The cinematic thriller is one of the most popular genres among the tastes of the public. It took its form from literature, although over time it managed to make its own code, its particular way of telling stories.
Owner of his own categorization, (supernatural, police, psychological thriller), the premise in all cases is to keep the spectator clinging to the seat. Until the end, the mystery cannot be unraveled.
Alfred Hitchcock is perhaps the highest representative of the best thrillers. However, throughout the history of the Seventh Art there are several directors who have exploited the genre with success.
The best thrillers, the ones not to be missed
Psychosis. Alfred Hitchcock, 1960
Without place to doubts the masterpiece of the genre. Also the one that defines it. There are very few later films that do not take some element of the classic "Master of Suspense."
It was shot with a lot of controversy, at a time when Hollywood cinema was imprisoned by strict censorship. But the British director "got away with it" and shot a politically incorrect story from any point of view. Above all, by the conservative standards that governed the film industry.
Special mention for the music composed by Bernard Herrmann. The musical score that accompanies the entire film not only serves to accentuate the mystery, it is just as irreverent as the rest of the film.
Seven. David Fincher, 1995
El second film by American David Fincher, revitalized in the mid-90s a genre that, with few exceptions, was somewhat stagnant towards the end of the XNUMXth century.
They are two policemen in opposite positions. One wanting to start a long career as a detective, the other about to sign his retirement. They must face a serial killer who will take them (literally) to the limit.
In addition to a seamless script written by Andrew Kevin Walker and impeccable cinematography and camera direction, stands out for the work of its protagonists.
Thesis. Alejandro Amenabar, 1995
As Fincher refreshed the Hollywood suspense, A young Alejandro Amenábar made an appearance within Spanish cinematography. His film debut was as groundbreaking as it was outstanding, becoming in a short time a reference to be imitated, even within the American industry itself.
Shark. Steven Spielberg, 1975
Spielberg's second feature film for the cinema represents, within monster movies, the same milestone that Hitchcock marked with Psychosis within the psychological thriller.
One of the many virtues of SharkIs that keeps viewers in suspense for almost half of the screening. And this still without showing the jaws of a "murderous machine".
To highlight the music composed by the tireless John Williams.
Forty years after being released, this film is responsible for a curious fact. Almost no one is capable of swimming at the beach, without fear at some point ending up as a victim of a shark attack.
durkke. Christopher Nolan, 2017
Recently released in theaters, it represents for many the masterpiece of the celebrated London director. A suspense film, sheltered within a war story.
Based on the famous Operation Dynamo, with which the United Kingdom managed to evacuate 300.000 soldiers from the French coasts under Nazi control.
Nolan offers a perspective from three different angles (air, land and sea) of the operation.
Impeccable on a visual level, it also stands out for the great work of its "army" of protagonists, and for the musical work of Hans Zimmer.
The silence of the lambs. Jonathan Damme, 1991
La masterpiece within the filmography of the recently deceased director New Yorker. While it was not Hanibal Lecter's film debut, (Hunter by Michael Mann in 1986, it was his first film), if it is responsible for remaining tattooed in the psyche of the public.
An intriguing story, from start to finish. The spectator is amazed at the escape of the feared doctor, Hanibal "the Cannibal".
His achievements include having won the Oscar in the 5 main categories: Movie, Director, Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Actress (Jodie Foster) and Screenplay.
The sixth Sense. M.Night Shyamalan, 1998
Supernatural suspense. A child who must deal with a particular skill (Haley Joel Osment) receives help from a psychologist (Bruce Willis), who at the same time is trying to find out why he lost control of his life.
A box office success, he exposed his director's style to create suspense based on long sequences, with hardly any dialogue and small movements of the protagonists.
"Sometimes i see dead”Became one of the most famous phrases in the history of cinema.
The Shining. Stanley Kubrick, 1980
If the filmography of this New York director is reviewed chronologically, it is easy to fall before the temptation of calling almost all the films that appear on the list as "The masterpiece". With The Shining there is no exception.
This movie is based on the novel by Stephen King (one of the literary authors who has contributed the most arguments to the cinema). However, despite the success of the film, King charged against what Kubrick did with his work.
It was one of the first films to use the Stediecam to shoot moving scenes.. Almost forty years later, it continues to be the reference for film teachers when talking about the potential of the use of this technical resource.
Regular Suspects. Brian Singer, 1995
Film that filled its director with prestige, before he devoted himself to exploring the world of hero comics with the X Men and the unsuccessful Superman Returns.
Singer directed quite correctly a film that stands out for its elaborate script. The viewer is forced to wait until the end, in order to unravel the whole mystery.
Departed. Martin Scorsese, 2006
One of the crudest crime films in the history of cinema. Scorsese, a regular at Gangster movies, wears the visual violence (without being explicit for much of the film) at levels that cause the viewer to squirm constantly in his seat.
In addition to an impressive staging, the film is based on the powerful acting work of its protagonists.
Image sources: IFC.com / Crash / Upsocl