15 Underrated Psychological Thriller Movies From the 90s

The 90s were known for pushing boundaries, exploring the dark recesses of the human psyche, and it certainly left us with some nerve-wracking cinematic masterpieces.

Yet, beyond the highly acclaimed films like Silence of the Lambs or Se7en, lie a plethora of lesser-known, equally unsettling gems that deserve more credit.

15. Cure (1997)

This Japanese thriller takes us into the eerie world of a detective on the trail of a serial killer. However, the murderer isn't your typical villain. The victims, who each carry out the murders, have no recollection of their actions. The film's chilling exploration of hypnosis and the fragility of the human mind makes it a criminally underrated gem.

14. The Minus Man (1999)

A chilling portrayal of a seemingly ordinary man leading a double life as a serial killer. Owen Wilson's unsettlingly calm and affable demeanor as the killer makes this thriller particularly unnerving.

13. Ringu (1998)

Yes, this is the original Japanese film that inspired the American remake, The Ring. It tells the haunting story of a cursed videotape that causes anyone who watches it to die in seven days. Its success in Japan was massive, but it didn't receive the attention it deserved in the Western world until the remake.

12. The Nameless (1999)

A Spanish thriller following a mother who receives a call from her daughter, presumed dead for years. The descent into the unknown as she investigates is not for the faint of heart, filled with cults, body horror, and psychological terror.

11. Shallow Grave (1994)

A darkly comedic and twisted tale of three friends who discover their new roommate dead with a suitcase full of money. The decisions they make out of greed will have you questioning your own moral compass.

10. In the Mouth of Madness (1994)

A Lovecraftian journey into madness helmed by horror maestro John Carpenter. A successful horror novelist's books have the power to drive readers insane, and when he goes missing, an investigator finds that the line between fiction and reality is more blurred than he imagined.

9. Funny Games (1997)

This Austrian film is a harsh critique of violence in media. Two young men take a family hostage and force them to participate in sadistic games. It's an unflinching, break-the-fourth-wall kind of movie that leaves a lasting impression.

8. The Ninth Gate (1999)

Johnny Depp plays a rare book dealer who gets embroiled in a satanic plot involving a book supposedly co-authored by the devil himself. The movie's winding narrative, combined with Roman Polanski's atmospheric direction, creates an undeniably entrancing thriller.

7. One False Move (1992)

A crime thriller revolving around a trio of criminals on the run and the small-town sheriff who unwittingly awaits their arrival. The film's exploration of racial tension, morality, and violence in small-town America is as thrilling as it is thought-provoking.

6. Romeo is Bleeding (1993)

Gary Oldman stars as Jack Grimaldi, a corrupt New York City cop entangled with a fatal and enigmatic femme fatale, played brilliantly by Lena Olin. The narrative artfully weaves deceit, manipulation, and morally grey characters into a fascinatingly complex web of suspense. With a dynamite cast and gripping storyline, it's a crime that this movie doesn't receive more recognition.

5. Dark City (1998)

In this sci-fi psychological thriller, Rufus Sewell wakes up in a bath tub with no memory and a murder accusation. As he uncovers his past, he learns that his city is a nocturnal dystopia controlled by a group of ominous beings who can manipulate people's memories. Its striking noir style and existential themes make it a cult classic and definitely worth a watch.

4. The Reflecting Skin (1990)

A surreal blend of horror and thriller, this film follows a young boy in the 1950s American Midwest who believes that his neighbor is a vampire after his friends start disappearing. The stark, sun-soaked landscapes create an eerie contrast to the unfolding horrors, making this an exceptionally unique cinematic experience.

3. Cronos (1993)

This is Guillermo del Toro 's debut film and a brilliant blend of thriller, horror, and dark fairy tale. It tells the story of an antique dealer who stumbles upon a centuries-old device that provides eternal life at a horrific cost. Del Toro's masterful storytelling and mesmerizing visuals are evident even in this early work, making it a must-watch for fans of his later films.

2. Tesis (1996)

This Spanish thriller is about a film student who stumbles upon a snuff film featuring a girl who was a former student at her university. The fear and suspense build as she digs deeper into the underground world of violent voyeuristic films. Director Alejandro Amenábar does an excellent job of maintaining suspense and commenting on society's fascination with violence.

1. eXistenZ (1999)

David Cronenberg's lesser-known film is a mind-bending journey into a virtual reality game that blurs the line between the game and reality. With its eerie atmosphere and existential themes, it's a thought-provoking examination of technology's grip on reality and identity.