The 1980s were a successful decade for thethrillergenre, and produced plenty of hidden gems. Some of the best suspense-ridden movies in the history of cinema debuted during that period. The period opened with a disturbing masterpiece of fear withThe Shining,and it proceeded to give the audience more cinematographic gems. While some80s cult classic movieslikeThe Blade Runnerare still remembered and praised, others appear to be largely overlooked by today’s public.
Perhaps they were overshadowed by bigger names when they first came out, or they simply faded into obscurity over the years. Like many subsequentunderrated 90s thrillers, plenty of great representatives of this genre from the 1980s deserve a second look. Audiences, especially those who are attracted to the dark allure of psychologically disturbing and emotionally intriguing stories, deserve the opportunity to rediscover these hidden treasures.
Some of the 80s' most underrated thrillers came from unlikely sources, like Robert Benton’sStill of the Night. Having previously worked with Streep onKramer vs. Kramer, director Robert Benton, took a completely different approach with the psychological thriller.A beautifully shot homage to Alfred Hitchcock, the movie boasts an outstanding cast, including Meryl Streep and Roy Scheider. The story follows Sam Rice, a psychiatrist who finds himself entangled in an investigation for murder after one of his patients is mysteriously killed.
The doctor becomes increasingly drawn to Brooke, the beautiful and enigmatic mistress of the victim, whose suspicious connection to the crime casts doubts on her innocence. As the doctor delves deeper into the story, he ends up caught between paranoia and fascination with her, even as he knows she could prove deadly dangerous.The movie pays tribute to the most iconic scenes in Hitchcock’s films, such asVertigo,Psycho,andNorth by Northwest, and stands well alongside those thriller classics.
Still of the Night
67%
47%
Dead Calm
Cast
Dead Calm is a thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane. The film follows a couple on a yacht trip who encounter a stranger and becomes embroiled in a tense struggle for survival on the open sea. As the suspense intensifies, they must navigate psychological and physical challenges to protect themselves.
One of the greatest Australian thrillers ever made,Dead Calmstars Nicole Kidman and Sam Neill as Rae and John, an unfortunate couple who have just lost their son in a terrible car accident. Following the tragedy, John suggests they go on a vacation together on their yacht, where they can be isolated from the rest of the world and free to grieve. What appeared to be a bittersweet story of healing, however, takes a terrifying turn when they encounter and save a stranger, Billy Zane’s Hughie, who claims his boat was sinking.
Surrounded by water and alienated by society,Rae and John find themselves in a psychological nightmarewhile trying to uncover the true motivations behind the unstable Hughie. The film keeps the audience attached to the screen through a combination of anxiety and suspense, helped by the excellent performance of Zane. This overlooked 1980s thriller is a must-watch, melding deeply felt tragedy with an intense character study.
84%
63%
A movie inspired by the cinematographic masterpiece of Michelangelo Antonioni,Blowupshould never be forgotten. Unfortunately, whenBlow Outcame out in 1981, it did not receive a lot of attention from the public, even while attracting the attention of critics with its tense story and compelling use of the film post-production as the source of drama. Directed by Brian De Palma,this overlooked 80s thriller has gathered more fansin recent years.
Jack Terry, played by John Travolta, works as an audio technician for low-budget horror and slasher movies. However, one evening while attempting to record some sounds to use for his latest job, he accidentally audiotapes the evidence of what could be a murder. As curiosity overwhelms him, Jack delves deeper into a dangerous game where he could lose more than he expected. De Palma’s ability to gradually build suspense as the mystery untanglesinfuses this story with a sense of dread and intriguetypical of the best examples of the genre.
88%
81%
House of Games
House of Games is a psychological thriller directed by David Mamet. The film stars Lindsay Crouse as Dr. Margaret Ford, a psychiatrist who becomes entangled in the world of con artists while trying to help a patient. Joe Mantegna plays Mike, a charismatic grifter who introduces her to the art of the scam, challenging her perceptions of reality and trust. The film explores themes of deception and manipulation.
House of Gamesis a neo-noir thriller that marked the directorial debut of David Mamet in 1987.The movie is a tense story of deception and scamsthat delves deep into a brutal world of psychological manipulation and lies. Lindsay Crouse plays Dr. Margaret Ford, a successful and well-respected psychiatrist who grows increasingly fascinated with the world of con artists.
10 Thriller Movies That Are Nearly Perfect
These great thriller movies are almost perfect but mishandled some things concerning their style or themes that keeps them from true greatness.
As the story progresses, Dr. Ford comes face to face with Joe Mantegna’s Mike, a charismatic gambler and con man who introduces her to the nuances and subtleties of the world she is attempting to understand.Mamet’s exploration of themes of trust, betrayal, and deception are perfectly woveninto each scene, while the constant element of doubt and surprise keeps the viewers interested throughout the whole movie.House of Gamesis an overlooked gem from the 1980s that is worth rediscovering.
97%
79%
The Morning After
The Morning After is a 1986 thriller directed by Sidney Lumet starring Jane Fonda as an alcoholic actress who wakes up next to a dead man and struggles to piece together her memories of the previous night. Jeff Bridges plays an ex-cop who becomes involved in her plight. The film examines themes of identity, addiction, and trust, set against the backdrop of a suspenseful murder mystery.
Featuring Jane Fonda, Jeff Bridges, and Raul Julia,The Morning Afteris a psychological thriller directed by Sidney Lumet that carries a pained human undercurrent to the genre. The movie received generally positive reviews but is often overlooked despite a strong cast and heavy storyline. The story follows Alex, played by Jane Fonda, an actress on a downward career spiral who struggles with severe alcohol dependence.
The strong performances inThe Morning Afterhelp make an interesting thriller an even more captivating watch.
The woman wakes up on Thanksgiving with a terrible hangover and the corpse of a murdered photographer murdered by her side. Unable to remember, Alex is paralyzed by the fear of her involvement in the horrible crime, and finds herself the suspect of a murder she cannot recall committing.Jane Fonda delivered countless amazing performances in her career, with the legendary actress bringing a genuinely tragic element to the thriller.The strong performances inThe Morning Afterhelp make an interesting thriller an even more captivating watch.
38%
After Hours
After Hours is a dark comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese and released in 1985. The film follows Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne), a word processor in New York City, who experiences a series of misadventures and increasingly bizarre occurrences during a single night out in the SoHo district after meeting a woman. As the night progresses, Paul finds himself entangled in a surreal, nightmarish series of events.
An often overlooked example of the artistic genius of Martin Scorsese, this black comedy is a forgotten treasure. The important name of the director is perhaps whyAfter Hoursis often overlooked among other masterpiecesof Scorsese such asTaxi DriverorGoodfellas. Described as a yuppie nightmare cycle, the movie was released in 1985 and starred Griffin Dunne and Rosanna Arquette.
The story follows Paul Hackett, an office worker who, on a quest to visit a girl who lives in Soho, loses his only 20 dollar bill in a cab and is therefore forced by fate to walk through the city of New York during the night. What was supposed to be a romantic evening for the main character turns into an unexpected nightmare of absurd situations and unfortunate events.The city has never been as scary (or as strangely enticing) as inAfter Hours.
90%
87%
The Stunt Man
The Stunt Man is an action-drama film directed by Richard Rush, starring Peter O’Toole as Eli Cross, a demanding film director, and Steve Railsback as Cameron, a young man on the run who becomes involved in Cross’s film production.
The Stunt Manis a satirical psychological thriller directed by Richard Rush and based on the 1970 novel of the same name. The movie follows Cameron, played by Steve Railsback, a fugitive and Vietnam War veteran who accidentally crashes the set of a World War I film and hides as a stunt double. Peter O’Toole’s Eli Cross, the highly eccentric and megalomaniac director of the film, takes the runaway under his wing.
However, through Cameron’s perspective, the audience gradually begins to doubt the good intentions of O’Toole’s character. A movie about another movie is always an interesting concept.The story chillingly blurs the lines between reality and fictionas a psychological game between the two protagonists begins. Peter O’Toole delivers an Oscar-worthy and chilling performance as the manipulative and controlling artist whose nature evades and deceives.
73%
Eye of the Needle
Eye of the Needle is a 1981 espionage thriller directed by Richard Marquand, starring Donald Sutherland as a German spy known as “The Needle.” Set during World War II, the film follows his mission to uncover the Allied invasion plans and his unexpected encounter with a lonely woman on a remote Scottish island, which complicates his objectives. The film is based on Ken Follett’s bestselling novel.
Eye of the Needleis a British spy film based on the 1978 novel of the same name written by Ken Follet. The movie was directed by Richard Marquand, who later earned further recognition for his work withReturn of the Jedi.A dark take on the spy genre,Eye of the Needleis a memorably dark film. The plot of the film centers around Henry Fabler, played by Donald Sutherland, a Nazi agent who works in Britain during the Second World War.
Trapped on an island off the coast of Scotland, Fabler hides in plain sight while securing one of the only people on the island. Through his piercing gaze and with an unsettling authenticity,Donald Sutherland delivered a haunting performancein this overlooked thriller. While the emotionless demeanor depicted by the actor sends chills down the spine of the audience, the character’s evolving relationship with Lucy is also a surprisingly engaging draw of the film. A story of betrayal and subterfuge, the film is a stone-cold classic that should not be ignored.
85%
75%
Christine
Christine is a 1983 horror film from director John Carpenter. The film was based on the novel by Stephen King, in which an evil car is purchased and starts having a negative influence on its new teenage owner. The film stars Keith Gordon as the main character Arnie, who buys Christine.
Christineis a chilling story inspired by the brilliantly twisted pen of Stephen King about a car that begins to murder the people around it. In 1983, horror maestro John Carpenter successfullyadapted the book into an underrated supernatural/horror thriller.The geniality of the film resides in the mere absurdity of the plot, centered around an “evil” car. In true King fashion, the main character of the story is a high school outcast who is relentlessly bullied by his peers named Artie.
5 Most Exciting Stephen King Adaptations In the Works
The Stephen King adaptation train isn’t stopping anytime soon, and these are five of the most exciting upcoming projects.
When Arnie finds a mysterious car named “Christine”, a Plymouth Fury, he immediately falls in love with it and purchases it, despite the reasonable doubts of his best friend. As the young man attempts to restore Christine, the car appears to assume a personality of its own. The terrifying part, however, is the increasingly alarming influence Christine seems to be exerting on the owner. Perhaps the movie faded away amid the many masterpieces based on the stories of King in that era, butCarpenter’s work is an overlooked 80s thrillerthat is greater than the sum of its parts.
72%
64%
No Way Out
No Way Out is a suspenseful political thriller directed by Roger Donaldson. Released in 1987, it stars Kevin Costner as Lt. Commander Tom Farrell, who becomes embroiled in a high-stakes Pentagon cover-up following a murder. Gene Hackman and Sean Young co-star in this intricate tale of deception, intrigue, and betrayal within the corridors of power.
One ofthe career highlights of Kevin Costner,No Way Outis a political thriller directed by Roger Donaldson that deserves more appreciation.The movie astutely borrows tropes and elements of suspense from Alfred Hitchcockto deliver a story filled with plot twists that culminate in some truly shocking turns. Tom Farrel, played by Costner, is a young and ambitious navy officer who ends up investigating a politically charged murder in which he becomes the prime suspect.
The victim was the beautiful mistress of his boss, Secretary of Defense David Brice, masterfully portrayed by Gene Hackman, Making matters more complicated is that the mistress was also having an affair with Tom. The mystery plays out like a well-oiled machine,resulting in a tight and taut thriller. As if the movie was not already entrancing enough, the captivating performance of Costner is an additional bonus, elevating it against the other underratedthrillersof the 1980s.
92%
