7 Best Serial Killer Hunting Movies

The psychological crime-thriller genre has gone on to have a life of its own in recent years, with some truly standout entries showcasing the tension, horror, and intrigue that can be delivered through these films. With the release of the highly-anticipated Longlegs, we wanted to highlight some of the best movies to dive into if you enjoyed Nicholas Cage’s most recent outing:

Longlegs

First and foremost, we’ll start with the film that inspired the list. Longlegs lives up to the hype surrounding it, and while it may not be the “scariest movie of the decade” as advertised, it is incredibly well put together, having an 80s and 90s horror aesthetic, gorgeous cinematography, and straddles the line between being a gritty crime movie and a supernatural horror. The performances from Maika Monroe and Nicholas Cage are stellar and it’ll have you on the edge of your seat until the final frame.

Zodiac

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr. and coming from Fight Club director David Fincher, Zodiac is a captivating retelling of the manhunt that occurred in the late 1960s as the San Fransisco police attempted to track down the infamous Zodiac Killer. Its pacing is relentless, the violence is brutal, and its inside-look into the criminal justice system is fascinating. It’s not for the faint of heart, but its chronicling of one of history’s most harrowing cold cases is well worth a watch.

Prisoners

One of Hugh Jackman’s best and most underrated performances comes in Denis Villeneuve’s 2013 thriller Prisoners, following two men (Jackman and Terrence Howard) who take a man hostage, who they believe kidnapped their children. Jake Gyllenhaal also stars as a tormented detective who delivers a career-high performance. The film subverts expectations and doesn’t follow the usual stepping stones of a crime-thriller, instead flipping the dynamic on its head and showcasing the lengths people will go when pushed to the limit.

Se7en

Another entry from David Fincher and one of the most iconic serial killer crime movies out there, Se7en is a haunting tale of a man executing killings in the themes of the Seven Deadly Sins. Two detectives, played by Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, are tasked with trying to get one step ahead of the killer in order to prevent his next murder. The film is excellently paced, keeps the intrigue dialled to 10 the whole time, features some shocking scenes, and has one of the best final acts of any film. The fact that Fincher and all the marketing material from the 90s kept Kevin Spacey’s involvement in the film a complete secret was just a sign of how masterfully put together the whole project was.

Taking Lives

One of the more overlooked serial-killer movies over the years, Taking Lives is a fantastic, twisty-turney entry into the genre starring Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke. It follows an FBI agent (Jolie) who is recruited to help hunt down a killer who takes on the identities of his victims. It’s an interesting ride full of some great reveals that should be seen by anyone who enjoys the hallmarks of a good cat-and-mouse game.

The Black Phone

The Black Phone is one of the more recent entries into the paranormal/gritty crime genre that also stars Ethan Hawke as a menacing, Longlegs-like killer known as The Grabber, who kidnaps children and hides them in his basement. This dual-scenario film, following one of the kids he has imprisoned and the cops who are trying to work out the location of the teen, is an engrossing experience that’ll leave you out of breath right until the end. Hawke is as terrifying as he is brilliant in the role of The Grabber, making this a must-watch.

To Catch a Killer

One of the better cat-and-mouse serial killer releases as of late, To Catch a Killer is an intriguing look at the FBI’s attempt to reel in a sniper who kills a bunch of people in Baltimore, Maryland. It stars Shailene Woodley as a talented but troubled police officer who is recruited by the Bureau’s chief investigator (Ben Mendelsohn) to help profile and track down the disturbed individual terrorising the city.

Which crime-thrillers are you favourites? Let us know by tweeting @MenStuffZA, posting on our Facebook page, or commenting below.