9 Greatest Hidden-Gem Thrillers of the 21st Century, Ranked

From Killer Joe to Love Exposure, these overlooked thrillers deserve more attention.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The 21st century has produced many great thrillers, but some, like Killer Joe and Cold Pursuit, have gone undetected despite being equally brilliant. These movies from all over the world, ranging from big Hollywood productions to international indie gems, offer tension, suspense, and excitement, and deserve far more love than they typically get.

Why it matters

While acclaimed thrillers like The Dark Knight and Prisoners have received widespread recognition, there are numerous other top-tier examples of the genre that have slipped under the radar. Shining a light on these hidden-gem thrillers not only introduces audiences to great films they may have missed, but also highlights the depth and diversity of the thriller genre in the 21st century.

The details

The article covers 9 overlooked thrillers from the 21st century, including Killer Joe, The Stanford Prison Experiment, The Tunnel, Sleep Tight, The Treatment, 1987: When the Day Comes, Cold Pursuit, Color Out of Space, and Love Exposure. These films span various styles, budgets, and countries of origin, but all share the common trait of being exceptional thrillers that deserve more attention and appreciation.

  • The article was published on February 11, 2026.
  • The films discussed range from 2001's The Tunnel to 2019's Color Out of Space and Cold Pursuit.

The players

William Friedkin

A legendary filmmaker known for acclaimed productions like The Exorcist and The French Connection, who directed the 2011 thriller Killer Joe.

Matthew McConaughey

The acclaimed actor who starred in the 2011 thriller Killer Joe, further proving his versatility beyond romantic comedies.

Hans Petter Moland

The Norwegian director who made the original 2014 action thriller In Order of Disappearance, and later remade it as the 2019 film Cold Pursuit starring Liam Neeson.

Liam Neeson

The renowned actor who starred in the 2019 thriller Cold Pursuit, a remake of the Norwegian film In Order of Disappearance.

Sion Sono

The acclaimed Japanese auteur director of the 2008 transgressive thriller Love Exposure, which has become a cult classic.

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What they’re saying

“Killer Joe further contributed to proving the actor was capable of far more than just rom-coms.”

— Diego Pineda Pacheco, Author (collider.com)

“Psychologically complex and deeply thought-provoking, this chilling recreation of the titular events packs quite a wallop.”

— Diego Pineda Pacheco, Author (collider.com)

“Smart, unsettling, and full of plot twists that are often nothing short of genius, Sleep Tight proves that looking beyond Hollywood for great thrillers is an incredibly rewarding endeavor.”

— Diego Pineda Pacheco, Author (collider.com)

“It's an impressive, sprawling, and horrifyingly timely film, founded on strong shaky-cam cinematography and some of the best performances of any South Korean thriller of the 2010s.”

— Diego Pineda Pacheco, Author (collider.com)

“Funny, moving, and confident in its exploration of sexual behavior, Love Exposure is one of the most complex thrillers of the century thus far, making the fact that it doesn't usually receive more love an absolute tragedy.”

— Diego Pineda Pacheco, Author (collider.com)

The takeaway

This article highlights the depth and diversity of the thriller genre in the 21st century, showcasing numerous exceptional films that have been overlooked despite their brilliance. By shining a light on these hidden gems, it encourages readers to explore beyond the most mainstream thriller offerings and discover the wealth of thrilling, suspenseful, and thought-provoking cinematic experiences that the past two decades have produced.