Thriller: 228

Directed by Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips(2013) is a biographical action-thriller film that chronicles the events of the 2009 Maersk Alabama hijacking. It follows the journey of Captain Richard Phillips, an American merchant mariner who was captured by Somali pirates. Assigned to command the MV Maersk Alabama from Oman’s Port of Salalah, Phillips and First Officer Shane Murphy are vigilant about pirate activity in the Horn of Africa. As part of their security protocol, they conduct a practice drill and soon notice two skiffs following their unarmed container ...

Directed by Brad Furman and written by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, Runner Runner (2013) is an American crime thriller film. Once a successful Wall Street worker, Richie Furst’s past career prevents him from receiving financial aid at Princeton University. In order to afford his master’s degree, he turns to referring students to online gambling and receives a portion of the profits. When the dean threatens to expel Richie for this behavior, he attempts to win back his tuition using his impressive poker ...

Blindsided (2013), an American thriller directed by Joseph Ruben, follows the story of Sara Taylor, a photojournalist stationed in Afghanistan. While exploring a building, she hears cries for help and proceeds to take a photograph. To her horror, she realizes that the crying woman is carrying a bomb disguised as a baby. The explosion leaves Sara blind and she returns to America with her boyfriend Ryan, who is eager to marry her. As Sara prepares for a party and goes out to buy supplies, she is knocked over by a cyclist. Upon arriving home, she discovers that Ryan has gone out but when she takes a shower, she unknowingly ...

Hours (2013) is an American thriller film directed and written by Eric Heisserer, centered around Nolan Hayes and his newborn baby in the midst of Hurricane Katrina. Prior to the storm’s arrival in 2005, Nolan brings his wife Abigail to the emergency room as she enters labor five weeks ahead of schedule. Despite the doctor’s explanation that Abigail gave birth to a baby girl but succumbed to liver failure, Nolan remains adamant that she is still alive and mourns her loss. However, he quickly learns that their premature baby must remain on a ventilator for the next two days until she can breathe ...

Hannibal (2013–2015), a psychological horror-thriller series developed by Bryan Fuller for NBC, is based on characters from Thomas Harris’ novels Red Dragon (1981), Hannibal (1999), and Hannibal Rising (2006). The show centers on the dynamic between FBI special investigator Will Graham and forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who becomes Graham’s greatest adversary yet also the only person who truly understands him. It premiered on NBC on April 4, 2013, with a 13-episode first season ordered. The pilot episode was directed by ...

Éric Rochant’s French film, Möbius (2013), follows a Russian FSB operative as he races to take down an international money laundering scheme. The key to his success is American banker Alice, but the catch is that she is also being pursued by others. In this high stakes world of espionage, the operative must navigate through deceit and betrayal in order to uncover the truth and bring down a powerful Russian oligarch.

The Americans (2013–2018) is an acclaimed period spy drama created by Joe Weisberg for FX. Running for six seasons from 2013 to 2018, it was also directed and produced by Joel Fields. Set during the Cold War, the series follows Elizabeth and Philip Jennings – Soviet KGB officers disguised as a married couple in Falls Church, Virginia with their children Paige and Henry. The show offers a unique exploration of the tension between Washington’s FBI office and the KGB Rezidentura, seen through the eyes of agents on both sides, including neighbor Stan Beeman ...

Passion (2012) is a film, both written and directed by Brian De Palma. In the movie, Christine is an American advertising executive working in Germany, collaborating with her protégé Isabelle on a new smartphone ad campaign. Despite being involved in a secret affair with Christine’s boyfriend Dirk, Isabelle comes up with a highly successful marketing concept. However, when Christine takes credit for it, Isabelle is disappointed but eventually makes peace with her boss after hearing about the tragic loss of her twin sister. Acting upon Dani’s suggestion, Isabelle shares her own version of the ad online, which ...

Simon Killer (2012), a film helmed by director Antonio Campos and penned by a collaboration of Campos, Brady Corbet, and Mati Diop, follows the journey of college graduate Simon. His five-year relationship with girlfriend Michelle ends when he aggressively accuses her of infidelity. Seeking solace in Paris, Simon reaches out to Michelle via email multiple times, though his private messages also contain insults. In an attempt to make her jealous, he lies about meeting someone ...

Directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by John Gatins, Flight (2012) is an American drama film which follows the story of airline pilot Captain Whip Whitaker. In an attempt to combat his fatigue after a sleepless night in his Orlando hotel room, Whip resorts to using cocaine. During his flight on SouthJetAir Flight 227 to Atlanta, the plane experiences intense turbulence upon takeoff. Co-pilot Ken Evans takes over while Whip discreetly mixes vodka into his orange juice and rests. However, he is abruptly awakened as the plane suddenly plunges downwards. In a bold move, ...

Man on a Ledge (2012) is an American action thriller directed by Asger Leth. After checking into the Roosevelt Hotel, a man named Joe Walker makes his way to the 21st floor and steps out onto the ledge, seemingly prepared to end his life. Concerned bystanders alert the police, who send in Dante Marcus and Jack Dougherty to handle the situation. However, it is revealed that Walker is actually ex-policeman Nick Cassidy, who recently escaped from prison after being sentenced for stealing a diamond from businessman David Englander. Negotiator Lydia Mercer, still reeling from her failure to save a suicidal policeman, is ...

Argo (2012), an American historical drama thriller, was directed, produced by, and starred Ben Affleck. The screenplay, based on the 1999 memoir The Master of Disguise by U.S. C.I.A. operative Tony Mendez and 2007 Wired article The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran by Joshuah Bearman (edited by Nicholas Thompson), follows a group of diplomats who escape capture during the Iranian Revolution on ...

The American independent film Red State (2011), written and directed by Kevin Smith, follows teenagers Travis, Jarod, and Billy Ray on their way to meet a woman named Sarah. While driving, they accidentally hit Sheriff Wynan’s parked car as Wynan is engaging in sexual activity with another man. Upon returning to the station, Wynan instructs his deputy Pete to search for the vehicle involved. Meanwhile, Sarah deceives the boys into drinking drugged beer, causing them to pass out. When Jarod wakes up, he finds himself in a covered cage inside Five Points Trinity Church – a fervently conservative church led by ...

The Ides of March (2011), directed by George Clooney, is an American political drama. The screenplay was written by Clooney, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willimon, based on Willimon’s play Farragut North. The film follows the story of Stephen Meyers, the junior campaign manager for Governor of Pennsylvania Mike Morris, as he competes against Arkansas Senator Ted Pullman in the Democratic presidential primary. Both ...

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011), aт American legal thriller film, was adapted from Michael Connelly’s 2005 novel of the same name. Mickey Haller, a criminal defense attorney, operates out of his black Lincoln Town Car in LA County, California. Earl Briggs serves as his chauffeur. Haller’s typical clients include low-level criminals such as Eddie Vogel, the leader of a biker gang. His ex-wife, Maggie McPherson, who shares a daughter with him, is a district attorney who disapproves of his choice of clientele. Unexpectedly, Haller is hired to represent Louis Roulet, a wealthy playboy from Beverly Hills and the son of ...

Headhunters (2011) is a Norwegian action thriller film based on Jo Nesbø’s 2008 novel of the same name. The story follows Roger Brown, Norway’s most successful headhunter, who funds his extravagant lifestyle by stealing paintings from his clients. He is aided by his partner Ove, who works at a surveillance company and disables security systems for their heists. Roger declines an invitation to dinner from his mistress Lotte, leading to the end of their relationship. Meanwhile, Roger’s wife Diana, an art gallery owner, introduces him to Clas Greve, a former executive at GPS tech company HOTE. As Roger ...

Homeland (2011–2020) is an American espionage thriller television series that premiered on October 2, 2011. Developed by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, it is based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War created by Gideon Raff, who also serves as an executive producer. The show aired on cable channel Showtime and was produced by Fox 21 Television Studios. In a unique twist, the first episode was available online more than two weeks before its television broadcast. Viewers had to complete game tasks to gain access. ...

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) is a British Cold War spy thriller film directed by Tomas Alfredson. The script was written by Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan, adapted from John le Carré’s novel of the same name. In 1973, ‘Control’, head of British intelligence, sends agent Jim Prideaux to Budapest on a mission to uncover a mole within their ranks. However, Prideaux is shot during the operation and Control subsequently dies. Sir Percy Alleline ...

The  film Edge of Darkness (2010), directed by Martin Campbell and written by William Monahan and Andrew Bovell, stars Mel Gibson and Ray Winstone. Homicide detective Thomas Craven picks up his daughter Emma from South Station, Boston for a visit. On the journey home, Emma falls ill and vomits twice. As they prepare dinner at home, Emma has a nosebleed and vomits again. When they leave to go to the hospital, a masked gunman ...

The American action thriller film, The American (2010), directed by Anton Corbijn, follows the story of Jack and his lover, Ingrid, as they spend some time in Sweden. While taking a walk in the wilderness near their cabin, Jack notices a trail of footprints in the snow and quickly pulls Ingrid towards shelter. Gunshots from a sniper are heard in the distance. Ready to protect them both, Jack draws his own gun and takes down the sniper before turning his attention to another armed man. After his swift actions, Jack flees to Rome where he contacts a man named Pavel for help. However, Pavel insists that it is not safe for ...