For anyone well-versed in the world of film criticism, Roger Ebert stands out as a monumental figure. While debates may arise regarding whether he is the greatest film critic of all time, his status as the most iconic and recognizable movie critic is unquestionable. Ebert’s approach to discussing cinema was deeply personal, insightful, and unmatched in its intimacy. His voracious appetite for films across all genres and subgenres was consistently appreciated by his audience, making his views highly sought after.
Among various genres, thrillers and suspense movies were particularly appealing to Ebert. His profound understanding of these films, coupled with his exceptional ability to articulate what makes them effective, set him apart. He held a notable admiration for Alfred Hitchcock and his perspectives on suspense, frequently referencing numerous outstanding films throughout his career that he deemed incredibly suspenseful.
10
‘The Negotiator’ (1998)
Roger Ebert’s Rating: 3.5/4 stars
While Samuel L. Jackson‘s film The Negotiator might be considered one of his most underrated works today, it unfortunately faced significant challenges during its initial release, resulting in its status as a box office bomb. However, it remains an exceptional crime thriller that is well worth the nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime. Despite its length, the film is expertly directed and features stellar performances that justify the time spent watching it.
Ebert expressed his admiration for the film by awarding it a remarkable score of 3.5 out of 4 stars. He lauded it as a “triumph of style over story, and of acting over characters,” emphasizing its brisk pacing and the way it cleverly subverts typical thriller conventions. Ebert particularly praised F. Gary Gray‘s direction and the impressive performances by both Jackson and Kevin Spacey, highlighting the film’s “conviction and urgency” throughout his review.
9
‘Alien’ (1979)
Roger Ebert’s Rating: 4/4 stars
It is no surprise that Ebert, along with many other critics, heralded Alien as one of the most suspenseful films ever crafted. To this day, it is revered as one of the best and most influential sci-fi horror movies in cinematic history. The film ignited a franchise that has experienced varying degrees of quality with each installment, yet the original remains unmatched.
This film stands as one of the most enduring sci-fi classics, a sentiment Ebert would undoubtedly share. In his review, he highlighted Ridley Scott’s ability to generate suspense even in the film’s quieter and more subdued moments. He juxtaposed Alien with the slasher films of its era that relied heavily on payoffs without build-up, praising its “dark and frightening intensity,” which resonates throughout its runtime.
Alien
- Release Date
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June 22, 1979
- Runtime
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117 Minutes
8
‘Knowing’ (2009)
Roger Ebert’s Rating: 4/4 stars
While not all of Ebert’s reviews have stood the test of time, his remarkable intellect and ability to articulate his feelings about films, whether positive or negative, have left a lasting impact. However, one review that continues to baffle many is his unquestionable admiration for Knowing, a film that is often criticized as one of Nicolas Cage‘s lesser works.
Knowing stands out as one of the few films for which Ebert awarded a full four-star rating, despite widespread criticism labeling it an absurd disaster. Ebert saw it as a masterpiece of science fiction, describing it as “frightening, suspenseful, intelligent and, when necessary, quite awesome.” He expressed pure enthusiasm for its storytelling and direction, showcasing his unique perspective.
Knowing
- Release Date
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March 20, 2009
- Runtime
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121 minutes
7
‘The Day of the Jackal’ (1973)
Roger Ebert’s Rating: 4/4 stars
Before the popular TV series on Peacock took the world by storm with a similar title, Fred Zinnemann adapted Frederick Forsyth‘s novel to create The Day of the Jackal. This film stands as one of the finest examples of the spy thriller genre ever produced. Universally praised, it has aged remarkably well and is often cited as one of the best films from the 1970s.
As a fan of thrillers, Ebert described The Day of the Jackal as “one hell of an exciting movie,” declaring it to be “not just a suspense classic, but a beautifully executed example of filmmaking.” Even today, it’s challenging to disagree with his assessment. The film excels for many reasons, particularly its expertly crafted moments of tension, which remain impactful.
6
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)
Roger Ebert’s Rating: 3.5/4 stars (later revised to 4/4 stars)
Regarded as a compelling police procedural and a thriller so intense that it often borders on horror, The Silence of the Lambs stands as one of the most significant films of the 1990s. It achieved remarkable success at the box office, received critical acclaim (including from Roger Ebert), and became the third film to win the prestigious “big five” Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
In essence, The Silence of the Lambs is heralded as one of the greatest thrillers ever created. Initially, Ebert rated it at 3.5 stars, stating, “it has been a good long while since I have felt the presence of Evil so manifestly demonstrated,” while also noting some “ludicrous” and “hardly believable” elements. However, upon including the film in his Great Movies list in 2001, he upgraded his rating to a perfect four stars, describing it as “frightening, involving, and disturbing.”
5
‘Panic Room’ (2002)
Roger Ebert’s Rating: 3/4 stars
Renowned director David Fincher is a filmmaker whose work has consistently garnered positive reviews from Ebert, and Panic Room is no exception. This is the only film from Fincher that received a respectable three-star rating from Ebert. It’s often regarded as one of Fincher’s most underrated films, featuring outstanding performances from Jodie Foster and Forest Whitaker.
Panic Room was “as close as [he was] likely to get” to “the ideal of a thriller existing entirely in a world of physical and psychological plausibility.”
Panic Room is often celebrated as one of the best home invasion movies, and Ebert certainly concurred. In his review, he stated that Panic Room was “as close as [he was] likely to get” to “the ideal of a thriller existing entirely in a world of physical and psychological plausibility.” He complimented the film’s ability to create tension, likening it to a thrilling game of chess between two masters, and offered high praise for both Foster and Whitaker’s performances.
Panic Room
- Release Date
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March 29, 2002
- Runtime
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112 minutes
4
‘The Hurt Locker’ (2008)
Roger Ebert’s Rating: 4/4 stars
Despite some critics labeling it as one of the weaker Best Picture Oscar winners of the 2000s, this perception often arises from a lack of understanding of its depth. Much quieter, more intense, and dramatically richer than typical war films, The Hurt Locker stands out as one of the best Iraq War films and is considered a vital entry in the war genre of the 2000s, largely due to the masterful direction of Kathryn Bigelow.
Ebert was among the film’s admirers, describing it as “a spellbinding war film.” He praised Bigelow’s directorial finesse and the outstanding performances throughout, particularly highlighting the film’s exceptional sense of suspense. Ebert referenced Hitchcock‘s approach to suspense, noting the distinction between action and suspense: “when there’s a bomb under a table, and it explodes, it’s action. When we know the bomb is there, and the people at the table play cards, and it doesn’t explode, that’s suspense.” Ebert believed that Bigelow effectively built a war narrative steeped in suspense, which is particularly fitting for a film centered around bomb disposal.
3
‘Jaws’ (1975)
Roger Ebert’s Rating: 4/4 stars
Director Steven Spielberg has had a profound impact on cinema and the filmmaking industry, but arguably his most significant contribution is his role as the architect of the summer blockbuster, largely credited to Jaws. This film, a combination of horror and thriller elements, exemplifies the classic “man vs. nature” narrative.
Jaws is recognized as one of the most intense films of the 1970s, a sentiment echoed by Ebert, who described Spielberg’s creation as “a sensationally effective action picture” and “a scary thriller.” When he later included the film in his Great Movies list, he reiterated his admiration for how Spielberg built suspense and tension, often withholding the shark’s appearance until absolutely necessary, drawing on Hitchcock’s bomb metaphor to illustrate the film’s masterful approach to suspense.
Jaws
- Release Date
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June 20, 1975
- Runtime
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124 minutes
2
‘The Wages of Fear’ (1953)
Roger Ebert’s Rating: 4/4 stars
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