#Psychological thrillers

[hadesoftheladies]

FEMALE MOVIE/TV RECS (PART 5 / HORROR & CRIME DRAMA)

got inspired from a recommendation post so decided to make a list of movies and shows with female-centric stories/female protagonists. since i can't post all of the genres in one post, i'll split it into multiple posts and y'all can save or add to the list as you wish. (disclaimer: i have watched most of these, but i only know about the existence of others. not every movie/show on these lists will be my recommendation. my recommendations will be beneath the list with reasons. also some of these are way better than others in terms of storytelling/performance--which is why i'll list my faves separately):

Common Themes:

-Dangerous girls (they ain't innocent)/ girlhood as violent

-Stressed out and melancholic female detectives and authors (lots of drinking/smoking)

-Mothers who've seen too fucking much to play games/I'm a good mother until it doesn't let up

-Women handling shit/getting shit done

-Mothers who didn't want to be mothers but here we fucking are so might as well handle shit

-Evil women who are also unfortunately hot

-Female sociopaths (not always negatively portrayed)

HAVEN'T WATCHED

The Royal Hotel

The Silent Twins

The Kitchen

The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart

I'm Thinking of Ending Things

Sharp Objects

Killing Eve

Abigail

Heavenly Creatures

A Quiet Place Part 2

Panic Room

Alice, Darling

Blood Red Sky

Rust Creek

The Marsh King's Daughter

Pearl

Longlegs

GOOD STUFF (NEVER WATCHING AGAIN THOUGH!)

Bad Sisters (8/10) (sisters plan to kill their sister's abusive husband)

Yellowjackets (9/10) (love as cannibalism)

Candy (7.5/10) (she's just a killer lol)

Cruella (6.5/10)(help my mom is a narcissist and it's hereditary)

Jennifer's Body (7/10) (boys aren't people lmao)

Bird Box (8/10)

Under the Bridge (8/10)

PERSONAL NOTES

I watched Tragedy Girls years ago, and I remember being grossed out and having a lot of fun as well. If you like Jennifer's Body, you'll probably like Tragedy Girls, too. And if you like Tragedy Girls, you may also enjoy Thoroughbreds. All three have a twisted sense of girlpower.

The Call isn't scary so much as its nerve-wracking and upsetting. It's not gory (although there is violence), but it deals with heavy subject matter. I can, however, promise a satisfying ending. Even though I doubt it would put you at ease.

Horror is my least favourite genre so bear that in mind. I just hate jump scares (because I hate being startled) and I don't like gore though there are times where it doesn't bother me so much. So this is definitely not an exhaustive list on horror recs. Crime is as close as I usually get to such dark stuff so I put the dark crimes, psychological thrillers and horrors together. I don't even want to talk about these that much because I'm nauseous already.

Watch at your own risk.

[marvelstarwarshero]

Every single movie that has a child and an evil entity, the child warns the adults about the entity and they go "you're making this up everything is fine" and people start dying. Without fail. Any child ever says that to me in real life, I am nope-ing the fuck out of there.

[phosphenemoth]

What's your favorite type of movies ?

The kind that make me go... what the fuck? 🧐 WAIT! What the fuckkkk?!?!? 👀

[inabooknook]

You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen

This story was so captivating. We follow Annie, a woman who loses her mother. However, everything is not as it seems. Annie begins experiencing mental health struggles that she had issues with previously, and the story turns dark fast. This was a thriller that was different and far more interesting than others I read because it looked at the genre from the point of view of someone who had come to the United States from Vietnam as a young child, and experienced far different things than the norm. I really enjoyed the fast pacing, great writing, and different outlook than what I am used to in psychological thrillers I have read before. I would highly recommend grabbing this, as it is sure to be a hit!

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[alysseaallyn]

The Language of Butterflies - the Path of Attachment by Alysse Aallyn

The Secret of Eternal Youth

POWER: “Doubling” We are filled with the excitement and power of acquisition and multiplicity. We will finally have a helper, an interpreter, an enabler, a sharer. A Second Self with its rich promise of Difference – different memories, body type, fantasies, wishes, dreams – we can indulge ourselves in. We can’t wait to get going and find this person who promises us wings and immortality! The…

[ulkaralakbarova]

Watch Trailer for Drop – A Gripping Thriller That Takes First Dates to Terrifying Heights

Drop takes the nerve-wracking tension of a first date and amps it up with a sinister twist that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. Directed by Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky), this heart-pounding thriller follows a group of unsuspecting individuals as their ordinary evening spirals into chaos. When an unseen, unnamed troll begins targeting them with personal memes that…

[bloseroseone]

Psychological Thriller: Definition, Tips and How to Write

Psychological thrillers are compelling, mind-bending stories that explore the complexity of human conduct. They keep readers on the edge of their seats, questioning their assumptions and drawing them into a web of suspense. Let’s dive down what makes this genre so appealing, and how you can master composing it.

What is a Psychological Thriller?

A psychological thriller is a type of fiction that mixes mystery, suspense, and drama. Unlike traditional thrillers, psychological thrillers focus on people’ internal issues rather than external action, examining themes such as fear, morality, and the mind.

Key Elements of a Psychological Thriller

Psychological Depth

Psychological depth is an essential component of a psychological thriller, focusing on the inner workings of characters’ minds. This genre delves into deep emotions, hidden agendas, and mental conflicts, generating a compelling sense of tension. Readers are attracted into the characters’ minds, often questioning their trustworthiness or motives. A psychological thriller captivates and engages the audience by digging into fears, obsessions, and vulnerabilities. Writers can improve this by including vivid internal dialogue and demonstrating how characters’ thoughts influence their actions....Continue reading

[happilylostinwords]

Reviewed: "The Favorites" by Layne Fargo

I spent a possibly alarming part of my late childhood & teenage years obsessed with figure skating. It all started when my 4th grade teacher had us watch the Olympics as homework (best homework ever!) and I loved it all – especially skating. As an elder millennial, the Olympics I first watched where the ’92 Games in Albertville. So when I saw Layne Fargo dedicated The Favorites to Katarina,…

[blumoonfiction-blog]

The Goodreads 2024 Readers' Choice Awards: Adding to My TBR!

As a bibliophile, the Goodreads Readers’ Choice Awards are like a second holiday season. Every year, these awards showcase some of the most celebrated books, as chosen by the massive Goodreads community. For 2024, I had my eye on specific categories: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Fantasy, Horror, and History & Biography. While the winners are noteworthy, some of the runners-up and…

[sylviahubbard]

#SampleWednesday with🔥 Wicked Chances. Re-Release 📚on eBook and newly release paperback NOW AVAILABLE🗓️ #syllit #intriguesuspense #blackmailmarriage #multicultural #realestateromance #heartofdetroit companion novel

book info | about author | more books by author | buy direct from author Themes and Tropes Blackmail Romance Suspenseful Thriller Forbidden Love Story Family Drama Fiction Survival Suspense Novel Multicultural /Interracial Strong Female Protagonist Emotional Romantic Suspense book info | about author | more books by author | buy direct from author About this story: A woman with her…

[psychologicalthriller16]

The Teacher: A Lesson in Twisted Perception and Hidden Truths

Have you ever judged a book by its cover? We all have. Freida McFadden's "The Teacher" takes that concept, throws it into a high school blender, and hits " puree." This psychological thriller isn't your average whodunit; it's a slow burn that will have you questioning everything you think you know, right up until the shocking climax.

We meet Eve, a seemingly ordinary math teacher with a picture-perfect life. But looks can be deceiving. Caseham High, where Eve works, is still reeling from a scandal the previous year – a messy student-teacher affair with a girl named Addie at the center. Everyone seems to have an opinion on Addie: a manipulative liar who thrives on chaos. Eve, however, sees something different.

The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Eve and Addie, creating a fascinating dance of truth and deception. We see the school through Eve's jaded eyes, a place where passion has died and the spark of learning has dimmed. Addie, on the other hand, is a whirlwind of secrets and barely contained emotions. As their paths collide, the past and present begin to blur, forcing us to re-evaluate everything we thought we knew about the scandal.

McFadden masterfully weaves a web of doubt. Is Eve a beacon of truth in a school drowning in hypocrisy? Or is she simply another player with her own hidden agenda? Is Addie a cunning villain or a victim caught in a web of circumstance? The beauty (and frustration!) of this novel lies in the unreliable narrators. We're constantly second-guessing ourselves, unsure of who to trust.

But "The Teacher" is more than just a guessing game. It's a poignant exploration of human connection, the power of perception, and the scars left by trauma. Eve wrestles with the mundanity of her marriage, yearning for a spark that seems to have vanished. Addie, burdened by a past she desperately wants to outrun, lashes out in a desperate attempt to control the narrative. These are characters we can empathize with, even when their actions are questionable.

McFadden's prose is sharp and evocative. She paints a vivid picture of the high school halls, capturing the claustrophobic tension and simmering emotions that lurk beneath the surface. The story itself is a slow burn, but the suspense never lets up. With every turn of the page, you'll find yourself more invested, desperate to untangle the truth.

If you're looking for a psychological thriller that will stay with you long after you finish the last page, "The Teacher" is a must-read. It's a story that will make you question your own perceptions and remind you that sometimes, the most shocking truths are the ones we refuse to see

The #MeToo Twist That Makes You Rethink Everything

Freida McFadden isn't afraid to tackle tough subjects, and "The Teacher" is no exception. The novel throws a #MeToo curveball that adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. Without giving away spoilers, let's just say that the lines between victim and villain become hopelessly blurred. This isn't a clear-cut case of good versus evil. It's a messy situation where everyone is playing a part, and the truth is far from black and white.

This twist is more than just a plot device; it forces us to confront our own biases. Have we been too quick to judge Addie? Have we overlooked the possibility that there's more to the story than the school gossip? McFadden masterfully compels us to re-evaluate the situation through a more nuanced lens.

A Story That Stays With You

But "The Teacher" isn't just about the suspense and the shocking reveals. It's a story that stays with you long after you finish the last page. Eve and Addie are complex characters who stay with you. You can't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Eve, trapped in a loveless marriage and yearning for something more. Addie, with her hidden pain and desperate need for control, is both infuriating and pitiable.

McFadden doesn't shy away from exploring the emotional fallout of the scandal. We see how it's affected Eve's relationship with her husband, Nate. We witness the lasting damage it's inflicted on Addie. It's a sobering reminder of the ripple effects of trauma and the importance of communication and understanding.

Ultimately, "The Teacher" is a story about the human condition. It's about the masks we wear, the secrets we keep, and the lengths we'll go to protect ourselves. It's a story that will make you think, feel, and question everything you thought you knew. So, grab a copy, settle in, and prepare to be surprised. You won't be disappointed

[reemnamin]

WHEN THE CURTAIN CALLS THE TIME by REEM NAWAL AMIN

www.reemnamin.com

[alysseaallyn]

#DreamTherapy - Dream Journaling with Alysse Aallyn

You're Free

Homing – Forgiveness –Do you dream of home? What’s “home” to you? Sometimes we dream of a home that no longer exists, or never existed. DreamTherapy posits that “home” represents the state of psychic absolution where all mistakes are forgiven and fall away from us. We are cleansed. We dream of ultimate understanding where our sins are not too terrible to be entirely forgotten. Jesus suggests to…

[twittercomfrnklin2001-blog]

Resurrection

Rebecca Hall is almost the whole show in writer-director Andrew Semans’ RESURRECTION (2022, Shudder). At the start, the film is all about her body language. As a successful businesswoman in Albany, NY, she’s totally put together. When she runs, her arms are powerful. In the office she’s assured and in control. The only sign of weakness is a closed position she takes when counseling an intern (Angela Wong Carbone) about the young woman’s abusive relationship. That strength makes her very attractive, but it also primes you to expect something to shatter it, and it does. At a conference she spots a face across the room that throws her into a panic.  It’s a man (Tim Roth) with whom she had had an abusive relationship in her youth, and for the rest of the film her disintegration is more horrifying than any monster could ever be. The film is a bit too schematic. Almost everything ties together a little too neatly, as if it were a master’s thesis on controlling relationships. But there are some astute observations as well, as when her treatment of her daughter (Grace Kaufman) gradually becomes almost as controlling as had been her relationship with Roth. She’s learned the tools of abuse from her abuser. The film gets a little more untethered when it takes a fantastical turn at the end that may throw some viewers. You can’t be sure if this is all really happening or if it’s just a delusion triggered by the thought of her daughter’s turning 18 and going off to college. But Hall dominates the screen, and her increasingly explosive confrontations with Roth wipe away all quibbles.

[becomingvecna]