If you’re a fan of crime thrillers like The Ripper, you’re in for a treat! This genre delivers suspense, intrigue, and often a chilling look into the minds of criminals. Below, find a list of 20 movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat, much like The Ripper.
1. Zodiac
Zodiac is a gripping thriller based on the true story of the Zodiac Killer, who terrorized San Francisco in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo, this film delves into the obsessive hunt for the elusive murderer.
2. Se7en
Se7en follows two detectives, played by Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, as they track down a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi. The film is renowned for its dark atmosphere and shocking twists.
3. Silence of the Lambs
Silence of the Lambs features Jodie Foster as an FBI trainee and Anthony Hopkins as the infamous Hannibal Lecter. This movie is a psychological thriller that explores the relationship between a young FBI agent and a brilliant but dangerous psychopath.
4. Gone Girl
Gone Girl stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike in a story about a man whose wife goes missing, making him the prime suspect. The film is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping viewers guessing until the very end.
5. Prisoners
Prisoners stars Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal in a tale of a desperate father who takes matters into his own hands when his daughter goes missing. The film is a tense, emotional rollercoaster that questions the lengths one would go to for their loved ones.
6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a mystery thriller featuring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara. This film follows a journalist and a hacker as they investigate the disappearance of a wealthy man’s niece, uncovering dark family secrets along the way.
7. The Bone Collector
The Bone Collector stars Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie in a story about a quadriplegic detective and a young patrol officer who team up to catch a serial killer. The film is a suspenseful and engaging hunt for a ruthless murderer.
8. Mystic River
Mystic River features Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, and Kevin Bacon in a story about three childhood friends whose lives are shattered by a murder investigation. The film is a powerful exploration of friendship, loss, and revenge.
9. The Departed
The Departed stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson in a crime thriller about an undercover cop and a mole in the police force trying to identify each other. The film is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with explosive results.
10. Memento
Memento is a psychological thriller starring Guy Pearce as a man with short-term memory loss, trying to solve the mystery of his wife’s murder. The film’s unique narrative structure keeps viewers engaged and constantly piecing the puzzle together.
11. Shutter Island
Shutter Island stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a U.S. Marshal investigating the disappearance of a patient from a mental institution. Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film is a mind-bending journey into paranoia and deception.
12. No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men features Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin in a story about a hunter who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and takes a suitcase full of money. The film is a tense, violent chase through the Texas desert.
13. The Sixth Sense
The Sixth Sense stars Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment in a supernatural thriller about a young boy who can see and communicate with the dead. The film’s famous twist ending has become a cultural touchstone.
14. The Usual Suspects
The Usual Suspects features Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, and Benicio Del Toro in a story about a group of criminals who are brought together for a heist. The film is renowned for its intricate plot and unforgettable twist.
15. Black Swan
Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as a ballerina whose obsession with perfection leads her down a dark and twisted path. The film is a psychological thriller that explores the fine line between ambition and madness.
16. The Nightcrawler
The Nightcrawler stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a freelance journalist who becomes dangerously involved in the world of crime journalism. The film is a dark exploration of ambition and the moral compromises made in the pursuit of success.
17. American Psycho
American Psycho features Christian Bale as a wealthy New York City investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer. The film is a satirical and disturbing look at the excesses of the 1980s.
18. The Machinist
The Machinist stars Christian Bale as an industrial worker who suffers from severe insomnia and begins to lose his grip on reality. The film is a psychological thriller that explores themes of guilt and redemption.
19. Oldboy
Oldboy is a South Korean thriller about a man who is imprisoned in a cell for 15 years without knowing why, only to be released and given five days to find his captor. The film is a brutal and intense journey of revenge and discovery.
20. The Girl on the Train
The Girl on the Train stars Emily Blunt as an alcoholic woman who becomes embroiled in a missing persons investigation. The film is a tense and twisting narrative that keeps viewers guessing until the very end.
For more thrilling recommendations, check out this list of crime thrillers.