5. Judgment Night (1993)
Its soundtrack is definitely not underrated in some circles, as the album which paired hip-hop artists with rock acts, sold more than half a million copies in the United States alone. Some of these people probably didn’t bother with the film but the film has everything you want from a 90s “wrong place, wrong time” thriller. Packed with action and crime elements, this is one of the true “edge of your seat” thrillers.
The film follows four friends; Frank, or Francis, as our villain keeps calling him in the movie, is played by Emilio Estevez, and since the film starts with him, you get a sense that he’s going to be more “lead” than the rest. The others are his friends Mike (Cuba Gooding Jr.), Ray (Jeremy Piven), and his brother John (Stephen Dorff). One a way to watch a game, they want to take a short road in a dangerous part of Chicago. They happen to witness a murder and the ruthless gang leader (Denis Leary) and his henchmen have one rule: never leave any witness alive.
For a fan of a “cat-and-mouse game” thrillers, “Judgment Night” offers a lot. The performances are solid but it’s mostly Denis Leary shining as a villain. He had a solid run in the 90s cinema before establishing himself on TV with “Rescue Me.” The films like “The Ref” and “Suicide Kings” also used his strengths as an actor well, but “Judgment Night” is probably his most memorable performance, along with “Monument Ave.”
The film is clearly inspired by “Deliverance” because similarly we also have characters that doesn’t know how to deal with the situation or the location they find themselves in, and this film also deals with the theme of the thin line between civilization and chaos. Director Stephen Hopkins brings a great deal of tension here and uses neo-noir lighting effectively. Set pieces are all great, and the film keeps you interested.
4. Footsteps in the Fog (1955)
The list needed a little more of Gothic thrills. Some sources claim it did good money at the box office; some others claim it did not, and indeed, sometimes it’s very hard to get the track of that kind of thing of old movies. At the same time, it doesn’t matter because these days not so many people watch the films of the classic era or those made before 1960s unless they’re very popular/highly acclaimed films or made by one of those iconic filmmakers of their time. So, in a way, lot of them are underrated.
“Footsteps in the Fog” is a British thriller that has everything. Its opening credits start off like a melodrama of its time, and it only makes sense because one thing very special about this film is that you never know where it’ll go next. Having a melodramatic tone and feeling is an interesting stylistic choice for a film about dark events and twisted relationships that actually works in favor of the movie. The lead character is Stephen Lowry (Stewart Granger) who is a refined gentleman who has a very dark secret. His maid Lily (Jean Simmons) discovers that he has poisoned his wife. She decides to use this for her advantage, but their relationship/partnership will get more and more twisted.
The film is set in Victorian England and has some great period details, but what makes it work, apart from the unpredictable storyline, is how morally complex the characters are. Both lead performers give chilling, unsettling performances, and they complete each other perfectly. Credit goes to the director, Arthur Lubin who uses the Victorian setting well enough; you feel like you’re in the foggy streets of London of its time as well. Those who enjoy period thrillers that have an “elegant but sinister” feeling with twists and turns will have a blast with this one.
3. Shotgun Stories (2007)
Most poetic thriller of the list. It’s Jeff Nichols overall, so you shouldn’t expect a traditional thriller here anyway. Nichols had been one of the most interesting independent filmmakers of modern cinema. His films have a lot of soul and emotion, and he builds tension through a slow-burn narrative and richly drawn characters. Another great thing about him is that he always gives Michael Shannon great roles, and no matter how small or big, he always delivers.
One could argue that Jeff’s “Take Shelter” was even more important than “Revolutionary Road” at establishing Shannon as one of the finest actors of our time in the eyes of the public. Here, he’s brilliant once again. He plays Son Hayes, the eldest of three brothers who harbor deep resentment toward their estranged father. When their father dies and his “new family” holds a public funeral, the Hayes brothers crash the event, sparking a violent feud between the two sides of the family.
Jeff Nichols says, “I come from a family of three brothers, and that relationship was something that I understood really well. I thought about if something tragic or violent were to happen to one of my brothers, just whatever the feeling is in your gut. At the emotional heart of the film was that feeling, and I held onto that through everything else.” And indeed, it is a powerful meditation on conflict and conflict resolution. Almost plays like a Greek tragedy. His directing is minimalist but also powerful; he uses the locations really well and lets the story and characters breathe.
The cinematography is incredible as well; it’s very impressive that this was Jeff Nichols’ feature film debut. The film explores the cyclical nature of violence, showing how generational wounds and unresolved grievances can escalate into tragedy. If you’re looking for a thriller with more emotional depth and more complex characters with a devastating plot, then this is the film for you.
2. In Her Skin (2009)
These days true crime stories are seemingly more popular than ever, and this Aussie psychological thriller/drama will certainly please the fans of the genre. Despite featuring internationally well-known names like Guy Pearce, Miranda Otto, and Sam Neill, “In Her Skin” didn’t get much attention. The thing with the movie is that the less talked about the plot, the better. Let’s just say it’s about the lives of two completely different girls, and one of them gets disappeared.
The film explores what’s the story behind her abduction and what’s going on between two young girls. The narrative is fractured, shifting perspectives between Rachel’s family, Caroline, and the police investigation, creating a mosaic of grief, guilt, and obsession. Don’t let it make you feel like it’s gonna be some confusing film. Not at all; it’s very straightforward, but it gives enough time and space for all of its characters, so we can understand (if not condone) all the sides in the story.
It’s always admirable in thrillers and acting performances when you understand the character but still feel very disturbed by the events. That just shows that it’s a character study done well. Ruth Bradley’s performance is the highlight, but everybody else, including the famous faces of the cast, are all doing a good job, adding depth to the story.
The film works both as a drama and a thriller because we do feel sorry for the tragedy going on, but we’re also feeling the tension of the investigation. The cinematography is effective, especially how it contrasts the realities of these two girls. Again, trying to not spoil much, because that’s the best way to watch this film. It has things to say about mental health problems among teenagers, and while it’s a film that goes to dark sides occasionally, it also treats its subject with sensitivity and depth.
1. Cop (1988)
A lot of people are sick and tired of sequels and reboots, mostly because not all of them are “Top Gun: Maverick.” Many of them are just soulless cash grabs, but you have to admit, sometimes you watch a film and you can’t get enough of it and wish there was a sequel with this character in some way. “Cop” is one of those. Based on a James Ellroy novel, the film follows Detective Lloyd Hopkins, an obsessive and morally dubious cop investigating a series of brutal murders.
Back in time, James Woods was one of the most interesting, energetic, and intense actors on the screen, and this character plays to his strengths so well. The character is charming and charismatic but also deeply flawed. He gives a certain sense of danger to his performance, which makes it even more exciting to watch. He is somewhat Woods’ own Dirty Harry. The script has some dark humor and sharp dialogues as well, and his fast-talking acting style suits here so well. There are just so many layers to this character that make him interesting. The mystery aspect is so well done; the film goes to places you don’t even expect.
The film is not interested in cheap detective film tricks or shock factor (though there are some genuinely disturbing images that feel like a horror film); instead, it builds a complex case with lots of interesting supporting characters. Director James B. Harris is more remembered as a producer of Kubrick films, but he’s directed a couple of thrillers, and this is his best one. The cinematography, which has that 80s gritty LA atmosphere, is also worth mentioning. This is the kind of film one would wish we’d get more of: just a distinctive mystery story with a morally complex character and a provocative storyline.