1. TOP 5 PSYCHOLOGICAL
THRILLERS

2. 5.
• Se7en
• David Fincher, 1995
• This thriller portrays the exploits of a deranged serial-killer. His
twisted agenda involves choosing seven victims who
represent egregious examples of transgressions of each of the
Seven Deadly Sins. He then views himself as akin to the Sword
of God, handing out horrific punishment to these sinners. Two
cops, an experienced veteran of the streets who is about to
retire and the ambitious young homicide detective hired to
replace him, team up to capture the perpetrator of these
gruesome killings. Unfortunately, they too become ensnared in
his diabolical plan. Anyone who has seen this film can not
deny the psychological thrill of waiting to see what nasty thing
the serial killer has lined up for the next sin! This is a brilliant film
and if you haven’t seen it – you must.

3. 4.
• Taxi Driver
• Martin Scorsese, 1976
• New York City cab driver Travis Bickle constantly, almost
obsessively, reflects on the ugly corruption of life around
him, and becomes increasingly disturbed over his own
loneliness and alienation. In nearly every phase of his
life, Bickle remains a complete outsider, failing to make
emotional contact with anyone. Unable to sleep night
after night, Travis haunts the local pornography
emporiums to find diversion, and begins desperately
thinking about an escape from his depressing existence.
The superb acting of Robert De Niro gives this film a
constant chill. Every minute he is on the screen – the
viewer is nervous. This is a masterful thriller by one of the
modern greats – Scorsese.

4. 3.
• The Manchurian Candidate
• John Frankenheimer, 1962
• After Raymond returns from the Korean War as a
decorated hero, the other members of his platoon can’t
really remember what he did to win his medal. Two of
the soldiers start having recurring nightmares, and one of
them decides to investigate Raymond’s current
activities. What dark and sinister secrets are being
withheld by the Government and the Army? This film was
so good that it spawned a remake (a far inferior one, I
should add) starring Denzel Washington. This original
version includes excellent performances from Janet
Leigh, Frank Sinatra, and the indomitable Angela
Lansbury.

5. 2.
• Rear Window
• Alfred Hitchcock, 1954
• Professional photographer L.B. “Jeff” Jeffries breaks his
leg while getting an action shot at an auto race.
Confined to his New York apartment, he spends his time
looking out of the rear window observing the neighbours.
He begins to suspect that the man opposite may have
murdered his wife. Jeff enlists the help of his society
model girlfriend Lisa Freemont and his nurse Stella to
investigate. I could only select one Hitchcock film for this
list (otherwise it would be a top 10 Hitchcock list) and
Rear Window seemed the obvious choice. It has brilliant
acting, excellent film work, and plenty of suspense.

6. 1.
• Silence of the Lambs
• Jonathan Demme, 1991
• Clarice Starling, a young intelligent FBI trainee, has been
sent to the Batlimore state hospital for the Criminally
insane to interview an inmate Dr. Hannibal – the
cannibal – Lecter. A brilliant and renowned psychiatrist
turned serial killer. She must match wits with Lecter to
gain clues in the search for “Buffalo Bill” – an unknown
psychopathic serial killer. Silence of the Lambs has to
take number one spot – not only is it clearly the best of
the genre, it introduced to the world one of the most
scary, intelligent, and vile characters in film history: Dr
Hannibal Lecter. I think it is also fair to say that it was one
of the best performances of Jodie Foster.