Start the new year with these five underappreciated thrillers that dive deep into our most primitive desires with edge-of-your-seat tension.
This steamy film hinges around the murder of a lascivious New York City housewife (Angie Dickinson) that is witnessed by a prostitute (Nancy Allen). Roger Ebert calls this Brian De Palma classic a “Hitchcockian thriller that’s stylish, intriguing, and very violent.” The parallels to Hitchcock’s Psycho are undeniable: There’s a man who dresses in drag to kill, the slaying of a female lead early in the film, and more than one ominous shower scene.
Back in the late 1980s—long before the Internet and dating apps existed—people would hook up via telephone “party lines,” where you paid by the minute to talk with strangers about meeting for a trist. This film explores that chaotic mix of anonymity, desire, and the thrill of spontaneous connections in a pre-digital world — making it all the more fun and interesting to watch as viewer in 2025.
A financially struggling married couple (Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore) make a desperate attempt to improve their situation by traveling to Las Vegas and gambling their last $5,000. During their trip, Moore catches the attention of a charming billionaire (Robert Redford), who makes an unexpected offer: one million dollars in exchange for one night alone with her.
Roger Ebert, in his review, highlighted the film’s exploration of complex themes like love and loyalty, writing: “Indecent Proposal is a story about characters testing the boundaries of their morals, exploring the tension between love and temptation. Ultimately, it examines whether true love can endure even the most difficult challenges.”
Legendary director Stanley Kubrick (Spartacus, 2001: A Space Odyssey) passed away just days after completing this provocative thriller. Tom Cruise stars as a New York doctor consumed by jealousy when his wife (Nicole Kidman) confesses she once fantasized about another man. Though divisive, the film remains a gripping exploration of desire and trust that rivets you in intrique.
Chloe (2009) remains a compelling watch in 2025, with its timeless exploration of trust, betrayal, and desire. Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, and Amanda Seyfried deliver captivating performances in this tense psychological drama, making it as relevant today as it was when it first hit screens. Its themes of intimacy, suspicion, and unexpected connections resonate deeply, ensuring it’s as good of watch today as it was in 2009.
