10 Best R-Rated Thrillers of the 2010s

Thriller movies have a special way of demanding your attention from the very first act. The air crackles with tension and viewers are thrust head first into a world of high-stakes drama and unexpected plot twists. But what is it about the journey genre that makes it so compelling? Is it the dark and complex plot that constantly keeps you guessing? Or is it the sudden twist that throws your perception off balance? Perhaps the morally torn characters that shuffle between playing the hero and villain? Or the raw adrenaline that rushes through the veins from throwing caution to the wind and refusing to hold back?

In the 2010s, as technology advanced and creative boundaries continued to expand, directors began testing the R-rating not as a constraint, but as freedom. They used the license as an opportunity to be bold, innovative, and more unapologetic in their storytelling. The results were some of the most intense and unforgettable thrillers of the decade. From pulse-pounding action to psychological mind-benders, these movies were not afraid to explore the very limits of the thriller genre. These are the 10 best R-rated thrillers of the 2010s.

10

‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)

Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie, Uncut Gems follows the chaotic life of Howard Rather, a restless and compulsive New York jeweler who also happens to have a gambling addiction. Constantly seeking the next best score, he finds himself drowning in a sea of debts and at odds with people in his life. Howard acquires a rare and valuable Ethiopian black opal only to lose it to NBA player Kevin Garnett, which sets off a series of events that are out of Howard’s control.

Delivers Thrills Relentlessly

Uncut Gems is a fever-dream of a thriller that amazes audiences with its relentless pace and honest depiction of a man teetering on the brink of self-destruction. The frantic editing, pulsating music, and chaotic camera work perfectly capture the high-takes, manic existence of the lead character played brilliantly by Adam Sandler, who sheds his comedic personality and delivers a gritty and intense performance. Praised for its storytelling, Uncut Gems proves the Safdie brothers are among the most innovative thriller directors.

9

‘Atomic Blonde’ (2017)

In the final days of the Cold War, MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton is sent to Berlin to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a stolen list that contains the names of secret agents. She poses as a spy and teams up with local MI6 station head David Percival. Together, Lorraine and David navigate a web of shocking betrayals and shifting alliances amidst the crumbling Berlin Wall, eventually finding the truth and completing the mission.

Sleek, Slyish, and Packed With Action

Atomic Blonde gave David Leitch his first credit as a director and his background as a stunt coordinator only helps make the film better. This is evident in the film’s expertly choreographed fight scenes as well as the delightfully pulpy narrative. The 1980s aesthetic, striking visuals, and twist-filled plot create an immersive experience. Not to forget, Charlize Theron’s incredible physical transformation into a deadly operative makes the movie a must-watch R-rated thriller of the 2010s.

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8

‘Sicario’ (2015)

Sicario

Release Date

September 17, 2015

Runtime

122 minutes

Written by Taylor Sheridan in his screenwriting debut and directed by Denis Villeneuve, Sicario introduces us to FBI agent Kate Macer, who is thrust into a covert mission to dismantle a powerful Mexican drug cartel. She finds herself stuck in the war-torn borderlands between the United States and Mexico as well as a drug war filled with violence and corruption. As Kate delves deeper into the cartel territory, she must face harrowing consequences.

Thrives on Creating Palpable Tension

Sicario is a gripping thriller that not only presents the drug war in all its gritty glory but also explores the cyclical nature of power and how it corrupts all. Villeneuve’s direction, as one would expect, is taut and tense, and it is bolstered by a stunning cinematography from Roger Deakins and a haunting score by Jóhann Jóhannsson. Emily Blunt delivers a compelling performance as Kate alongside Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro.

7

‘Nightcrawler’ (2014)

Nightcrawler

Release Date

October 31, 2014

Runtime

117 Minutes

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Nightcrawler revolves around Lou Bloom, an ambitious drifter who stumbles upon the world of freelance crime journalism in Los Angeles. Armed with a camera and a scanner, he begins snapping shocking footage of violent crimes and selling them to local news stations. But Lou is also driven by an insatiable hunger for success and recognition, so he turns into a sociopathic photojournalist who exploits the 24-hour news cycle to his own advantage.

Dives into the Abyss of Unchecked Ambition

It’s unnerving how accurately Nightcrawler explores the dark side of ambition and the sensationalist nature of modern media. Directed by Dan Gilroy, the movie combines suspense and social commentary to create a chilling man who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the perfect show, and his moral depravity is chilling and ruthless. Speaking of which, Jake Gyllenhaal delivers a mesmerizing performance as the deeply disturbing Lou, who thrives in the neon-drenched vision of Los Angeles and lends the film a sense of unsettling vibe.

6

‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

Gone Girl

Release Date

October 1, 2014

Runtime

2h 29m

Gone Girl begins with the sudden disappearance of Amy Dunne on the morning of her fifth wedding anniversary. The incident sparks a media frenzy and the police start investigating. As all the evidence points towards her husband, Nick Dunne, as the prime suspect, he finds himself at the center of public scrutiny. The narrative unfolds, and through alternate perspectives and diary entries, it is revealed that Amy’s disappearance is part of an elaborate ruse.

A Twisted-Filled Psychological Thriller

Adapted from Gillian Flynn’s best-selling novel of the same name, Gone Girl is a thriller that constantly evolves, throws in a series of twists and turns, and ends with a dark resolution that leaves audiences wondering about the true nature of love. Director David Fincher cleverly ratchets up the tension, weaving a complex plot that shifts between past and present. At the heart of the film are career-best performances from Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, who drive the narrative with their unpredictable characters.

5

‘Prisoners’ (2013)

Prisoners

Release Date

September 20, 2013

Runtime

153 minutes

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Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Prisoners tells the harrowing story of two distraught parents, Keller and Grace Dover, whose young daughter and her friend have gone missing. As the police investigation quickly stalls, they are desperate for answers and Keller decides to take matters into his own hands by abducting the sole suspect – a mentally challenged young man named Alex – and torturing him in a bid to uncover the truth.

Nuanced and Deeply Unsettling

Prisoners is a character-driven thriller that stands out because of its increasingly frantic plot. The movie builds tension every minute and maintains a brooding atmosphere as the clock ticks away and both Keller and Loki, the detective handling the official investigation, confront the moral and ethical implications of their actions. The movie features an incredible performance by Hugh Jackman as Keller and Jake Gyllenhaal as Loki, and it has received praise for its shattering conclusion.

4

‘Argo’ (2012)

Argo

Release Date

October 12, 2012

Runtime

120 Minutes

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Ben Affleck adapts U.S. C.I.A. operative Tony Mendez’s 1999 memoir, titled The Master of Disguise, and recounts the true story of a daring operation to rescue six American diplomats during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. The plan, hatched by Mendez, involves creating a science fiction movie, with the diplomats that have managed to evade capture posing as a Canadian film crew scouting locations. Mendez then infiltrates Tehran and tries to smuggle them out of the country.

Historical Drama and Cinematic Suspense

The way Argo integrates an exciting and suspenseful plot into the high-stakes real-life drama of the Iran hostage crisis is phenomenal. It takes viewers back to the volatile atmosphere of 1970s Tehran and fashions a story filled with political intrigue, bureaucratic red tape, and the ever-present threat of getting caught. The movie, elevated by performances of Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, and Alan Arkin, ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Picture.

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3

‘The Town’ (2010)

The Town

Release Date

September 17, 2010

Runtime

125 minutes

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Another fantastic thriller, The Town centers on Doug MacRay, a seasoned thief and leader of a notorious group of bank robbers from Charleston, Boston. After a heist goes terribly wrong, Doug finds himself drawn to Claire, the bank manager taken hostage during the robbery. Their relationship develops and Doug has to make a choice between his feelings for Claire and his loyalty to the crew, so he plots one final heist.

A Gritty, Character-Driven Heist Film

Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, The Town was a huge hit commercially, earning $154 million globally on a $37 million budget. It holds an approval rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes on the basis of 38 critics reviews, with most praising Affleck’s assured direction, the film’s attention to detail in portraying the insular world of Charlestown, atmospheric tension, and added emotional weight. The action sequences are also thrilling and well-executed.

2

‘Shutter Island’ (2010)

Based on Dennis Lehane’s 2003 novel of the same name, Shutter Island is set in 1954, where U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new partner, Chuck Aule, are dispatched to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a patient at Ashecliffe Hospital, a remote psychiatric facility situated on an island. As Teddy dives deeper into the case, he uncovers disturbing secrets, and soon, he begins to question the nature of his own sanity.

Atmospheric Thriller with Unexpected Twists

Martin Scorsese directs Shutter Island with a unique gaze; like an exercise in cinematic misdirection. The movie is filled with narrative twists and turns, which leads to a shocking revelation that draws a line between truth and madness and redefines everything. Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo lead the movie. Their characters not only form the emotional core of the film but also relentlessly toy with the audience’s perception of reality. The moody aesthetic paired with the film’s unsettling score heightens the entire viewing experience.

1

‘Parasite’ (2019)

Parasite

Release Date

November 8, 2019

Runtime

132 minutes

Director

Bong Joon Ho

Down on their luck and barely scraping by, the Kim family sees an opportunity to improve their situation when the son, Ki-woo, lands a tutoring job with the wealthy Parks family. He carefully orchestrates his sister, mother, and father into job positions within the Park home by getting rid of the existing staff. What starts as a simple scheme to infiltrate the Park household spirals into chaos when the Kims discover a dark secret in the otherwise unsuspecting Parks’ lives.

Subverts Genre Expectations

Parasite is one of the greatest thrillers of all time thanks in part to an unexpected turn of events that set the stage for a twisted and unpredictable climax. It seamlessly combines dark comedy and edge-of-your-seat suspense with biting social satire. Directed by Bong Joon-ho and anchored by a superb cast that includes Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam, and more, the movie made history as the first foreign-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.