Although this is a Top Ten Psychological Thrillers list these films in many respects are all equal to themselves and so are in no particular order.

Feel free to add any fantastic films you have seen and would recommend in the comment section below.

Many of these films are quite graphic in nature, but all have a profound psychological twist which is highly thought-provoking

10 # American Psycho

Patrick Bateman is a well educated, intelligent handsome man. He is twenty-seven and living his own American dream. He works by day on Wall Street, earning a fortune to complement the one he was born with. However as we see through the film there is another side to Patrick that slowly unfolds into deeper and deeper realms of fear and violence with a huge twist at the end, leaving the viewer with a very powerful message.

9 # Se7en

An all time great film of cat and mouse but as you watch it is difficult to see who is the cat and who is the mouse? Se7en portrays the exploits of a deranged serial-killer. His twisted agenda involves choosing seven victims who represent examples of the seven deadly sins. The killer then attempts to play the hand of God clearing the earth of these wrong do-ers as the 2 cops attempt to find him from his open clues until he hands himself over – which, will bring an unbeknown dramatic finale to his plan!

8 # Silence of the lambs

Jodie Foster Lights up the screen as Agent Clarice Starling, a young intelligent FBI trainee, and has been sent to the Baltimore state hospital to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter. A brilliant and renowned psychiatrist turned serial killer. During the film she matches wits and skill with Lecter to gain clues in the search for “Buffalo Bill” – an unknown psychopathic serial killer who is on a path trying to fulfil his own deranged needs. The question is will Starling charm the impenetrable Dr Lector before time runs out for Buffalo Bills next victim…

7 #Jacob’s Ladder

A Vietnam veteran (Tim Robbins) begins to experience a series of bizarre incidents from being tested with a new drug to enhance his ability as a soldier. Is he slowly going mad, or is he seeing things that others choose to remain blind to? However it is impossible to tell until the very end of the film which will leave you on the edge of your seat and into deep realms of your imagination. Elizabeth Pena and Danny Aiello co-star.

6 # Basic Instinct

Michael Douglas is Nick Curran, a police detective assigned to look into the stabbing death of a former rock star. His investigation soon leads him to Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), a successful writer. Stone leads an epic adventure but then Douglas starts to play a dangerous lust-filled mind game with Catherine, however as their relationship progresses, the body count rises and contradicting evidences force Nick to start questioning his own suspicions about Catherine’s guilt.

5 # Identity
A group of seemingly random strangers end up trapped in a small hotel in the middle of nowhere. Confusion and conflict are the primary emotions as all the group as vastly different in their walks of life, but when people start disappearing for no apparent reason 1 by 1 the group pull together in the best way they can but little do they suspect the main person behind all of the occurrences is definitely not who they would imagine it to be. This will leave you wondering what is happening right up until the very last sentence of the film!

4 # Shutter Island
US Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new partner go on an investigation at a hospital for the criminally insane, Chuck Aule. It’s 1954, a multiple murderess has gone missing from the facility and it appears that strange experiments have been taking place. With Lehane’s clever psychological manipulation, prepare to consider yourself among those who may or may not have lost their grip on reality.

3 # The Black Swan

The Black Swan is an award winning movie which is one of the best psychological thrillers of all time. Natalie Portman begged the 2010 Oscar award for best actress for her commendable performance in the Black Swan as Nina. It is a psychological thriller set in the world of New York City ballet where a featured dancer finds herself locked in a web of competitive intrigue with a new rival. A must watch movie for all thriller lovers.

2 # Fatal attraction

Fatal Attraction is a 1987 American thriller film directed by Adrian Lyne. It is about a married man, who has a weekend affair with a woman who refuses to allow it to end and who becomes obsessed with him. The film was adapted by James Dearden and Nicholas Meyer from an earlier short film by Dearden for British television, Diversion (1980). It is a classic thriller which is counted as one of the best psychological thrillers of all times.

1. Donnie Darko (2001)
One of the most inventive and crazy psychological thrillers possibly ever made. It has been said that no matter how many times you watch it, you will interpret it in a different way every time and see something that you never noticed before. Watch to discover!

Feel free to add your comment below if you have a favourite film you would like to see that other Future Mind Training members can watch.

Top Ten Psychological Thrillers