The protagonist, Roberto, is the man behind the many cameras and alarm systems that protect most of the gated villas in the resort town of Forte del Marmi. This makes him privy to insider information that begins to weigh on him and turn his life upside down.
Safety may be a bit of a forgettable name, but the movie will stay with you. It is stylishly directed and tightly woven to be an interesting exploration of how we hold onto objective truths in this modern era of constant surveillance.
12. Prime Time (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Thriller/Drama
Cast: Bartosz Bielenia, Magdalena Poplawska, Andrzej Klak
Directed by: Jakub Piatek
There’s nothing like a poignant hostage drama to keep your eyes on the screen! Prime Time certainly pulls it off, albeit with a focus on hints and subtleties rather than over-the-top storytelling. This Polish thriller premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2021 and is a promising debut.
Spill the Sauce: On New Year’s Eve, 20-year-old Sebastian locks himself in a TV studio with his two hostages, a gun, and a message to the world. How will the tense confrontation between Sebastian and the police develop?
What makes this movie worth watching is the brilliant acting and mind-blowing plot that never judges the protagonist’s motives. Instead, an exploratory lens is required to portray the themes of visibility and control. While the drama itself could have been played better, it raises some poignant questions.
13. The woman in the window (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Cast: Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman.
Director: Joe Wright
If you’re looking for the best psychological thrillers on Netflix, The Woman in the Window deserves your attention. We are talking about Anna Fox, a child psychologist who suffers from agoraphobia and, through negligence, becomes embroiled in a criminal case.
Spill the Sauce: Chained to her house for fear of ending up in places that are hard to escape from, Anna obsessively watches over the perfect family that is her new neighbors, which causes her life to turn upside down.
I was fascinated by the way the protagonist portrays his instability through panicky tremors and manic cackling, but with muted wisdom inside. Shocking secrets are revealed and all is not what it seems in this movie based on the bestselling book by A.J. Finn and adapted for the screen by Tracey Letts.
14. I’m all girls (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Cast: Erica Wessels, Hlubi Mboya
Directed by: Donovan Marsh
Here’s a South African detective thriller that’s dark, gritty, and emotionally draining, but everyone should watch. The trigger warning is justified as the story brilliantly sheds light on the horrors of human trafficking in a sensitive yet devastating manner.
It is based on a true story and is set across multiple timelines in South Africa during apartheid and in the present.
Spill the Sauce: A ruthless special crime investigator finds common ground with a serial killer to bring down the perpetrators of a powerful global child trafficking ring. Will justice prevail and is it enough?
I love this film because it portrays women seeking justice on their own terms. It’s a welcome departure from most revenge and vigilante films where the men are the heroes doing all the hard work.
The two characters at the heart of the tale are connected by a strong friendship, which gives the story a special touch. In addition, both follow their own journeys, which are brought to life by the touching performances of the lead actors.
All in all, if you’re wondering what’s the best crime thriller on Netflix, this movie could be the answer. He does an exceptional job of portraying such a sensitive topic as the sex trafficking of young children with nuance and delicacy. It’s intelligently woven and absorbs in every frame.
15. Oxygen (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Thriller/Horror
Cast: Melanie Laurent, Anne Hathaway.
Directed by: Alexander Azha
What a fitting film for our literally suffocating pandemic times! This French survival thriller will leave you feeling claustrophobic and unsettling as you watch from the edge of your chair.
Spill the Sauce: Liz Hansen awakens from deep hypnosis in a coffin-like cryogenic chamber. She doesn’t remember how she got there, but it’s vital that she stay calm in order to piece together her scattered memories. Will Liz survive?
Our main character wakes up in a suffocating coffin with no memory of how she got there. The only clues she has are disorienting memories of a hospital gurney and lab rats.
Her only point of contact with a human is the voice of the operating system AI, which continues to deliver disturbing news about the depletion of oxygen in the cell in which she is locked. Not exactly helpful!
Director Alexander Azha is a smart and effective storyteller best known for the classic horror film The Hills Have Eyes. In Oxygen, he skillfully demonstrates that you don’t always have to flood the screen with action and effects to create a compelling thriller.
16. Ferry (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Crime Thriller
Cast: Frank Lammers, Elise Schaap
Directed by: Cecilia Verheiden
It’s a Dutch crime drama that’s hilarious and engaging in a way rarely seen in violent gangster films.
Spill the Sauce: Dutch gangster Ferry is his boss Brink’s right-hand man. So when a rival gang kills Brink’s son, Ferry sets off for revenge in Brabant, his beloved childhood home from which he fled years ago. But how will he deal with old family feuds that resurface and with his charming neighbor Danielle?
This is the origin story of Ferry Bowman, the drug lord from the popular Belgian-Dutch crime series Undercover.
We follow his journey from a traumatic childhood in a trailer park to falling in love with the pretty, sassy Danielle, a woman who makes him wonder if there’s more to life than the one he’s led.
Ferry may be riddled with gangster clichés, but there are just enough twists and turns to keep you hooked. It’s not surprising, but it still manages to take its rightful place among the good thrillers on Netflix.
17. I’m thinking about getting it over with (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Thriller/Horror
Cast: Jesse Buckley, Jesse Plemons
Directed by: Charlie Kaufman
Fans of the famous “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”will especially enjoy this film from the same director. Based on Ian Reed’s famous novel of the same name, it tells the story of a woman visiting her boyfriend’s parents on a secluded farm.
Spill Sauce: A young woman embarks on a journey with her new boyfriend to his parents’ remote farm. The journey unfolds to make her question everything she thought she knew about him and herself. What does she really mean when she keeps repeating the ominous phrase, “I’m thinking of ending this?”
As the snowy day turns into a perilous night, psychological horror unfolds, moving back and forth between reality and a dreamlike—or nightmarish—commentary on the human connection.
The protagonist is introduced as Lucy, but she takes on other names and identities as the story progresses. The labyrinthine surrealism can be a bit confusing, but therein lies the film’s deep influence.
You’ll feel a growing panic, and the story – or whatever you make of it – will continue to play in your head long after the end credits roll.
18. Homunculus (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: mystical thriller
Cast: Ryo Narita, Go Ayano, Anna Ishii, Yukino Kishii
Directed by: Takashi Shimizu
Japanese and Korean thrillers have some of the best storylines I’ve ever seen. Japanese thrillers have a sci-fi twist, they keep you on your toes as it happens in real life. And the homunculus is no exception. Despite some very dark scenes, the film shows what the human brain can achieve when used to its full potential.
Spill the Sauce: A homeless man with amnesia wakes up and sees mangled brains, observing everyone’s innermost trauma in a dysfunctional physical format and understanding their problems. What may seem like a gift from God is actually the result of a forbidden experiment conducted by an intern doctor. What will this homeless man do with his newfound power?
The lead actor does a stellar job of using his power to help people heal from their worst injuries. Visuals add another dimension of uniqueness.
The twists and turns will keep you on your toes and the random moments of fun will take you by surprise. But as you approach the end, you will reflect on many emotional aspects of your life and the lives of your loved ones. Besides, what’s going on with the main actor? Tune in to the movie to find out!
19. Deadly Illusions (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: erotic thriller drama
Cast: Greer Grammer, Kristin Davis, Dermot Mulroney
Director: Anna Elizabeth James
An easy way to take a thriller to the top of the charts is to spice it up with seduction and revenge. Well, the temperature rises higher if the Sex and the City protagonist is the center of these sexual fantasies.
Spill the Sauce: Mary is a thriller writer who quits writing for good and lives happily with her husband and children. Her publisher offers her a check for $2 million as an advance and asks her to write the book again. After much trial and error, she hired a nanny to reduce her workload and focus, but ends up daydreaming about sleeping with her.
The all-star cast gave their roles full credit; however, the story has many loopholes and is a mixture of all the elements that make it too predictable and popular. The murder was unnecessary, the nanny is fake, and the writer does not understand the difference between her dream and reality, expecting too much from the fake nanny.
However, for all Kristin Davis fans, this is a must see as she has done an amazing job as a thriller writer that helps her break the mold of charm and delicacy. The sensuality used does not feel forced or vulgar. Indeed, one of the blockbuster thrillers on Netflix.
20. Seen and heard (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Thriller/Horror
Cast: James Norton, Natalia Dyer, Amanda Seyfried.
Director: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Based on the 2016 novel Everything Stops Appearing by Elizabeth Brundage, this Netflix movie is sure to give you goosebumps.
An art enthusiast couple heading to a small town for their husband’s career leads to the wife interacting with the ghosts in their home. Some people start behaving strangely and every human soul feels an eerie presence in the house. The negativity becomes so strong that the daughter refuses to sleep alone and insists on sleeping in her parents’ room.
Spill the Sauce: A husband’s dream come true turns into his wife’s biggest nightmare. A couple moves to upstate New York for their wife’s new job, but the house they choose is eerie. Strange smells and chance sightings lead the pair to drift apart and romance until one of them is brutally murdered.
This movie will be a treat for a 90s kid because it stars one of the mean girls (you know who it is!). Using the painting as a metaphor is cinematic genius, and the subtle repulsive presence makes it a classic horror film.
I also really admire Natalia Dyler’s performance in the film; you might remember her from Yes God Yes. This is one of the best horror thrillers coming out in 2021. consider watching it over the weekend.
21. Red Dot (2021)
Genre: Drama, horror, thriller
Cast: Nanna Blondell, Johannes Küncke, Anastasios Soulis
Directed by: Alain Darborg
Red Dot is a terrifying thriller that makes you question your holiness in front of the main characters. Written by Alain Darborg and Per Dixon, the film tells the story of married couple Nadia and David. A sadistic hunt uncovers a couple’s past, more terrifying than the murderer chasing them.
Spill Sauce: Nadia and David go hiking to spice up their monotonous married life. The romantic gateway to the snowy mountains was supposed to be a passionate journey that turned into a celebration of survival as soon as the red dot appeared.
Red Dot is one of the best horror movies on Netflix, especially for fans of hard and fast survival stories. It’s adrenaline-fueled and terribly violent – a tense, unsettling and well-made film.
22. Below Zero (2021)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Action Thriller
Cast: Javier Gutierrez, Carra Elejalde, Luis Callejo
Directed by: Luis Quiles
Below Zero is a Spanish film that ranks among the best suspense thrillers on Netflix. The story revolves around Martin, a newly transferred cop who drives a van on a cold night. Six prisoners, an unknown assailant, and a lot of power are what make the film top-notch.
Spill Sauce: A cop moving deadly prisoners for the first time remains cursed when the transport is interrupted in a secluded area. There, an officer’s journey begins to take on not one, but six psychopaths and make sure no one escapes. Will he succeed?
The development of the plot and the evolution of the characters on the spot. The twists and turns of the plot will keep you on your toes and will be entertaining. It’s not a dark movie, but don’t empathize too much with Martin or you’ll end up ruminating over him for days.
23. I care a lot (2020)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Thriller/Comedy
Cast: Rosamund Pike, Eiza Gonzalez, Peter Dinklage
Director: Jay Blakeson
This comedy thriller is based on Marla Grayson, a caretaker whose job is to look after lonely elderly people. Apparently, she is too good a caretaker, as she sells their property and earns commissions. And you know what, this lady is officially chosen as their guardian!
Moreover, there simply could not be a better choice for the character than Rosamund Pike. Her impeccable performance in Gone Girl bears witness to this. She keeps you hooked at the TV screen.
Spill Sauce: Enter Jennifer Peterson, a deranged obnoxious person who disrupts Marla’s cash flow and her friends interfere with the very essence of her existence. Will she be able to defeat the rebellious psychopath?
This entertainer is extreme profanity. While its essence lies in humor, its foul language, vicious game plans, and lack of sense of morality make it one of the must-watch thrillers on Netflix. Peter Dinklage is a delight to look at and will remind you of that loyal friend you always had in college.
24. Fall From Grace (2020)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Psychological thriller
Cast: Mehcad Brooks, Crystal Fox, Cicely Tyson, Tyler Perry
Director: Tyler Perry
A stormy romance ends in tragedy. This Netflix thriller follows a middle-aged divorced Grace who falls in love with a young man, Shannon, only to be charged with his murder months later.
Spill Sauce: A woman named Grace is accused of killing her husband and confesses to the crime. All she has to do is plead guilty in court, but things aren’t as easy as they seem. When Jasmine’s public defender delves into Grace’s case, she suspects a conspiracy. What is the real story?
I found the story a bit predictable, but the powerful action keeps it going. My favorite part is how Crystal Fox takes center stage and totally shines. It’s hard to believe that this is her first performance in a leading role.
Also, the romance, mystery, courtroom drama, and horror woven into the story make it feel like it’s several films in one. What at first seems like a fairly simple cautionary tale about the dangers of trusting seductive strangers turns into a wild, violent and volatile thriller. It’s chilling, funny and enjoyable at the same time.
25. Sky High (2020)
Source: Netflix
Directed by: Daniel Calparsoro
Genre: Action, Thriller, Gangster
Cast: Miguel Herran, Luis Tosar, Carolina Yuste, Patricia Vico
Netflix has acquired the global rights to Spanish action thriller Sky High and redirected it in 2020. What is the movie about? Well, we are talking about a small group of thieves who always manage to stay ahead of the Madrid police thanks to their wit, talent and skills.
Spill the Sauce: The story revolves around Angel being fascinated by Estrella while simultaneously working to win her love and gradually move forward in his life of crime. During this robbery, he becomes the target of a tireless police detective, and then the content becomes interesting.
The first impression seems to be a classic action movie with glamor, drama and action-packed acting. What sets it apart is the character creation, cinematography, and great locations.
26. Rebecca (2020)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Romantic thriller
Cast: Lily James, Armie Hammer, Kristin Scott Thomas
Directed by: Ben Wheatley
Imagine marrying the love of your life and competing with the ghost of your husband’s ex-wife? An estate one can only dream of turns out to be one of the biggest nightmares of her life.
Spill the Sauce: The unnamed narrator decides to marry the dazzling Mr. Winter, but is unable to find a dead Mrs. Winter in her lover’s paradise. Will she be able to live up to everyone’s expectations and solve this unexpected problem?
Classic 1940s style, a gorgeous home, a beautiful bride, and the frightening presence of Rebecca’s ghost in the form of comb prints, there are plenty of thrilling moments in this thriller. Watch out for the extra flavor of romance in the content.
27. Call (2020)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Chung-Hyun Lee
Cast: Park Shin Hye, Jeon Seo Joon, Sung Ryong Kim
This movie will appeal to fans of serial killer movies and twisted sci-fi. Things are definitely not what they seem, and you won’t see the twists and turns to come.
Spill Sauce: After her mother is diagnosed with cancer, Seo Yeon returns to her hometown and moves into her childhood home. She soon begins receiving strange calls from her younger self, asking for help and promising to bring her dead father back to life. What is really going on?
Soyeon has a bad relationship with her mother as she blames her for her father’s death. You will immediately sympathize with her, but it will make you reel when the truth is revealed.
It all starts off fairly innocuous, but soon turns into an exciting mix of sci-fi and slasher. I liked how the story takes time to establish Soyeon’s world and her mental state. This allows the intrigue and tension to build up, so you’ll really be amazed at the end of it all.
28. Hunt Time (2020)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Crime Thriller
Cast: Choi Woo Sik, Lee Je Hoon, Park Hae Soo
Directed by: Yoon Sung-hyun
Check out this Korean drama which is a heady mix of sci-fi, crime and heist horror. The plot revolves around people approaching a financial crisis; pretty related, huh?
Spill the Sauce: A group of young people plan a heist to escape a dystopian world. But they attract the attention of a vicious killer. How can they survive in a dystopian South Korea where poverty reigns?
The premiere of “Hunting Time”, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, is especially touching due to the fact that the action takes place in a world full of economic difficulties. South Korean films are known for their gritty dystopian themes that are very close to reality, and “Hunting Time”is no exception.
It embodies superlative craftsmanship with perfect acting, superb cinematography and of course the intense adrenaline rush that is expected from Korean cinema.
29. Extraction (2020)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Action Thriller
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Randeep Huda, Golshifte Farahani
Directed by: Sam Hargrave
A black market mercenary sets out on a journey to rescue the kidnapped son of an imprisoned god of crime. Will he manage to free his son among the already existing hype of arms dealers, drug dealers? What problems does he face in dealing with the impossible?
Spill the Sauce: What might seem like a classic ’90s thug movie is actually so much more. Chris Hemsworth’s charm, the rivalry he has witnessed, and the series of emotions shown by Randeep Hooda’s character convey many hidden emotions. The icing on the cake is the action sequences in the movie that keep you in your chair the whole time.
A superhero mercenary named Tyler Rake is our own Thor. The action sequences scream spectacle, and the 116 minutes of runtime is just right. Each character has their own backstory, which cements this film’s place on the list of the best thrillers to stream on Netflix.
30. His house (2020)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Mystery and thriller, horror
Cast: Sope Dirisu, Wunmi Mosaku, Matt Smith
Directed by: Remy Wicks
This is what you need to watch if you are looking for a horror thriller. It has all the tension and terrifying drama that comes when the lights go out. Bol Major and his wife Rial go to their new home for Halloween.
Spill the Sauce: As the movie suggests, the story revolves around a haunted house in which ghosts and evil spirits lurk. Bol and Real Major are refugees from South Sudan who were sent by local authorities to live in a house in England. I bet you wouldn’t want to go there for a million dollars!
The thrill that comes when evil spirits temptingly scare a couple to death will have you glued to your seats, asking for more. The sound quality is insane as mysterious ghostly voices seem to float in your ears.
Bol’s reassuring nature, even when things go awry, gives the impression that he is not the kind of person who is simply frightened by some inanimate sounds or creatures. That’s what makes it more interesting. The ghosts have to step up their game, which leads to terrifying scenes that will haunt me for some time to come!
31. Uncut Gems (2019)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Crime Thriller
Cast: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel.
Directed by: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
Adam Sandler is synonymous with comedy, but in Uncut Gems he stars in a thriller that you should watch.
Spill the Sauce: A gambling-addicted jeweler makes a big bet that could lead to lifelong windfall luck. But does he have what it takes to strike the right balance between business, family, and adversaries from all sides?
Raging energy fills every scene, leaving you wanting more. Of course, considering the casting, you can expect this movie to be more of a lighthearted thriller.
The protagonist makes terrible decisions throughout the film, making his downfall inevitable. His thrill and desperation are palpable. Adam Sandler is unforgettable and makes this tense, gripping, adrenaline-filled masterpiece that plays out like a sort of modern Greek tragedy.
32. Bird box (2018)
Source: Netflix
Genre: horror thriller
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, Sarah Paulson
Directed by: Suzanne Beer
Based on the novel by Josh Malerman, Bird Box is a unique horror story about a mysterious force that is destroying the world. If you see this, you will die (evil force, not a movie.)
Spill the Sauce: A woman and her children go on a quest to escape the evil that is tearing the world apart. But they must complete the journey blindfolded. Will they be able to find the hope and new beginning they seek?
Bird Box takes us back between two time periods, five years after the end of the world and the early days when everything started to fall apart. The brutal mass suicides playing out on screen will haunt you for weeks to come.
Sandra Bullock plays the title role, and the story remains crisp, concise, and gripping. On a symbolic level, this is an intense psychological thriller about how most people metaphorically live blindfolded and shielded from real emotion and true connection.
33. Apostle (2018)
Source: Netflix
Genre: detective and thriller, horror
Cast: Dan Stevens, Michael Sheen, Lucy Boynton.
Director: Gareth Evans
This is a thriller that weaves a gripping story based on a unique pagan mythology steeped in blood and sacrifice. Get ready for folk horror, permeated with cruelty and bloodlust.
Spill the Sauce: Dan Stevens, who plays Thomas Richardson, returns to his hometown to visit his sister Jennifer. Everything goes awry when he learns that she has been kidnapped by a mad religious cult led by the prophet Malcolm. Will he be able to rescue his sister from their hands?
Director Gareth Evans did an excellent job of casting Dan Stevens in a prominent role. The action movie star is simply amazing with his amazing acting skills and heroic abilities.
He instantly becomes the favorite to strike a defiant blow and save his sister from the hands of the enemy. You will also be drawn into the world of these religious insomniacs, for they are too interesting for their madness and immoral beliefs.
34. Gerald’s Game (2017)
Source: Netflix
Genre: Psychological thriller
Cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Chiara Aurelia.
Director: Mike Flanagan
A weekend and a failed sex fantasy turned into one of the best psychological thrillers on Netflix. Gerald’s game is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name.
Spill Sauce: On a trip to rekindle their romance, Jesse accidentally kills her husband during foreplay. He falls on top of her while she is handcuffed to a bed in a remote location. Time passes, Jesse falls into delirium. How can she avoid the horrors that play out both physically and mentally?
At one point in the film, the main character, Jessie, is talking to the spirit of her dead husband, discussing things she would never have discussed while he was alive. Meanwhile, the dog bites into the body of the dead man. If you’re a Stephen King fan, you know that’s the expected level of gore from his stories.
It’s grotesque, but Mike Flanagan’s excellent direction keeps you watching and sharing the suffering of the characters. It demonstrates how your mind can be your worst enemy and is one of the best film adaptations of a thriller novel.
What thrillers do you watch on Netflix?
This completes my list of the best thrillers on Netflix, but I’d love to hear from you. So share your recommendations in the comments below! And if you don’t have time to watch the full movie, try Netflix’s new Shuffle Button feature, which lets you watch fun short content from the best movies.