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The 1980s were a phenomenal decade for movies as a whole, and there were several particular genres that saw some of their best outings ever released during this decade. Sci-fi had The Terminator and The Empire Strikes Back, comedies had Airplane! and Ghostbusters, and—of course—thrillers had so many timeless films that they’re worthy of an entire conversation all of their own.
The best thriller films of the ’80s span a delightfully wide variety of styles, countries, and genres. Whether it’s a hard-boiled international action flick like The Killer, a sci-fi/horror hybrid like Aliens, or an underrated arthouse classic like After Hours, the decade’s greatest thrillers may be vastly different, but they all share common elements: They’re edge-of-your-seat classics packed with suspense, high-quality artistry, and proof that there was no time for cinema quite like the ’80s.
10
‘RoboCop’ (1987)
One of 20th-century cinema’s most noteworthy and brilliant satirists, Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven has done some exceptionally timeless work throughout his career, and one of his biggest classics is undoubtedly RoboCop. Full of very Ronald Reagan-era sociopolitical commentary on greed, identity, and how technologically advanced societies erode humanity, it’s one of the most entertaining satires of the ’80s.
But aside from having a great sense of humor, some excellent visuals, and enough enthralling action scenes to prove that 1987 was the best year of the ’80s for action, RoboCop is a hugely effective thriller. The over-the-top violence, fantastic character writing, and compelling stakes make its suspense really hard-hitting, which is perfectly balanced with the surprisingly philosophical messages and the scathing satire.
9
‘The Untouchables’ (1987)
Supported by one of the greatest and most star-studded Hollywood casts of the decade, The Untouchables is one of Brian De Palma‘s best crime films. It’s a largely fictionalized depiction of Eliot Ness‘ quest to bring Al Capone to justice during Prohibition, with a perfect blend of potent action and an emotionally stirring, character-driven tale of redemption.
As slick as any of De Palma’s best films and as morally complex as one could hope for from any gangster story, The Untouchables is one of the best gangster thrillers ever made. It’s not just the unforgettable cast and the top-notch writing and direction that have allowed it to become one of the 1980s’ most beloved cult classics, but also the fact that every element of the picture seems so masterfully put together and in perfect conjunction, from Ennio Morricone‘s score to the heart-racing action that it accompanies.
8
‘The Vanishing’ (1988)
It wasn’t only Hollywood that produced some of the most intense thrillers of the 1980s. For an example of what filmmakers had to offer overseas, one needn’t look any further than the Dutch masterpiece The Vanishing, one of the best international psychological thrillers ever. The director, George Sluizer, remade it in English in 1993, but that was nowhere near the level of quality of this ’80s classic.
Entirely original and brilliantly directed, The Vanishing makes sure that its audience won’t forget about it with what the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes critic consensus calls “one of the scariest endings of all time.” The Vanishing isn’t particularly flashy or exaggerated, like many ’80s thrillers tended to be; it never needs to, instead favoring quiet, eerie stillness. Through the pure, almost cold precision of its delivery, it has more of an effect than the vast majority of movies in its genre.
7
‘After Hours’ (1985)
Many refer to Martin Scorsese as the greatest director currently working, and during the ’80s, he delivered some of his strongest movies ever. He also made some criminally underrated stuff, however, and some might say that it was during this decade that he made his most underrated movie ever: After Hours, one of Scorsese’s freshest and most distinct pictures.
Part neo-noir, part comedy, all thriller, After Hours is quite an interesting exploration of some fascinating themes, from Kafkaesque absurdism to isolation and loneliness (the latter being two of Scorsese’s favorite themes). Griffin Dunne is phenomenal in the lead role, and the dark, paranoid, humorous atmosphere that Scorsese creates has unsurprisingly contributed to making After Hours one of his biggest cult classics.
6
‘The Killer’ (1989)
The great John Woo, one of the best filmmakers to have ever come out of Hong Kong, is responsible for some of the greatest action flicks of the 20th century. Fans disagree on which is his best, but there’s one that tends to come up more than most: The Killer, starring common Woo collaborator Chow Yun-fat as a professional assassin who has to do one last job before he can retire.Even those who would argue that The Killer isn’t Woo’s best would surely still agree that it’s one of his biggest and most undisputed masterpieces, which is truly saying something. Pulpy, funny, and violent, yet with an unexpected philosophical edge, The Killer is in a whole other category when it comes to ’80s action thrillers. Leave it to a director like John Woo to have some of the most gripping action and fight choreography in the history of thrillers.
5
‘Aliens’ (1986)
The sci-fi horror subgenre was never the same again after Ridley Scott released Alien in 1979. Seven years later, visionary Canadian filmmaker James Cameron proved that sometimes, the “less is more” motto doesn’t apply. Though it can technically still be considered one of the best horror blockbusters ever, Aliens is far less of a horror movie than it is a sci-fi action thriller.
It should surprise no one that this extraterrestrial thriller has aged as well as it has.
With an engrossing story supported by some great world-building, Cameron’s usual eye for stunning visuals, and an Oscar-nominated Sigourney Weaver delivering one of the best performances in any science fiction movie, it should surprise no one that this extraterrestrial thriller has aged as well as it has. Plurality isn’t the only thing that makes Aliens special: It’s exciting, suspenseful, and an awful lot of fun, a masterclass in switching genres that remains the peak of its franchise.
4
‘Blue Velvet’ (1986)
Widely beloved and one of the most important figures in the history of cinematic surrealism, David Lynch made some of the weirdest yet greatest films that the U.S. has ever produced. Blue Velvet in particular tends to be referred to as his best work of the 20th century, a chilling and moody tale about the dark side of American suburbia.
It’s one of the most challenging thrillers of the 20th century, no doubt, but also one of the most highly rewarding. Whether it’s the exceptional cast, the brilliant use of surrealism, or the masterful tone that Lynch builds through his elegant direction, there’s something about Blue Velvet that every cinephile is bound to enjoy. It may not be a conventional thriller in any sense whatsoever, but that only makes it even more memorable and ultimately rewarding.
3
‘Die Hard’ (1988)
Whether it’s a Christmas movie or not is a debate for another day. Something that’s far less open to contention is the statement that Die Hard is one of the greatest action thrillers ever made. This high-octane high-rise one-man-army flick may seem simple on paper, but the adrenaline-pumping way in which every element is executed makes it worthy of the utmost praise.
Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman are fantastic, the action scenes are all shot and edited to maximum thrilling effect, and the story and characters are genuinely compelling. As such, it’s no shocker that Die Hard is usually hailed as one of the biggest action masterpieces of the 20th century, and no surprise that it’s been so influential in the thriller category ever since its release. Die Hard pretty much perfected the action thriller formula, becoming a pillar in modern cinema.
2
‘Blade Runner’ (1982)
Right after he charmed the world with his second-ever feature, Alien, Ridley Scott went on to make a third film that’s somehow just as great—if not even better—than his sophomore effort. Blade Runner is one of the greatest cyberpunk detective tales cinema has ever told. Though it was an all-around failure upon its release, the years turned it into a cult classic so gargantuan and so significant that, today, it’s undeniable that this sci-fi masterpiece is as mainstream as 2001: A Space Odyssey or Star Wars.
With a hauntingly perfect Vangelis score, a timeless script, and some of the most stunning visuals of any film of the last century, Blade Runner is science fiction perfection. But where most sci-fi thrillers are focused on large-scale action and extraterrestrial adventures, Scott’s magnum opus is far more concerned with its fascinating characters and gripping neo-noir story. The thrills are significantly more subdued, and as a result, somehow even more effective.
1
‘Come And See’ (1985)
There is no war film like the Soviet masterpiece Come and See, the 4th-highest-rated movie of all time on Letterboxd. It is, indeed, one of the best movies of all time, somehow managing to be the scariest war film ever made despite the fact that it’s not horror. Artful, abstract, and masterfully paced, it sure takes a strong stomach in order to get through the whole thing, but it’s completely worth it.
Aleksey Kravchenko delivers one of the most transformative and harrowing acting performances in history, serving as the perfect anchor to this utterly gut-wrenching story. Although not abiding by many of the genre’s more traditional rules, it remains a thriller in execution. Come and See is a punishing thriller, but never a cruel one, and even though its devastating approach makes it difficult to want to ever re-watch it after the credits roll, every movie fan should watch it at least once in their lives.
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