With outstanding performances, razor-sharp scripts, and breathtaking visuals, 2024 has cemented itself as a standout year for fans of mystery and thriller movies.
From gripping tales of revenge and corruption to psychological mind-benders and adrenaline-pumping action, this year's offerings showcased the genre's ability to explore the darkest corners of human nature while keeping viewers guessing until the final moments.
These films not only entertained but also challenged us to reflect on themes of morality, justice, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets or achieve their dreams.
Whether it’s the high-stakes cheating scandal in Bad Genius, the dystopian chaos of Civil War, or the simmering tension in Juror #2, there’s something for every type of thriller enthusiast.
From polished Hollywood productions to gritty indie gems, these films represent the best the genre has to offer, blending intrigue, action, and unexpected twists into unforgettable narratives.
Dive into these compelling stories, but beware—you might find yourself questioning what’s real, who to trust, and how far you’d go in these impossible scenarios.
Here are 10 of the best mystery and thriller movies of 2024.
Bad Genius
Lynn (Callina Liang) is a straight-A student. She has to be. After all, it’s only her grades that allow her to attend her prestigious high school.
But when she starts helping her academically challenged friend Grace (Taylor Hickson) cheat, other students want in on the deal.
When their scheme escalates, it pits Grace’s morals against the entire American education system with nothing less than her entire future hanging in the balance.
Monkey Man
Dev Patel stars in his directorial debut as Kid, a young man who manages to carve out a living in underground fight clubs. His signature is wearing a gorilla mask as night after night, he’s beaten bloody for cash.
But as his childhood trauma boils over, he finds a way to infiltrate the city’s elites, where nothing but his bare knuckles and suppressed rage stand between him and his revenge.
A beautiful and violent movie with breathtaking action and pumping with heart.
Rebel Ridge
When a former marine (Aaron Pierre) comes to a small town to bail his cousin out, corrupt law enforcement seizes it even though the cash is legitimate.
No one will help, forcing him into a violent standoff as he stands up for what’s right in a town determined to see men like him and his cousin fail.
An action-packed thriller wrapped with old-school Rambo vibes and a Western twist, Rebel Ridge will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Conclave
Choosing a new Pope shouldn’t be the stuff a thriller is made of.
At least, not without plenty of explosions and chaos. But the magnetic performance of Ralph Fiennes proves that you don’t need bullets or dynamite to pack a taut punch.
Rife with secrets, conspiracies, and devilish machinations, Conclave is a riveting film that you won’t be able to look away from.
A Different Man
As Edward Lemuel (Sebastian Stan) struggles with a medical condition that disfigures his face, he meets the woman of his dreams (Renate Reinsve).
Too self-conscious to pursue his feelings, when he’s offered an experimental treatment to cure him, he jumps at the chance.
Only, the new face that promised to be a dream turns out to be nothing but a nightmare.
Civil War
In a deeply dystopian future, America is in the midst of a civil war. The tyrannical federal government wars with rebellious secessionists, and the rebels plan on attempting to take the capital city.
In the fervor of the chaos, a group of war journalists are determined to travel from New York to D.C. to interview the President before the city is overrun.
Unsettling and perhaps a bit too plausible, Civil War offers an unflinching look into the potentially violent consequences of a deeply divided country.
Love Lies Bleeding
Jackie (Katy M. O’Brian) is a bodybuilder with a dream. Lou (Kristen Stewart) is the gym manager who falls for her.
As they head to Las Vegas so Jackie can compete, they get pulled into Lou’s crime family schemes, throwing their relationship into chaos.
A gritty romance thriller where the sex is as graphic as the violence, it’s pulpy and addictive in all the best ways.
Juror #2
Jury duty is bad enough. But as Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult) does his duty, he knows he has the power to condemn or free than man accused of a violent crime.
More than a simple vote, he knows who committed the murder. He just can’t tell anyone.
A masterfully executed story of suspense that doesn’t reveal its hand until the very end.
Murder and Cocktails
When one of their neighbors is murdered, Nick (Jason Bernardo) and Lana (Jessicah Neufeld) are convinced someone on their floor pulled the trigger.
To get to the bottom of it, they host cocktail parties as a way to assess each neighbor and search for clues. But when another body drops, it’s obvious no one can be trusted.
An old-fashioned murder mystery that relies on the chemistry of the leading actors, Murder and Cocktails is a fun film that leans into its playful tone through cheeky dialogue peppered with humor.
Red Rooms
Fashion model Kelly-Anne (Juliette Gariépy) becomes fixated on a high-profile serial killer case.
But when she stumbles on a snuff film of a young girl who resembles Kelly-Anne, her reality soon blurs with morbid fantasy threatening not just her safety, but her sanity.
Red Rooms delves deep into the self-destructive nature of obsession when faced with the extreme depravity of human nature.
