10 Forgotten 1980s Thrillers That Are Worth Watching

The 1980s were a successful decade for the thriller genre and produced many hidden gems. Some of the best suspense films in cinema history debuted during this period. The period began with a disturbing masterpiece of fear with The Enlightened, and went on to give the public more cinematic gems. Although some cult classic films from the 80s like The Blade Runner are still remembered and praised, others seem to be largely ignored by today’s public.

Perhaps they were overshadowed by bigger names when they were released, or simply fell into obscurity over the years. Like many underrated 90s thrillers, many great 1980s representatives of this genre deserve a second look. Audiences, especially those drawn to the dark allure of psychologically disturbing and emotionally intriguing stories, deserve the opportunity to rediscover these hidden treasures.

10

Still of the Night (1982)

Director: Robert Benton

Some of the most underrated thrillers of the ’80s came from unlikely sources, like Robert Benton’s Still at night. Having previously worked with Streep on Kramer x KramerDirector Robert Benton took a completely different approach with the psychological thriller. A beautiful tribute to Alfred Hitchcockthe film features an excellent cast, including Meryl Streep and Roy Scheider. The story follows Sam Rice, a psychiatrist who finds himself involved in a murder investigation after one of his patients is mysteriously killed.

The doctor finds himself increasingly attracted to Brooke, the victim’s beautiful and enigmatic lover, whose suspicious connection to the crime casts doubt on her innocence. As the doctor delves deeper into the story, he ends up caught between paranoia and fascination with her, even though he knows she can be deadly dangerous. The film pays homage to the most iconic scenes from Hitchcock’s filmsas Vertigo, Psychopath, and North by Northwestand is right up there with the thriller classics.

9

Deadly Calm (1989)

Director: Phillip Noyce

One of the greatest Australian thrillers ever made, Deadly Calm stars Nicole Kidman and Sam Neill as Rae and John, an unhappy couple who have just lost their son in a terrible car accident. After the tragedy, John suggests that they go on vacation together on his yacht, where they can be isolated from the rest of the world and free to grieve. What seemed like a bittersweet story of healing, however, takes a frightening turn when they encounter and save a stranger, Hughie, from Billy Zane, who claims his boat was sinking.

Surrounded by water and alienated by society, Rae and John find themselves in a psychological nightmare as he tries to uncover the true motivations behind the unstable Hughie. The film keeps the audience glued to the screen through a combination of anxiety and suspense, aided by Zane’s excellent performance. This forgotten 1980s thriller is a must-see, fusing a deeply felt tragedy with an intense character study.

8

Blow Up (1981)

Director: Brian De Palma

A film inspired by Michelangelo Antonioni’s cinematic masterpiece, Explosion should never be forgotten. Unfortunately, when Explode released in 1981, it did not receive much public attention, even though it attracted critical attention for its tense story and the film’s convincing use of post-production as a source of drama. Directed by Brian De Palma, this forgotten 80s thriller has gathered more fans in recent years.

Jack Terry, played by John Travolta, works as an audio technician on low-budget horror and horror films. However, one night, while trying to record some sounds to use in his latest work, he accidentally audio-records the evidence of what could be a murder. As curiosity overwhelms him, Jack dives deeper into a dangerous game where he could lose more than he bargained for. De Palma’s ability to gradually build suspense as the mystery unfolds infuses this story with a sense of dread and intrigue typical of the best examples of the genre.

7

House of Games (1987)

Director: David Mamet

House of Games is a neo-noir thriller that marked David Mamet’s directorial debut in 1987. The film is a tense story of deceit and fraud which delves deep into a brutal world of psychological manipulation and lies. Lindsay Crouse plays Dr. Margaret Ford, a successful and respected psychiatrist who becomes increasingly fascinated by the world of con artists.

As the story progresses, Dr. Ford comes face to face with Mike, played by Joe Mantegna, a charismatic gambler and con artist who introduces her to the nuances and subtleties of the world she is trying to understand. Mamet’s exploration of themes of trust, betrayal and deceit are seamlessly intertwined in every scene, while the constant element of doubt and surprise maintains the viewer’s interest throughout the film. House of Games It’s a forgotten gem from the 1980s that’s worth rediscovering.

6

The Morning After (1986)

Director: Sidney Lumet

Featuring Jane Fonda, Jeff Bridges and Raul Julia, The morning after is a psychological thriller directed by Sidney Lumet that carries a painful human undercurrent to the genre. The film received generally positive reviews, but Iis often overlooked despite a strong cast and heavy plot. The story follows Alex, played by Jane Fonda, an actress on a downward career spiral who struggles with severe alcohol dependence.

The woman wakes up on Thanksgiving with a terrible hangover and the body of a murdered photographer next to her. Unable to remember, Alex is paralyzed by fear of her involvement in the horrific crime and finds herself suspected of a murder she doesn’t remember committing. Jane Fonda has delivered countless incredible performances in her career, with the legendary actress bringing a genuinely tragic element to the thriller. The strong performances in The morning after help turn an interesting thriller into an even more captivating watch.

5

After Hours (1985)

Director: Martin Scorsese

An often overlooked example of Martin Scorsese’s artistic genius, this black comedy is a forgotten treasure. The director’s important name may be the reason After hours is often overlooked among other masterpieces by Scorsese as Taxi driver or Good companions. Described as a yuppie nightmare cycle, the film was released in 1985 and starred Griffin Dunne and Rosanna Arquette.

The story follows Paul Hackett, an office worker who, on an assignment to visit a girl living in Soho, loses his only $20 bill in a taxi and is forced by fate to walk through New York City at night. What should be a romantic night for the main character turns into an unexpected nightmare of absurd situations and unfortunate events. The city has never been so scary (or so strangely attractive) as it is in After hours.

4

The Stuntman (1980)

Director: Richard Rush

The stunt double is a satirical psychological thrillerr directed by Richard Rush and based on the 1970 novel of the same name. The film follows Cameron, played by Steve Railsback, a fugitive and Vietnam War veteran who accidentally breaks into the set of a World War I film and goes into hiding as a stunt double. Peter O’Toole’s Eli Cross, the film’s highly eccentric and megalomaniacal director, takes the fugitive under his wing.

However, through Cameron’s perspective, the audience gradually begins to doubt the good intentions of O’Toole’s character. A film about another film is always an interesting concept. TThe story frighteningly blurs the lines between reality and fiction when a psychological game begins between the two protagonists. Peter O’Toole gives a chilling, Oscar-worthy performance as the manipulative, controlling artist whose nature evades and deceives.

3

Eye of the Needle (1981)

Director: Richard Marquand

Eye of the Needle is a British spy film based on the 1978 novel of the same name, written by Ken Follet. The film was directed by Richard Marquand, who later gained even more recognition for his work with Return of the Jedi. A dark take on the spy genreand, Eye of the Needle is a memorable and dark film. The film’s plot revolves around Henry Fabler, played by Donald Sutherland, a Nazi agent who worked in Britain during World War II.

Trapped on an island off the coast of Scotland, Fabler hides in plain sight while protecting one of the only people on the island. Through his penetrating gaze and unsettling authenticity, Donald Sutherland gave an astonishing performance in this forgotten thriller. While the emotionless behavior portrayed by the actor sends shivers down the audience’s spine, the evolution of the character’s relationship with Lucy is also a surprisingly engaging feature of the film. A story of betrayal and subterfuge, the film is a cold classic that should not be ignored.

2

Christina (1983)

Director: John Carpenter

Cristina is a chilling story inspired by Stephen King’s brilliantly twisted pen about a car that begins murdering the people around it. In 1983, horror maestro John Carpenter successfully adapted the book into an underrated horror/supernatural thriller. The genius of the film lies in the sheer absurdity of the plot.centered around an “evil” car. In true King fashion, the story’s main character is a high school outcast who is relentlessly bullied by his classmates named Artie.

When Arnie finds a mysterious car named “Christine”, a Plymouth Fury, he immediately falls in love with it and buys it, despite his best friend’s reasonable doubts. As the young man tries to restore Christine, the car seems to take on a personality of its own. The scary part, though, is the increasingly alarming influence Christine seems to have on the owner. Perhaps the film has disappeared among the many masterpieces based on King’s stories from that era, but Carpenter’s work is a forgotten 80s thriller which is greater than the sum of its parts.

1

Dead End (1987)

Director: Roger Donaldson

One of the highlights of Kevin Costner’s career, No way out is a political thriller directed by Roger Donaldson that deserves more appreciation. The film shrewdly borrows tropes and thriller elements from Alfred Hitchcock to tell a story full of plot twists that culminate in truly shocking twists. Tom Farrel, played by Costner, is a young and ambitious Navy officer who ends up investigating a politically charged murder in which he becomes the main suspect.

The victim was the beautiful mistress of his boss, Secretary of Defense David Brice, masterfully played by Gene Hackman. To complicate matters further, the mistress was also having an affair with Tom. The mystery unfolds like a well-oiled machine, resulting in a tense and tense thriller. As if the film wasn’t already riveting enough, Costner’s captivating performance is an added bonus, elevating it against other underrated thrillers of the 1980s.