By Arantxa Pellme & Andrea Sandoval
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Psychological thrillers generally focus on the inner workings of the human mind, often exploring themes of manipulation and subjective conflict. Unlike traditional thrillers, which rely on external action and suspenseful sequences, psychological thrillers delve deep into the complexities of characters' psyches and often blur the line between reality and illusion. These stories frequently feature unreliable narrators, intricate plot twists and moral ambiguity, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats as the narrative layers unravel.
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People are drawn to psychological thrillers for the adrenaline rush they provide and the intellectual challenge of piecing together the intricate puzzle of the narrative. They tend to tap into universal fears and anxieties, resonating with viewers on a deeply emotional level. Some of the best psychological thriller TV shows are also police procedurals, like Luther and True Detective — two genres that fit perfectly together. Others combine the genre with science fiction and dystopian narratives to raise questions about reality and human nature, like Black Mirror and Dark.
Updated on October 22, 2024, by Andrea Sandoval: Psychological thrillers are one of the most popular genres in this decade. People love seeing the development of complex characters and getting into the minds of complicated, evil, twisted, and intelligent people. We updated this list to include even more of the psychological thrillers of all time.
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15 You Explores Twisted Romance Dynamics
Joe Goldberg and Love Quinn Were One of the Most Iconic Couples
Based on the novel You, by Caroline Kepnes, Netflix's You revolves around Joe Goldberg (played by Penn Badgley), a serial killer who often develops an obsession with female characters. The audience, in suspense, sees the character's twisted notion of love as he copes with his own infatuations and murderous schemes. The way Joe Goldberg treats his characters once they become victims is incredibly jarring on a psychological level, which is one of the reasons this show earns a spot on the list, albeit at the bottom.
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You is in its fourth season and is one of Netflix's most iconic and popular TV series. The show gives viewers a unique window into the mind of a murderer while avoiding the obvious clichés of the genre. In fact, You even makes the audience empathize and root for Joe Goldberg, even if he's a terrible role model.
You
14 Yellowjackets Follows Human's Survival in the Worst Circumstances
Yellowjackets Combines Teenage Characters with Adult Ones for a Great Show
When a plane carrying a team of high school soccer crashes in the middle of a Canadian forest, the teenagers have to survive the wilderness. Between their own challenging, individual personalities and whatever else lurks in the forest to haunt the girls, they psychological element is enough to make the hairs stand on up on the back of a person's neck. Yellowjackets follows the girls and their future selves, and their terrible journey, both in the past and in the present.
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Everything We Know About Yellowjackets Season 3 (So Far)
Yellowjackets is returning for a third season and production already kickstarted in May. After the massive cliffhanger in Season 2, what’s to expect?
Yellowjackets examines how far people need to go to survive the worst of circumstances. Human morality means nothing in the face of life and death, but the girls' actions follow them into their adulthood, twisting their personalities, and changing the course of their lives. Yellowjackets is more than a survival thriller because it explores the consequences of such an event in the short and long term.
Yellowjackets
TV-MA
Horror
Mystery
Drama
- Release Date
- November 14, 2021
- Cast
- Melanie Lynskey , Juliette Lewis , Sophie Thatcher , Warren Kole , Jasmin Savoy Brown , Tawny Cypress , Steven Krueger , Christina Ricci , Ella Purnell , Sophie Nélisse
- Main Genre
- Horror
- Seasons
- 2
- Creator
- Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson
- Cinematographer
- Julie Kirkwood, C. Kim Miles, Trevor Forrest, Shasta Spahn
- Distributor
- Showtime Networks
- Main Characters
- Shauna Shipman, Taissa Turner, Jackie Taylor, Ben Scott, Natalie Scatorccio, Vanessa Palmer, Lottie Matthews
- Producer
- Ani Arutyunyan, Jonathan Lisco, Ashley Lyle
- Production Company
- Creative Engine Entertainment, Entertainment One
- Sfx Supervisor
- Douglas W. Beard
- Writers
- Ashley Lyle , Bart Nickerson , Katherine Kearns , Liz Phang , Ameni Rozsa , Sarah L. Thompson , Jonathan Lisco , Chantelle Wells , Cameron Brent Johnson
- Number of Episodes
- 10 (Season 2 Count 10 expected)
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13 Severance Is a Clever Analysis on Late Capitalism
Adam Scott Plays Mark, a Shy yet Intelligent Office Worker Who Discovers a Mystery
An Apple+ science fiction show that earned 14 Primetime Emmy Awards for its spectacular first season, Severance follows Mark (played by Adam Scott), a dutiful worker in Lumon Industries. Lumon, however, isn't a regular company. It "severs" its employees' personalities so that the person at work (an 'innie') and the person outside of work (an 'outie') are two different people. This means that Mark doesn't recall his outie while he's at work, and when he's at home, he has no memories of his work persona.
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This duality is the main exploration of Severance, as workers only know their lives inside Lumon. Things get even more interesting and complex when Mark and his colleagues start to suspect a series of misdoings in Lumon, which appears to be a corrupt and intricate company. With a clear criticism of capitalist society and a unique science-fiction plot, Severance is definitely one of the best psychological thrillers of recent years.
Severance
TV-MA
Drama
Mystery
Sci-Fi
Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. When a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs.
- Release Date
- February 18, 2022
- Cast
- Christopher Walken , Tramell Tillman , Michael Chernus , Adam Scott , Britt Lower , Patricia Arquette , Jen Tullock , John Turturro , Dichen Lachman , Zach Cherry
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator
- Number of Episodes
- Streaming Service(s)
- Apple TV+
12 The Haunting of Hill House Focuses on Family Issues & Ghosts
Victoria Pedretti Plays One of Her Best Roles in The Haunting of Hill House
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The first and still one of the most iconic Mike Flanagan series on Netflix, The Haunting of Hill House follows the Crain family from childhood to adulthood, as well as the ghosts that haunt them. A mixture of supernatural and psychological thriller, the series focuses on the Hill House, a place with mysterious secrets that affected all the Crain siblings and their parents.
While the main drive of the story is supernatural, The Haunting of Hill House is so special because it discusses cycles of abuse, mental illness, and problematic family dynamics. The exploration of the psyche in this horror series surpasses by far its Gothic themes. The chemistry of the cast, long and claustrophobic scenes, and tense dialogue combine to make the audience fall in love with the characters and feel for them, but also chill them to their bones.
The Haunting of Hill House
TV-MA
Horror
Drama
Mystery
Flashing between past and present, a fractured family confronts haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them from it.
- Release Date
- October 12, 2018
- Creator(s)
- Mike Flanagan
- Cast
- Michiel Huisman , Carla Gugino , Henry Thomas , Elizabeth Reaser
- Main Genre
- Horror
- Seasons
- 1
- Characters By
- Shirley Jackson
- Creator
- Network
- Netflix
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Directors
- Mike Flanagan
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11 Hannibal Depicts a Twisted Relationship and a Mastermind Killer
Based on the Iconic Books and Novels of the Hannibal Franchise
The Hannibal franchise is a classic for a reason. Based on the book series by Thomas Harris, FBI agent Will Graham works in the investigation of a serial killer and cannibal. Secretly, the very one behind all the murders in Minnesota is the FBI psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter, who becomes very close with Graham, who is consulting on the case.
The relationship between these two characters is the main focus of the series, as Lecter tries to push Graham's buttons to see how much he can corrupt him and his already fractured mindset. Hannibal combines a gore fest, outstanding writing, and plot twists, with a subversive narrative that makes it one of the best psychological thrillers in history.
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Hannibal
10 Sharp Objects Explores Cycles of Abuse
Based on the 2006 Debut Novel by Gillian Flynn, Who Later Wrote Dark Places and Gone Girl
Sharp Objects is a 2018 HBO psychological thriller miniseries that follows crime reporter Camille Preaker as she returns to her hometown to report on the brutal murders of two young girls soon after being discharged from a psychiatric hospital. Amy Adams plays Camille and Patricia Clarkson plays the enigmatic Adora, Camille's mother. Flynn was executive producer and co-writer of the Sharp Objects adaptation.
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As Camille investigates the gruesome crimes, she is forced to confront her own troubled past and her restrained relationship with her mysteriously distant mother. The conflicts that develop throughout the eight episodes make the audience wonder whether Camille's point of view can be trusted. The series exposes cycles of abuse through the traumas and memories of the characters, showing how guilt and the need to control damage their relationships even further.
Sharp Objects
TV-MA
Crime
Drama
Mystery
After treating her mental illness, crime reporter Camille Preaker returns to her hometown to solve the murder of two young girls. However, she is forced to face and deal with her own demons too.
- Release Date
- July 8, 2018
- Cast
- Amy Adams , Patricia Clarkson , Chris Messina , Eliza Scanlen
- Main Genre
- Crime
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator
- Marti Noxon
9 Mindhunter Is About Getting Too Close to Evil
Based on the 1995 Non-Fiction Book by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker
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The Netflix series Mindhunter is set in the early days of criminal psychology and profiling. The series has a talented ensemble cast featuring Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany and Anna Torv. It was created by Joe Penhall and executive produced by David Fincher, who also directed several episodes and served as the de facto showrunner.
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Every Real-Life Serial Killer in Mindhunter
Mindhunter is based on a true crime book about criminal profiling and many dark minds, including several real-life serial killers.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench and psychology professor Wendy Carr pioneer the practice of criminal profiling by interviewing and studying serial killers to understand their behavior. As they delve deeper into the minds of some of America's most notorious murderers, they find themselves grappling with the darkness they encounter — both externally and within themselves. With its meticulous attention to detail, Mindhunter is a thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche and the nature of evil.
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Mindhunter
TV-MA
Drama
Crime
Mystery
Thriller
- Release Date
- October 13, 2017
- Cast
- Jonathan Groff , Holt McCallany , Anna Torv , Hannah Gross
- Main Genre
- Drama
- Seasons
- 2
8 Luther Goes Deep Into Psychological Games
An Outstanding Portrayal of Idris Elba in Luther's Inner Turmoil and Relentless Pursuit of Justice
Luther is a 2010 BBC One series that revolves around the troubled but brilliant Detective Chief Inspector John Luther as he investigates some of London's most heinous crimes with unorthodox methods while battling his own inner demons. With its tense storytelling and lovable anti-hero, it's perfect for fans of classic investigative psychological thriller narratives. Luther is also one of the best British police procedurals of all time.
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Luther is packed with intense cat-and-mouse games, complex characters, and a gritty urban atmosphere. Created by Neil Cross and starring Idris Elba in a mesmerizing performance. Ruth Wilson also shines as the enigmatic and manipulative Alice Morgan, a sociopath who forms a complex relationship with Luther throughout the series.
Luther
TV-MA
Thriller
DCI John Luther is a near-genius murder detective whose brilliant mind can't always save him from the dangerous violence of his passions.
- Release Date
- May 4, 2010
- Cast
- Idris Elba , Ruth Wilson , Steven Mackintosh , Indira Varma , Paul McGann , Saskia Reeves , Warren Brown , Dermot Crowley
- Main Genre
- Crime
- Seasons
- 5
- Creator
- Neil Cross
7 True Detective Is a Star-Studded Series
And Each Season Features a Different Cast of Detectives
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Created by Nic Pizzolatto, each season of the HBO series True Detective is a self-contained narrative that follows a different set of detectives as they investigate disturbing crimes. It's renowned for its atmospheric storytelling and haunting exploration of the human condition and has been collecting accolades like Emmys and SAG Awards every new season.
From the eerie bayous of Louisiana to the shadowy streets of Los Angeles, True Detective explores a different setting in each story where it weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives. With striking cinematography and a philosophical tone, it often transcends the conventions of traditional crime dramas. The complex characters are already amazing on paper but become even more compelling powered by the actors' stellar performances.
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True Detective
TV-MA
Drama
Mystery
Crime
Anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law.
- Release Date
- January 12, 2014
- Cast
- Matthew McConaughey , Colin Farrell , Mahershala Ali , Woody Harrelson , Vince Vaughn , Stephen Dorff , Michelle Monaghan , Rachel McAdams , Carmen Ejogo , Michael Potts , Taylor Kitsch , Scoot McNairy , Tory Kittles , Kelly Reilly , Ray Fisher , Chris Kerson , Ritchie Coster , Christopher James Baker , Afemo Omilami , James Frain , Abigail Spencer , Jodie Foster , Kali Reis , Fiona Shaw , Finn Bennett , Isabella Star LaBlanc , Christopher Eccleston , John Hawkes , Dana Gourrier , Madison Wolfe , J.D. Evermore
- Main Genre
- Drama
- Seasons
- 4
- Creator
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu , HBO Max
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6 The Sinner’s Protagonist Is Developed Through Each New Mystery
Based on Petra Hammesfahr's novel of the same name
The Sinner stands out among psychological thrillers for having its protagonist focus on why someone would commit a crime instead of the usual pursuit of a mysterious or unidentified criminal. Bill Pullman plays Detective Harry Ambrose, a complicated anti-hero who dives into a new investigation in each season despite the job bringing him some tough consequences. Jessica Biel, Matt Bomer and Carrie Coon are part of the talented ensemble cast.
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Each season revolves around a standalone mystery where a seemingly ordinary person commits a shocking and inexplicable act of violence. As the detective learns about the perpetrators' pasts and uncovers the motivations behind their crimes, he also uncovers his own buried traumas and secrets. One of The Sinner's biggest feats is developing the protagonist through each investigation in a way that exposes his psychological complexities, which challenges his own and the viewers' perceptions of morality and justice.
The Sinner
5 Black Mirror Is the Best Dystopian Anthology Series
Each Episode Recreates a Revolting, Insightful, and Intense Science Fiction Scenario
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Black Mirror is an anthology series on Netflix that explores the unsettling implications of modern technology on society and human behavior. Created by Charlie Brooker, each episode of the show presents a self-contained story set in a near-future or alternative reality. Many great actors have been featured in episodes of Black Mirror, including Miley Cyrus, Jon Hamm, Zazie Beetz and Daniel Kaluuya.
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Black Mirror explores its dark themes with terror, but its director has a more humorous take on modern fears, Cunk on Earth.
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From the perils of social media obsession to the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence or virtual reality, Black Mirror often offers cautionary tales. The series is characterized by its provocative themes that resonate with contemporary anxieties and concerns. With its unique blend of science fiction and psychological thriller, it's one of the darkest dystopian series made in recent years.
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Black Mirror
Anthology
Drama
Science Fiction
Thriller
- Release Date
- December 4, 2011
- Cast
- Bryce Dallas Howard , Hayley Atwell , Anthony Mackie
- Rating
- Seasons
- 5
- Creator
- Writers
- Charlie Brooker , Kanak Huq , Jesse Armstrong , Rashida Jones , Michael Schur , William Bridges
- Number of Episodes
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
4 The Flight Attendant Mixes Psychological Thriller and Comedy
The Flight Attendant Shows Kaley Cuoco Amazing Acting Skills
The Flight Attendant is a two-season HBO series that blends mystery and dark comedy as it follows the chaotic life of flight attendant Cassie Bowden, whose partying lifestyle takes a dark turn when she wakes up in a hotel room in Bangkok next to a dead body with no memory of the previous night. Adapted from Chris Bohjalian's novel of the same name, the series stars Kaley Cuoco in an amazing Emmy-nominated performance.
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With its fast-paced storytelling and quirky characters, The Flight Attendant is exhilarating and bingeworthy. The dark comedy aspects of the series fit perfectly with the psychological thriller side of it, as the unexpected events end up inspiring suspense and laughs at the same time. As things around Cassie become stranger each episode, the audience wonders if her point of view can be trusted.
The Flight Attendant
TV-MA
Drama
Mystery
A reckless flight attendant with an alcoholism problem wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man - and no idea what happened. Unable to piece the night together, she begins to wonder if she could be the killer.
- Release Date
- November 26, 2020
- Cast
- Kaley Cuoco , Zosia Mamet , Michiel Huisman , T.R. Knight , Michelle Gomez
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Seasons
- 2
- Creator
- Chris Bohjalian and Steve Yockey
3 Mare of Easttown Is Full of Plot Twists
Starring Kate Winslet in One of Her Best Performances Ever
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Mare of Easttown is an HBO limited series. With a raw and authentic portrayal of small-town life and the ripple effects of tragedy in a close-knit community, the show is set in suburban Pennsylvania and follows seasoned detective Mare Sheehan as she fights personal demons and investigates a string of complex murders. The phenomenal supporting cast includes Evan Peters, Jean Smart, Angourie Rice and Cailee Spaeny.
The series brings a very honest look into grief and shows each character in Mare's family dealing differently with loss, as the story starts after Mare's son commits suicide. It's incredibly well-written, full of completely unexpected plot twists that put viewers on the edge of their seats. Mare is a compelling and relatable protagonist that comes across as both strong and vulnerable, and all the supporting characters are also developed with nuance.
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Mare of Easttown
TV-MA
Crime
Drama
Mystery
- Release Date
- April 18, 2021
- Cast
- Kate Winslet , Julianne Nicholson , Jean Smart , Angourie Rice
- Main Genre
- Drama
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator
- Brad Ingelsby
2 Dark Is an Unsettling Story of Time Travel
Dark Is the First Geman Series Produced by Netflix
Dark is a German sci-fi thriller on Netflix starring Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Oliver Masucci. The series stands out for its striking cinematography and sound design, including its powerful theme song. Set in the fictional German town of Winden, the series follows multiple interconnected families haunted by a time travel phenomenon that spans several generations.
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Dark became an international phenomenon because of its unique plot, an intricate puzzle filled with twists. Eerie and philosophical, the series has layers of symbolism and interconnected storylines as it tells a story of an unveiling identity. Each season deepens the mind-bending reality the characters find themselves in, to the point where the ending is completely unpredictable.
Dark
1 Twin Peaks Is a Classic Murder Mystery
Iconic and Campy Take on a Police Procedural
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Twin Peaks first aired in 1990 on ABC and ran for two seasons until its cancelation in 1991. Created by Mark Frost and David Lynch, the series has a devoted cult following, but that's not the only reason it stands out as the most intense psychological thriller on television. Starring Kyle MacLachlan as one TV's most memorable detectives of all time, the ensemble cast includes Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Lara Flynn Boyle and Sherilyn Fenn.
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Twin Peaks Seasons 1 and 2 can be analyzed as a separate series to its third season. While Twin Peaks Season 3 is harder to define, the part that ran on television in the 1990s is a surrealistic psychological thriller. As FBI Agent Dale Cooper goes to the small town of Twin Peaks to investigate the mysterious murder of Laura Palmer, things become stranger and stranger, and as the drama and mystery ramp up, so does the psychological thrill.
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Twin Peaks
TV-MA
Drama
Mystery
- Release Date
- April 8, 1990
- Cast
- Kyle MacLachlan , Mädchen Amick , Dana Ashbrook
- Main Genre
- Crime
- Seasons
- 3 Seasons
- Creator
- Mark Frost, David Lynch
- Producer
- Mark Frost, David Lynch, Sabrina S. Sutherland
- Production Company
- Lynch/Frost Productions, Propaganda Films, Spelling Television, Twin Peaks Productions, Showtime, Rancho Rosa Partnership
- Number of Episodes
- 48 Episodes
- TV
- Thriller
- twin peaks
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