Whether they’re gory horror movies, subtle sci-fi puzzlers, or grounded suspense films,psychological thrillershave a way of taking audiences on dark cerebral journeys that explore the depths of the human psyche. And when you’re exploring deeply mature topics like that, your work would inevitably gravitate towards an equally mature audience. It’s no surprise that some of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made have had an R rating.Prime Videois home to several R-rated psychological thrillers from around the world, but because of the sheer size of the streamer’s catalog, it can be difficult to discover the true greats. That’s why we’ve done the work for you, putting together this handpicked selection of the greatest R-rated psychological thriller movies that you may stream right now on Prime Video.
For more twisted psychological stories, be sure to check out our lists of themost underrated psychological thrillerson Prime Video, thegreatest R-rated psychological thrillers on Netflix, and thebest psychological thriller showsandmovieson Prime Video in general.
Disclaimer: These movies are available on US Prime Video.
‘Synchronic’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Synchronic
A sci-fi horror thriller directed and produced byJustin BensonandAaron Moorhead,SynchronicstarsAnthony MackieandJamie Dornanas a pair of paramedics who come across a series of inexplicable deaths, all connected to a new designer drug. When one of them is accidentally infected with the substance, he discovers its mind-bending properties and begins a journey that tests their bond and threatens their very lives. The movie is set in the same universe as Benson and Moorehead’s previous films,ResolutionandThe Endless.
Synchronichad its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was quite favorably reviewed by critics. Released in theaters in October 2020, the movie has been praised for its stylish visual narrative, sharply written screenplay, and powerful performances, especially that of Anthony Mackie. It’s a deeply intriguing film with complex concepts and a compelling emotional story, and whileSynchronicisn’t without flaws, the overall experience is deeply thrilling nonetheless.
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‘Coherence’ (2013)
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.2/10
A sci-fi psychological thriller,Coherencewas written and directed byJames Ward Byrkitin his directorial debut. The film revolves around a series of increasingly strange events that affect a group of friends at a dinner party after a comet passes the Earth. The movie starsEmily Foxler,Hugo Armstrong,Nicholas Brendon,Elizabeth Gracen,Lauren Maher,Alex Manugian,Lorene Scafaria, andMaury Sterling.
Coherencepremiered at the 2013Fantastic Fest, where it received critical acclaim, and the film earned accolades from a number of film festivals. An ambitious low-budget thriller that explores complex concepts in a contained, minimalistic setting,Coherenceis a mind-blowing work of thriller storytelling that takes clear inspiration from classicTwilight Zone-style weird fiction stories. It’s easily one of the most underrated sci-fi thrillers of the 2010s and a masterclass in bringing out maximum results from minimal resources. An Indian adaptation, titledBlack, was released in 2024.
‘Buried’ (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 7.0/10
Directed byRodrigo Cortés,Buriedis a survival thriller starringRyan Reynoldsas an American truck driver in Iraq who finds himself buried alive in a wooden coffin. The film follows his increasingly desperate attempts to get out of this situation with only a lighter, flask, flashlight, knife, glowsticks, pen, and pencil, as well as a mobile phone with a terrorist on the other end. Written byChris Sparling,Buriedis a claustrophobic single-location film that puts its protagonist (and audience) through a grueling experience. Besides Reynolds, the movie also featuresJosé Luis García Pérez,Robert Paterson,Stephen Tobolowsky,Cade Dundish,Samantha Mathis,Ivana Miño,Warner Loughlin, andErik Palladinoin voice roles.
Buriedhad its world premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, where it received a positive critical reception. The film was also quite successful at the box office and earned several accolades, including two Gaudí Awards out of eight nominations, three Goya Awards out of nine nominations, and the National Board of Review Award for Best Original Screenplay. An excellent showcase of Ryan Reynolds’ dramatic chops, the film earned Reynolds multiple nominations and a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Actor.
‘Blink Twice’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 75% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Blink Twice
A 2024 psychological thriller film,Blink TwiceisZoë Kravitz’s directorial debut. Kravitz directed, produced, and co-wrote the film withE.T. Feigenbaum, and the movie features an ensemble cast that includesNaomi Ackie,Channing Tatum,Christian Slater,Adria Arjona,Kyle MacLachlan,Geena Davis,Alia Shawkat, and more.Blink Twicefollows a group of people invited to a billionaire’s private island, which hides sinister secrets behind its paradisical facade.
The movie premiered in August 2024 to critical and audience acclaim, receiving praise for the direction, screenplay, and performances, especially those by Ackie and Tatum. A wildly entertaining film with powerful themes and a rich visual narrative, the movie is a suspenseful watch with memorable characters. The film earned over $46 million worldwide and received several accolades, including five Black Reel Award nominations, an NAACP Image Award nomination, and the San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best First Feature (Director).
‘Speak No Evil’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | IMDb: 6.8/10
Speak No Evil
Written and directed byJames Watkins,Speak No Evilis an American remake of the eponymous 2022 Danish-Dutch psychological horror film. The movie follows an American family who befriend a British couple on vacation and are invited to stay at their remote farmhouse. Once they arrive, however, it quickly becomes clear that there’s something very wrong about their hosts. Produced byJason Blumthrough Blumhouse Productions, the film starsJames McAvoy,Mackenzie Davis,Aisling Franciosi,Alix West Lefler,Dan Hough, andScoot McNairy.
Released in the US in September 2024,Speak No Evilwas quite well-received by critics, who mostly considered it a worthy adaptation of the original film. The movie fared decently at the box office as well, grossing over $77 million worldwide. The remake does change the story’s ending and climax, and it’s arguably less terrifying as a result, but Watkins’Speak No Evilis still a powerfully thrilling film in its own right, and that’s largely thanks to James McAvoy’s amazingly sinister performance.
‘Promising Young Woman’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Promising Young Woman
Written, directed, and co-produced byEmerald Fennellin her feature directorial debut,Promising Young Womanis a black comedy drama thriller starringCarey Mulliganas Cassie, a young woman reeling from a traumatic incident in her past. Seeking revenge for her best friend, who committed suicide after being raped by a classmate, Cassie targets the people she considers responsible. Besides Mulligan, the film also starsBo Burnham,Alison Brie,Clancy Brown,Chris Lowell,Jennifer Coolidge,Laverne Cox, andConnie Brittonin supporting roles.
A dark, genre-bending thriller,Promising Young Womanreceived critical acclaim when it premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. With amazing writing and a career-best performance by Carey Mulligan, the film proved fairly successful with audiences as well. The movie went on to gross over $18 million worldwide and earned several accolades, including the Academy Award, Critics' Choice Award, Writers' Guild Award, and British Academy Film Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film also earned Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (for Carey Mulligan), and Best Film Editing.
‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.0/10
The Cabin in the Woods
Directed byDrew Goddardin his directorial debut,The Cabin in the Woodsis a genre-bending horror comedy that takes a satirical look at the titular horror movie trope. The film follows a group of college students at a remote cabin in the woods, where they are attacked by strange monsters. But while all that’s going on, a secret underground facility manipulates their every move to serve a greater, darker purpose. The movie starsKristen Connolly,Chris Hemsworth,Anna Hutchison,Fran Kranz,Jesse Williams,Richard Jenkins, andBradley Whitford.
The Cabin in the Woodspremiered at the 2011 Butt-Numb-A-Thon film festival in Austin, Texas, and was theatrically released in April 2012, quickly becoming a critical and commercial hit. Featuring spectacular practical effects, solid performances, and a deftly crafted story, the movie reinvents its familiar premise with an original narrative that makes it wildly entertaining. The film received numerous accolades, including four Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, a Saturn Award, and the Bram Stoker Award for Best Screenplay.
