Summary
What Comes Aroundmay have invoked a fresh appetite for suspenseful mystery thrillers recently, and luckily, the genre is full of great movies that can match the film’s energy. Based on a play known asThe Thing With Feathers, the recent Hulu addition tells the story of a messy relationship between mother and daughter, complicated due to the latter’s romance with an older man.What Comes Aroundhas enough twists and turns to keep eyes glued to the screen, but stands in the shadow of thebest mystery movies.
Films that invoke a similar tone toWhat Comes Aroundwill, of course, rely heavily on one or two driving mysteries that keep the narrative progressing.What Comes Arounddevelops intensity and suspensein a way that makes a great apéritif for some of the greatest thriller movies of all time. An emphasis on romance, particularly those of a forbidden or twisted nature, can make things even more similar, though many thrillers manage to address these topics with a more deft touch thanWhat Comes Around.
5 Psychologically Thrilling Movies (& 5 Shows) To Binge After The Devil All The Time
If you loved The Devil All The Time and want another awesome psychological thriller to binge, here are some possibilities!
Prisoners
Cast
After getting tired of waiting for the police to find the person responsible for taking two young girls, Keller Rover takes the law into his own hands to get the answers he wants. This crime drama was directed by Denis Villeneuve and stars Hugh Jackman (Keller Rover), Jake Gyllenhaal (Detective Loki), and Terrence Howard (Franklin Birch).
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, recently made famous bytheDunefilms,Prisonersis as tense as they come in terms of developing unsettling mysteries. The film follows the father of an abducted girl who, after seeing the prime suspect of the crime released from jail, takes the law into his own hands. What follows is a dizzying descent into a mad labyrinth into depravity, in which the answers aren’t as cut and dry as they might originally seem.
Prisonershas an all-star cast more than capable of carrying the hefty mystery bestowed upon them by Denis Villeneuve. Highlights includeHugh Jackman’s vengeful Keller Dover and Jake Gyllenhaal’s tortured Detective Loki.With shocking reveals and an utterly unpredictable climax,Prisonersis a triumph of suspense that’s more than a worthy follow-up toWhat Comes Aroundfor anyone who enjoyed it.
Gone Girl
Based on Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel, Gone Girl stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as Nick and Amy Dunne, a couple whose disintegrating marriage is rocked by Amy’s sudden disappearance and Nick’s suspected hand in it. As evidence begins to pile up against Nick, it eventually becomes clear with a shocking twist that all is not what it seems. Flynn also wrote the screenplay for the film, with David Fincher directing.
One of the most ubiquitous names in the mystery thriller genre for good reason,Gone Girlis a psychological drama that adds another laurel to David Fincher’s impressive filmography. Adapted by the 2012 novel of the same name and written by the original author,Gone Girltells the story of a woman’s disappearance, implicating her husband in a horrific act. This premise only ends up scratching the surface ofthe true iceberg of mysteriesGone Girlfloats on, weaving a more intricate web of lies with every minute of screentime.
Truly unexpected directions that keep things fresh
What makesGone Girlso engaging is the frayed relationship between Ben Affleck’s Nick Dune and Rosamund Pike’s Amy. While it’s clear the two have nothing if not animosity towards one another, the true lows they’re willing to sink to to undermine each other is left a complete mystery, making the film endlessly rewatchable as the two’s subtle performances peel back layer by layer.Gone Girl’s narrative also goes in some truly unexpected directions that keep things fresh.
1991
The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs is an award-winning movie, it was decorated in accolades upon its release in 1991. The psychological-horror is one of only 3 movies to have achieved the ‘Big Five’ at The Oscars picking up the Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Picture in one night. The movie was adapted by director Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Ted Tally who transformed the original novel written by Thomas Harris in 1988. The movie follows main protagonist Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), a young up-and-coming FBI agent who has been drafted in to track down the manic serial killer Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). Do achieve this, Clarice seeks out the help of psychiatrist, and convicted cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins), what better way to get in the mind of a twisted serial killer than to team up with one? Apart from the obvious questionable past times and dietary preferences of some protagonists, perhaps the most unsettling thing about The Silence of the Lambs is the close-ups. There are some real uncomfortable moments of dialogue where the male characters are staring directly down the lens whilst talking. This was an unnerving choice by Demme, and although quite a subtle and simple effect, we are able to share a lot of Clarice’s discomfort. Perception is key in this film and Tak Fujimoto’s cinematography is bleak and gritty with a perfectly accompanied score. If you are looking for a scary movie to make you unsettled, you won’t go wrong with The Silence of the Lambs. Also, if you enjoy it, the prequel ‘Hannibal’ is also free to stream for Amazon Prime members.
One of the best horror thrillers ever made,The Silence of the Lambs' pop culture reputation is well-deserved. Another novel adaptation,The Silence of the Lambsstars Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, an upstart FBI agent tasked with hunting a serial killer with the aid of the incarcerated Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychologist and fellow murderer himself who gives his insights into the case. The only horror film to ever win a Best Picture Academy Award,The Silence of the Lambsis also a tantalizing mystery.
Dr. Lecter is an iconic enough character to have spawned his own series ofHannibal Lecter spin-offs, with Anthony Hopkins' brilliant performance strong enough to create a whole franchise. Yet the mystery of Buffalo Bill’s identity and motives is the true core driving the excellent drama ofThe Silence of the Lambs.The ambiguous ending is a spine-chilling cherryof one of the strongest thrillers ever crafted.
7He Loves Me… He Loves Me Not
2002
Few films converge at the dangerous intersection of thriller and romance quite likeWhat Comes Around, making it somewhat unique in the genre despite its shortcomings. That being said, the little-known foreign filmHe Loves Me… He Loves Me Notput forth similar ideas 20 years earlier, with quiet success. Also known by its original French title,À la folie… pas du tout,the film follows a fine arts student who becomes romantically obsessed with a wealthy cardiologist.
He Loves Me… He Loves Me Notis carried byAméliestar Audrey Tautou, who utterly takes control of the story as an unreliable narrator. It’s only when the film doubles back midway through to re-tell its events through the lens of another character that the true terrifying scope of her character’s erotomania is revealed, making for a chilling final reveal in the film’s closing moments. If one can stomach subtitles,He Loves Me… He Loves Me Notjust might be the most similar film toWhat Comes Around’s unique take on a rancid romance.
Shutter Island
Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island is based on the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Ben Kingsley. Set in 1959, Shutter Island follows two U.S. Marshalls - Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Ruffalo) as they are sent to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a hospital specializing in psychiatric care.
The decade’s first hit by prestige cinema darling Martin Scorsese,Shutter Islandis a welcome change of pace forScorsese’s filmographythat shows off how competent he can be with a more unsettling story. Taking place in the 1950s, the film posits Leonardo DiCaprio as a U.S. Marshal who travels to a mysterious psychiatric facility contained on a small island in order to investigate the inexplicable disappearance of one of its patients. But the past seems to be close at hand haunting DiCaprio’s character, and just may be connected to his current case.
One of the better collaborations between Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese,Shutter Islandis a victory on many fronts. From the hair-raising thriller sequences to the atmosphere of the creepy titular island, the film is drowning with an overwhelming sense of dread with a source seemingly always just out of reach. For any lover of mystery thrillers,Shutter Islandshould be an easy staple.
Secret Window
Secret Window is a psychological thriller directed by David Koepp, starring Johnny Depp as Mort Rainey, a writer facing a turbulent divorce and accused of plagiarism by a mysterious figure named John Shooter, portrayed by John Turturro. As Mort delves deeper into the accusations, he grapples with his own sanity while trying to uncover the truth. The film is an adaptation of Stephen King’s novella Secret Window, Secret Garden.
A lesser-known entry in Johnny Depp’s esteemed filmography,Secret Windowis a tense dramatic thriller that pulls no punches.Adapted from the Stephen King short storySecret Window, Secret Garden, the film introduces Depp as Mort Rainey, a mystery writer who isolates himself in a secluded cabin during the messy proceedings of a divorce with his unfaithful wife. When another writer starts harassing him over a case of plagiarism, Rainey’s life quickly becomes even more complicated.
Secret Windowis absolutely dripping with style, maintaining the claustrophobic quarters of Rainey’s self-imposed exile with brutal efficiency. The film does an excellent job slowly ratcheting up the tension over time, leading to a climactic finale which is anything but a happy ending. Extremely similar in execution to bothShutter IslandandWhat Comes Around,Secret Windowis an underrated mystery thriller that’s more than worth a look.
Memento
Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Leonard, a former insurance investigator who suffers from a disease that prevents his brain from storing short-term memories. The one thing he can remember is murder of his wife, for which he wishes to exact revenge. Starring Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss, the movie was released in 2000 to widespread acclaim, launching the director’s successful Hollywood career.
One of the most ingeniousfilms of visionary director Christopher Nolan,Mementomay very well be the impossible standard by which all other mystery films are enjoyed. Something of a cross between a neo-noir mystery and a modern-day thriller,Mementotells the story of Leonard Shelby, a man with anterograde amnesia, a rare condition in which the mind is unable to create new memories. With his mind wiped clean every day, Shelby must struggle to piece together the identity of one of his wife’s killers.
What makesMementoso genius is its unique non-linear storytelling, a format Nolan would go on to experiment with time and time again. With a traditional sequence of events told normally paired with black-and-white scenes that are presented in reverse order,Mementois endlessly re-watchable, as every clue is technically right in front of the viewers' nosefrom the very beginning. The unique fractured narrative ofMementomakes for an unforgettable experience no mystery lover should miss.
3The Rear Window
1954
As great as modern-day thrillers have evolved to be in the ever-competitive film landscape, sometimes the classics are classics for a reason. EnterThe Rear Window,one of the most celebrated thrillers of all time, which also makes a strong argument for one of the best movies ever made, full stop.Directed by the famed master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock,The Rear Windowtells the story of a seclusive voyeur who, during one of his routine stalkings, believes himself to have witnessed a murder.
The logline alone ofThe Rear Windowis smart enough to allude to the inherent tension of the premise, as the protagonist grapples with seeing something he shouldn’t have. The film also hints at deeper themes of morbid curiosity and the human impulse to bear witness to horrific events, adding some rich layers of thematic significance to the already impressive mystery. One of the most culturally important films ever made, every modern thriller owes something toThe Rear Window.
The Usual Suspects
Written by Christopher McQuarrie and directed by Bryan Singer, The Usual Suspects is a Mystery film that features Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Spacey, and Benicio del Toro. The plot unfolds during an interrogation in which a con man speaks to investigators about what happened, being one of only two men that survived a massacre at the Port of Los Angeles.
While directors likeM. Night Shyamalanmight be better known for their twist endings, it’s hard to beat the gut punch ofThe Usual Suspect’s brilliant ending. The crime thriller depicts a police interrogation of a small-time con man, one of the few survivors of a brutal massacre. Using the interrogation as a framing device, the film slowly guides the viewer through the convoluted chain of events leading up to the massacre, orchestrated by the mysterious crime lord Keyser Söze.
The criminally fantastic performances of the titular group of suspects' all-star cast keeps the film engaging from the very beginning. As the twisting narrative goes on,The Usual Suspectsdeftly weaves an intricate web of violence and subterfuge until only one man remains standing. For having one of the best reveals of a thriller movie ever,The Usual Suspectswill more than satisfy an appetite for mystery following the uncertaintyofWhat Comes Around.
Get Out
Jordan Peele made his directorial Horror debut with Get Out, a terrifying Psychological Horror film starring Daniel Kaluuya. In the 2017 release, Chris Washington heads to Upstate New York to meet the family of his girlfriend, Rose. What follows is a horrifying ordeal for the anxious photographer.
Get Outis one of the strongest modern-day mysteries
The film that single-handedly transformed Jordan Peele’s reputation from one-half of an irreverent comedy duo to a horror thriller genius,Get Outis one of the strongest modern-day mysteries. The film revolves around a black photographer who goes on a trip to an isolated affluent neighborhood to meet the family of his white girlfriend. But the town soon reveals itself to have a dark side, and the intrepid Chris must survive the eerie machinations of his racially-motivated hosts.
Deserving of its lofty reputation, the ultimate reveal ofGet Out’s mystery is well-worth the experience. Chris' initial uncomfortable feelings as a clear fish-out-of-water around his girlfriend’s rich white family are merely the surface of a deeply-justified sense of dread.Get Outforces its viewer to walk on eggshells before sinking deep beneath the surface, creating a mystery thriller that would easily be enjoyed by any fan ofWhat Comes Aroundthat missed out on it.
