Top psychological thrillers of yesteryear
You know those days where you find yourself stuck indoors… Nothing to do? And, perhaps, the weather outside is wet and gloomy, writes Jonny Anderson.
Scraping the walls of your mind, you can’t think of a single way to pass the time. Maybe the idea of watching a film seems old, repetitive or boring to you? Well, I believe these three films are an exception:
Se7en (18+). Released 1995. Crime / Horror. Running time: 2 hours 10 minutes
‘Seven’ is a (very) sombre film featuring household names Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey. Set in what would appear to be New York City, the plot consists of two cops: David Mills (Brad Pitt) and almost-retired Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman).
They’re investigating the multiple twisted and impending murders carried out by the deranged ‘John Doe’ (Kevin Spacey).
The film title is linked to the perhaps-not-so-reasonable-reasoning behind Doe’s murders: The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Greed, Wrath, Envy, Lust, Gluttony and Sloth.
I don’t think a better word could be used to describe this film other than ‘sinister.’ It’s certainly not for those with sensitive souls as most of the killings are extremely graphic.
Interestingly enough, it rains for the majority of the film. However, it’s the last scene, which happens to be, in a way, the most disturbing of them all.
It’s sunny and dry when the jaw-dropping plot twist is revealed, which is just one of many amazing ways this movie plays with contrast.
Other than that you can expect a real moody atmosphere throughout. Dark, dingy and dimly-lit rooms with pale green filters – I never knew such a typically ‘safe’ colour could be so chilling…
Image: SeventyFour / Shutterstock
The Silence of the Lambs (18+). Released 1991. Horror / Crime. Running time: 1 hour 58 minutes
Hannibal Lecter is a name so many of us quickly recognise. Played fantastically by Sir Anthony Hopkins, he’s surely one of the most infamous villains in modern film.
He’s one of the main antagonists in the three blockbusters: Red Dragon (2002), The Silence of the Lambs (1991)and Hannibal (2001). The Hannibal trilogy, if you will.
In the real world, The Silence of the Lambs is the first out of the three films but in the world of film it actually takes place after Red Dragon (2002).
The plot entails a young, keen and courageous FBI trainee from West Virginia: Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) who has been given the dubious ‘pleasure’ of interviewing Dr. Lecter – all in the hope of obtaining his help to identify, and catch, the morbid Buffalo Bill, aka Jame Gumb (Ted Levine).
Women keep going missing. Some are found murdered. There is seemingly no connections between these women – and no clear pattern shown in the killings.
Starling and Lecter have continuous encounters in the high-security institute where the crazed doctor is kept and Lecter is happy to help Clarice solve the case – on his terms…
Sir Anthony Hopkins does an exceptional job, he makes you feel ‘on edge’ whenever his character appears on your screen.
His portrayal of Hannibal Lector provides us with a really convincing performance of an individual who’s truly deranged. Not to mention Jodie Foster’s amazing delivery of Agent Starling who you cannot help but empathise with – yet also admire throughout the film.
Image: MK studio / Shutterstock
Scarface (18+). Released 1983. Crime / Thriller. Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes
With names such as Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer, Scarface is a personal favourite of mine. It’s actually a remake of the original 1932 Scarface directed by Howard Hawks.
Set in 1980s Miami, the aesthetics and themes of this classic are just electric. Tony Montana (Al Pacino) is a Cuban immigrant who’s involved in the ‘Mariel boatlift.’
The boatlift was a large-scale migration where 125,000 Cubans fled to the USA due to economic hardships and political repression.
Anyway, Montana and his close friend, Manny Ribera (Steven Bauer) soon realise The American Dream isn’t what they thought it’d be…
That is, until they discover Miami’s criminal underworld and how quickly they can make their way to the top of the food chain due to their cold, killer instinct.
While chasing the rise to the top, Tony also ends up chasing Elvira Hancock, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, who happens to be his Boss’ wife, in a desperate pursuit to make her his lover.
Surely this film has some of the best and most iconic scenes, and quotes, in movie history? It has many absurd plot twists throughout, ranging from small to large. Just writing about it is making me want to put it on!
As he gets bigger in the world of drug-dealing and starts ‘getting high on his own supply,’ the crippling pressure and paranoia start to creep up on Tony – and life isn’t just money, girls, cars and guns anymore.
He begins to lose himself and becomes almost hypnotised by his own success. He’s watching his world crumble in front of him… but he can’t quit. Friends and family killed. And relationships lost…
The film really shows the viewer what life is really like at the top of the crime world and how it can all end in tears with a click of the fingers, or, maybe, the dialling of a phone…
Breaktime News’ coverage of movie releases includes a number of this summer’s blockbuster films.
This article was first published on Breaktime News on 04 July, 2025.
