Over the years, the thriller genre has delivered numerous entertaining films that have sparked the interest of critics and audiences worldwide, with many of them becoming perennial favorites that people return to time and again. The best of these are the movies that tell gripping stories brought to life with artful direction, impeccable production, and charismatic performances. But sometimes, as the years wear on, even the most perfect thrillers can become sadly forgotten.
That’s certainly the case with the movies we’re discussing here, whose twisted plots and layered characters have more or less faded from the public consciousness. But though forgotten, these films are still just as perfect as they were when they first hit screens. So, without further ado, here’s a look at some of the most perfect thriller movies that practically nobody remembers.
1
‘Phone Booth’ (2002)
Image via 20th Century Fox
Directed by Joel Schumacher and written by Larry Cohen, Phone Booth is a psychological thriller starring Colin Farrell as a New York City publicist who happens to use a public phone booth in Times Square. He is then targeted by a hidden sniper who threatens to kill him and the people he loves unless he does exactly what he tells him to. Besides Farrell, the film also stars Forest Whitaker, Katie Holmes, Radha Mitchell, and Kiefer Sutherland.
Phone Booth was quite favorably received after its world premiere at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival, but its theatrical release was delayed until the next year because of the real-life D.C. sniper attacks. Once released, the movie became a box office success, and even though the film isn’t very well-remembered, it’s still a thoroughly absorbing watch with a great, contained story and excellent performances. If you like your thrillers Hitchcockian and your villains as enigmatic as they are charismatic, then this 2000s classic is a must-watch.
2
‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (2005)
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Written and directed by Shane Black in his directorial debut, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a neo-noir black comedy crime thriller inspired by the 1941 Brett Halliday novel Bodies Are Where You Find Them. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Harry Lockhart, a thief fleeing a burglary gone wrong, who is mistaken for an actor and cast in a movie. When he arrives in Hollywood, Harry befriends a private detective (Val Kilmer) and finds himself drawn into a treacherous murder investigation. The movie also stars Michelle Monaghan and Corbin Bernsen in key roles.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang premiered out of competition at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival and had a largely positive critical reception ahead of its theatrical debut, but it was ultimately a box office disappointment, barely earning back its budget. Despite its lack of commercial success, however, the film is a very entertaining ride with slick action and a deliciously dark sense of humor, not to mention enjoyable performances by its two leads. Robert Downey Jr.’s performance in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang reportedly helped him land the career-changing role of Tony Stark/Iron Man, and the movie is easily one of the best films of Shane Black’s career.
3
‘The Game’ (1997)
Image via PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Directed by David Fincher, The Game is a mystery thriller film starring Michael Douglas as Nicholas Van Orton, a successful San Francisco investment banker. On his 48th birthday, Nicholas is visited by his estranged brother, who gives him a strange gift: an invitation to join a mysterious game that begins to seep into his everyday life and draws him into a baffling conspiracy. Besides Douglas, the film also stars Sean Penn, Deborah Kara Unger, and James Rebhorn in key roles.
Despite a positive critical reception, The Game fell short of box office expectations during its theatrical run in 1997, though it did gross over $109 million. The movie is often overlooked in discussions of Fincher’s ’90s work in favor of his earlier, more successful film Se7en, but The Game is every bit as thrilling as its predecessor, and though its ending has faced some criticism, it’s still a solidly crafted story. The film is also notable for Michael Douglas’ stellar lead performance, which is arguably one of the actor’s best.
