Mere days after its release, Netflix’s The Woman In The Window has soared its way to the top of the streaming giant’s trending list. And if you’re like us, you’re desperate for more edge-of-your-seat, spine-tingling thrillers to keep your anxiety at its peak.
If you’re unfamiliar with The Woman In The Window, allow us to explain.
Based on the 2018 novel of the same name by controversial author A.J. Finn, the Joe Wright-directed film centres on Dr. Anna Fox, a woman who can’t leave her house. In her case, it’s not a pandemic keeping her inside—she’s agoraphobic.
However, things take a harrowing turn after she witnesses her neighbour’s apparent murder, leads to her then to be hunted down in her own home.
An intriguing-yet-terrifying watch, the psychological thriller is the perfect way to keep you invested in something other than online shopping while curled up on the couch. And after that twist ending, your attention is sure to remain piqued.
For those who thrive off the feeling of impending doom, psychological thrillers offer the increased heart rate that a horror film brings—minus the nightmares—which is precisely why those of the same genre as the Amy Adams flick deserve some time in the sun.
In fact, if you’re looking for a similar binge-watch, there are a myriad of other films that will elevate your anxiety and entertainment levels simultaneously.
Below, we’ve rounded up 11 of the best nail-biting thrillers to invest your time in—and exhaust your energy levels.
Rear Window (1954)
Watch Rear Window on Stan here.
Gone Girl (2014)
Based on the iconic book of the same name by Gillian Flynn, writer Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) and his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), are the portrait of a picture-perfect marriage to the outside world. However, after Amy suddenly disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick becomes the main suspect in the investigation. As a result, pressure from the police, the media and the public—which Amy had a suspiciously large part in—causes their ‘perfect’ image to fall to pieces.
Watch Gone Girl on Amazon Prime here.
The Girl On The Train (2016)
The Girl On The Train follows Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt), a woman who catches daily glimpses of a seemingly perfect couple, Scott and Megan, from the window of her train. One day, Watson witnesses a shocking event unfold in the backyard of the strangers’ home. However, despite telling the authorities what she thinks she saw—after learning that Megan is now missing and feared dead—she is unable to trust her own memory due to her struggles with alcohol addiction. Watson chooses to start her own investigation, while police suspect that she may have crossed a dangerous line.
Watch The Girl On The Train on Netflix here.
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things (2020)
Full of doubt, a young woman, named Lucy (Jessie Buckley) travels with her new boyfriend, Jake (Jesse Plemons) to his parents’ (played by David Thewlis and Toni Collette) secluded farm. Upon arriving at their abode, Lucy begins to question everything she thought she knew about Jake, and herself.
Watch I’m Thinking Of Ending Things on Netflix here.
Mother! (2017)
Watch Mother! on Amazon Prime here.
Before I Go To Sleep (2014)
Following a vicious attack that almost killed her, Christine Lucas (Nicole Kidman) has begun to suffer from anterograde amnesia, meaning that her brain is unable to form new memories. As she wakes every morning, Christine must refamiliarise herself with her husband, Ben (Colin Firth), and every other facet of her life that started after the trauma. To help her through the daily struggle, her doctor (Mark Strong) instructs Christine to keep a video diary. However, as Christine starts to uncover terrifying truths about her past, she also starts to question everything—and everyone—around her.
Watch Before I Go To Sleep on Stan here.
What Lies Beneath (2000)
A year after Dr. Norman Spencer (Harrison Ford) cheated on his wife Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer), Claire remains oblivious to the truth and Norman’s marriage continues to seem perfect to the outside world. But once Claire becomes paranoid after hearing mysterious voices and admits to seeing a young woman in their home, her husband dismisses her terror as delusion. However, once Claire starts to discover the truth, it becomes clear that this apparition and has come back for Dr. Spencer and his beautiful wife.
Watch What Lies Beneath on Disney+ here.
Panic Room (2002)
Stuck in their New York City home’s panic room—a hidden chamber built for safety in the event of break-ins—newly divorced Meg Altman (Jodie Foster) and her daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart) deal with three intruders—Burnham (Forest Whitaker), Raoul (Dwight Yoakam) and Junior (Jared Leto)—who violently taunt the mother-daughter duo during a home invasion. However, the room itself becomes the focal point after the intruders realise that what they’re really after, lies inside its walls.
Watch Panic Room on YouTube here.
Side Effects (2013)
After four years, Emily (Rooney Mara) and her husband, Martin (Channing Tatum), reunited after he was released from prison for insider trading. However, despite Martin being home, Emily feels just as bad as she did when he was incarcerated, seeing her fall into a deep depression. After a failed suicide attempt, psychiatrist Jonathan Banks (Jude Law) prescribes a series of medications. However, when those don’t work, he gives Emily a new medication—but the drug leads to ruined lives and death.
Watch Side Effects on Netflix here.
Copycat (1995)
After being assaulted by a deranged man, Dr. Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver) is forced to face her fears in order to solve a series of murders. A psychologist by trade, Hudson spends her career studying serial killers, a case in particular has affected her more than most, with crimes that are seemingly modelled on the work of infamous deviants. With the help of two San Francisco police officers, Hudson tries to come between the murderer and his next victim.
Watch Copycat on Amazon Prime here.
The Rental (2020)
The Rental follows two couples who venture on an ocean side getaway, however, they grow suspicious of their host’s seemingly perfect rental home, thinking that the abode may be spying on them. Not long after, what was meant to have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something much more sinister.
Watch The Rental on Amazon Prime here.
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