psychological thriller

Movies

Best Murder Mystery Movies Of All Time Top 10

By admin August 27, 2024

Best Murder Mystery Movies Of All Time Top 10, Nothing beats playing detective from the comfort of one’s couch. A great way to do that is by watching the countless murder mystery movies out there guaranteed to thrill and entertain. These gripping whodunit films are meticulously crafted to be suspenseful and often twist-filled masterpieces that invite viewers to follow along as brilliant investigators search for enough clues to solve confounding cases.

From the voyeuristic classic Rear Window to the humorous modern hit Knives Out, the greatest murder mysteries in cinema reflect the best aspects of the enduring genre. Expect intriguing crimes, intelligent detectives, red herrings, shocking revelations, and even a healthy dose of dark humor from these whodunit movies that should be considered essential viewing for any fan.

10. Zodiac (2007)

Paramount Pictures

Everyone knows how the story of the infamous Zodiac Killer ends, or rather, doesn’t, with the string of murders in San Francisco in the late 1960s and 1970s still unsolved today. Despite this fact, director David Fincher masterfully infuses the journey toward a cold case with suspense, uncertainty, and unease in 2007’s Zodiac. The engrossing film revolves around three individuals who become increasingly obsessed with learning more about and finding the killer: cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), journalist Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.), and detective Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo).

Fincher is a master of building atmospheric tension, and Zodiac is a great example of that. The movie transports viewers by meticulously re-creating that era, portraying a city gripped by fear and paranoia. It also notably uses methodical pacing, which mirrors the slow, frustrating process of real detective work that lasted over several years and took a toll on investigators and journalists alike. Of course, standout performances and a tense dynamic between Gyllenhaal and Downey Jr. have helped Zodiac earn the esteemed reputation it enjoys.

9. Clue (1985)

Paramount Pictures

Director Jonathan Lynn’s Clue blends black comedy and mystery to create a cult classic that would go unappreciated for several years. The 1985 film takes place in an isolated mansion where six guests are invited for dinner, but soon discover that they are all being blackmailed by their mysterious host. When that host suddenly drops dead, a frantic search for clues throughout the mansion ensues as the guests scramble to figure out who among them is responsible for the murder.

Based on the popular board game, Clue initially received mixed reviews, with many criticizing its then-novel premiere that involved showing different endings in different cinemas. It has since become beloved among murder mystery movie fans who appreciate its aspects that were ahead of its time. With its deadpan humor delivered with perfect timing by its ensemble cast and a witty script full of clever twists and turns, it’s not surprising that Clue is now often mentioned alongside the greatest films of the 1980s.

8. Memento (2000)

Summit Entertainment

For a murder mystery that unfolds in a non-linear fashion, look no further than director Christopher Nolan‘s mind-bending Memento. The 2000 neo-noir thriller follows Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), a man living with short-term memory loss, as he struggles to piece together the traumatic events of his wife’s murder. Unable to form new memories, Leonard gets creative and starts using Polaroid photographs, handwritten notes, and tattoos on his body to track his investigation. His search for the killer is complicated by his own narrative depicted in reverse chronological order, immersing audiences in a fragmented reality not too dissimilar from Leonard’s.

Nolan’s acclaimed film is known for its unconventional structure, which is both innovative and effective in the way it reflects the protagonist’s story. Pearce’s performance as a desperate man stuck in a maddening cycle of forgetting is intense and sympathetic, anchoring the entire story. Fans of the genre should know that Memento is certainly far from the typical murder mystery, with the unique viewing experience and its shocking twist likely to inspire a rewatch.

7. Memories of Murder (2003)

CJ Entertainment

Parasite may have been the film that turned director Bong Joon-ho into a household name, but that’s not the only great South Korean movie he has created. One worth seeing at least once is Memories of Murder, a crime thriller based on the true story of the country’s first recorded serial murders in the 1980s. It’s centered on two detectives, Park Doo-man (Song Kang-ho) and Seo Tae-yoon (Kim Sang-kyung), who approach their investigations differently as they follow a trail of brutal murders of young women in the rural province of Hwaseong. With mounting pressure from the public and authorities, the duo struggle to find any concrete evidence or reliable suspects.

As with several of Joon-ho’s works, Memories of Murder is chock-full of social commentary, particularly about the systemic issues that allowed a serial killer to exist for so long in South Korean society. It’s also full of dark, often slapstick humor that mocks the authorities’ incompetence in the face of such atrocious crimes. Considering it was only his second movie, it’s impressive how the 2003 murder mystery showcases so many of the filmmaker’s trademarks, with it benefitting greatly from Joon-ho’s attention to detail and brilliant use of shocking revelations.

6. Fargo (1996)

MGM

The Coen brothers‘ darkly comedic Fargo is a renowned crime thriller that revolves around a fake kidnapping set up by the financially struggling car salesman Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy). He hires two bumbling criminals, Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) and Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare), to abduct his wife so he can extort a ransom from his rich father-in-law. Things predictably go wrong, and with the tenacious and very pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) hot on their trail, the people responsible for a series of strange murders around the snow-covered landscapes of Minnesota and North Dakota are soon caught.

Fargo is known for its entertaining juxtaposition of good and bad, optimism and cynicism, and suspense and humor. With a realistic setting complete with authentic regional accents, it’s an immersive and often laugh-out-loud murder mystery that invites audiences into its quirky world. It also features one of Frances McDormand’s greatest performances to date as the persistent Marge, who stops at nothing to catch the culprits.

Best Murder Mystery Movies Of All Time Top 10

5. Se7en (1995)

New Line Cinema

Always present in any discussion of the best crime movies ever, director David Fincher’s Se7en is one of the grittiest and darkest entries in the genre. It follows two detectives, the seasoned William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and the newly transferred David Mills (Brad Pitt), who reluctantly work together when they’re paired to hunt down a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as inspiration for his murders. As they examine one grotesque crime scene after another, they realize that the murderer has a grand surprise in mind for his finishing act.

Fincher’s disturbing thriller achieved mainstream success despite initial detractors who called it too dark to ever appeal to a mass audience, but it’s that unnerving aspect that made it so popular in the end. Pitt and Freeman are impeccably cast as the duo, with Pitt, in particular, giving a career-best performance as a naive and increasingly brash detective. Of course, Se7en has become synonymous with its iconic twist ending, meticulously crafted to shock and underscore the calculating killer’s murderous and evil nature.

4. L.A. Confidential (1997)

Warner Bros.

L.A. Confidential is a stylish neo-noir crime thriller that takes place in 1950s Los Angeles. Here, an unsolved murder becomes the unifying element between three LAPD officers: the ambitious Edmund Exley (Guy Pearce), the brutish Bud White (Russell Crowe), and the smooth Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey). With each motivated by their career, a personal vendetta, or the limelight, their converging paths lead to a tumultuous experience when they investigate the Nite Owl massacre and discover a deep-rooted conspiracy.

Directed by Curtis Hanson, L.A. Confidential crafts a convincing and visually stunning world dripping with the glitz and glamor of the 1950s. With this backdrop, the intriguing case captures the three main characters’ attention, and the combination of classic police action with their strong personalities makes for an exciting two hours. L.A. Confidential unfortunately faced tough competition at the Academy Awards when it was up against the blockbuster Titanic, which ultimately overshadowed it. The movie has since received more recognition and is also often credited with boosting the careers of the then-relatively unknown actors Pearce and Crowe.

3. Knives Out (2019)

Lionsgate

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) suddenly drops dead just after his 85th birthday, the famous Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is hired anonymously to investigate the case in Knives Out. Blanc learns more about each member of the Thrombey family and soon discovers the dysfunctional group’s numerous layers of secrets, deceit, and lies. Key members of the family include Harlan’s eldest daughter, Linda (Jamie Lee Curtis), his ambitious son-in-law, Richard (Don Johnson), his spoiled grandson, Ransom (Chris Evans), and his loyal nurse, Marta (Ana de Armas).

It isn’t an overstatement to say that director Rian Johnson reinvigorated the whodunnit with the popular 2019 crime movie. Daniel Craig is incredible as the Southern detective whose charm, wit, and razor-sharp mind guide viewers through the complex case explored through sharp interrogations and a series of flashbacks. Craig leads an ensemble cast that delivers powerhouse performances, with the 2019 film ultimately successfully offering a fresh take on the genre. It pays homage to classic Agatha Christie mysteries while modernizing the narrative through clever humor and a critique of contemporary social issues.

2. Chinatown (1974)

Paramount Pictures

Often considered the ideal representation of the neo-noir genre, Chinatown is a landmark film that follows private investigator J.J. “Jake” Gittes (Jack Nicholson) as he is hired by Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) to investigate her husband’s alleged infidelity. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, Gittes quickly learns that the case is not as simple as it seems. He soon uncovers some shocking secrets about the Mulwray family, which inevitably leads to one of the most grim and legendary endings in cinematic history.

Directed by Roman Polanski, Chinatown was pivotal in the 1970s when the New Hollywood movement was gaining momentum. Its multi-layered plot and flawless screenplay earned it widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike, with its deft balance of mystery and drama ensuring it remains a timeless masterpiece still worth watching today. Jack Nicholson‘s portrayal of the cynical yet vulnerable Gittes complements Faye Dunaway’s tragic femme fatale in what would prove to be a massively influential detective movie, despite its director’s later infamy.

1. Rear Window (1954)

Paramount Pictures

From the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, 1954’s Rear Window is a genre-defining murder mystery and psychological thriller set in a small New York City apartment. It’s centered on L.B. “Jeff” Jefferies (James Stewart), a professional photographer confined to that apartment due to a broken leg. Bored out of his mind, he starts to spy on his neighbors through his rear window, using a telephoto lens to watch their day-to-day lives. When he witnesses what he thinks might be a murder, he asks his girlfriend, Lisa Fremont (Grace Kelly), and his nurse, Stella (Thelma Ritter), to help him find the truth.

Hitchcock proves that he indeed deserves the title, with each moment of Rear Window more suspenseful than the last. The tension only escalates when Jeff’s voyeuristic pastime turns dangerous and leads to an explosive confrontation. The film’s novel storytelling, innovative use of a single location, technical mastery, and compelling performances all make it a quintessential Hitchcock movie and one that’s consistently cited alongside the greatest ever made.

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Guide

How to Fix high CPU usage 2024

By admin January 14, 2024

How to Fix high CPU usage 2024, PC freezing, going slow, or running into hitches where it shouldn’t? Even if you have one of the best processors, high CPU usage could be to blame. Unfortunately, if you aren’t too computer savvy, what this means, what part of your computer causes the issue, and CPU failure symptoms are all sort of a mystery.

So, what is CPU usage? Here, we’ll investigate high CPU usage, the factors that affect CPU utilization, and more.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What is CPU usage?

The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU) is arguably the most important component inside any computer. Whether you’ve got one of the best processors on the market or you’re running an entry-level machine, your processor always serves as the brain of the operation. It sends instructions to all the other pieces of hardware in your device and is responsible for executing each and every task. If you’d like to read a more in-depth explanation about the CPU itself, check out our guide to what is a CPU.

Every processor has a limited capacity at which it can execute commands and run various programs. The better the CPU, the more tasks you can simultaneously perform without a hitch. However, no matter how powerful the CPU is, every chip will eventually hit its maximum capacity and begin slowing down. This will depend on your current CPU usage: In other words, the number of things your processor is being made to do at the same time.

When you’re not running many applications, your CPU usage should be low, and in an ideal scenario, everything should run smoothly. However, if you open a CPU-intensive program (such as certain games or video editing software,) you may notice that the response times increase as your CPU usage goes up.

Fluctuations in CPU usage are normal and nothing to worry about — as long as your PC continues running smoothly. If you’re unsatisfied with the performance of your PC, the first step is to check its CPU usage.

How to Fix high CPU usage 2024

How to check CPU usage

Checking CPU usage on Windows comes down to simply opening the Task Manager. If you already know how to do that, you can skip ahead to our next steps.

The three easiest and quickest ways to run Task Manager are:

• Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+Escape to bring up the Task Manager directly.

• Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up the lock screen and select Task Manager from there.

• Right-click on the taskbar or the Windows icon at the bottom-left side of your screen. Pick Task Manager from the list.

With Task Manager open, navigate to the Performance tab and select CPU from the left-hand side menu. This will produce a curve diagram that displays real-time updates about the performance of your CPU. You can also check the Open Resource Monitor option at the bottom to see more detailed information about your processor.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

What is a normal CPU usage?

Before you jump right in and start trying to fix the problem, it’s important to learn whether the CPU usage you’re currently experiencing is abnormal in the first place.

Remember that depending on your processor, it could be that your computer is just utilizing the resources available to it in an efficient manner under heavy workloads. High-end CPUs are able to handle all manner of multitasking, but budget processors may not be able to run multiple resource-heavy programs at once.

If you are currently not running any additional programs, your CPU usage should be anywhere between 1% and 10% just through Windows processes alone. Anything higher than that on an idle PC means that something might be wrong. However, if you’re playing a game or even have multiple browser windows open, the CPU usage will climb accordingly.

If you’re unsure whether your CPU usage is too high, here are a few indicators to look out for:

• High idle CPU usage: You’re not running any programs and your CPU usage is still above 20%.

• Higher than usual CPU usage: You’re not using any new programs, and yet your CPU usage is higher than it used to be.

• High CPU usage during tasks that aren’t resource-heavy, like word processing, or browsing social media in just a couple of tabs.

• High CPU usage combined with freezes, crashes, and slow performance.

There are some programs that commonly consume a lot of processing power. Check out our suggestions below if you’re not sure whether your software is one of them.

How to fix high CPU usage

It’s important to monitor CPU usage and act if something seems amiss. If the amount of software you’re running doesn’t warrant slower loading times or high CPU usage, check out our quick steps below to resolve this problem.

Restart your computer

Sometimes all your PC may need is just a quick restart. This will clear out temporary files, shut down any programs you didn’t know were running, and give your computer more of a fresh slate.

If a while has passed since you last restarted your computer, save all your work and reboot. After the restart, launch the programs you’ve previously had open and check if your CPU usage is now back to normal.

Check open processes

If the problem comes back after re-launching previous software, it’s time to check which program is the culprit.

Launch Task Manager (if you’re not sure how to do that, click here,) and click the Processes tab at the top. You will be presented with a list of processes that are currently running on your computer. This is a long list, and it’s important that you don’t close any programs without knowing what they do. To make the list easier to navigate, click on Name to sort by software type.

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Programs found under Apps are usually safe to close if needed. Check their CPU usage. If it’s a program that typically consumes a lot of CPU power, it might be that your high CPU usage is not abnormal. In any case, you can close the program to make sure your PC is running smoothly without it. Save all your work before you proceed.

Pick the program with the highest CPU usage and click End Task in the bottom right corner. Start it back up and check whether your CPU usage has improved. Try to close all the programs you don’t currently need — if the program or background process that consumes the most CPU power is unknown to you, write down its name and give it a quick Google search. It could be a virus that you need to get rid of.

Be mindful of the following:

• Apps with a very high CPU usage that shouldn’t require too many resources

• Background processes with a high CPU usage

• Windows processes with a high CPU usage

If any of the processes on your computer are CPU-heavy and you’re not sure what they are, write down their names and make sure they’re safe.

Scan your computer for viruses and malware

Unfortunately, malware and viruses are often the culprits behind high CPU usage. You may sometimes notice them by browsing through the Task Manager, but oftentimes they will be concealed and won’t be that easy to spot.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Getting rid of malware and viruses can be tricky and highly situational, but there are a few steps you should take that can resolve your problem.

• Download one of the best antivirus programs available and scan your computer.

• In addition to an antivirus program, you can download malware and spyware-specific programs such as Malwarebytes and SpyBot S&D. Scan your PC with these programs after the antivirus scan is over.

If the software finds any harmful programs on your computer, it will likely help you get rid of them. This may lower your CPU usage.

Update your drivers

Your CPU can take quite a beating if you’re using old drivers or unoptimized software. Sometimes, fixing high CPU usage may be as easy as simply updating your drivers.

In this step, try to update all of your drivers. This includes motherboard drivers, GPU drivers, audio drivers, and more. Check out our dedicated guides on updating all of your drivers and updating your graphics card drivers if you’d like a step-by-step tutorial on how to do this.

A word of warning: Do not use third-party software for updating drivers. A lot of the commonly advertised software on the internet may be dangerous to your computer. Whether it’s out-right malware or it simply downloads all the wrong things, you don’t want to deal with that. It’s best to learn how to update your drivers yourself and rely on secure methods of doing so.

Update your software

The software you’re using may simply be an older version of an already updated program. In such cases, the CPU usage may be abnormally high and it may have been fixed in a patch that you haven’t downloaded yet.

Following the Task Manager, update your most CPU-heavy software to the latest version and see whether that will do the trick.

Update your BIOS

This is more of an advanced option, but in some cases, updating your BIOS may help fix the issue with high CPU usage. Updating your BIOS will require knowing the exact model of your motherboard.

If you’re not sure which motherboard you’re using, we’ve got you covered. Check our guide to find out all of the specifications of your PC, including the motherboard. Once you know the model of your motherboard, simply search for it in Google and add “BIOS.” Download the latest BIOS directly from the manufacturer’s website — do not trust other sources. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer in order to update your BIOS.

Check your power settings

Certain power settings in Windows may affect your CPU performance. This applies to both laptops and desktops. You may currently be using a low power setting without even knowing it, so changing it might help.

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Follow the steps below to change your power plan in Windows.

• Click on the Windows logo in the bottom left-hand corner and type in: “Power Settings.”

• On the right-hand side of the Power & Sleep section, navigate to Additional Power Settings.

• Click on Show Additional Plans and then select the High Performance plan. Alternatively, if you’re already running the High Performance plan and you’re experiencing CPU problems, try out the Balanced plan instead.

Clean your PC

Keeping your PC clean is important, not just on the software side, but on the dust-free side. That’s right — our computers gather a lot of dust every single day. The more dust your PC or laptop has accumulated, the worse it will run, and that’s all thanks to the rising temperatures within the chassis.

Don’t let us catch you letting it get this bad … Wikimedia

If you haven’t given your PC a good clean for a while, it might be the time to do so. This process will usually require the use of compressed air. You can pick up a can of compressed air on Amazon and from many other stores.

Remember that before you ever attempt to clean your computer’s vents, you need to fully turn it off and unplug it. If you want to learn how to clean your PC, as well as a few more handy tips to make it run faster, check out our in-depth guide on the topic.

Run System Restore

If your high CPU usage is a recent development and everything was running smoothly just a few days ago, fixing the problem may be as easy as running System Restore on Windows. Windows 10 users can refer to our separate guide on reinstalling and restoring Windows here.

For Windows 11 users, accessing System Restore can be done in a few quick steps:

• Click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen and type in Control Panel.

• Once in the Control Panel, type in Recovery in the search box.

• Pick Recovery and then Open System Restore.

• In the Restore System Files and Settings section, click Next.

You will then be prompted to select a restore point that you want to go back to. Choose one from before these issues started and follow the instructions provided by Windows. Keep in mind that you may lose any new files and programs you’ve installed since the restore point.

Unfortunately, many users cannot utilize System Restore. This is because Windows doesn’t automatically create restore points, which is why your list may be empty. If that’s the case, you may need to take more drastic measures.

Reinstall Windows

This option should be treated as a last resort. If all the other steps failed and you still cannot pinpoint the reason why your CPU usage is so high, giving your Windows a clean install may be the solution to your problems.

Before you pull the trigger, keep in mind that reinstalling Windows will delete all of your installed programs. You are allowed to keep your files, but you may also opt to do a completely clean install and let Windows delete all of them. Whether you choose to keep your files or not, it’s good to back up your data before you begin.

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Reinstalling Windows 10

If you’re not sure how to reinstall Windows 10, check out our guide that will lead you through the steps required to do so.

Reinstalling Windows 11

In order to reinstall Windows 11, click on the Windows logo at the bottom-left side of the screen and type in: “Reset this PC.”

Once you’re in the correct section, select Reset PC. Windows will then prompt you to choose from several reinstall options. You can choose whether to keep your personal files, keep any changes you’ve made to Windows settings, and keep pre-installed apps that came with your Windows 11 PC.

Pick the option that suits you best and allow Windows to reinstall itself. When the reinstallation is complete, you will have to install all your drivers and trustworthy programs again. Once your system is back up and running, check your CPU usage again — you should be able to see a marked improvement.

Further troubleshooting

If you have tried every one of our recommended steps and found no improvement, the issue may be more complex than can be covered in any given guide. Fortunately, all you need is an internet connection in order to troubleshoot your computer.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are two main things to search for in times of abnormal CPU usage:

• Your exact model of CPU + “high CPU usage.” Check our guide to learn which processor you have.

• The process or program that hogs the most CPU usage in Task Manager + “high CPU usage.”

Searching for these terms will give you more specific advice from users who have gone through the same kinds of issues. Read the advice carefully and follow it as best as you can. However, never download any third-party programs: You may put your PC at much greater risk instead of fixing it.

CPU usage FAQ

Which programs cause high CPU usage?

Many kinds of programs can cause high CPU usage. If you’re running one of them, your computer may slow down. In such cases, make sure you close all other programs to give your processor the breathing space it needs in order to run these resource-heavy tasks.

Some of the most notorious CPU-heavy programs include:

• Video and photo editing software

• Encoding and decoding software

• CPU-heavy games, such as PUBG

• Browsers with many tabs open, many plug-ins, websites with a lot of videos and photos, etc.

• DVD burning programs

• Video or photo converters

• 3D modeling software

• Benchmarking programs

Is high CPU usage bad?

Every PC will go through cycles of high CPU usage — there is nothing wrong with that. However, If your CPU usage is constantly high or even at 100%, there is definitely a reason for concern.

Your CPU heats up when under heavy loads. This may cause your computer to overheat, but even in the best-case scenario, it contributes to wear and tear. Your PC may freeze when running at 100% CPU usage as soon as you add an extra application into the mix. Freezes and crashes are common, and each one may cause another problem to pop up.

In short: Yes, it’s bad, although as long as you’re expecting your CPU usage to be high, it’s fine and fully expected to happen at times.

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Featured

10 best psychological thriller movies ever

By admin January 14, 2024

10 best psychological thriller movies ever, Psychological thrillers have long been a favorite among viewers who enjoy intense explorations of the human psyche. The genre is chock-full of gripping stories that combine character studies with nail-biting suspense, alongside mind-bending twists and a deliciously dark atmosphere.

The greatest psychological thrillers ever made range from the genre-defining classic Rear Window to the modern masterpiece Get Out to the incomparable and iconic The Silence of the Lambs. These essential entries in the genre showcase the directors, writers, and actors’ mastery of their distinct chilling journeys, with their impact, innovation, and lasting influence on the world of cinema cementing them as the best of the best.

10. Black Swan (2010)

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Natalie Portman stars as Nina Sayers in Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, a riveting movie that portrays the intense and competitive world of professional ballet. Nina has worked hard for years and is vying for the lead role in a New York City production of Swan Lake. It’s just within her reach, but newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis) suddenly threatens her position and sparks a rivalry that causes Nina to experience a descent into madness.

Black Swan captures the pressures of perfectionism in ballet, with the disturbing depiction of Nina’s psychological unraveling illustrating what obsession can do to an artist. Aronofsky brilliantly uses mirrors, doubles, and surreal imagery to create a disorienting and nightmarish visceral experience for Nina, and by extension, the audience. Of course, Portman’s award-winning performance is what elevates the entire film, as she plays the talented, yet fragile ballerina flawlessly.

10 best psychological thriller movies ever

9. Perfect Blue (1997)

Rex Entertainment

Director Satoshi Kon is known for works that blur the line between fantasy and reality, and Perfect Blue is certainly the most iconic example of this. The animated movie tells the story of Mima Kirigoe (Junko Iwao), a pop idol who decides to quit her popular group to pursue a career in acting. She doesn’t expect how intense her fans’ reactions would be, nor the elusive stalker and bizarre website that begins to haunt her every waking moment.

One of the best anime movies to come out of the ’90s, Perfect Blue was a trailblazer that would help make the widespread popularity of anime films in the West possible. It’s also remembered as a remarkably powerful and disturbing portrait of fame and obsession, with some of its shockingly violent moments underscoring how terrifyingly effective animated films can be.

8. Rear Window (1954)

Paramount Pictures

Rear Window is often cited among Alfred Hitchcock‘s greatest works. The 1954 film is centered on the voyeuristic L.B. “Jeff” Jefferies (James Stewart), who spends his time watching his neighbors across the courtyard while he’s confined in his apartment due to a broken leg. One day, his telephoto lens and binoculars capture something peculiar enough that it might be murder.

Hitchcock’s groundbreaking movie puts the audience in the dark, as Jeff’s perspective becomes the viewer’s as well. As the protagonist tries to piece together the clues, suspense and curiosity build to enthralling levels, with the latter ironically serving as a criticism of Jeff and the audiences glued to the screen. Rear Window examines not just the human tendency to look, but to wish that something terrible would happen while looking.

7. Get Out (2017)

Universal Pictures

Actor, comedian, and now director Jordan Peele wowed everyone with his widely acclaimed feature film debut Get Out. The psychological horror movie follows Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a Black man who meets the family of his white girlfriend, Rose Armitage, (Allison Williams) for the first time. Their awkward interactions at the family estate initially seem to stem from uncertainty around the interracial relationship, but it soon turns into something much more sinister.

Now counted among the best social horror and thriller movies, Get Out combines clever commentary and satire to emphasize the insidious nature of racism. Its unsettling atmosphere perfectly complements seemingly small tensions that devolve into full-blown horrific truths about Rose’s family. While most audiences likely already know about its legendary twist, it’s still worth discovering the film for the first time today.

6. Oldboy (2003)

Show East

Oldboy is a classic of modern South Korean cinema by director Park Chan-wook. A psychological thriller and violent action film, it shows the experiences of Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik), a man kidnapped and then imprisoned without any explanation for 15 years. After he’s released out of the blue, he begins a quest for revenge to find the ones responsible for his suffering, only to walk into a major conspiracy. He also meets the charming sushi chef, Mi-do (Kang Hye-jung), along the way.

A tragic character, Oh Dae-su follows a haunting arc, with its beginning marked by desperation and rage, and its end marked by utter defeat. The movie may be remembered for flawlessly choreographed action sequences like the legendary hallway scene, but it’s the twisty psychological drama that will end up staying with viewers who stick around for its deeply disturbing ending.

5. Taxi Driver (1976)

Columbia Pictures

Robert De Niro disappeared into one of his most renowned roles as Travis Bickle, a disturbed Vietnam War veteran who becomes a cabbie in 1976’s Taxi Driver. Set in a gritty and dreamlike version of New York City in the 1970s, the film follows Travis as he spends sleepless nights becoming obsessed with the moral decay around him. He soon plots to kill a presidential candidate as the first step in his grand plan to save the world.

Alienated from the rest of society due to his traumatic past, Travis’ actions in the movie feel both avoidable and totally inevitable. Audiences have an unreliable perspective as the protagonist’s increasing detachment from reality paints an unclear picture of what’s really going on. Taxi Driver is often hailed as one of director Martin Scorsese’s best movies, as it captures the social anxieties of its time and continues to have a lasting impact on filmmaking as a whole.

4. Memento (2000)

Summit Entertainment

In director Christopher Nolan‘s Memento, a man living with anterograde amnesia struggles to track down the man responsible for the rape and murder of his wife. Unable to form new memories, Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) devises a system where he uses images, notes, and even tattoos to identify and exact revenge on the perpetrator.

Anyone who has heard of Memento will likely know that its narrative structure is extraordinary, as one part of its story unfolds in reverse order, while the other happens chronologically, mirroring Leonard’s disjointed perception of time. Leonard’s grueling task to hold on to the transient fragments in any way possible invites audiences to do the same, with the entire film turning into a kind of intriguing puzzle. It’s a complicated and engrossing way to dive into Leonard’s psyche, which hides some terrible secrets.

3. American Psycho (2000)

Lions Gate Films

Based on what was once considered an unadaptable 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis, American Psycho is a massively popular film that needs no introduction. Directed by Mary Harron, the movie takes place in the late 1980s in New York City, where Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is living his best life as a wealthy and successful investment banker. What his colleagues don’t know is that he leads a sinister double life as a serial killer, or does he?

A smart exploration of the greed of Wall Street and a biting satire of toxic masculinity, American Psycho pointedly criticizes society’s obsession with materialism. Although it was specifically about the excesses of the yuppie culture, renewed interest in the film today highlights how relevant it still is. Christian Bale’s tour de force performance as the chilling Bateman alone makes the movie worth revisiting.

2. Mulholland Drive (2001)

Universal Pictures

From the master of the surreal, director David Lynch, Mulholland Drive unfolds like a cryptic puzzle in a dreamy version of Los Angeles. There, a woman with amnesia from a car accident (played by Laura Elena Harring) meets an aspiring actress named Betty Elms (Naomi Watts), who helps her figure out what happened. This deceptively simple premise fades into the background as Mulholland Drive turns into a strange nonlinear journey through Hollywood.

Challenging conventional storytelling through its distinct structure and unsettling atmosphere, Lynch’s masterpiece sees the characters’ identities transform from two women trying to find the truth to something else entirely. For anyone who has never seen the surrealist neo-noir, Mulholland Drive is one worth turning off the lights for and focusing on a cinematic masterpiece that’s still debated and studied today.

1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Orion Pictures

The Silence of the Lambs is not just the best psychological thriller of all time, but one of the greatest movies ever, having long ago established its place as an influential classic. Directed by Jonathan Demme and based on Thomas Harris’ eponymous 1988 novel, the film revolves around the unusual relationship between a young FBI agent and a cannibalistic serial killer. The young agent, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), is struggling to find any clues about an ongoing case, which leads to her interviews with Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), who was once a well-known psychiatrist before he was revealed to be a violent killer.

Featuring stellar performances from Foster and Hopkins, the film sets up the psychological game they engage in, which soon turns into an unnerving exploration of each other’s minds. The tense atmosphere builds to alarming levels as Clarice gets closer to catching her killer, while Dr. Lecter seems to be hiding a goal of his own.

The Silence of the Lambs is notable for being one of the few movies to win the “Big Five” Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Its impact on pop culture endures and cannot be understated, as Hannibal Lecter has become an iconic figure in cinema and is known as one of the greatest villains to ever grace the big screen.

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