Thriller
The Creator (2024.31, Pale , Not Good )
The Creator is a disappointing science fiction movie that could have had a great story but instead gets lost in the special effects. (2.5*)
Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning (2024.30, Thrilling , A Blast)
Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning is an action-packed thriller with everything you’d expect from the IMF. It is also an endurance test of adrenaline production. (4*)
Society of the Snow (2024.15, Uncomfortable , Value )
Society of the Snow is a very difficult film to watch, but it is probably an essential one. It effectively makes you ask what you would do when faced with these choices. (4.5*)
Nimona (2024.13, Good , Little-Known )
Nimona may not be the best in animation, but it tells an important message about gender identity. (3.5*)
Anatomy of a Fall (2024.5, Puzzling , Murder ?)
An accident? A suicide? Or was it murder? Anatomy of a Fall will keep you oscillating between the possibilities even past the end. (4*)
The Batman – A Cut Above your Typical Super-Hero (4.5*)
The Batman is one of this year’s best movies. While nominally an action film, it also is thrilling detective story, told at a human level.
2022 Oscar Thriller Movies
An Overview of this year’s Oscar nominees in the Thriller genre and a recommendation of three of the best from last year.
No Time to Die
(3.5*) No Time to Die is exactly what you expect from a Bond film. Sixty years after Dr. No, the franchise has changed, but lives on.
The Tragedy of Macbeth
(4.5 *) The Tragedy of Macbeth is a powerful production that shows the relevance of Shakespeare to today’s modern age.
Nightmare Alley
(4 Stars) A film noire psychological thriller that keeps your interests, darkly.
The Midnight Sky
(4 Stars) Much better than the critics say. Beautiful imagery and sounds and a story with a twist.
Better Days
(3.5 Stars) An interesting film with some very good dramatic elements. But seems to have some heavy-handed government overlays.
Tenet
(3.5 Stars) A sensory delight, but if you want to follow the plot, bring a notepad.
Trial of the Chicago 7
(4 Stars) A good telling of an important moment in history that is relevant today.
Promising Young Woman
(4.5 Stars) A terrific thriller that is also a romantic comedy and a social commentary. Fun in many ways, but with an important message.
The 2020 Thriller Genre Movies
Parasite (5 Stars) Joker (4.5 Stars) Knives Out (4 Stars) Ad Astra (3.5 Stars) Les Miserables (3 Stars) IMDB Benchmarks (Dark Knight/Psycho) The main characteristic
Parasite
(5 Stars) An exceptionally well crafted movie that moves you through multiple emotions all while exploring the complexities of social class.
Les Miserables
(3 Stars) Interesting and well done, but not exactly memorable.
Ad Astra
(3.5 Stars) Visually stunning and terrific sound. But not up to Kubrick standards!
Knives Out
(4 Stars) Does everything a mystery should do and then some. Sharp and witty.
Joker
(4.5 Stars) Difficult to watch, especially right now. But perhaps necessary.
Border
(4 Stars) Perhaps the strangest film on this year’s list, it certainly keeps your attention.
A Quiet Place
(4 Stars) A fascinating horror/sci-fi flick where sound is the major ingredient.
First Reformed
(4 Stars) Ethan Hawke in a well-crafted mystery/thriller full of plot twists and turns. If you pay attention, you will be rewarded.
Never Look Away
(4.5 Stars) A German drama tracing the life of an East-German artist who struggles to find his true art form, and the meaning of his life. Professional critics didn’t like this as well.