Top 10 films like ‘Shutter Island’ - the best twisted psychological thrillers

For fans of ‘Shutter Island,’ this is a list of 10 shocking psychological thrillers with plenty of tension and twists.

Martin Scorsese’s 2010 psychological thriller ‘Shutter Island’ is gritty, shocking, and filled to the brim with suspense. Featuring Leonardo DiCaprio as Teddy, a US Marshal who is sent to an asylum on a remote island to investigate the recent disappearance of a patient, this neo-noir drama has a habit of leaving its powerful mark on those who watch it. The plot twist in ‘Shutter Island’ is one of the most effective and haunting moments in cinematic history, and it left me wanting more. For those looking for psychological thrillers that will offer a similarly breathtaking experience, I have compiled a list of my top 10 films like ‘Shutter Island.’ I left out some of the more obvious, well-known psychological thrillers in the hope that people can find something new, but I’ll include these and others that didn’t quite make the list in my ‘honourable mentions.’ You can also read more Films to Watch Before you Die top 10s here.

1. Memento (2000)

‘Memento,’ like ‘Shutter Island,’ is a neo-noir psychological thriller with a twist that will stick in your head for days after watching it. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film follows Leonard Shelby, an insurance investigator who suffers from short memory loss. Hunting for the man who killed his wife, Leonard uses notes and tattoos to guide him towards the killer. ‘Memento’ is creative and refreshing, with an interesting concept and a mind-bending narrative style that keeps the viewer guessing right up to the last second. 

2. The Crying Game (1992) 

The 1992 thriller ‘The Crying Game’ not only contains one of the most unusual plot twists I’ve ever seen, but also manages to be simultaneously action-packed and deeply moving. Fergus, the film’s protagonist, is a member of the IRA ordered to kill a soldier with whom he has built an unusual emotional connection with. What follows is a combination between a dark drama and a tension filled thriller as Fergus must choose between his loyalty to his country and the promise he made to an old friend. If you liked ‘Shutter Island,’ you will love this film. 

3. Personal Shopper (2016) 

‘Personal Shopper’ is a supernatural psychological thriller that tells the story of Maureen, a personal shopper to an arrogant supermodel who is also a part-time spiritual medium. Played by Kristen Stewart, Maureen is determined to stay in Paris until she receives a ‘sign’ from her recently deceased twin brother Lewis. ‘Personal Shopper’ is a bit of a slow burn, but the pay-off from this film is immense. Unlike ‘Shutter Island,’ the viewer is kept largely in the dark as to the reason behind the events that take place, with its haunting ending leaving a lot left to the imagination. 

4. A Cure for Wellness (2016) 

No list of psychological thrillers would be complete without the stunning horror mystery ‘A Cure for Wellness.’ Lockhart, the film’s protagonist, holds a successful but stress-inducing job as a financial executive before he is sent to a wellness centre in the Swiss alps to retrieve his company’s CEO. Much like the asylum in ‘Shutter Island,’ the isolation of the wellness centre induces a great deal of psychological distress in both the film’s characters and viewers. Atmospheric and deeply sinister, ‘A Cure for Wellness’ is a delve into insanity with a powerful message. 

5. Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) 

‘Killing of a Scared Deer’ is undoubtedly my favourite A24 film of all time. This psychological thriller follows Steven Murphy, played by Colin Farrell, a cardiovascular surgeon faced with an impossible dilemma. When a creepy boy called Martin infiltrates Steven’s life, the surgeon’s family is plagued by a mysterious illness with a grim and unavoidable cure. Consistently tense and frequently disturbing, if you are looking for something with the same shock-factor as ‘Shutter Island,’ 'Killing of a Sacred Deer’ is a must watch. 

6. Dogtooth (2009) 

The Greek thriller ‘Dogtooth’ is unusual but effective as it explores the grim secrets of a family where three adult children are kept prisoner in a manipulative and often abusive environment. Again, this deeply psychological drama is much like ‘Shutter Island’ in that it portrays the effects of isolation on the human psyche. Disturbing and difficult to watch, director Yorgos Lanthimos’ work is not for everyone. However, ‘Dogtooth’ remains one of the most harrowing films of its genre, and for that reason, it deserves a spot on this list. 

7. The Others (2001) 

‘The Others’ is described as a supernatural horror, but for me works best as a psychological thriller. This film follows Grace, played by Nicole Kidman, the Mother of two photosensitive children living in a sprawling house shut off from sunlight and the outside world. When mysterious things start taking place, Grace is led to believe that her family is being haunted. With its sinister mood and macabre twist, ‘The Others’ is equal parts shocking and upsetting, and filled to the brim with psychological tension. 

8. Black Swan (2010) 

The first of two films directed by Darren Aronovsky on this list, ‘Black Swan’ is a psychological thriller based on the 1997 film ‘Perfect Blue.’ The protagonist Nina, played by Natalie Portman, is a ballerina who yearns to play the part of the White Swan in the New York City Ballet Company’s upcoming production of Swan Lake. What follows is essentially a descent into madness as Nina loses her grip on reality in a bid to outshine the other ballerina competing for the role. ‘Black Swan,’ like ‘Shutter Island,’ is a film that is incredibly effective in its portrayal of the destructive nature of psychological distress. 

9. Requiem for a Dream (2000) 

Also directed by Darren Aronovsky, ‘Requiem for a Dream’ is perhaps my favourite psychological thriller of all time. Displaying the parallel stories of three interconnected characters and the disturbing results of their drug addiction, this film certainly has a shock-factor that matches, if not exceeds that of ‘Shutter Island.’ With a soundtrack and style of cinematography that is incredibly stress-inducing, ‘Requiem for a Dream’ is one of those rare films that will stay with you forever. 

10. The Invitation (2015) 

‘The Invitation’ is a gritty, slow burn psychological thriller with a dark twist. After receiving an ominous invitation to a dinner party from his ex-wife, a seemingly ordinary night soon turns sour as a man suspects that something sinister is going on. Intriguing and eerie, this film plays on the idea that something is not quite right; but as a viewer, you don’t realise quite how messed up that something is until the film’s brutal climax. ‘The Invitation’ is, in my opinion, a must watch for any fan of the psychological thriller genre. 

If you enjoyed this, you can read more Films To Watch Before You Die lists here.