10 Excellent Overlooked Thrillers from the 90s That Deserve Another Look

      Tom Jolliffe presents a collection of essential overlooked thrillers from the 90s that deserve a spot on your watch list…

      The 90s were a real goldmine for thrillers. Unlike the preceding decade, which focused more on the rise of blockbusters and various genre films, classic thrillers were somewhat sidelined. However, the 90s brought a resurgence filled with obsessive stalkers, relentless serial killers, and femme fatales, resulting in numerous iconic films often reminiscent of Hitchcock-inspired narratives.

      Titles include Basic Instinct, Seven, The Usual Suspects, Primal Fear, and Fight Club, reflecting a rich mix of tones. Some films are psychologically intricate while others capture the essence of the decade (Fight Club is quintessentially 90s without ever feeling dated). Amid this prolific output, several films were underrated at the time or have been somewhat forgotten. Here are 10 noteworthy thrillers from the 1990s…

      **Blue Steel**

      Kathryn Bigelow boasts several cult classics from her early career. Films like The Loveless, Near Dark, Point Break, and Strange Days each possess unique elements that have helped them maintain or grow a devoted following. Before Bigelow became a major awards contender with The Hurt Locker, she created Blue Steel, an underrated 1990 thriller centered on obsession.

      Exuding Bigelow's signature style as a visual storyteller, the film allows Jamie Lee Curtis to portray a strong, self-assured character striving to excel in a male-dominated police force. Ron Silver plays a Wall Street trader who picks up a gun at a crime scene after Curtis’s character, Megan, shoots an armed robber, placing her in serious jeopardy. He becomes increasingly captivated not only by the gun's power but also by her.

      **The Interview**

      Not widely recognized outside of Australia, The Interview is an engaging Hitchcockian/Wellesian thriller mostly set in a police station, particularly in an interview room. It presents a cat-and-mouse dynamic between the suspect and the law as each engages in mind games. The distinctions between innocence and guilt blur as detectives pursue results by any means necessary.

      The suspect is expertly played by a pre-Matrix Hugo Weaving, whose perspective frames much of the narrative, turning him into an unreliable narrator. The film’s pacing is excellent, and it's best experienced with minimal prior knowledge as the plot’s complexities unfold.

      **The Hand that Rocks the Cradle**

      Following the success of Fatal Attraction, this film was part of a wave of obsessive character thrillers and was quite popular at the time. Directed with precision by Curtis Hanson (L.A Confidential), it goes beyond its straightforward premise thanks to skilled craftsmanship and a strong cast.

      Annabella Sciorra and Matt McCoy invite a young woman (Rebecca DeMornay) into their home to serve as a nanny for their son, but she has ulterior motives and begins a calculated scheme to disrupt and destroy their family unit, stemming from a past tragedy involving the nanny’s husband. Sciorra's suspicions are brushed aside, and the film develops well until the more exaggerated theatrics of the last act. De Mornay is particularly outstanding, even though this role seemed to hinder her career in the long run.

      **Single White Female**

      This story of obsession features a young woman (Bridget Fonda) whose new roommate (Jennifer Jason Leigh) becomes increasingly infatuated with her, gradually infiltrating her life. The film is decidedly Hitchcockian, showcasing complex interactions in confined spaces. Jennifer Jason Leigh's performance adds intrigue, affirming her status as one of her generation's most underrated talents (a fact underscored when Tarantino helped revive her career).

      Like many films of this era, it stretches logic towards the finale, becoming theatrical, but that only enhances their entertainment value. Director Barbet Schroeder, known for intriguing character pieces, infuses this film with psychological depth.

      **Snake Eyes**

      With the legendary Brian De Palma directing and a star like Nic Cage, famed for his larger-than-life acting style, Snake Eyes is an intriguing example of a waning auteur still showcasing his visual flair. At the height of Cage's box office appeal, De Palma was coming off a successful adaptation of a classic TV series, Mission Impossible, raising concerns that he might be transitioning into a mere hireling rather than an auteur.

      While not among De Palma's top films, Snake Eyes stands out as the last significant pulpy offering in his career. Although initially met with criticism, it has gained some appreciation over time, particularly for its technical achievements, including a lengthy unbroken opening shot leading up to a shooting at a boxing match in Vegas. The film follows Cage's rogue Vegas cop and, while things may not reach spectacular heights in terms of plot unraveling, it remains engaging, with Cage holding our attention and the visuals captivating, even if the climax is somewhat lacking.

      **The Ambulance**

      From B-movie icon