90s Guilty Pleasure Thrillers That Are So Bad They're Good

      Casey Chong offers a collection of thrillers from the 1990s that are delightfully so bad they're good and should definitely be added to your watch list.

      The 1990s witnessed a surge in exceptional thrillers, featuring titles like Misery, Pacific Heights, The Silence of the Lambs, and Se7en, among others. This decade also brought a host of thrillers burdened with excessive plots and outrageous twists. Some of these films can be entertainingly bad, providing guilty pleasures whether you are experiencing them anew or revisiting them. Here are eight such thrillers from the 90s that are actually worth your time.

      **Unforgettable (1996)**

      John Dahl's early works – Kill Me Again, Red Rock West, and The Last Seduction – showcase his talent for crafting engaging neo-noir thrillers. He then follows up with Unforgettable, which strays from neo-noir into a blend of murder mystery, sci-fi, and medical elements. The film, penned by Bill Geddie in his writing debut, features medical examiner David Krane (Ray Liotta) who steals an experimental memory-transfer serum and uses it on himself to revisit moments with his murdered wife. Liotta’s frequently intense performance leans toward the campy side, but his dedication is evident even as the plot becomes more complicated. Dahl also collaborates again with Linda Fiorentino from The Last Seduction, who, instead of a femme fatale, plays a scientist involved with the serum, delivering a notably restrained supporting role.

      **Silent Fall (1994)**

      Filmmaker Bruce Beresford, known for his versatility across genres—from comedies like Her Alibi and Driving Miss Daisy to dramas like Tender Mercies—also dabbles in thrillers with Silent Fall. The narrative revolves around Jake Rainer (Richard Dreyfuss), a child psychology expert who reluctantly assists the local police in understanding what an autistic boy named Tim (Ben Faulkner) saw during his parents' brutal double murder. Tim has the ability to "play back" voices from the scene, leading to a complex story as Jake employs various professional strategies to access his memories. Although the film slows with an emphasis on psychotherapy that may frustrate viewers expecting a traditional murder mystery, Silent Fall remains captivating, bolstered by a strong cast including Dreyfuss, Faulkner, and Liv Tyler in her acting debut.

      **The Temp (1993)**

      In The Temp, Tom Holland combines a femme fatale-driven psychological thriller with dark comedy for an enjoyable experience. The plot centers on Kris Bolin (Lara Flynn Boyle), a temp who impresses her boss Peter (Timothy Hutton) with her assertive demeanor as she uses her charm and intelligence to ascend the corporate ladder through underhanded tactics. Boyle’s captivating portrayal of the femme fatale enhances the film, contrasting with Hutton’s jittery yuppie character. Drawing from his horror roots in Fright Night and Child’s Play, Holland includes a gruesome scene involving a paper shredder. The film also showcases Faye Dunaway, who delivers an exaggerated performance as the corporate boss, Charlene Towne.

      **Whispers in the Dark (1992)**

      Arriving at the pinnacle of the erotic-thriller movement, Whispers in the Dark is often overshadowed by Basic Instinct, released the same year. Annabella Sciorra stars as a psychiatrist who falls for a man (Jamey Sheridan) potentially linked to her patient’s (Deborah Unger) murder fantasies. Writer-director Christopher Crowe incorporates several red herrings in this slow-paced thriller, inviting viewers to play detective as the plot unfolds. Although heavily dependent on contrived twists and an implausible conclusion, the film benefits from Crowe’s stylish visuals, including artful lighting and mood-setting shadows. Sciorra shines in her lead role, supported well by Unger and John Leguizamo as disturbed patients.

      **Never Talk to Strangers (1995)**

      The appeal of Never Talk to Strangers lies in the chemistry between Rebecca De Mornay and Antonio Banderas. The initial scenes depict their first meeting—De Mornay plays criminal psychologist Dr. Sarah Taylor, while Banderas portrays the charming stranger Tony. Their flirtation escalates into a steamy encounter at Tony's loft, captured in a suggestive softcore style. Tension builds as Sarah receives threatening gifts, like dead flowers and a dismembered cat, leading to questions about whether Tony is involved or if it's someone else with a vendetta. Directed manipulatively by Peter Hall, the film culminates in a twist that may stretch credibility but ultimately thrives on the electric dynamic between De Mornay and Banderas, particularly highlighted in a provocative scene involving a fence.

      **Desperate Hours (1990)**

      Michael Cimino's remake of the 1955 film Desperate Hours—