Psychological Horror: Here Are the 5 Best Films of All Time According to IMDb

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Psychological horror films have long been a favorite genre for thrill seekers.

This genre doesn't rely solely on jump scares, but also delves into the depths of human psychology, manipulating the audience's mind, and leaving a lasting impression.

By exploring inner darkness, trauma, and mental fragility, these films successfully create a far more gripping and unforgettable viewing experience.

This genre often focus on characters experiencing mental decline, delusions, or paranoia, making viewers question the boundaries between reality and imagination.

These films have been critically acclaimed and have earned high scores on IMDb.f fear.

• 8.5 IMDb Score

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960) is an American horror film produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

It is widely considered one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made, a terrifying exploration of madness, identity, and the power of cinema to manipulate and terrify audiences.

The film centers on the encounter between Marion Crane, an embezzler on the run, and the timid motel owner, Norman Bates, and his disturbed mother.

Norman Bates is portrayed as a man at war with himself, caught in a psychological battle between his personal desires and the overpowering presence of his "Mother."

After Marion's mysterious disappearance, her lover and her sister embark on a search that leads them to the motel, uncovering Norman's dark secrets and terrifying dual identity.

• 8.4 IMDb Score

The Shining (1980), directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a widely acclaimed psychological horror film.

It depicts the decline of sanity of a recovering alcoholic and aspiring novelist who takes a job as a winter caretaker at a mountain resort hotel with his wife and son.

The film depicts the dangers of isolation and the combination of fragile sanity.

Jack Torrance, the writer, gradually declines in sanity, influenced by the hotel's malevolent power and the dangers of extreme isolation.

The Overlook Hotel itself serves as a sinister character, worsening Jack's mental state.As the family is trapped in the snow inside the hotel, Danny, Jack's son, begins experiencing terrifying visions.

• 8.0 IMDb Score

Black Swan (2010) is an American psychological horror thriller film directed by Darren Aronofsky.

The film follows Nina Sayers, a ballerina struggling to maintain her sanity after landing the lead role in a production of Swan Lake.

The plot revolves around the New York City Ballet's production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

The role requires Nina to portray both the innocent and fragile White Swan and the dark and sensual Black Swan.

The immense pressure to achieve perfection, coupled with her overprotective mother and manipulative director, causes Nina to lose her grip on reality and descend into madness.

• 8.0 IMDb Score

Rosemary's Baby (1968) is an American psychological horror film written and directed by Roman Polanski, based on Ira Levin's 1967 novel.

The film stars Mia Farrow as Rosemary, a newlywed living in Manhattan who becomes pregnant but soon begins to suspect that her neighbors have sinister intentions toward her and her baby.

After becoming pregnant, Rosemary begins to suspect that their eccentric neighbors are part of a satanic cult with sinister plans for her unborn child.

The film successfully leaves audiences feeling uneasy, questioning who can be trusted and what is really happening.

• 7.8 IMDb Score

Misery (1990), directed by Rob Reiner, is an American psychological horror thriller film adapted from Stephen King's novel.

The film follows Paul Sheldon, a renowned novelist who is saved from a car accident by Annie Wilkes, a former nurse who claims to be his “number one fan.”

However, Annie's obsession takes a dark and violent turn when she learns that Paul has killed off her favorite character, Misery Chastain, in his latest novel.

Annie then holds Paul hostage in her remote cabin, forcing him to rewrite the story to suit her twisted fantasies.

The film was praised for the outstanding performances of James Caan and Kathy Bates, with Bates winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes.