At the heart of a good thriller is mystery and suspense: there is something that needs to be solved, and it is up to us to figure it out. A good thriller can cross film genres from whodunit (opens in new tab) to action (opens in new tab) to drama (opens in new tab) to even horror (opens in new tab). But no matter the film, the plot is genuinely exciting and fast-paced throughout, often making for easygoing viewing (perfect for weeknights). This thriller is perfect for Halloween, and while it's not as bloody as some horror films, it's perfect for when you need a little tension.

This year in particular has seen a resurgence of big-budget films, and this list has an attractive star-studded lineup. What's more, many of these films are based on real-life events, making this the best thriller film so far in 2021.

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Who is "Nobody"? Bob Odenkirk kicks all kinds of ass, no doubt, but it's also a tense thriller about a family man who is not the docile father his kids think he is. He is the opposite of Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad, the character that made Odenkirk famous. Thrillers are not always this enjoyable, so I urge you to rent this one.

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If you're going to watch a foreign language film, make it this one: Mads Mikkelsen gives an impassioned performance as a soldier whose wife dies in a tragic accident. Mads Mikkelsen gives a brilliant performance as a soldier who loses his wife in a tragic accident. They band together to achieve justice. This fast-paced thriller is funny, sweet, sad, and compelling.

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Like "Nobody," Jason Statham is a cannon with a mysterious past who joins an armored truck company. He kills criminals who try to rob him in order to find his son's killer. Guy Ritchie keeps things exciting and tense, and it's hard to know who to fear more, the thief or the man he's chasing. The action is exciting, but you always wonder who committed the murders and will they pay for what they did.

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This is more of a political thriller, based on the true story of Mohamed Ould Slahi, who is being held at Guantanamo Bay without ever being charged for allegedly helping the September 11 attacks. Criminal defense attorney Nancy Hollander is asked to defend him, and what follows is an interesting examination of morality and consequences.

First aired October 15, 2021

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reprise their roles in this historical drama thriller. Jodie Comer plays a woman who claims to have been raped by her husband's best friend, and their conflict leads to the last official duel in French history; a quick Google search may reveal the literal ending of this event, but the film is about a woman seeking justice and its consequences.

Premiere Date October 29, 2021

Directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Baby Driver), the film is darker than we are used to. In addition to being a time-travel thriller, "Last Night in Soho" is also a psychological horror: Eloise is able to travel back in time to the 1960s and return to the body of nightclub singer Sandy. Eloise can travel back in time to the 60s and return to the body of nightclub singer Sandy, but the artist's life is full of terrible surprises, with consequences for both women.

Premiere date: November 24, 2021

Lady Gaga seems to be having a blast in this over-the-top portrait of the Gucci fashion house, especially its head, Maurizio Gucci, and his wife Patrizia. Family drama leads to betrayal and murder. Since the film is based on a true story (opens in new tab), a quick Google search will tell you what happened, but here we will address the sensational details of the crime, the killer, and the decadent fashion behind it.

First airdate: December 17, 2021

An adaptation of a book published in 1946, the film features a carnival worker and manipulative con artist. He is linked to Dr. Lilith Ritter (Cate Blanchett, acting), and the two turn out to be powerfully toxic. Toni Collette, Rooney Mara, and Willem Defoe also star, and the film promises to be even darker than the original. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the film leans toward the noir elements of the story, especially the gorgeous visuals behind the wheelhouse story.