I love a good thriller movie. Throw in a well-considered twist, and now you’re really cooking. Whether it's a shocking ending or just a second-act reveal that turns the entire story on its head, there’s nothing more exciting in a movie than a twist you never saw coming. Fortunately, Netflix currently offers several thriller options with twist-fueled plots and unexpected U-turns.
Just be clear: This article is going to be spoiler-free. While a great twist is always awesome, having one spoiled for you before you watch the movie is extremely infuriating, so I’ve ensured that I don’t delve into spoiler territory down below. You can look over my current top Netflix picks without fear of having the biggest revelations ruined for you ahead of watching them yourself.
With that bit of housekeeping out of the way, let’s dive into my selections for the best thriller movies with a twist you’ll (probably) never guess that you can stream on Netflix right now. And I advise you to watch them as fast as possible. I won’t spoil the twists, but I can’t promise somebody else won’t.
‘The Perfection’ (2019)
![The Perfection | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/q57D6kF5B1k/maxresdefault.jpg)
“The Perfection” is a truly wild psychological thriller that goes to some extremely dark places. Its biggest strength is a mid-movie gear shift that even the most eagle-eyed viewer (probably) won’t see coming, which perfectly sets up an exciting conclusion. Allison Williams (who you may recognize from “Get Out” or the “M3GAN” franchise) is excellent in the lead role and will have you questioning her intentions throughout. She also pairs very well with Logan Browning, and their dynamic is central to the movie, so it’s a good job that it’s strong.
Charlotte (Williams) is a troubled musical prodigy forced to leave her prestigious arts academy to care for her sick mother. Soon after, she discovers that the school’s demanding principal (Steven Weber) has taken on a new star pupil (Browning), who has effectively replaced Charlotte. On the surface, "The Perfection" appears to be a story of jealousy and academic rivalry, but as the shocking layers are peeled back, there’s more at play.
Watch "The Perfection" on Netflix now
‘Parasite’ (2019)
“Parasite” needs very little introduction. The first movie not in the English language to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, this gripping thriller is director Bong Joon Ho’s masterpiece, and one of the best movies of the 21st century. From its biting commentary on the societal class system to the phenomenal performances from the entire cast, not to mention its twist-fueled plot that surprises constantly, it’s a movie worthy of its accolades. If you’ve somehow skipped “Parasite” over the six years since its release, go watch it now.
The movie focuses on two families, the struggling Kims and the wealthy Parks. When the son of the Kim family is employed to work as an English tutor for the Parks’ daughter, the family sees it as a golden opportunity to lift themselves out of their current financial woes and hatch a crafty plan to integrate themselves into the Parks’ affluent lifestyle. What starts as almost a high-concept comedy quickly descends into something much darker.
Watch "Parasite" on Netflix now
‘Reptile’ (2023)
If you’re looking for a thriller that plays in the familiar crime thriller sandbox, “Reptile” will get the job done nicely. Its murder-mystery plot has a bit of a daytime soap vibe about it, but the Grant Singer movie manages to set up a largely compelling web of intrigue, and by the end, it all comes to an exciting conclusion. Fortunately, the talents of Benicio del Toro and Alicia Silverstone help elevate the somewhat shlocky screenplay. Oh, and Justin Timberlake is also on board, which I guess will either be a pro or con depending on personal preference.
Will Grady (Timberlake) is horrified to return home one day to find his girlfriend brutally murdered. An experienced detective (del Toro) is swiftly called to the scene and begins investigating the matter, with his committed wife (Silverstone) in the background, offering support and a few eagle-eyed observations of her own. But as the investigation reaches a head, surprising revelations surface, ones that could implicate more than just the killer.
Watch "Reptile" on Netflix now
‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017)
![Gerald's Game | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/twbGU2CqqQU/maxresdefault.jpg)
“Gerald’s Game” is a psychological thriller that serves as pure nightmare fuel because its central setup feels plausible enough to be something that could happen. Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, it comes from Mike Flanagan, a real titan in the Netflix horror genre, having helmed “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Midnight Mass” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.” While the twist here is more character-driven than a shocking revelation that turns the plot on its head, it adds to the tone and conclusion.
Carla Gugino plays Jessie, a woman trapped in a compromising and deadly situation. After allowing herself to be handcuffed to a bed in an isolated holiday house, her husband suffers a fatal heart attack. Now stuck, with no means of freeing herself or calling for help, she must survive this torturous experience while she is haunted by demons that could be real or imaginary.
Watch "Gerald's Game" on Netflix now
‘Inside Man’ (2006)
One of the five collaborations between director Spike Lee and actor Denzel Washington, “Inside Man” is a gripping crime thriller that centers on a daring bank robbery. If the two uber-talents above weren’t enough to sell you on this movie, it also stars Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, Willem Dafoe and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Talk about star-studded. The fact that the movie itself, beyond its cast list, is remarkably twisty is just a huge bonus.
Washington plays Detective Keith Frazier, who must trade wits with a criminal mastermind, Dalton Russell (Owen), who claims to have constructed the perfect heist. After entering a New York City bank, Dalton and his crew take a group of employees and civilians hostage, and Frazier is called to negotiate terms. But when the bank’s owner deploys a fixer, Madeline White (Foster), to retrieve something from one of the building's deposit boxes, it becomes clear there’s more at play here than meets the eye.
Watch "Inside Man" on Netflix now
‘Non-Stop’ (2014)
“Non-Stop” is one of the better Liam Neeson action-thrillers, and a huge step up in quality from “Ice Road: Vengeance,” which just arrived on Netflix this week. So, if you’re in the mood for Neeson kicking some butt and delivering epic action monologues in the way only he can, swerve the actor’s latest addition to the streaming service, and watch “Non-Stop” instead.
Labeled “‘Taken’ at 30,000 feet” by more than one critic upon release in 2014, that’s perhaps not the most narratively accurate comparison, but thematically, “Non-Stop” certainly has a similar vibe to Neeson’s popular action-thriller franchise. Neeson plays a U.S. air marshal who is increasingly disillusioned with his work. What starts as just another regular day quickly becomes a high-stakes situation when, during a flight between New York and London, he gets a mysterious text message informing him that a passenger will die every 20 minutes until $150 million is transferred to an offshore bank account.
Watch "Non-Stop" on Netflix now
‘47 Meters Down’ (2017)
I’ve personally never seen the appeal of cage diving as a tourist attraction, but if you think swimming with sharks sounds like a fun vacation excursion, “47 Meters Down” will ensure you never want to try it for yourself. This shark-infested survival thriller stars Claire Holt and Mandy Moore, and successfully plays up the fear factor of being trapped underwater with the ocean’s most lethal predators circling overhead.
Kate (Holt) and Lisa (Moore) are sisters traveling through Mexico on a sun-soaked holiday. When they decide to try a spot of cage diving, Lisa is reluctant, but Kate convinces her it'll be a memorable adventure. What was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close with a pack of sharks soon becomes a nightmare as their protective cage dislodges from the boat after a winch malfunction, and the sisters are trapped on the ocean floor with a limited supply of oxygen.
Watch "47 Meters Down" on Netflix now
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