Underrated Thrillers That Are Set To Go Down As Cult Classics

The thriller genre is one that blends into others pretty seamlessly. From action thrillers to romantic thrillers and everything in between, there's no shortage of combinations when this genre is involved. Of course, because of this, there's an overwhelming number of thriller films. That means some end up being overlooked, even though they're pretty incredible.

The great thing about underrated movies is they usually end up becoming cult classics. While they might not generate as much at the box office or be the first films on people's lips, they tend to stand the test of time. In fact, the underrated thrillers that are set to go down as cult classics already have everything they need.

Cutter's Way initially had a mixed reception

The neo-noir thriller 'Cutter's Way' tackles a sensitive topic like the Vietnam War in a way some people would find uncomfortable. Perhaps that's why initial critical reception was reportedly mixed, and the film only ended up making a few million dollars? A lot has changed in the 42 years since, with more viewers now open to the cynical and abrasive nature of the movie. Impressive performances from the likes of John Heard and Lisa Eichhorn ensure audiences remain captivated from start to finish. Plus, the bleak ending closes out what's undeniably a powerful movie in a shocking way.

Defence of the Realm was initially deemed too clever

Sometimes, the reason a film doesn't resonate with audiences is that it tries to be too clever. That seems to be the problem that the political thriller 'Defence of the Realm' ran into when it was released in 1986. Given that it's about a reporter following a conspiracy regarding a parliamentary resignation, it was always going to be somewhat complex. However, it may have overdone it a little from a mainstream audience's perspective. Thankfully, the acting of Gabriel Byrne and Denholm Elliott, the directing of David Drury, and the cinematography of Roger Deakins ensure that this is still a first-class thriller film.

Eye of the Needle is Britain’s addition to underrated thrillers

In 1981, the British spy thriller 'Eye of the Needle' debuted to a relatively positive reception. One person who was particularly impressed by the film was George Lucas, who chose Richard Marquand to direct his epic space opera movie 'Return of the Jedi.' Marquand's work behind the camera is certainly one of the reasons why this film deserves cult classic status. The pacing is excellent and helps to drive up the suspense in what's easily one of the most pensive thrillers. Of course, the cast also played a big role in this, particularly Donald Sutherland, who portrayed the German sleeper agent Henry Faber. His masterful performance helped make this movie unforgettable.

TransSiberian is one of the newer thrillers

One of the newest underrated thrillers on this list is the 2008 psychological thriller 'TransSiberian.’ The movie didn't manage to make back its budget at the box office, but the reception was largely positive, receiving a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Starring some notable names like Woody Harrelson and Ben Kingsley, it's a fast-paced and dynamic movie that brings new excitement to a tried and tested thriller scenario. We're certainly no stranger to films set on a train where staying alive proves to be quite a challenge. However, 'TransSiberian' does an excellent job of keeping viewers on the edge of their seats despite that.

Malice has some huge names as its stars

If we want to talk about underrated thrillers with big name casting, we need to mention the neo-noir thriller 'Malice.' This 1993 picture included Alec Baldwin, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Anne Bancroft in a movie all about deception. What you believe at the start of the film definitely isn't the same come the end, something that proved to divide critics at the time of release. While some appreciated the many twists and turns of the movie, others felt like it threw too much in at once. We're more willing to lean towards the former, thanks to the consistent suspense and excellent performances from such a strong cast.

Internal Affairs performed better on VHS than on the big screen

When the crime thriller 'Internal Affairs' debuted at the box office in 1990, it was a modest success. Still, it performed better when it was later released on VHS, which is exactly what we'd expect of a film deserving of cult classic status. The movie stars Richard Gere as a corrupt policeman who also works as a hitman and Andy Garcia as the man trying to bring him down. Gere showcased a side to himself that he hasn't shown much of in his career, which helped to elevate the excitement in the film. The combination of Mike Figgis' directing and Henry Bean's writing also helped, creating a dynamic product viewers found to be irresistible.

Everyone has different opinions when it comes to movies, so there will be some who don't agree these underrated thrillers deserve to be cult classics. Still, each offers a compelling watch that didn't necessarily get the praise or attention it deserved when the films first debuted.