There are obsessions of different kinds – stalkers, scorned lovers seeking revenge, individuals consumed with perfection, or sinister fixations – and movies (psychological thrillers), over the years, have perfectly captured the dark side of the human mind, bringing to screen the repercussions of such unchecked, dangerous obsessions. These gripping narratives thrust us into a cinematic universe where desire turns deadly and obsession knows no bounds. These psychological thrillers weave intricate tales of passion, betrayal, and suspense.
1. Fatal Attraction – Amazon Prime Video
Starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close, the movie follows the seemingly harmless affair between a married man, Dan Callagher (Douglas), and a woman, Alex Forrest (Close), during a business trip. However, what begins as a casual fling spirals into a nightmare when Forrest becomes increasingly obsessive and vengeful. The movie explores the dangerous consequences of infidelity and the thin line between passion and obsession, culminating in a shocking conclusion.
2. Black Swan – Disney+ Hotstar
This psychological thriller offers a haunting peek into obsession, ambition, and the pursuit of perfection. Set in the competitive world of professional ballet, the movie follows Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), who is obsessed with playing the dual roles of White Swan and Black Swan in a musical based on Swan Lake. As the movie progresses, Nina’s thirst for perfection intensifies, and succumbs to paranoia, hallucinations, and self-destruction. The movie blurs the boundaries between reality and fantasy, delving deep into Nina’s psyche as she struggles with her inner demons and confronts the darker aspects of herself.
3. Fan – YouTube
Headlined by superstar Shah Rukh Khan in a dual role, the movie follows the story of Gaurav Chandna, an obsessive fan of the Bollywood superstar Aryan Khanna with whom he bears an uncanny resemblance. Gaurav’s admiration for Aryan turns into an unhealthy fixation, leading him to undertake extreme measures to get his idol’s attention, including stalking and harassment. As Gaurav’s obsession spirals out of control, the boundaries between fantasy and reality blur, culminating in a dangerous confrontation between the fan and his idol. The movie offers a gripping portrayal of the consequences of unchecked obsession and the lengths some fans will go to in their pursuit of admiration. Another binge-worthy movie on the list of must-watch psychological thrillers.
4. Obsessed – Amazon Prime Video
This riveting psychological thriller stars Idris Elba, Beyoncé Knowles, and Ali Larter in lead roles. The plot follows the perfect married life of Derek Charles, a successful businessman. His married life is disrupted when Lisa Sheridan, a temp worker, gets fixated on him. Innocent flirtation escalates into a nightmare for Derek and his family as Lisa leads to a series of threats. As Derek struggles to protect his family and reputation, he finds himself tangled in a web of lies and deception that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear.
5. Misery – Amazon Prime Video
Based on the eponymous novel by Stephen King, The movie follows acclaimed author Paul Sheldon (James Cann), who finds himself at the mercy of his self-proclaimed ‘number one fan’, Annie Wilkes, after a car accident leaves him stranded in a remote area during a snowstorm. Initially grateful for her help, Paul soon discovers that Annie’s love for his work turns into a dangerous obsession and she turns controlling and violent. Trapped in her secluded home, Paul uses his wits to survive Annie’s twisted games and find a way to escape her clutches. A perfect option to delve into the psychological thrillers genre.
6. Aetbaar – Amazon Prime Video
Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham, and Bipasha Basu star in this intense psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge till the end. The narrative centres around Dr. Ranveer Malhotra (Bachcha), a renowned psychiatrist, and his daughter Ria (Basu). When Ria falls in love with the charming Aryan Trivedi (Abraham), Malhotra becomes suspicious of his intentions and sets out to uncover his truth. As he digs deeper into Aryan’s past, he discovers shocking secrets that threaten to tear his family apart. Aryan’s obsession with Ria increases and puts her life at risk. With its suspenseful plot twists and compelling performances, the movie shows the complexities of relationships and the lengths to which one will go to protect their loved ones from harm.
7. Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya – Disney+ Hotstar
This romantic thriller stars Fardeen Khan, Urmila Matondkar, and Sonali Kulkarni in lead roles. The story revolves around Ria Jaiswal (Urmila Matondkar), a young lonely woman with a possessive nature. On her trip to Goa, she meets and falls in love with Jai (Fardeen Khan), a photographer. However, she becomes increasingly agitated when learns that Jai is married. Her infatuation and obsession with Jai sends her down a dangerous path of destruction leading to a series of twisted events that threaten to destroy their lives. The movie highlights the fine line between passion and madness.
