4 Best Thrillers Of 2025 So Far That You Probably Haven’t Seen
In doing my best to watch as many new horror and horror-adjacent thrillers as I can in 2025, I’ve seen a lot of good movies. Some of them you’ve probably seen. Everyone knows about films like Companion and Heart Eyes, and tons of people have seen them. Those are great, but I’m making this list to inform you about some of the new thrillers you might not even know about.
Also, check out my ranked list of the best and worst of horror movies of 2025 so far. That list includes these films, and many more. It’s closing in on forty brand-new movies as I type this.
Birdeater
Birdeater is an exceptional Australian psychological thriller with smoldering tension that gradually builds into a frenzy. It’s about a woman who is invited by her fiancé to attend his bachelor party. Their relationship is built on Louie’s lies and manipulation, and this night will see his secrets revealed to everyone.
Drained
An unemployed man walks into a bar and immediately falls for a gorgeous vampire. Stop me if you’ve heard this one. Or don’t, because Drained is no joke. This tragic vampire romance is beautifully made, superbly acted, and is emotionally complex. Don’t expect a happy ending, but do expect to see one of the best independent films of the year. Also, read my full review of Drained on Creepy Catalog.
Bloody Axe Wound
The logic of Bloody Axe Wound is a little iffy, but the story is wonderfully fun. It’s about a teenage girl, Abbie, who is the daughter of the infamous masked murderer known as Bladecut. Abbie and her father live in a town where slashers are real, and they sell their exploits to the public as movies. Abbie feels ready to take her rightful place in the family business.
Abbie’s father gives her a chance to kill some local teens, but she starts to have second thoughts about her career path when her plan to get close to them results in her actually getting close to them as friends. If you want to know more, check out my full review of Bloody Axe Wound.
The Devil and the Daylong Brothers
Ishmael, Abraham, and Enoch are three half-brothers who are trying to find their father. The scoundrel sold their souls to the Devil before they were born, and they want revenge. Trouble is, they don’t know where he is, and they’re forced to work with a femme fatale from Abraham’s past who says she knows where the old man is.
The Devil and the Daylong Brothers is filled with graphic-novel aesthetics, extreme violence, and a lot of excellent music. Yes, this is a musical, and that, combined with the soul-selling plot, brings to mind Southern fables like the legend of Robert Johnson. Don’t skip this movie. It’s the best one in this list, and it’s one of the best movies of 2025. For more, read my review of The Devil and the Daylong Brothers.
