During the ‘90s the genre of the psychological thriller underwent a major renaissance, resulting in some of the most pulse racing, puzzle laden, no way out, films of all time.
With many now-super-famous stars and directors just starting their careers, these movies featured experimental forms that truly play with your mind. These thrillers will have you on the edge of your seat and will stay planted in your brain for years after viewing them.
From terrifying stories of serial killers and kidnappings, to mysteries that blur reality and the truth beyond recognition, these nine psychological thriller movies from the 1990s are sure to make your heart pound and alter the way you look at the world around you.
Misery (1990)
When famous author Paul Sheldon (James Caan) is in a nearly fatal car accident, nurse Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) finds him and takes him to her remote home to care for him.
Annie claims to be Paul’s number one fan. When she reads his newest novel and finds that he has killed off the beloved main character, she refuses to let him leave, holding him prisoner until he can right his wrong.
Based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King, this thriller is sure to increase your heart rate as Paul struggles for survival and escape.
Bates' portrayal of the obsessive Annie made her an overnight Hollywood star and earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
In this classic horror thriller, FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) seeks the help of a convicted cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), to track down another serial killer (Ted Levine) who has been skinning his female victims.
As Clarice gets drawn into Lecter’s mind games, she inches closer to the secrets of both killers.
There's definitely a reason this disquieting movie has had such an enduring legacy, repeatedly being named as one of the best and most influential films in American history and marked for its significance by the U.S. Library of Congress.
Cape Fear (1991)
Psychopathic rapist Max Cady (Robert De Niro) learned in prison that his defense attorney, Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte) hid evidence that could’ve gotten him a shorter sentence.
Now released, Cady tracks down the Bowden family and stalks and terrorizes Sam, his wife, and his teenage daughter, in order to get vengeance for what he sees as injustice done to him.
De Niro's performance as Cady is truly terrifying and haunting in this seventh collaboration between him and celebrated director Martin Scorsese.
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)
When Mrs. Mott’s (Rebecca De Mornay) husband is accused of sexual misconduct and subsequently commits suicide, the shock causes her to lose the baby she was expecting and to require an emergency hysterectomy.
To get revenge for the loss of the family she always wanted, Mrs. Mott poses as a nany named Peyton to infiltrate and sabotage the lives of one of Dr. Mott’s accusers, Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra), and her family.
But how far will she go?
Malice (1993)
Happily married newlyweds Tracy (Nicole Kidman) and Andy Safian (Bill Pullman) are living in a Massachusetts college town. When one of Andy's students is injured by a serial rapist, Andy reconnects with an old classmate, Dr. Jed Hill (Alec Baldwin), who is the doctor operating on her.
The Safians invite the pompous surgeon to rent a room in their home to finance new plumbing. As their lives become entangled, everything escalates when Jed performs a life saving surgery on Tracy and secrets start to come out.
The twists in this movie are truly shocking, making this wild ride of a thriller one of the best psychological horror movies of the 1990s.
Primal Fear (1996)
Vain Chicago defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) agrees to take on the case of an altar boy, Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), who has been accused of murdering an archbishop.
Although there is a lot of evidence against him and he is prone to periods of amnesia, Martin believes in Aaron’s innocence. As the case continues, everyone’s motives are placed under scrutiny and the truth remains buried and evasive.
Norton delivers a jarring and compelling performance in his debut film role that won him a Golden Globe!
The Game (1997)
For his approaching 48th birthday, investment banker Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas) receives a unique gift from his estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn): participation in an elaborate game based in his real life.
As the lines of reality are blurred, Nicholas finds his business, reputation, and life are all in danger and at the wills of a larger conspiracy.
A film that did not receive the acclaim it deserved at its time, The Game is sure to play some games with your mind.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Child psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) begins working with Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), a nine-year-old boy whose mother (Toni Collette) is concerned about his deep fears and signs of physical harm on his body.
Cole confides in Malcolm that he sees dead people. Moved by Cole’s similarity to a past client, Malcolm works with Cole as a means of redemption, advising him to try to face his fears and help the ghosts.
Whether or not you already know the genius and shocking twist ending, this film remains a masterpiece from M. Night Shyamalan.
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1991)
New York con artist Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) is sent to Italy by the rich and powerful businessman Herbert Greenleaf to convince his son, Dickie (Jude Law), to return home to America
Ripley quickly becomes fascinated and jealous of playboy Dickie’s glamorous and unbothered lifestyle. As he goes further into Dickie’s world and friend group, Ripley becomes set on having this extravagant life for himself.
In addition to young Damen and Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, and Philip Seymour Hoffman also appear in this breathtaking 1990s thrill ride.
Featured still from "The Game" via PolyGram Films
