Hop into the emotional rollercoaster ride in the intriguing world of psychological thrillers on HBO Max. Reality fuzzes and trust breaks down as I delve deeper into the darkness of these movies. My journey into the human psyche’s maze, where doubts abound, sanity hangs in the balance, and suspense permeates every picture, is facilitated by each click. These aren’t just stories; they’re emotional tornadoes that stir up dread and interest in the most basic ways. The lines between fact and fiction blur and my feelings are deeply felt. Below, we’ve listed down out 10 best psychological thriller movies on HBO Max according to their IMDb ratings so that you get to know the brain-twisting fun that’s in store.
Best Psychological Thriller Movies on HBO Max
- Pulp Fiction (1994) – 8.9/10
- The Departed (2006) – 8.5/10
- Shutter Island (2010) – 8.2/10
- Gone Girl (2014) – 8.1/10
- Last Night in Soho (2020) – 7/10
- Escape Room (2019) – 6.4/10
- Under the Skin (2013) – 6.3/10
- Kimi (2022) – 6.3/10
- Don’t Worry Darling (2022) – 6.3/10
- The Card Counter (2021) – 6.2/10
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction is like a total cinematic mind-bender. This tells the story of a bunch of interesting residents in LA, but it doesn’t follow a straight timeline. You’ve got Jules and Vincent, these hitmen who dig deep into life’s big questions. There’s Butch, a boxer with a shady past, and Mia, the mysterious lady. Their lives cross in all sorts of unexpected ways, with loads of crazy moments, sharp talk, and dark humor. Think a mysterious briefcase, a dance-off, and one unforgettable gimp. It’s a wild and twisted ride through the underworld, exploring choices, fate, and redemption.
- IMDb rating: 8.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
- Runtime: 2h 34m
- Starring Cast: Quentin Tarantino, John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman
The Departed (2006)
An American crime thriller is a gripping crime flick that unfolds on the mean streets of Boston. It’s all about two undercover agents: Billy Costigan in the Irish mob and Colin Sullivan working for the cops. Both of them start smelling a rat in their respective squads. So, it turns into this high-stakes game of figuring out who’s who, all while trying not to blow their own covers. There are jaw-dropping betrayals, moral dilemmas, and some intense cat-and-mouse action. This movie dives deep into loyalty, identity, and that fuzzy line between good and bad. Plus, the cast totally rocks in this non-stop, nail-biter of a thriller.
- IMDb rating: 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
- Runtime: 2h 31m
- Starring Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Vera Farmiga, Matt Damon
Shutter Island (2010)
This one is a freaky psychological thriller on this creepy island near Boston. There’s this U.S. Marshal, Teddy Daniels, and his partner Chuck, who show up at the super sketchy Ashecliffe Hospital to find a missing dangerous patient. But as they dig deeper, they stumble onto some messed-up stuff about the hospital and its staff. With a hurricane trapping them there, Teddy starts questioning his own sanity and dealing with his own dark history. The movie’s like a crazy maze of secrets, guilt, and the blurry line between what’s real and what’s in your head. It’s a total brain-teaser that’ll keep you guessing until the jaw-dropping end.
- IMDb rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
- Runtime: 2h 18m
- Starring Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams
Gone Girl (2014)
Gone Girl is a nearly flawless psychological thriller and a total nail-biter of a mystery-drama. It all kicks off with Amy Dunne vanishing on her fifth wedding anniversary, and her hubby Nick becomes the prime suspect. The media goes nuts, and their seemingly perfect marriage goes up in smoke. But here’s the kicker: dark secrets start popping up, they play these crazy mind games, and it’s basically a messed-up version of hide-and-seek between them.
The movie dives deep into love, lies, and how the media can turn your life upside down. With killer plot twists and Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck delivering killer performances, Gone Girl will keep you hooked and make you question modern relationships.
- IMDb rating: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
- Runtime: 2h 29m
- Starring Cast: Rosamund Pike, Emily Ratajkowski, Ben Affleck, Carrie Coon
Last Night in Soho (2020)
We have another fascinating psychological thriller that follows Eloise, a young fashion student who can somehow time-travel back to the 1960s in her dreams. Enchanted by the past, Eloise becomes enamored with a glamorous nightclub singer named Sandy. But as Eloise gets deeper into the past, things get seriously creepy.
She starts witnessing eerie and disturbing occurrences that blur the line between what’s real and what’s just in her head. Eloise embarks on this freaky journey to figure out what happened to Sandy, and it messes with her big time. The movie’s all about mysteries, obsessions, and the consequences of messing around with time.
- IMDb rating: 7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
- Runtime: 1h 56m
- Starring Cast: Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Diana Rigg
Escape Room (2019)
Escape Room is a high-octane thriller that brings together six strangers who receive mysterious invitations to participate in what they believe is a fun escape room challenge. Little do they know, the puzzles are deadly, and the rooms are designed to kill.
As they struggle to solve each room’s intricate puzzles, the group discovers a sinister conspiracy connecting them all. Racing against time, they must rely on their wits and teamwork to survive and unravel the twisted game’s purpose. It’s an event that is full of uncertainty and survival as the participants try to outwit their captors and uncover the truth behind their sinister circumstances.
- IMDb rating: 6.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Starring Cast: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Deborah Ann Woll, Jay Ellis
Under the Skin (2013)
This aint your typical dating story. A science fiction thriller film is a story of an alien in human form. Scarlett Johansson stars as this enigmatic lady who’s out there wandering the Scottish streets on the hunt for guys who are feeling a bit alone. But as she hangs around people more, she starts getting these new emotions and thoughts about her whole thing. It’s definitely one of those flicks that truly makes you think about who we are, what being alone is, and what makes us human. Additionally, it emits an incredible vibe and gives you a ton of stuff to think about.
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
- Runtime: 1h 48m
- Starring Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Pearson, Dougie McConnell, Paul Brannigan
Kimi (2022)
Kimi is an impressive techno-thriller that follows Angela, a reclusive tech worker portrayed by Zoe Kravitz, who listens in on people’s conversations through an AI-driven voice assistant. When she overhears a disturbing conversation involving a potential murder, Angela becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. And that’s when things get wild with online spying and shady stuff, and Angela’s own privacy takes a hit. The film gets deep into snooping, making you super jumpy, and gets you wondering how technology messes with our lives. It’s like a super exciting thriller that keeps you glued to your seat until you finally figure out the big mystery.
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Starring Cast: Zoe Kravitz, Erika Christensen, Derek DelGaudio, Devin Ratray
Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
Don’t Worry Darling is a psychological thriller (kind of horror if we say) set in the 1950s California desert. The story follows Alice, played by Florence Pugh, who begins to question her idyllic suburban life as she uncovers disturbing secrets about her husband, Jack, portrayed by Harry Styles. Jack is involved in a mysterious project, and Alice suspects a conspiracy involving the other housewives in her community. As tension mounts, Alice must navigate a web of deception and unravel the truth while concealing her own secrets. The film delves into themes of power, control, and the façades people maintain. It’s a suspenseful and visually striking exploration of paranoia and conformity.
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 38%
- Runtime: 2h 2m
- Starring Cast: Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Olivia Wilde, Chris Pine
The Card Counter (2021)
Last on the list we have is The Card Counter. This drama-crime revolves around William Tell, played by Oscar Isaac, a former soldier turned professional gambler burdened by a troubled past. He forms an unlikely bond with Cirk, a young man seeking vengeance against a powerful military figure, leading them into a world of high-stakes gambling.
However, as their journey unfolds, Tell’s haunting secrets resurface, forcing him to confront his own morality. Directed by Paul Schrader, known for character-driven narratives, The Card Counter is undoubtedly a captivating thriller that delves into themes of remorse, redemption, and the enduring consequences of violence, offering a thought-provoking exploration of human complexity, retribution, and the aftermath of one’s choices.
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
- Runtime: 1h 52m
- Starring Cast: Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, Ekaterina Baker
What else can I watch on HBO Max?
Conclusion
If you’re a fan of movies that mess with your head, give these movies a shot. You’ll find a bunch of psychological thriller movies on HBO Max that will surely keep you on your toes.