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10 Top Thriller Movies You Can Watch on Netflix

Written by Sera Serinda A

Netflix, known for being one of the most popular streaming platforms globally, has a diverse array of movies and series across various genres and themes. The platform collaborates with numerous production companies to create original films that rival those in cinemas.

Among its extensive collection, Netflix provides a range of thrilling movies designed to set viewers on edge. These films don't rely solely on gore to unsettle the audience; some delve deeply into psychological terror. For those eager to experience the spine-tingling horror of these thrillers, Bacaterus has compiled a list of must-watch recommendations.

"The Devil All the Time," directed by Antonio Campos, is a psychological crime thriller based on Donald Ray Pollock's novel. This 138-minute film takes you through the post-World War II era, focusing on several eerie characters involved in dark deeds.

Central to the story is Willard Russel, portrayed by Bill Skarsgård. Willard is haunted by his inability to save his wife, who succumbs to cancer despite his desperate sacrifices. Then there's the duo, Carl (Jason Clarke) and Sandy (Riley Keough), who roam American roads hunting for victims to abduct and eventually kill.

Another key character is Roy Laferty, played by Harry Melling. He's a preacher obsessed with his faith, going so far as to murder his wife in a twisted attempt to bring her back to life. These characters, each with their own troubled pasts, are on a collision course that leads to a terrifying climax.

"The Platform" is a Spanish science fiction horror film released in 2019. Directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, it won the People's Choice Award for Midnight Madness and secured a global streaming deal with Netflix.

In a mysterious place in the middle of nowhere, there is a prison with a model of a tall tower with countless levels called The Pit. Each level of The Pit can accommodate two inmates. Those on the upper levels enjoy a decent meal, while the leftovers are passed down and consumed by the inmates on the lower levels.

Prisoners are periodically moved to different levels every month, leaving those on the lower levels starving. Amidst this harsh reality, an inmate named Goreng (Iván Massagué) tries to make a breakthrough where he wants to fight the system by pulling together a team of other inmates.

This Netflix movie, based on Josh Malerman's novel, is a thrilling horror story set in a world where a strange event has caused many deaths. The film, directed by Susanne Bier, follows the survivors who are fighting to stay alive.

The story centers on Malorie (Sandra Bullock), who is pregnant. She and her sister, Jessica (Sarah Paulson), go to the hospital for a check-up. But their world turns upside down when a mysterious force sweeps the country, driving people to harm themselves. Tragically, Jessica is affected, but Malorie manages to survive.

Malorie finds herself with other survivors in a house, but their safety is short-lived. Danger escalates when they are exposed to the deadly force. Determined to protect her newborn baby, Malorie embarks on a desperate journey to find a safe haven away from the chaos.

4. Gerald's Game

Year 2017
Genre , ,
Director
Cast Carla Gugino Bruce Greenwood
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Stephen King's novels often catch the eye of filmmakers, and "Gerald's Game" is no exception. Directed by Mike Flanagan, this psychological horror thriller is the one you won't want to miss out.

The movie revolves around Jessie (Carla Gugino) who finds herself in a fight for survival in an isolated cabin. Jessie and her husband, Gerald (Bruce Greenwood), head to a remote cottage for a weekend getaway.

Their vacation takes a dark turn when they decide to spice things up with a role-playing game. Jessie ends up handcuffed to a bedpost, and things go horribly wrong when Gerald suddenly collapses and dies, possibly due to taking viagra.

Trapped and handcuffed, with no way to assist her husband or call for help, Jessie faces a dire situation. Their cottage is far from anyone else, heightening the sense of isolation. Can Jessie break free from this horrifying predicament?

The Gray Man, one of Netflix's most expensive films, is set to release in 2022. This action-packed movie is based on Mark Greaney's novel of the same name. Directed by the renowned Anthony and Joe Russo, it stars Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans in lead roles.

The story centers around a CIA agent known as Six (Ryan Gosling), a top-notch assassin from the agency's secret Sierra program. Things take a turn when Six's mission goes wrong, forcing him to run from the CIA.

Now, Six is being chased by Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans), a relentless former colleague from the CIA. During his escape, Six gets help from fellow CIA agents Dani Miranda (Ana de Armas) and Donald Fitzroy (Julia Butters). Can Six outsmart and escape the unstoppable Lloyd?

6. His House

Year 2020
Genre , ,
Director
Cast Wunmi Mosaku Sope Dirisu Matt Smith
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Looking for a horror thriller to watch this weekend? Check out "His House," a movie that tells the gripping story of a South Sudanese refugee couple adjusting to life in an English town, in a home hiding a dark secret.

South Sudan, ravaged by war, forces many of its people to flee, including Bol (Sope Dirisu) and his family. He, his wife Rial (Wunmi Mosaku), and their daughter Nyagak (Malaika Abigaba) move to England, hoping for a better life.

However, their new start is far from easy. They face racism and are forced to live in a rundown house. But that's not all – their home seems to be haunted by a malevolent spirit known as Apeth.

Determined not to let their struggles overwhelm them, Bol, Rial, and Nyagak confront the haunting presence. They bravely fight the spirit and work to overcome the challenges of their new environment, seeking peace in their new home.

7. Fractured

Year 2019
Genre
Director
Cast Sam Worthington
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Fractured is an American psychological thriller directed by Brad Anderson. Released in 2019, it stars Sam Worthington, whose performance as a distressed father searching for his missing wife and child earned critical acclaim.

The story follows Ray (Sam Worthington), his wife Joanne (Lily Rabe), and their young daughter Peri (Lucy Capri). They're returning home from a Thanksgiving celebration at Joanne's parents' place. During their journey, they stop at a rest area, where an unfortunate accident occurs — Peri falls into a concrete structure.

In a panic, Ray and Joanne rush Peri to the hospital. Joanne goes with Peri to a treatment room, leaving Ray to wait anxiously in the lounge. Time ticks by without any sign of Joanne and Peri. Worried, Ray seeks answers from the hospital staff.

But he's met with a shocking revelation: the hospital claims they have no record of patients named Joanne and Peri. Where are his wife and daughter?

8. Nowhere

Year 2023
Genre , ,
Director
Cast Anna Castillo
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In a crisis-ridden country, young married couple Mia (Anna Castillo) and Nico (Tamar Novas) face imminent danger. Mia, pregnant and close to giving birth, must flee with Nico for their safety.

Nico's plan involves escaping to Ireland via a cargo ship. They hide in a container, transported by truck before being loaded onto the ship. However, their journey turns tragic when Nico is shot, severing communication with Mia.

Despite these challenges, Mia's container reaches the ship. Then, a violent storm strikes, casting her adrift at sea in the container. Amidst scarce food and water, and battling rising waters, Mia gives birth to her daughter, Noa, and fights to keep them both alive.

This thriller-survival film, released on Netflix in late September 2023, quickly grips movie fans with its intense storyline. The film's unrelenting suspense promises to keep audiences deeply engaged from start to finish.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, this crime thriller is a remake of the 2018 Danish film of the same name. The movie features Jake Gyllenhaal and Christina Vidal as the main actors.

Running for 90 minutes, the movie tells the story of Joe Baylor (Jake Gyllenhaal), an ex-cop who is demoted to 911 dispatcher due to an incident. The movie's story begins when Joe receives an emergency call from Emily Lighton (Riley Keough), a woman who says she was kidnapped in a white van.

Joe quickly dispatches police and paramedics to deal with the emergency situation. As tensions rise, Joe attempts to prevent further tragedy by having a two-way conversation with Emily. Through this conversation, Emily reveals crucial information, which ultimately leads Joe to successfully solve the case.

The Paramedic (original title: El practicante) is a Spanish psychological thriller film directed by Carles Torras, screenplay written by David Desola and Hèctor Hernández Vicens. Starring Mario Casas and Déborah François, the movie tells the story of a paramedic who is possessive of his girlfriend.

The paramedic is Angel Hernandez (Mario Casas), who lives with his girlfriend, Vanesa François (Déborah François). Angel shows extreme possessiveness towards Vanesa.

The turning point comes when Angel has an accident that leaves him paralyzed. This disability strains her relationship with Vanesa, and makes Angel even more possessive as she suspects Vanesa of having an affair with her coworker, Ricardo (Guillermo Pfening).

In an attempt to keep an eye on Vanesa, Angel taps her cell phone. Finding her boyfriend's behavior very uncomfortable, Vanesa decides to end the relationship and leaves the apartment. Instead of solving the problem, Angel goes crazy, obsessively monitoring Vanesa's life.

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