Among the most critically acclaimed movies of 2021, the thriller genre has shown plenty of excellent entries. These movies delivered the kind of tension that leave audiences on the edge of their seats while also showing the incredible variety the thriller genre can offer audiences.
Among the highest-rated thriller movies of the year on Rotten Tomatoes, critics have highlighted engrossing stories that are based on real-life events, based on famous works, or totally original stories. Yet they all succeed in providing the kind of thrills that fans won't soon forget.
Lucky (93%)
Among some anticipated and popular titles, the most acclaimed thrillers of the year feature many smaller movies fans might have missed. Lucky is one of those overlooked movies and tells the unique story of a woman who finds her home attacked by a dangerous man every night. When she can't find help to escape the situation, she takes matters into her own hands.
Critics found that the movie blended the thrills of the genre with some sharp social commentary in effective ways.
Old Henry (94%)
Though the genre is not as popular as it once was, there have been several excellent Westerns in recent years that show there is still potential for these kinds of stories. Old Henry is another stellar and surprising entry in the genre featuring Tim Blake Nelson as a farmer whose deadly past is revealed when his quiet life is intruded upon.
Combining intense elements of the thriller genre with the classic feel of a Western, Old Henry surprised a lot of critics. They pointed to Nelson's solid lead performance and the simple story as reasons the movie succeeds.
The Novice (95%)
The small-scale movie The Novice proves that thriller movies don't need to have intricate plots to tell intense stories. The grounded tale follows a college freshman who s her school's rowing team and goes on an obsessive journey that challenges her physically and emotionally.
First-time filmmaker Lauren Hadaway wrote and directed the movie which many critics called a triumphant debut. It was also praised for its thrilling and disturbing character study which examines obsession in a visceral way.
The Tragedy Of Macbeth (94%)
There have been countless well-known and The Tragedy of Macbeth. Joel Coen wrote and directed this latest take on the play with Denzel Washington as Macbeth and s McDormand as Lady Macbeth.
Instead of going for a more epic feel as some adaptations have, many critics appreciated Coen's lean vision which simplified the storytelling. Washington's commanding performance was also highlighted as a must-see role from the iconic actor.
Judas And The Black Messiah (96%)
It is no surprise Judas and the Black Messiah won acclaim from critics this year as it was already a big hit at the last Oscar ceremony. It tells the gripping true story of the FBI's attempts to take down Fred Hampton, the charismatic leader of the Black Panther Party.
Daniel Kaluuya's powerful Oscar-winning performance as Hampton was the standout aspect of the movie for many critics. They also called it an electric of the historical story while speaking to issues that are very much relevant all these years later.
The Boy Behind The Door (97%)
It is rare to see a thriller with young kids leading the story, but that is part of the reason The Boy Behind the Door is as intense as it is. It follows two young friends, Bobby and Kevin, who are kidnapped and taken to a strange house. While Bobby manages to escape, he stays behind to help his friend.
The cat-and-mouse movie was another winning debut in the thriller genre from directing duo David Chardonier and Justin Powell. Critics found it to be an incredibly effective thrill ride that will also please horror fans with its edge-of-the-seat story.
Pig (97%)
In one of the biggest surprises of the year, Pig took a strange premise and turned it into a riveting and unexpected tale. Nicolas Cage stars as a reclusive man living in the woods with his truffle-hunting pig. When the pig is stolen, he goes on a desperate mission into a seedy underworld to get it back.
Cage gives one of his best performances according to most critics and the movie itself doesn't squander his talents. It was called a unique odyssey that has beautiful things to say about love and loss.
7 Prisoners (98%)
The best thrillers of the year also highlight some international movies that fans might not have been aware of, such as the Brazilian movie 7 Prisoners. The movie follows a young man named Mateus who leaves his rural home for a job in the city where his boss proves to be a corrupt and dangerous man who forces Mateus to face some hard decisions for his own survival.
7 Prisoners is another thriller that pleased most critics with its ability to address social issues while still delivering on genre expectations. It was seen as a hard-hitting and grounded story with sharp storytelling.
My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To (98%)
Vampire stories have often been a part of the thriller landscape and My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To finds another unique way of approaching this kind of tale. It focuses on Dwight and Jessie who care for their chronically ill brother by providing him with the human blood he needs for survival.
The haunting and unsettling story was a hit with many critics who found it compelling despite sometimes being hard to watch. The gripping nature of the story leaves audiences with a thought-provoking and unique experience.
Azor (100%)
Another international movie ranks as the best-reviewed thriller of 2021. Azor tells the story of a private banker who travels to Argentina to take over for his partner who disappeared while on a job. As the man attempts to understand what happened, he is drawn into a complex mystery.
Critics were very impressed with the movie's slow-burn approach to telling its complicated story. Many found it to draw in the audience gradually and hold on tight as more of the mystery is revealed.
