10 Thrillers That Are a Masterclass in Suspense

From "Victoria" to "Chinatown", these films deliver continuous tension and dread.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Thrillers are a unique genre that can achieve something no other movie can: sustained suspense throughout the runtime. Only great filmmaking teams can pull this off, and these 10 thrillers are considered masterclasses in building and maintaining tension, whether through a constant rush or a slow-burning sense of dread. The list includes films like "Victoria", "Boiling Point", "Prisoners", "Cure", "Se7en", "The Silence of the Lambs", "Parasite", "Vertigo", "The Night of the Hunter", and "Chinatown" - each delivering a masterful lesson in the art of thrilling audiences.

Why it matters

Thrillers are a beloved genre because they can achieve a level of suspense and anticipation that other films struggle to match. These 10 standout examples showcase the incredible skill required to craft a thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish, through a combination of expert filmmaking, performances, atmosphere, and more. They demonstrate the power of the thriller to both entertain and unsettle audiences.

The details

The list covers a range of thriller subgenres, from the one-take German film "Victoria" to the slow-burn psychological suspense of "Prisoners" and the social satire of "Parasite". What unites them is their ability to build and maintain tension, whether through constant intensity or a creeping sense of dread. Films like "Boiling Point" and "The Silence of the Lambs" are praised for their relentless pacing and unsettling atmospheres, while classics like "Vertigo" and "Chinatown" demonstrate mastery of suspense through expert camerawork, performances, and storytelling.

  • "Victoria" was released in 2015.
  • "Boiling Point" was released in 2021.
  • "Prisoners" was released in 2013.
  • "Cure" was released in 1997.
  • "Se7en" was released in 1995.
  • "The Silence of the Lambs" was released in 1991.
  • "Parasite" was released in 2019.
  • "Vertigo" was released in 1958.
  • "The Night of the Hunter" was released in 1955.
  • "Chinatown" was released in 1974.

The players

Laia Costa

The Spanish actress who played the lead role of Victoria in the 2015 German film of the same name.

Philip Barantini

The director of the 2021 thriller "Boiling Point".

Stephen Graham

The British actor who starred as the head chef Andy Jones in "Boiling Point".

Denis Villeneuve

The acclaimed Canadian filmmaker who directed the 2013 thriller "Prisoners".

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

The Japanese director known for his psychological thrillers, including the 1997 film "Cure".

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What they’re saying

“Victoria is a German film from 2015 that was completely filmed in one take, and it's disappointing how fast it was forgotten, considering the praise and adoration it got when it first came out.”

— Anja Djuricic, Author (collider.com)

“Boiling Point is so relentless and unwavering in its achievement of suspense that there's no way it can be anything other than that.”

— Anja Djuricic, Author (collider.com)

“Prisoners is the perfect example of a thrilling movie that is also a slow burn. Directed, performed, edited, and scored to perfection, Prisoners feels like Denis Villeneuve's best movie, until we watch anything else he's made.”

— Anja Djuricic, Author (collider.com)

The takeaway

These 10 thrillers stand out as masterclasses in the art of building and maintaining suspense throughout a film's runtime. Whether through constant intensity or slow-burning dread, they demonstrate the incredible skill required to craft a thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. From the technical achievements of "Victoria" and "Boiling Point" to the psychological depth of "Prisoners" and "Cure", these films showcase the versatility and power of the thriller genre to both entertain and unsettle.