The Best Psychological Thrillers to Stream Now

Mar. 15, 2025

Hugh Grant in ‘Heretic,’ 2024.Photo:A24

A24

Psychological thrillers blend elements of horror, drama and suspense, creating stories that can be both heart-stopping and captivating.

Whether you’regetting inside the head of a criminal like inJokeror literally separating your work life from your personal one like onSeverance, psychological thrillers can offer up gripping stories — all from the safety of your home.

Here’s your guide to the best psychological thrillers streaming right now.

Netflix

Ripley

Andrew Scott in ‘Ripley’.Netflix

WatchRipleyon Netflix

Fair Play

Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor in ‘Fair Play,’ 2023.Sergej Radovic/Netflix

Sergej Radovic/Netflix

Financial analysts Emily Meyers (Phoebe Dynevor) and Luke Edmunds (Alden Ehrenreich) find themselves in a hidden romance within their shared workplace: a high-pressure Manhattan hedge fund office. However, when Emily secures a promotion that Luke coveted,their relationship is strained to its limits.

WatchFair Playon Netflix

Gerald’s Game

Carla Gugino in ‘Gerald’s Game,’ 2017.Netflix

In this Mike Flanagan-directed psychological horror adapted from aStephen Kingnovel, Jessie (Carla Gugino) and Gerald Burlingame (Bruce Greenwood) travel to a secluded Alabama lake house to reignite the spark in their marriage. However, when their foreplay takes a fatal turn with Gerald’s sudden death, Jessie — shackled to the bed without a key — has to summon every ounce of strength to survive, all while dealing with her inner demons.

WatchGerald’s Gameon Netflix

The Watcher

WatchThe Watcheron Netflix

1922

Thomas Jane in ‘1922,’ 2017.Amazon Studios

Amazon Studios

Based on Stephen King’s novella of the same name, Netflix’s1922is a mix of psychological horror and drama. In the film, Wilf (Thomas Jane) convinces his son to help murder his wife after hearing she wants to sell their family farm and move to the city. After the murder, Wilf’s life crumbles under his own guilt and the trauma of his actions, leaving audiences to wonder if he’s still a villain … or now a victim.

Watch1922on Netflix

Severance

To cope with the loss of his wife, Mark Scout (Adam Scott) takes a job at Lumon Industries, where he undergoes “severance” — a procedure that splits his work self (the “innie”) from his real-life identity (the “outie”). But when strange events disrupt the sterile order of his workplace, Mark’s innie begins to question what’s actually going on at Lumon.The second seasonis airing now, dropping a new episode every Friday through March 21.

Disclaimer

Presumed Innocent

Based on Scott Turow’s 1987 novel of the same name,Presumed InnocentstarsJake Gyllenhaalas the chief deputy prosecutor Rusty Sabich — a married man who develops an obsession with his colleague/mistress, Carolyn (Renate Reinsve). However, when Carolyn is found dead, Rusty becomes the No. 1 suspect of her murder and must fight to prove his innocence while trying to salvage his marriage. The series has been renewed for a second season.

Constellation

Hulu

Missing

Storm Reid and Megan Suri in ‘Missing,’ 2023.Sony Pictures Entertainment/Courtesy Everett

Sony Pictures Entertainment/Courtesy Everett

Missingis a standalone sequel to the 2018 hitSearching. In the film, a daughter (Euphoria’sStorm Reid) searches for her mother after she fails to return from a vacation to South America. The entire movie is shown through laptops, phones and security footage, and it’s never clear who the audience can trust.

WatchMissingon Hulu

Femme

George MacKay in ‘Femme,’ 2023.Everett/Shutterstock

Everett/Shutterstock

After a brutal homophobic attack leaves drag queen Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) with shattered confidence, the now-careerless artist stumbles upon one of his attackers (George MacKay) in a gay bathhouse. Unrecognizable out of drag, Jules gets the chance to approach him discreetly and pursues a relationship with him to get sweet revenge.

WatchFemmeon Hulu

Eileen

Thomasin McKenzie in ‘Eileen,’ 2023.NEON/YouTube

NEON/YouTube

In this 2023 psychological thriller based on Ottessa Moshfegh’s book of the same name,Anne Hathawaystars as Rebecca — the mysterious, cigarette-smoking psychologist who begins to mentor her fellow employee Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie). As they bothgrow closer while working at a prison in 1960s Massachusetts, their unique relationship sends Eileen into a dark and twisted spiral.

WatchEileenon Hulu

The Royal Hotel

Jessica Henwick and Julia Garner in ‘The Royal Hotel,’ 2023.NEON

NEON

WatchThe Royal Hotelon Hulu

Clock

Dianna Agron in ‘Clock,’ 2023.Courtesy of Hulu

In 2023’sClock,Dianna Agronplays Ella Patel, whose family and friends convince her to have a child before she gets too old. Unable to become pregnant, Ella undergoes an experimental procedure that produces horrible hallucinations and volatile behavior. Throughout the film, Ella must grapple with the pressures that society and her religion place on women to be nothing more than mothers.

WatchClockon Hulu

Boston Strangler

Keira Knightley in ‘Boston Strangler,’ 2022.20th Century Studios

The unbelievable true story of theBoston Stranglercase is chronicled in Hulu’s 2023 film starringKeira Knightley. Knightley plays journalist Loretta McLaughlin, who is desperately trying to track down the person responsible for 13 murders in just a decade. But with unreliable informants, potential accomplices and the possibility of copycat killings, audiences are left guessing until the very end.

WatchBoston Strangleron Hulu

Run

Sarah Paulson in ‘Run,’ 2020.Allen Fraser

WatchRunon Hulu

Candy

Melanie Lynskey and Jessica Biel in ‘Candy’.Tina Rowden/Hulu

WatchCandyon Hulu

The Clearing

Julia Savage in ‘The Clearing’.Narelle Portanier/Hulu

Narelle Portanier/Hulu

In the 2023 miniseriesThe Clearing, a woman tries to stop a cult from killing a missing girl, but to do so, she must confront her inner demons and examine her own upbringing in a cult. The series is loaded with suspense and puts a psychological twist on the crime thriller genre. Leading the cast areTeresa Palmer, Miranda Otto andGuy Pearce.

WatchThe Clearingon Hulu

Amazon Prime Video

Blink Twice

Naomi Ackie and Adria Arjona in ‘Blink Twice,’ 2024.Carlos Somonte/Amazon

Carlos Somonte/Amazon

In this Cinderella story gone wrong, cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) catches the eye of charming tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) at his own charity gala. Upon meeting, Frida and her friend, Jess (Alia Shawkat), accept his invitation to join him and his entourage on his private island. But after the days in paradise blur together, Frida’s euphoric haze is disrupted when Jess — who had warned her that something sinister was happening on the island — suddenly disappears.

WatchBlink Twiceon Amazon Prime Video

Saltburn

Barry Keoghan in ‘Saltburn,’ 2023.Courtesy Prime

Courtesy Prime

Igniting social media trends,viral candle scentsand frequent mentions at awards shows, the nameSaltburnhas likely crossed your path — but consider this as a sign to finally press play.Emerald Fennell’s deliciously disturbing thriller takes audiences on a sun-drenched yet disorienting vacation to the king-size estate of Saltburn, where Oxford student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the orbit of Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) and his vibrant, eccentric family.

WatchSaltburnon Amazon Prime Video

The Invisible Man

Elisabeth Moss in ‘The Invisible Man,’ 2020.Universal

Universal

Adapted from the classic H.G. Wells short story of the same name,The Invisible Man(2020) is a traditional thriller with a few major twists. With a suit that allows the wearer to become invisible, scientist Adrian Griffin uses the technology to terrorize his ex, Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss). To get her life back, Cecilia must find out who is stalking her and how to stop them.

WatchThe Invisible Manon Amazon Prime Video

Dead Ringers

Rachel Weisz in ‘Dead Ringers’.Niko Tavernise/Prime Video

WatchDead Ringerson Amazon Prime Video

Homecoming

Julia Roberts on ‘Homecoming’.Tod Campbell/Amazon Prime Video

Tod Campbell/Amazon Prime Video

In season 1 ofHomecoming, the Homecoming Transitional Support Center offers a place for soldiers with PTSD to heal and readjust to the civilian world. But in helping these soldiers, the facility has another, darker goal, unbeknownst to its patients. Julia Roberts leads a fantastic cast that includesDermot Mulroney,Stephan JamesandSissy Spacek.

WatchHomecomingon Amazon Prime Video

Black Box

Mamoudou Athie in ‘Black Box,’ 2020.Amazon Studios

After surviving a deadly car accident, a widower (Mamoudou Athie) receives an experimental treatment meant to bring back memories and improve his concentration. But the procedure is not what he expected, and everything he believes to be real is turned upside down. The film premiered in 2020 as part of Prime Video’sWelcome to the Blumhouseanthology film series.

WatchBlack Boxon Amazon Prime Video

Max

Heretic

Hugh Grant in ‘Heretic,’ 2024.A24

While visiting individuals who’ve previously expressed interest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, two Mormon missionaries — Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (Chloe East) — knock on the door of a reclusive middle-aged professor (Hugh Grant). What starts as a friendly discussion about their faith soonturns into a disturbing mind gamemeant to dismantle the young women’s beliefs and religion itself.

WatchHereticon Max on March 7

A Different Man

Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve and Adam Pearson in ‘A Different Man,’ 2024.Courtesy of A24

Courtesy of A24

In this A24 psychological thriller, Golden Globe-winnerSebastian Stanplays Edward, a struggling actor whose neurofibromatosis has left him with severe facial disfigurement. Years after undergoingan experimental medical treatment that radically alters his appearance, he has now reinvented himself as “Guy Moratz.” However, when another actor with the same medical condition, Oswald (Adam Pearson), shows up at the theater where “Guy” has landed a role, Edward becomes consumed with the need to reclaim what he feels is rightfully his.

WatchA Different Manon Max

Trap

Josh Hartnett in ‘Trap,’ 2024.Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

At first glance, Cooper (Josh Hartnett) seems like an ordinary dad, taking his teen daughter (Ariel Donoghue) to a Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan) concert. But what he doesn’t know is that the event is a covert FBI sting operation, and he’s the target: a notorious serial killer known as the Butcher. With surveillance cameras in place and police waiting to attack, Cooper will need to stay sharp if he’s going to outsmart the trap and make it out alive.

WatchTrapon Max

Joker

Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Joker,’ 2019.Niko Tavernise

In the gritty streets of early-1980s Gotham City, aspiring stand-up comedian Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) paints his face with blotchy makeup for his job as a clown, longing to carve out a space for himself in the world. Yet, as society subjects him to perpetual bullying and neglect, Fleck’s tenuous grip on reality falters — paving the way for the dawn of his villainous identity, the Joker. (Be sure to catchthe 2024 sequelstarring Phoenix andLady Gaga, now available on Max.)

WatchJokeron Max

Black Swan

Natalie Portman in ‘Black Swan,’ 2010.Fox Searchlight/Kobal/Shutterstock

In this 2010 psychological thriller,Natalie Portmangracefully steps into the pointe shoes of a dedicated ballerina named Nina. When the principal dancer retires — leaving the lead role inTchaikovsky’sSwan Lakeup for grabs — the company’s artistic director (Vincent Cassel) seeks someone to portray both the innocent White Swan and the seductive Black Swan. Nina, ideal for the former role, finds her match in her enigmatic rival Lily (Mila Kunis), igniting a corrupt friendship as her mind descends into a dark spiral.

WatchBlack Swanon Max

The Outsider

Ben Mendelsohn and Cynthia Erivo in ‘The Outsider’.Bob Mahoney/HBO

Bob Mahoney/HBO

WatchThe Outsideron Max

Peacock

Speak No Evil

Dan Hough, Aisling Franciosi and James McAvoy in ‘Speak No Evil,’ 2024.Universal Studios

Universal Studios

On a trip to the Italian countryside, American couple Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy) hit it off with carefree British couple Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi). The Daltons later take up their new friends’ offer of staying at their secluded farmhouse in Devon, England. But as soon as they settle in, the hosts begin a deadly game — testing just how far they can push their guests' limits.

WatchSpeak No Evilon Peacock

Promising Young Woman

Carey Mulligan in ‘Promising Young Woman,’ 2020.Merie Weismiller Wallace/Focus Features/THA/Shutterstock

Merie Weismiller Wallace/Focus Features/THA/Shutterstock

Emerald Fennell’s directorial debut — whichsnagged her an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay— follows Cassie (Carey Mulligan), a med school dropout who orchestrates her own form of justice: playing the drunken damsel at nightclubs to expose predatory men. Reconnecting with a former classmate, Ryan (Bo Burnham), Cassie’s journey takes a dark twist as shetakes revenge on those who’ve wronged her best friend.

WatchPromising Young Womanon Peacock

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Tilda Swinton in ‘We Need To Talk About Kevin,’ 2011.Bbc Films/Kobal/Shutterstock

Bbc Films/Kobal/Shutterstock

WatchWe Need to Talk About Kevinon Peacock

Donnie Darko

Jake Gyllenhaal in ‘Donnie Darko,’ 2001.Newmarket Releasing/Courtesy Everett Collection

Newmarket Releasing/Courtesy Everett Collection

InRichard Kelly’s cult classic, teenager Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins to slip in and out of a space-time disturbance. A mysterious rabbit figure tells him the world is ending, and Donnie narrowly escapes death — for the time being. The indie film’s cast includes Jake’s sisterMaggie Gyllenhaal,Drew BarrymoreandPatrick Swayze.

WatchDonnie Darkoon Peacock

Paramount+

Strange Darling

Willa Fitzgerald in ‘Strange Darling,’ 2023.Magenta Light Studios

Magenta Light Studios

In JT Mollner’s acclaimed psychological thriller, a one-night stand ignites a killer cat-and-mouse game between “the Lady” (Willa Fitzgerald) and “the Demon” (Kyle Gallner). Told across six chapters, its non-linear structure puts a fresh spin on the genre, keeping audiences guessing at every turn.

WatchStrange Darlingon Paramount+

Smile

Sosie Bason (left) in ‘Smile,’ 2022.Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett

WatchSmileon Paramount+

Smile 2

Ray Nicholson in ‘Smile 2,’ 2024.Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Smile 2might follow the same blueprint as its predecessor — but with higher stakes, even more unpredictable scares and one hell of a soundtrack. One year after a life-changing car accident, pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) is ready to revive her career with a world tour. However, when she witnesses her drug dealer’s (Lukas Gage) suicide, she becomes the next victim of the parasitic entity that forces its victims to hallucinate smiling faces until they reach the same end.

WatchSmile 2on Paramount+

What Lies Beneath

Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘What Lies Beneath,’ 2000.Archive Photos/Getty Images

Archive Photos/Getty Images

The hit 2000 supernatural thrillerWhat Lies Beneathfollows married couple Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Norman (Harrison Ford), who seemingly have a perfect life until a supernatural entity reveals a tragic secret. Claire begins to put the pieces together — but she realizes she might be trapped in a deadly game.

WatchWhat Lies Beneathon Paramount+

Beau Is Afraid

Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Beau Is Afraid,’ 2023.A24

From the creative genius behind psychological horrors likeHereditary(2018) andMidsommar(2019) comes a surrealist tragicomedy about a fear-ridden, agoraphobic man named Beau Wasserman, who confronts his biggest fears on an emotional odyssey to get home to his mother. With Joaquin Phoenix playing the adult Beau and Armen Nahapetian as his younger self,Beau Is Afraidshowcases outstanding performances from a talented cast includingPatti LuPone,Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan,Parker Poseyand more.

WatchBeau Is Afraidon Paramount+

Significant Other

Maika Monroe in ‘Significant Other,’ 2022.Allyson Riggs/Paramount+

Allyson Riggs/Paramount+

In 2022’sSignificant Other, invading aliens begin harvesting humans and taking their shape. Their first target before launching a full-blown invasion is a couple hiking in the woods. It’s impossible to know who is real and who is a decoy in this wildly trippy ride. The film starsMaika Monroeand Emmy nomineeJake Lacy.

WatchSignificant Otheron Paramount+

Disney+

WandaVision

Elizabeth Olsen on ‘WandaVision’.Marvel Studios

Elizabeth OlsenandPaul Bettanyreprised their roles as Avengers Wanda Maximoff and Vision in the 2020 miniseriesWandaVision. In the series, Wanda and Vision live the perfect suburban life… or so they think. The walls of reality begin to blur, and the couple realize they’re in danger. Also in the cast wasKathryn Hahn, who stole the show as audience favorite Agatha Harkness — she now has her own spinoff series,Agatha All Along.

WatchWandaVisionon Disney+

Moon Knight

Oscar Isaac on ‘Moon Knight’.Disney+/Courtesy Everett

Disney+/Courtesy Everett

The 2022 seriesMoon Knightwas notable for taking a much darker tone than other Marvel productions. It follows Steven Grant (Oscar Isaac), a gift shop employee who realizes he has an alter ego, Marc Spector, a mercenary with connections to Egyptian gods. On top of being an action-packed series, the show is one of the most unique Marvel entities to date.

WatchMoon Knighton Disney+

source: people.com