Psychological thrillers have a way of getting under your skin, keeping you on edge long after the movie ends. From tense mind games to stories that blur the line between reality and delusion, this genre thrives on pure shock factor.
Luckily for streaming enthusiasts, Prime Video has a rich library of titles that will satisfy anyone craving a chilling, cerebral ride. Whether you prefer slow-burning tension, shocking reveals, or morally complex characters, there’s something here for every thriller fan.
In this list, we’ve rounded up five of the best psychological thriller movies currently available on Prime Video.
‘Blink Twice’ (2024)
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I went into “Blink Twice” knowing virtually nothing. That meant no trailer, no plot summary, nothing. Walking in blind turned out to be the best decision, because the less I knew, the more unsettling and intense the psychological twists felt.
Frida (Naomi Ackie), a nail-art-loving cocktail waitress, works a high-profile event alongside her friend Jess (Alia Shawkat). There, the charming and enigmatic tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) takes notice and invites the pair to join him and his eclectic circle on a private island getaway.
The moment they arrive, their phones are confiscated and they’re treated to luxurious accommodations, lavish gifts, and heady cocktails.
Initially, Frida and Jess find themselves immersed in paradise, mingling with Slater’s friends and basking in fine food and indulgent company. But subtle oddities begin to creep in: visitors with matching snake tattoos, memory fogs, and a domestic worker who strangely calls Frida “Red Rabbit.”
Stream it on Prime Video
‘Speak No Evil’ (2024)
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If there’s a single reason to watch “Speak No Evil,” it’s James McAvoy. He delivers one of the most compelling performances of his career, and frankly, his presence alone can overshadow any small missteps, particularly if you’ve seen the original and feel the urge to compare.
“Speak No Evil” follows the Dalton family — Louise (Mackenzie Davis), Ben (Scoot McNairy), and their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler) — as they embark on a seemingly idyllic weekend getaway to a remote English farmhouse.
The invitation comes from a British couple, Paddy (McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi), whom they met during a vacation in Italy.
Initially charmed by their hosts, the Daltons soon find themselves unsettled by increasingly odd and intrusive behavior. As the weekend progresses, the family’s discomfort escalates, leading to a tense and harrowing situation.
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‘Memento’ (2000)
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Christopher Nolan delivers another masterclass in psychological thrillers with “Memento.” The movie intricately examines how far someone will go to seek justice, weaving a story that challenges perception and memory. Its densely layered narrative rewards repeated viewings, with each watch uncovering fresh details and deeper insights into its carefully constructed puzzle.
Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) is a man on a mission. After a traumatic incident, he suffers from short-term memory loss, leaving him unable to form new memories. To cope, he develops a meticulous system of notes, photographs, and tattoos to track information and people, determined to piece together the events that led to his wife’s death.
The story unfolds in a unique, disorienting structure: scenes are presented both forwards and backwards, mirroring Leonard’s fractured memory. As he investigates, he encounters a mix of allies and potential threats, each interaction further blurring the line between truth and deception.
Leonard’s reliance on his own records and the people around him becomes a tense balancing act, as every decision carries weight he can’t fully recall.
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‘The Handmaiden’ (2016)
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“The Handmaiden” is a compelling psychological thriller that intertwines deception, desire, and betrayal within a meticulously crafted narrative. The movie’s intricate plot is divided into three parts, each offering a new perspective that recontextualizes the story’s events.
Set in 1930s Korea under Japanese colonial rule, “The Handmaiden” follows Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri), a young Korean pickpocket, who is recruited by a conman posing as Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo).
Their scheme involves Sook-hee becoming the handmaiden to Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee), a wealthy Japanese heiress living under the strict supervision of her uncle, Kouzuki (Cho Jin-woong). The plan is for Sook-hee to help Fujiwara seduce Lady Hideko, marry her, and have her committed to an asylum to claim her fortune.
However, as Sook-hee and Lady Hideko grow closer, unexpected emotions and complexities arise, leading to a series of twists and revelations.
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‘Saint Maud’ (2019)
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Horror fans, I have a solid pick for you. “Saint Maud” is a dark psychological thriller that isn’t afraid to be frightening, as it delves into the unraveling mind of a devout nurse whose obsession with saving her patient’s soul takes a chilling and unpredictable turn.
Maud (Morfydd Clark), a deeply devout and socially isolated young nurse, takes on the care of Amanda (Jennifer Ehle), a glamorous but terminally ill dancer who lives alone in a modernist house. Maud is obsessed with salvation and sees her work as a calling, determined to guide Amanda toward spiritual redemption.
As she tends to Amanda, Maud becomes increasingly consumed by her own beliefs, and the boundaries between her faith, reality, and obsession begin to blur.
The movie follows Maud’s descent into a world where her intense devotion and fragile mental state collide, creating a tense, unsettling atmosphere. As she interprets every action and word through the lens of her religious conviction, small incidents escalate into moments of profound dread.
Stream it on Prime Video
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