10 Neo-noir Thrillers to Satisfy Your Craving for Dark Mysteries

Neo-noir thrillers have a special charm that draws you into their intense stories filled with dark secrets and shocking twists that turn everything upside down.

So if you're into the thriller genre and looking for something with a dark and intense vibe, these seven great movies should be right up your alley.

Prisoners (2013)

Starring Hugh Jackman, Terrence Howard, and Jake Gyllenhaal, this 2013 movie begins with the sudden disappearance of two girls who were abducted right outside their homes.

While the police are busy with the investigation, two fathers decide to take matters into their own hands, resorting to extreme measures that make you wonder if they have become villains themselves.

Memento (2000)

This neo-noir thriller was Christopher Nolan 's only second feature film, but more than two decades later it remains one of the filmmaker's best works.

Leonard Shelby, portrayed by Guy Pearce, suffers from a condition that prevents him from retaining recent memories, so he must rely on notes and other memos to exact revenge on the man who killed his wife.

But the further he goes on his quest, the more it becomes clear that Leonard can't even trust himself, while the unique non-linear storytelling turns the film into an elaborate puzzle.

Oldboy (2003)

Vaguely based on a Japanese manga of the same name, this iconic South Korean film revolves around a businessman, Oh Dae-su, who is imprisoned for no apparent reason in a hotel room where he spends fifteen years.

When he is suddenly released, Oh Dae-su becomes embroiled in a sinister game and must find out who kidnapped him and what he did to deserve such an extensive punishment.

Nocturnal Animals (2016)

Starring Amy Adams, the story follows Susan Morrow, who is going through a difficult time in her current marriage, when she receives a manuscript for a novel dedicated to Susan by her estranged ex-husband.

But the more she reads into the disturbing and dark story, the more she begins to suspect that it may not be a simple gesture of affection and that the novel actually serves some sort of purpose.

Seven (1995)

Directed by David Fincher, Seven remains one of the filmmaker's greatest works, even many years after its release.

It follows detectives David Mills (Brad Pitt) and William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) in their pursuit of an elusive serial killer who chooses his victims based on the biblical seven deadly sins.

Nightcrawler (2014)

Jake Gyllenhaal absolutely shines with his brilliantly disturbing performance as Louis Bloom, which is definitely one of the greatest roles in the actor's entire career.

Struggling to find a job due to his criminal record, Bloom decides to try his hand as a freelance photojournalist, going to extreme and very morally questionable lengths to get what he wants.

Gone Girl (2014)

Another David Fincher movie on our list, Gone Girl focuses on Nick Dunne, portrayed by Ben Affleck, who lives a seemingly perfect life married to a successful children's book author, Amy, played by Rosamund Pike.

But his life takes a drastic turn when he returns home one day to find his wife missing and immediately becomes the prime suspect, as all evidence points to him being responsible for her disappearance.

The Game (1997)

On the eve of his 48th birthday, investment banker Nicholas Van Orton, portrayed by Michael Douglas, receives an invitation to participate in a mysterious game that will give him an unforgettable experience.

Although his application is denied, Nicholas soon begins to suspect that he has made a huge mistake and that the "game" was some sort of elaborate scheme aimed at ruining his entire life.

Dark City (1998)

If you don't mind the sci-fi approach to the genre, then this neo-noir mystery starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland and Jennifer Connelly is definitely worth checking out.

After waking up in a hotel bathtub with no memories, John Murdoch finds himself being chased by sinister, pale men in trench coats as he unravels the mysteries of an unnamed city where the sun never seems to shine.

L.A. Confidential (1997)

Set in 1953 Los Angeles, the film begins with a coffeehouse massacre that is solved all too quickly.

Convinced that the case is not as simple as they were led to believe, three detectives begin their own separate investigations, which lead them to an elaborate conspiracy and set off a chain of catastrophic events.