Top 13 Mystery & Thriller Films on Netflix
Culture Calling picks the top 13 mystery and thriller films on Netflix. From psychological thrillers to crime dramas, Netflix has picks to keep you on the edge of your seat. Check out our guide now.
By Hari Khan | Updated Jun 27 2024
Parasite
Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" is a masterful blend of dark comedy, thriller, and social commentary. The film follows the struggling Kim family as they infiltrate the wealthy Park household, leading to unforeseen and shocking consequences. With its sharp satire and unexpected twists, "Parasite" is a gripping exploration of class disparity that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
2h 12m | Thriller/Comedy | 15
Memento
Christopher Nolan's "Memento" is a mind-bending thriller that follows Leonard Shelby, a man with short-term memory loss, as he seeks revenge for his wife's murder. The film's unique narrative structure, told in reverse chronological order, creates an intense and immersive experience. Nolan's intricate storytelling and compelling performances make "Memento" a standout in the mystery genre.
1h 53m | Thriller/Mystery | 15
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
David Fincher's adaptation of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is a dark and gripping thriller. The film follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander as they investigate a decades-old disappearance within a wealthy family. Fincher's meticulous direction, combined with Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig's powerful performances, results in a chilling and engrossing mystery.
2h 38m | Thriller/Crime | 18
The Wailing
Na Hong-jin's "The Wailing" is a haunting and atmospheric thriller set in a small South Korean village. When a mysterious illness begins to spread, a local policeman must unravel the supernatural forces at play. With its eerie visuals and escalating tension, "The Wailing" is a deeply unsettling film that blends horror and mystery to devastating effect.
2h 36m | Horror/Thriller | 15
Gone Baby Gone
Ben Affleck's "Gone Baby Gone" is a compelling crime thriller based on Dennis Lehane's novel. The film follows private detectives Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro as they search for a missing girl in Boston's underbelly. Affleck's direction and the film's strong performances, particularly by Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan, make "Gone Baby Gone" a gripping and emotionally charged mystery.
1h 54m | Thriller/Mystery | 15
Dark Waters
Todd Haynes's "Dark Waters" is a riveting legal thriller based on true events. The film stars Mark Ruffalo as attorney Robert Bilott, who takes on a corporate giant responsible for poisoning a community with toxic chemicals. Haynes's meticulous direction and Ruffalo's compelling performance create a tense and thought-provoking exploration of corporate corruption and environmental justice.
1h 54m | Thriller/Mystery | 12A
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Anthony Minghella's "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is a stylish and suspenseful thriller based on Patricia Highsmith's novel. The film stars Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, a young man who becomes entangled in deception and murder while trying to assume another man's identity. Minghella's direction and the film's luxurious settings create a chilling and sophisticated tale of ambition and obsession.
2h 19m | Thriller/Crime | 15
Uncut Gems
The Safdie brothers' "Uncut Gems" is an intense and frenetic thriller set in New York City's Diamond District. Adam Sandler delivers a career-defining performance as Howard Ratner, a jeweler and compulsive gambler who risks everything for a high-stakes bet. The film's relentless pace and nerve-wracking tension make it an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.
2h 15m | Thriller/Crime | 15
The Mauritanian
Kevin Macdonald's "The Mauritanian" is a gripping legal drama based on the memoir of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, who was held without charge at Guantanamo Bay for years. The film stars Tahar Rahim, Jodie Foster, and Benedict Cumberbatch, delivering powerful performances that highlight themes of justice and human rights. Macdonald's direction ensures a compelling and emotionally resonant film.
2h 9m | Thriller/Mystery | 15
The Killer
David Fincher's "The Killer" is a taut and stylish thriller that follows an assassin, played by Michael Fassbender, who finds himself hunted after a hit goes wrong. Fincher's precise direction and Fassbender's intense performance create a gripping narrative filled with suspense and psychological depth. The film's meticulous attention to detail and atmospheric tension make it a standout thriller.
1h 58m | Thriller/Action | 15
The Guest
Adam Wingard's "The Guest" is a thrilling and suspenseful film that follows a soldier who unexpectedly arrives at the Peterson family's home, claiming to be a friend of their deceased son. As mysterious deaths occur, the family begins to uncover the dark secrets he harbors. Wingard's direction and Dan Stevens' charismatic performance make "The Guest" a captivating blend of mystery and action.
1h 40m | Thriller/Mystery | 15
The Society of the Snow
J. A. Bayona's "The Society of the Snow" is a gripping survival thriller based on the true story of the 1972 Andes plane crash. The film delves into the harrowing ordeal faced by the survivors, who must endure extreme conditions and make unimaginable choices to stay alive. Bayona's expert storytelling and the film's intense realism make it a powerful and unforgettable experience.
2h 24m | Adventure/Thriller | 15
Red Eye
Wes Craven's "Red Eye" is a high-stakes thriller set aboard a red-eye flight. Rachel McAdams stars as Lisa, a hotel manager who is blackmailed by a fellow passenger, played by Cillian Murphy, into assisting with a political assassination. Craven's direction and the film's claustrophobic setting create a tense and thrilling ride from start to finish.
2h 24m | Mystery/Thriller | 12