Black Swan to Get Out: Forget popcorn-spilling leap, these psychological thrillers will chill your spine

Hyderabad: What if psychological thrillers get into your brain providing a new type of dread that may linger long after the credits have rolled?

A popcorn-spilling leap at a terrifying scene in a horror film is one thing. A slow-burn horror is significantly more gratifying for folks who want to think about films (and aren't prone to nightmares).

Alfred Hitchcock, one of the most talented psychological thriller directors of all time, perfectly summarised the genre: "There is a distinct difference between ‘suspense’ and 'surprise,' and yet many pictures continually confuse the two."

Of course, Hitchcock's brilliance was his ability to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, waiting for the next twist to complete turning. Yet, he isn't the only one who has mastered the art of suspense over time - directors such as Jordan Peele, Martin Scorsese, and David Fincher, to name a few, have all crafted equally moving films with surprising narrative lines and people who aren't exactly who they seem.

Whether you're a die-hard psychological thriller lover seeking your next thrill or looking for a mind-bending picture to watch, we've compiled a list of the most spine-chilling flicks the genre offers. After seeing these, you're probably going to double-check your door locks. Even if you're not easily frightened, you should sleep with the lights on just in case.

The Woman in the Window ( 2021)

One night, while peering from her window in New York City, psychologist Anna Fox (Amy Adams) observes the murder of her neighbor across the street – or did she? Anna attempts to make sense of what she thinks she witnessed after being unable to leave her house owing to agoraphobia and suffering from drinking and hallucinations. Streams on: Netflix

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

This cinematic adaptation of Thomas Harris' famous novel follows Clarice (Jodie Foster), a young FBI cadet who needs help hunting down a serial murderer and seeks the advice of Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a former psychiatrist and jailed cannibal killer, and the consequences are exactly as disturbing as you'd expect. Streams on: Prime

The Girl on the Train (2016)

Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) sees a picture-perfect pair as the train passes them by every day on her commute. Rachel finds herself in the middle of a missing person inquiry that becomes less clear with each gasp-inducing revelation when the woman goes missing. Streams on: Netflix

Get Out (2017)

If you're a city mouse who gets scared of too much silence, this is the film for you. Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and Rose (Allison Williams) spend the weekend at her family's legendary home. While Chris's objective is to get to know her parents better, he continues finding himself in more strange circumstances. Streams on: Prime

The Sixth Sense (1999)

When an eight-year-old declares, "I see dead people," you know you're in for a trip. In this film, a young kid called Cole seeks treatment from a child psychologist (Bruce Willis) for his ability to communicate with the dead. If you haven't already guessed, the twist at the conclusion will take you completely by surprise. Streams on: Prime

Black Swan (2010)

Nina (Natalie Portman) will do everything to advance her dance career in this film that will change the way you look at ballerinas. She competes with the wild kid Lily (Mila Kunis) for the main part in the new staging of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Nina begins to lose her grasp on reality while competing for the part, and their competition takes a sinister turn. Streams on: Prime

American Psycho (2000)

This film is set in 1980s New York City and follows Patrick (Christian Bale), an investment banking professional who hides his nightly existence as a serial murderer. His coworkers and friends get skeptical over time, but do they ever learn the truth? You'll have to wait and see. Streams on: Prime

Gone Girl (2014)

Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy (Rosamund Pike), a former writer, appear to be the ideal pair. However, when Amy goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick is the prime suspect. A series of twists and turns uncovers the terrible reality about what occurred — and it's not what you believe. Streams on: Prime

Us (2019)

Adelaide's (Lupita Nyong'o) greatest fears are realized when a bunch of assailants arrives at her family's beachside mansion. When Adelaide and her family realize that each of the attackers resembles one of them, things grow much creepier. If the notion doesn't scare you, the tale behind it will. Streams on: Prime

Misery (1990)

After an author called Paul (James Caan) gets involved in a vehicle accident, a former nurse named Annie (Kathy Bates) comes to his aid. But when she discovers that Paul has been murdering her favorite character in his tales, she is furious, to say the least. Prepare for heartbreaking twists and scary images using a sledgehammer. Streams on: Prime

The Shining (1980)

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) accepts a position as a winter caretaker at a remote historic resort and brings his family along for the experience. The lovely setting, however, conceals a sinister history that quickly begins to seep into Jack's psyche. There will be creepy youngsters, eerie visions, and one of the most heart-pounding chase moments in film history. Streams on: Prime

Vertigo (1958)

This classic Alfred Hitchcock film concerns a former San Francisco police investigator (James Stewart) who is assigned a case to save his friend's wife from suicide. It's packed with suspense, so try not to eat your fingernails out. Streams on: Prime

Joker (2019)

Arthur (Joaquin Phoenix) is a comic looking for levity in an increasingly grim Gotham City. However, as we discover more about Arthur's terrible past of abuse and torture, we see him transform into a horrible figure: the Joker. Streams on: Prime

Cape Fear (1991)

Max Cady (Robert De Niro) spends 14 years in prison in this adaptation of the 1962 classic. When Max escapes, he vows to punish the attorney (Nick Nolte) who placed him there. Streams on: Prime

Ma (2019)

Sue Ann (Octavia Spencer), a reclusive woman, befriends a bunch of adolescents and agrees to let them party in her basement. But, before long, events occur that cause the adolescents to mistrust her hospitality, and a darker aspect of their bond begins to emerge. Streams on: Prime

Shutter Island (2010)

Finally, the attractive Edward Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) begins investigating the abduction of a lady who fled from a mental facility. However, he discovers that his thoughts may be working against him. He has to battle to get off the island safely, and this film will get into your thoughts as well.Streams on: Prime