There’s something deeply compelling about serial killers in movies. These films take us into the minds of some of the most dangerous individuals, revealing what drives them while keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. Some of these films are based on real-life cases, making them even more disturbing, while others create fictional murderers that feel just as terrifyingly real.
From psychological thrillers to crime dramas and horror classics, this list of the best movies about serial killers offers a mix of iconic films and underrated gems. These psycho killer movies are a must-watch if you’re looking for suspense, psychological intrigue, and shocking twists.
1. The Good Demons
Directed by Gerardo Chijona, The Good Demons (Los Buenos Demonios) is a Cuban drama that explores the unsettling duality of human nature. The film follows Tito, a young man who appears to lead a normal life, working as a taxi driver and maintaining everyday relationships. However, beneath his seemingly harmless exterior, he harbors a chilling secret—he is a remorseless serial killer who preys on unsuspecting victims.
What makes The Good Demons particularly haunting is its psychological subtlety. Unlike traditional serial killer films that emphasize explicit violence, this movie unnerves viewers by depicting how easily a killer can blend into society. The film challenges audiences to reconsider the facades people wear and the darkness that may lurk beneath.
2. Que Dios Nos Perdone
Set in Madrid during the 2011 Papal visit, Que Dios Nos Perdone (2016), directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, follows two detectives investigating a series of murders. With the city overcrowded and tensions running high, their pursuit of the culprit becomes increasingly complex.
What sets this film apart is its realism and depth. The detectives—both flawed and troubled in their own ways—must navigate their personal demons while trying to stay ahead of a ruthless predator. The film’s intense pacing, gripping performances, and raw storytelling make it a must-watch for crime thriller fans.
3. Talión
Directed by Martín Tuta, Talión takes a morally complex approach to the revenge thriller. Rather than presenting a straightforward villain, the film raises thought-provoking questions about justice and morality.
The story follows a journalist who discovers that a vigilante is targeting child abusers. As he investigates, he begins to question his own ethical beliefs—is the killer a criminal, or is he delivering justice where the legal system has failed? Unlike traditional serial killer movies, Talión does not rely on shock value but instead offers a compelling psychological and moral dilemma that keeps viewers engaged until the final scene.
4. American Psycho
One of the most infamous fictional murderers in film history, Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale) is a wealthy New York investment banker who hides his psychopathic tendencies behind a polished, charming exterior.
Directed by Mary Harron, American Psycho (2000) is a darkly satirical take on materialism, masculinity, and mental instability. The film’s unsettling blend of horror and humor makes Bateman’s descent into violence all the more disturbing. His erratic behavior—one moment obsessing over ‘80s music, the next committing gruesome murders—keeps audiences unnerved. The ambiguous ending has led to years of debate, cementing American Psycho as a cult classic.
5. The Silence of the Lambs
A masterpiece of psychological horror, The Silence of the Lambs (1991), directed by Jonathan Demme, features two of cinema’s most unforgettable characters: FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) and Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).
Clarice is assigned to hunt down Buffalo Bill, a murderer who kidnaps and kills women. To do so, she seeks the help of Lecter—a brilliant but sadistic mind himself. Their tense psychological exchanges add layers of depth to the film, making it more than just a hunt for a criminal. With chilling performances and a gripping narrative, The Silence of the Lambs remains one of the greatest thrillers ever made.
6. Zodiac
Unlike many crime films that focus on the murderer, David Fincher’s Zodiac (2007) shifts the spotlight to the obsessive investigation.
Based on the real-life case of the Zodiac Killer, who taunted police and journalists in the late 1960s, the film follows reporters and detectives who dedicate their lives to uncovering his identity. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo, Zodiac meticulously reconstructs the case, portraying the devastating impact it had on those who pursued it.
With Fincher’s signature attention to detail and a relentless sense of suspense, Zodiac is one of the most gripping crime thrillers of all time.
7. Boston Strangler
This 2023 crime thriller, starring Keira Knightley, revisits the real-life Boston Strangler murders that terrorized the city in the 1960s.
What makes Boston Strangler stand out from similar films is its perspective. Instead of focusing on the murderer or detectives, the film follows the female journalists who risked everything to expose the truth behind the killings. Their relentless investigation, despite obstacles and societal pressures, adds a fresh and compelling angle to the genre.
8. My Friend Dahmer
Rather than depicting Jeffrey Dahmer’s horrific crimes, My Friend Dahmer (2017) offers a chilling glimpse into his teenage years, long before he became one of America’s most infamous murderers.
Starring Ross Lynch, the film portrays Dahmer as a socially awkward high school student with disturbing tendencies that go largely ignored. This slow-burning character study explores how a killer is shaped rather than how they commit their crimes, making it an unsettling yet fascinating watch.
9. Se7en
Few films are as dark and disturbing as Se7en (1995), directed by David Fincher. Starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, the movie follows two detectives as they hunt a murderer whose killings are inspired by the seven deadly sins. Each crime is more grotesque and symbolic than the last, leading to an unforgettable and shocking climax.
With its haunting atmosphere and masterful storytelling, Se7en is a must-watch for fans of this genre.
10. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) is one of the most influential horror films of all time, setting the foundation for countless slasher movies. Inspired by real-life murderer Ed Gein, the film follows a group of friends who stumble upon a deranged family of cannibals in rural Texas.
Unlike many psychological thrillers, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre creates sheer terror through its raw, almost documentary-like cinematography and relentless intensity.
11. The Clovehitch Killer
Directed by Duncan Skiles, The Clovehitch Killer (2018) is a slow-burning thriller that explores the horrifying realization that evil can exist behind the most ordinary facade.
The film follows 16-year-old Tyler Burnside (Charlie Plummer), who stumbles upon disturbing evidence linking his seemingly perfect father to a string of unsolved murders. Inspired by the true case of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer, this chilling film forces viewers to question how well they truly know the people closest to them.
12. Summer of Sam
Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam (1999) takes a different approach to this genre—not focusing on the infamous Son of Sam killer, David Berkowitz, but instead examining the widespread fear and paranoia his crimes caused.
Set in the sweltering summer of 1977, the film follows a group of Bronx residents whose lives unravel as the killings escalate. Vinny (John Leguizamo), a womanizing hairdresser, and his childhood friend Ritchie (Adrien Brody), a punk rocker trying to find his identity, are drawn into the hysteria gripping their neighborhood. As the city becomes consumed by suspicion, mob mentality takes over, and people begin to turn against each other, searching for someone to blame.
Rather than delivering a straightforward crime thriller, Summer of Sam is a gripping character study about how fear can breed chaos. With a raw and vibrant portrayal of 1970s New York, the film explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the dangerous power of mass paranoia, making it one of the most unique takes on a real-life crime spree.
13. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) is one of the most disturbing and unflinchingly realistic depictions of a murderer ever put on screen. Directed by John McNaughton, the film is loosely based on the real-life crimes of Henry Lee Lucas, a drifter who claimed to have killed hundreds of people. Unlike many stylized crime dramas, this film strips away any sense of glamor or suspense, instead presenting a brutally cold, matter-of-fact look at a man who kills without remorse or emotion.
The film follows Henry (Michael Rooker) and his equally unhinged accomplice Otis as they embark on a killing spree, selecting victims at random and displaying no sense of humanity. Unlike many films in the genre, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer doesn’t rely on traditional horror tropes or exaggerated gore to shock its audience. Instead, its unsettling realism forces viewers to witness acts of violence with an almost documentary-like detachment, making the film deeply unnerving.
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