30 Overrated Thriller Movies Everyone Seems To Like

Thriller movies are known for keeping us hooked with suspense and dramatic situations. However, some highly anticipated thrillers don’t quite live up to expectations, leading to debate among movie fans and critics. This list highlights several well-known thrillers that some consider overrated, often because they depend too much on predictable clichés or plot twists.

‘Presence’ (2025)

A family’s new home comes with an unsettling secret: they’re being watched by a mysterious presence. The movie is unique because it’s filmed entirely from the spirit’s point of view, building suspense through this unusual perspective. Though the filmmaking is skillful, some found it hard to connect with the family’s story and felt the characters’ struggles didn’t resonate enough. Reviewers have pointed out that the film’s experimental style might distract from the plot for some viewers, making it a divisive but interesting addition to the current trend of psychological thrillers.

‘Wolfs’ (2024)

The movie follows two professionals tasked with cleaning up a crime scene, forcing them to work together to get through the night. Its success depends largely on the connection between the two lead actors and their ability to bring the gritty criminal world to life. While some viewers felt the dialogue was too artificial and the story wasn’t very complex, it did well on streaming services. However, it’s been called a fairly standard entry in its genre, and exemplifies a recent trend of expensive films relying heavily on famous actors but lacking a strong story.

‘Trap’ (2024)

A father and daughter attend a pop concert that unexpectedly becomes the scene of a police operation to catch a serial killer. The story follows the father as he tries to escape the concert venue without being noticed by the police. Some reviewers felt the plot depended too much on unlikely events to maintain suspense. Although the lead actor gave a strong performance, many viewers found the story’s logic flawed and the overall concept more promising than the finished film.

‘Blink Twice’ (2024)

A wealthy tech executive invites his friends to his private island for a lavish getaway, but the trip quickly descends into a terrifying psychological thriller. The movie delves into the complexities of power and memory as a series of unsettling events unfold. While some critics found the film’s message about society a bit heavy-handed, the biggest divide among viewers came with the ending. The sudden change in atmosphere from mystery to something else left many feeling unsatisfied. Despite this, the film continues to spark conversation, with some arguing it leans too heavily on popular tropes.

‘Longlegs’ (2024)

Okay, so I just saw this FBI agent thriller, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The build-up was fantastic – genuinely creepy atmosphere and a really intriguing mystery surrounding these occult killings. The marketing promised a truly terrifying experience, and for a while, it delivered. However, I have to say the ending felt a little…flat. It didn’t quite stick the landing after all that tension. Visually, it’s stunning, no question, but the story choices? Those are dividing people. Genre fans are really debating them, and I can see why. It’s a good reminder that sometimes, a lot of hype can really affect how you perceive a film. It wasn’t bad, just…under the weight of expectation, perhaps?

‘MaXXXine’ (2024)

In 1980s Los Angeles, an up-and-coming actress lands the role of a lifetime as a mysterious killer terrorizes the city. This film wraps up a three-part series and deliberately mimics the look and feel of classic horror slashers. While visually appealing, many critics thought the plot wasn’t as strong as the earlier films. Some viewers also felt that too much emphasis on familiar references and nostalgic elements detracted from the main storyline, ultimately making it less powerful than previous installments.

‘Saltburn’ (2023)

The movie follows a college student who becomes fixated on a rich classmate and spends the summer with his family. While visually stunning and containing controversial moments that sparked online conversation, many critics feel the film prioritizes shocking scenes over a well-developed story. The director aimed for satire, but some viewers didn’t find it particularly effective, leading to a common perception that the film is more about its style than its actual content.

‘Leave the World Behind’ (2023)

A family’s vacation home is disrupted when two strangers arrive with alarming news of a worldwide catastrophe. The thriller explores the growing tension and distrust among the group as they find themselves cut off from the outside world. While the movie effectively creates a sense of unease, some viewers found the ending unsatisfying and open to interpretation, and critics have questioned whether the deliberate slow burn is worth the eventual reveal. It’s become known as a modern thriller that people either love or hate.

‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ (2022)

A renowned detective receives an invitation to a billionaire’s private island for a murder mystery game. The movie boasts a large cast and keeps viewers guessing with unexpected twists. While many enjoyed the film, some felt the comedy and social messages were overly obvious compared to the first movie. A few critics also thought the central mystery wasn’t as strong, as important clues were revealed through flashbacks. Despite its flaws, it remains a well-known, though often debated, addition to the mystery genre.

‘Smile’ (2022)

After witnessing a patient’s trauma, a therapist finds herself haunted by frightening events. The film centers on her desperate attempt to solve the mystery of a curse before it’s too late. Though a big hit with audiences, many horror fans found the scares to be too familiar, and some critics felt the movie’s take on trauma wasn’t particularly original. It’s widely believed the film’s success was largely due to a brilliant marketing strategy.

‘Don’t Worry Darling’ (2022)

The movie follows a young woman who starts to realize that her seemingly ideal life in a carefully planned community isn’t what it seems. While the film was notable for its turbulent production and beautiful look, many critics found the main mystery predictable and the ending unsatisfying, with several unanswered questions. Despite its impressive visuals, the film’s world-building felt flawed and inconsistent, leading many to believe that style was favored over a solid story.

‘Old’ (2021)

I recently watched this movie about a family vacationing on a beautiful tropical beach, but things quickly turned strange. They started aging at an incredibly fast rate, and it was terrifying to watch! The whole film is a desperate race against time as they try to figure out how to escape before their lives literally flash before their eyes. Honestly, while the idea was amazing, some of the conversations felt a little awkward, and the actors didn’t always seem to convey the urgency I’d expect in that situation. A few critics felt the reason why this was happening wasn’t as strong as the initial, intriguing setup. It’s definitely a movie that people either seem to love or dislike – a really divisive film for the director, it seems.

‘The Woman in the Window’ (2021)

A woman with severe anxiety who rarely leaves her New York apartment starts watching her new neighbors and unexpectedly sees something criminal happen. While based on a popular book and starring well-known actors, the movie didn’t live up to expectations for many viewers and critics. They found it predictable and lacking the suspense of the original story. Production issues, including delays and re-filming parts of the movie, may have contributed to its shortcomings, and it’s generally considered a weak psychological thriller.

‘Promising Young Woman’ (2020)

This film follows a woman driven by a painful past who seeks retribution against anyone who stands in her way. It gained recognition for its striking visual style and its exploration of important social issues. However, the film’s blend of dark humor and thriller elements didn’t quite work for some viewers, feeling uneven at times. The ending proved especially divisive, leaving many feeling the story lacked a satisfying conclusion. Despite this, the movie continues to spark conversation about how it handles difficult subjects.

‘Tenet’ (2020)

This action movie centers around a spy who can control time, tasked with saving the world from disaster. While praised for its impressive visuals and clever use of special effects – particularly how it shows time running backward – the film is notoriously complicated. Many found it hard to follow the story because the dialogue was often unclear. Some critics also feel the movie prioritizes its intricate rules and effects over developing compelling characters, making it more of a puzzle to dissect than a purely enjoyable experience.

‘Joker’ (2019)

In Gotham City, a struggling comedian and clown suffers a psychological crisis, transforming him into an icon of defiance. The movie received widespread acclaim, particularly for its main actor, and was a huge box office success. While praised, many critics noted its similarities to earlier films. Some viewers found its message about society to be too basic and lacking in fresh ideas, leading to ongoing debate about how original the film truly is.

‘Bird Box’ (2018)

The film follows a mother desperately guiding her children to safety – while blindfolded – as they navigate a forest and river, all to avoid a frightening, unseen presence. It quickly became popular online, sparking numerous trends on social media. However, many critics felt the movie borrowed heavily from other recent survival thrillers and didn’t quite make sense. Some viewers also found the characters lacked depth and the danger felt unclear. It’s often described as a film that received a lot more attention than it deserved based on its actual quality.

‘A Quiet Place’ (2018)

This movie centers on a family forced to live in complete silence to hide from terrifying creatures that hunt using sound. It’s been widely praised for its innovative sound design and incredibly suspenseful mood. However, some viewers and critics have noted inconsistencies in the story’s rules, which become apparent if you analyze them too closely. A common question raised is why the characters didn’t employ certain survival tactics sooner. Despite its popularity, the film is often discussed due to these noticeable plot holes, which can be a distraction for some.

‘Red Sparrow’ (2018)

The movie centers on a retired ballerina who’s brought into a top-secret spy agency and trained as a lethal operative. Starring a well-known actress, the film depicts the harsh realities of international espionage. However, many critics felt it was too long and relied too heavily on violence without a strong narrative reason. Some viewers found the story confusing and lacking the tension you’d expect from a thriller. Despite its grand scope, the film is often considered a missed opportunity.

‘Split’ (2017)

The movie centers on a man with a dissociative identity disorder who abducts and imprisons three teenage girls in a secret underground location. It was praised as a strong comeback for the director and featured a compelling lead performance. However, some found the film’s depiction of mental illness and use of supernatural themes problematic. There’s also been discussion about whether a connection to an earlier movie was essential to the plot. Despite the debate, it’s a popular and successful thriller that still sparks varied opinions.

‘The Girl on the Train’ (2016)

The movie follows a train commuter who becomes fixated on a couple she observes, and unexpectedly finds herself involved in a missing person investigation. Based on a bestselling novel, the film received mixed reviews. Critics generally felt it lacked originality, resembling other popular thrillers of the time. Some viewers also found the story slow-moving and struggled to connect with the characters. Many believe the film adaptation didn’t live up to the power and suspense of the book.

‘Gone Girl’ (2014)

The movie centers on a husband who becomes the main suspect when his wife vanishes as their marriage falls apart due to hidden truths. It’s famous for a shocking plot twist halfway through and its unsettling look at relationships today. While many critics and audiences enjoyed it, some felt the film relied too much on shock value and that the ending wasn’t as strong as the beginning. A few viewers also struggled to connect with the characters, finding them difficult to like. Despite these criticisms, the film is still considered a classic of its kind and is often discussed for its pessimistic outlook.

‘Now You See Me’ (2013)

The movie follows a group of illusionists who cleverly rob banks during their shows, then distribute the stolen money to the audience. It’s visually stunning and keeps you guessing how they pull off the tricks, but many critics felt the ending twist didn’t quite fit and depended on secrets kept from the viewers. Some people found the story focused more on being tricky and surprising than on making sense. Overall, it’s an exciting thriller that emphasizes impressive visuals and action over a strong, cohesive plot.

‘Gravity’ (2013)

After a shuttle is hit by space debris, two astronauts struggle to survive and make it back home. The film is visually stunning and has been widely praised for its technical aspects, creating a truly immersive experience. However, some viewers felt the story was straightforward and the characters weren’t particularly original. While the special effects are incredible, critics point out the plot doesn’t have the same complexity as other survival movies. Many believe the film is best experienced on a large screen to fully appreciate its impact.

‘Shutter Island’ (2010)

I recently watched this movie about a US Marshal sent to a really creepy island asylum to find a patient who’s gone missing. From the start, it felt super tense and unsettling, and I quickly started to feel like something wasn’t right. While I was hooked, a lot of people seem to think the big reveal isn’t that surprising – they say you can figure it out pretty early on. Some critics also felt it played it a little too safe, sticking to familiar horror movie ideas instead of trying anything new. Even though it’s still a well-known film, a lot of the director’s fans think it doesn’t quite live up to the hype.

‘Inception’ (2010)

This movie follows a talented thief who leads a team on a daring mission: infiltrating people’s dreams to steal valuable company secrets. While praised for its stunning visuals and intricate storyline, some viewers found the constant explanations of how the dream world works to be slow and frustrating. Critics also point out that the complex plot sometimes overshadows the emotional heart of the story, leaving some audiences feeling more confused than engaged. It remains a divisive film, with some appreciating its ambition and others finding it needlessly complicated.

‘The Da Vinci Code’ (2006)

The movie follows a symbologist drawn into a murder mystery connected to secrets within Leonardo da Vinci’s work. Based on a hugely popular novel that captured global attention, the film was a box office hit. However, many reviewers felt it was too long and relied too heavily on explaining the plot. The intricate historical puzzles from the book didn’t always work well on screen, and ultimately, the film is often considered stronger for its original source material than for how it was made.

‘Signs’ (2002)

The movie centers around a disgraced priest and farmer who finds strange patterns appearing in his fields, hinting that aliens are about to invade. Instead of showing a worldwide crisis, the film explores how this threat affects one family’s mental state. Many viewers and critics have been frustrated with the movie’s ending, finding it unsatisfying and not making sense considering the aliens involved. Though the film successfully builds tension, its conclusion has been widely criticized and remains a divisive topic among fans of alien thrillers.

‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999)

A child psychologist tries to understand a boy who says he can talk to ghosts. The movie became incredibly popular thanks to a surprising twist at the end that completely changes how you see the story. Some viewers feel that this twist is the only memorable part, which makes it less enjoyable to watch again. Although it’s still a well-known film in its genre, modern audiences often debate whether the movie is paced well, with many believing its success depends entirely on those final moments.

‘The Usual Suspects’ (1995)

The film centers around the account of a single person who lived through a violent shootout on a boat, detailing the complicated events that led to it. It’s well-known for its shocking twist ending, which reveals the true identity of a powerful criminal. Though many consider it a classic, some recent critics believe the story only works because of this surprise. Fans have noted that knowing the secret diminishes the impact of the plot. Despite this, it remains a significant film in its genre and continues to spark debate about its quality.

Share which of these thriller movies you believe actually deserves the hype in the comments.

2025-12-31 13:18