Have you ever wanted to explore other movies like Run? Maybe because you have a knack for psychological thriller horrors, but hopefully nothing more sinister.
Run is a psychological horror thriller released during the 2020 pandemic and tells the tale of a mother who is responsible for her daughter’s deformity.
Although it takes years, her foul play is eventually discovered. If you’d like more movies with solid themes of deception, check out 12 psychological thrillers like Run to get you started.
1. Dead Calm (1989)
- IMDb: 6.8/10
Following the death of their son in a tragic accident, Ray Ingam and her husband John take their yacht out for an extended vacation trip in an attempt to move past their loss.
They come across a sinking schooner while at Sea and rescue its sole survivor, Hughes, who claims the ship crew died from food poisoning, but it turns out there’s more to Hughes’ story than meets the eye.
This movie is the first successful film adaptation of the novel. Though featuring just three people, the film’s pace and the storyline’s richness make it a fantastic watch.
2. The Guest (2014)
- IMDb: 6.7/10
While Spencer and Laura Peterson, alongside their children, Luke and Anna, are grieving the loss of their eldest son to War in Afghanistan, a stranger named David shows up, claiming to have been a friend, and is invited to stay. Shortly after his arrival, a string of suspicious deaths starts occurring, and this leads Anna to suspect there is more to their guest than he says.
For anyone who loves thrillers or movies like Run, this film is a must-watch, and the pace is bound to keep you glued to your seat from start to finish.
3. Possessor (2020)
- IMDb: 6.5/10
In an alternate 2008, Tasya Vos is an elite assassin who makes hits on her high-profile targets by possessing other people’s bodies using brain implant technology. Due to her desire to remain connected with her family, as well as her fragile mental state, she finds herself struggling for control with her current host, leading to an unexpected outcome for all the parties involved.
For those seeking out movies like Run, the Possessor is an excellent movie with enough elements of suspense to keep one intrigued until the last minute. It garnered mostly positive reviews for the storyline and the actors’ performance.
4. Smile (2022)
- IMDb: 6.5/10
After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic suicide by one of her patients, therapist Rose Cutter starts seeing and having overwhelming experiences that she can’t explain, and that makes her suspect the supernatural and fear for her life. Rose must, thus, confront her disturbing past to come to terms with her new reality. The ending is as unexpected as it is wonderful.
Though also a psychological horror film, Smile contains elements of the supernatural, unlike Run. It is based on the 2020 short film Laura Hasn’t Slept by director Parker Finn, but it is still a great addition to your watchlist for anyone with a taste for psychological thrillers.
5. Trance (2013)
- IMDb: 6.9/10
Simon, a fine art auctioneer, joins a gang of thieves led by Franck to steal a priceless Goya painting. Things, however, don’t go as planned – the painting isn’t where it’s supposed to be, and the only person who knows where it is, Simon, suffers a head injury and develops amnesia.
When torture and physical threats prove useless, Franck hires a hypnotherapist, Elizabeth, to deduce the actual location. As Elizabeth begins her work on Simon’s mind, the truth starts to unravel, but in an unexpected way. It’s an intriguing watch from start to finish.
6. Don’t Breathe (2016)
- IMDb: 7.1/10
Rocky, Alex, and Money are three Detroit delinquents who make their kicks by breaking into the houses of wealthy people and stealing their valuables. Frustrated when their fence keeps undervaluing their items, Money hears about a blind veteran who got a large cash settlement following the death of his only daughter.
Thinking him to be an easy target, the three break into his house to steal the cash, only to find themselves trapped, leading them to the shocking discovery that their victim is not as helpless as they thought. It is a compelling watch for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers or movies like Run.
7. Misery(1990)
- IMDb: 7.8/10
Paul Sheldon is a famed novelist and the author of a successful series of Victorian romance novels about a character named Misery Chastain. On a journey home, he is caught in a blizzard and crashes his car, sustaining several injuries, and is rescued by former nurse Annie Wilkes, who claims to be his number one fan.
While recuperating in Annie’s remote cabin, Paul discovers that her obsession is deadly when she flies into a rage and holds him prisoner upon discovering he killed off her favorite character. As he tries to escape, Annie becomes increasingly violent and even more controlling, and she forces him to rewrite his story to suit her taste. The film is based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name.
8. Arlington Road (1999)
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Michael Faraday is living with his 9-year-old son and girlfriend, Brooke, when he stumbles on an injured boy around his son’s age in his vicinity. Turns out he’s a neighbor’s son, and both families become fast friends. However, Michael has no idea that new neighbors Oliver, Cheryl, and Brady, are nothing like your typical family.
In a matter of weeks, Michael begins to witness things that raise questions about Oliver. Like other movies like Run, it starts with the antagonist seemingly having good intentions.
9. Tusk (2014)
- IMDb Rating: 5.3/10
Unlike anything you’ve ever seen, Tusk is a unique story of the events that would lead to Wallace becoming a Walrus. Being a lover of adventures, Wallace and his best friend Teddy start a podcast that captures the lives of viral sensations.
Wallace moves to Canada while chasing an exciting sensation, the Kill Bill Kid. However, it turns out to be a dead end since the Kid has committed suicide. Hoping to capture another thrilling story, Wallace stays back and runs in Howard, who will single-handedly alter the course of his life.
10. The Invitation (2015)
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Like other movies like Run, The Invitation starts with a seemingly innocent dinner between friends. Will and his girlfriend, Kira, turn up for a dinner party that his ex-wife and her new husband host in the classy Hollywood home they once shared. As other guests arrive, Will has a funny feeling he can’t shake.
By the time all the guests have arrived and Will has accidentally witnessed some suspicious interactions in the home, he’s even more wary. His suspicions are confirmed when his amiable hosts poison and kill Gina and begin killing off the rest of the guests one by one.
11. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Michelle is finally moving on with her life after she and her fiance, Ben, encounter irreconcilable differences. However, her move is cut short by an accident, seemingly caused by a city-wide blackout. By the time she awakens from the accident, she discovers that she is in captivity.
Michelle’s captor is Howard, who claims to have rescued her from the car wreck. Soon, she uncovers Howard’s deceit and begins plans to escape, assisted by her fellow captor, Emmett.
12. Berlin Syndrome (2017)
- IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Clare moves around a lot as a photographer and backpacker, and one of such trips will land her in Berlin. While wandering the streets of Berlin, she stumbles on a High School teacher; Andi and the two share a passionate night.
The passionate night turns sinister the following day when Clare discovers she has been locked in, and Andi first plays it off as a mistake. However, Clare soon discovers that she has managed to land herself in a situation that would likely end her life, much like other characters in movies like Run.
