Psychological horror thrillers delve into the darkest recesses of the mind, blending fear, tension, and paranoia to create an atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. On Netflix, you’ll find a selection of spine-chilling psychological horror thrillers that challenge your perception of reality and push the boundaries of horror. From the haunting narrative of Gerald’s Game to the eerie and unsettling The Perfection, these psychological horror thrillers will leave you unsettled. If you are in the mood for some psychological tension mixed with elements of horror and thriller, the following movies (psychological horror thrillers) will introduce you to some of the best available on Netflix right now.
1. Run (2020)
This movie centres around the intense and suspenseful relationship between a mother and her daughter. It stars Sarah Paulson as Diane Sherman, a mother who appears to be the perfect caregiver to her wheelchair-bound daughter, Chloe (Kiera Allen). However, as the story unfolds, Chloe begins to uncover unsettling secrets about her mother’s true nature, leading to a gripping tale of fear, manipulation, and survival. The tight narrative, strong performances, and the way it builds tension and keeps you on the edge of your seat. With its claustrophobic setting and edgy suspense, the movie is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers.
2. Gerald’s Game
Based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King, this psychological horror thriller tells the harrowing story of Jessie Burlingame (Carla Gugino) and her husband Gerald (Bruce Greenwood), who take a vacation to a remote lake house to rekindle their marriage. To spice things up, Gerald suggests a bondage game, handcuffing Jessie to the bed. However, things take a terrifying turn when Gerald suddenly dies of a heart attack, leaving Jessie trapped, and handcuffed to the bed with no one around to help her. As time passes, Jessie begins to experience dehydration, fatigue, and hallucinations, leading to a series of disturbing visions. She is forced to face traumatic memories from her past, including the abuse she suffered as a child, which resurfaces. The movie masterfully combines psychological horror with physical tension, making it a gripping and unsettling watch.
3. Smile
Therapist Dr Rose Cotter’s life is shattered when one of her patients takes her own life after claiming to be haunted by an evil entity that appears in the form of a smiling figure. While dying, the patient smiles eerily at Rose. Following the traumatic event, Rose starts seeing disturbing visions of people unnaturally smiling at her. As the hallucinations intensify, Rose becomes paranoid, fearing that she is being hunted by the same supernatural force that drove her patient to madness. On investigation Rose finds a chilling pattern of deaths and realises that the entity feeds on trauma and is passed from person to person, leaving a trail of death in its wake. Before the madness consumes her completely, Rose confronts the entity and her past traumas to break the curse. The unsettling atmosphere, eerie visuals, and the slow build-up of tension make it a compelling watch. The second instalment is set to release in October this year and will bring to screen a new story.
4. Cam (2018)
The movie follows Alice, a camgirl who performs live-streamed adult content under the pseudonym Lola. Alice is ambitious and dedicated to her work, striving to become one of the top performers on the platform. Her life takes a dark turn when she finds that her online persona, Lola, is cloned by an imposter, who looks exactly like her, takes over her identity and ruins her reputation. As Alice tries to find the doppelgänger and regain control of her life, she gets caught in a nightmarish situation where her online and offline realities fuse. The unique premise, which combines elements of psychological and horror with a modern digital twist, makes it a thought-provoking and unsettling viewing experience.
5. Jacob’s Ladder
Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is a Vietnam War veteran, who experiences hallucinations and nightmares after returning from the war. As Jacob struggles to make sense of his fragmented reality, he becomes paranoid and disoriented. The narrative oscillates between Jacob’s traumatic memories from the war, his troubled present, and a series of bizarre and terrifying visions. These visions often feature grotesque imagery, blurring the line between reality and hallucination. As Jacob tries to uncover the truth behind his experiences, he learns about a secret government experiment known as The Ladder, which has led him toward insanity. Jacob’s journey to find the truth leads to an unexpected end that will tug at your heartstrings.
6. Regression
This psychological horror-thriller is set in the 1990s and revolves around a father, John Gray (David Dencik), who is accused of sexually abusing his teenage daughter, Angela (Emma Watson). The case attracts media attention, particularly due to the involvement of a detective named Bruce Kenner (Ethan Hawke), who is investigating the accusations. As Detective Kenner delves deeper into the case, he finds that Angela’s accusations may be part of a satanic ritual abuse. Kenner’s pursuit of the truth leads him to unsettling and disturbing truths that challenge his beliefs and perceptions. The movie mixes elements of psychological horror with crime thriller to create a tense narrative.
7. The Perfection
Charlotte (Allison Williams), a former prodigy who left the academy to care for her dying mother, returns to reconnect with her former mentor, Anton. While helping Anton select new students, Charlotte befriends the current star pupil, Lizzy (Logan Browning). The two take a vacation to China where a jealous Charlotte implements her sinister plan of removing Lizzy from the academy for taking her place. As the plot progresses, shocking and disturbing events are revealed. The unexpected twists and a blend of psychological horror with disturbing and visceral elements, make the movie a gripping watch.
