Outstanding Thrillers from the 2010s You Might Have Overlooked

      Casey Chong presents seven thrilling films from the 2010s that might have escaped your notice…

      The 2010s witnessed a plethora of acclaimed thrillers, including Denis Villeneuve's Prisoners, David Fincher's Gone Girl, and Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island, among others. However, like any genre, some thrillers are overlooked or unfairly criticized upon release, leading to a failure in reaching the audiences they deserve. Here’s a curated list of seven remarkable thriller films from the 2010s that are definitely worth your attention if you haven't seen them yet.

      Stoker (2013)

      Park Chan-Wook, who gained fame with his Vengeance trilogy (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance), made his debut in English-language cinema with Stoker, penned by Wentworth Miller, the same actor known for his role as Michael Schofield in TV’s Prison Break. The narrative explores dark family dynamics, hidden secrets, and sexual awakening—perfectly aligning with Park’s style. The film takes a deliberate approach, beginning with the aftermath of India’s (the elegantly detached Mia Wasikowska) father’s (Dermot Mulroney) death and the mysterious arrival of her uncle (Matthew Goode’s Charlie), whom she never knew existed.

      Stoker is a slow-burn thriller that gradually reveals its plot, creeping up on viewers. Although it may lack the intense flair found in some of Park's finest South Korean works, he nonetheless takes creative risks in his initial Hollywood project. The film has a distinctly gothic atmosphere, infused with a Hitchcockian sensibility in its subtle storytelling, before escalating into tension-filled moments during its violent finale.

      Killer Joe (2011)

      Adapted from Tracy Letts’ 1993 play, Killer Joe is directed by William Friedkin, who, despite being 76, shows no signs of fading. His characteristic straightforward direction scrutinizes the darker sides of human nature, focused on themes of money, greed, and murder. The characters, including Matthew McConaughey’s morally questionable detective-turned-hitman and the dysfunctional Smith family (Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church, and Gina Gershon), are decidedly unlikable.

      The film embodies a nihilistic tone, with Friedkin boldly exposing human depravity. One notably uncomfortable scene involving fellatio recontextualizes fried chicken in an unsettling way. Killer Joe marks a significant return to form for Friedkin in his later career, although its bleak subject matter led to its box-office failure.

      99 Homes (2014)

      This underappreciated film, 99 Homes, directed by Ramin Bahrani, who also penned the screenplay, immerses viewers in the pragmatic realities of the 2008 housing crisis that devastated the U.S. real estate market. It unfolds as an eviction drama, depicted with the tension of a thriller. From the outset, it’s disheartening to watch Michael Shannon’s Rick Carver, a real estate agent ruthless in evicting tenants facing foreclosure. One such tenant is Dennis Nash (Andrew Garfield), who, having lost his construction job, along with his son (Noah Lomax) and mother (Laura Dern), is forced to leave their home after defaulting on their mortgage.

      Bahrani effectively captures the anxiety of homeowners like Dennis, skillfully aided by Garfield's performance. However, it is Shannon who commands attention as the unyielding real estate agent focused solely on profit gained from evicting families. The film confronts the dehumanizing aspects of law and capitalism as it relates to those losing everything; although its themes are deeply somber, Bahrani manages to keep the film engaging throughout.

      Under the Silver Lake (2018)

      After achieving recognition with It Follows, David Robert Mitchell shifts from horror to the realm of neo-noir thriller in Under the Silver Lake. This unconventional narrative subverts traditional mystery conventions, with the film's length suggesting it could have benefitted from tighter editing. Nevertheless, Mitchell's ambition is undeniable.

      The storyline centers on Sam (Andrew Garfield, delivering one of his finest performances), an unemployed slacker who becomes fixated on his alluring neighbor, Sarah (Riley Keough). His obsession spikes when Sarah mysteriously disappears, prompting him to search for her relentlessly. As the plot unfolds, it spirals into a complicated web of conspiracies and bizarre occurrences. The film is certainly not for everyone, particularly due to its unique, offbeat tone that might be contentious for many viewers.

      Killing Them Softly (2012)

      Following The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Andrew Dominik collaborates with Brad Pitt for the gritty thriller Killing Them Softly. Pitt's character, Jackie Cogan, is a mob hitman hired by a high-ranking criminal, Driver (Richard Jenkins), to resolve a heist issue involving two low-level crooks (Sco