The 7 Must-See Thrillers of 2024

Did you think the iconic Alien franchise had finally run its course? Think again—Xenomorphs are far from extinct. The latest sequel has breathed new life into the series, with a potential follow-up on the horizon. Over in the world of streaming, Netflix's Woman of the Hour unravels the chilling true story of Rodney Alcala, the serial killer who somehow (don’t ask how) found his way onto a dating show. Meanwhile, Apple TV+’s Parallel delves into the perilous consequences of traveling between universes—and it turns out, it’s even more complicated than you'd imagine. Below, we’ve rounded up our seven favorite thrillers of 2024 so far.

Woman of the Hour

Woman of the Hour is a gripping thriller set in the 1970s, with Anna Kendrick (who also directs) playing the role of Sheryl Bradshaw, a struggling actress who lands a spot on a dating show. What she doesn’t know—along with the rest of the crew—is that one of the contestants is a serial killer on the hunt for his next victim.

The Instigators

The Instigators is a crime thriller directed by the same filmmaker behind Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005). Matt Damon stars as Rory, a seasoned criminal who partners with Cobby (Casey Affleck) for a high-stakes heist. When the plan falls apart, Rory kidnaps his psychiatrist and goes on the run, trying to escape both the law and his own escalating problems.

Rebel Ridge

In Rebel Ridge, Aaron Pierre plays Terry Richmond, a former Marine determined to bail his cousin out of jail. There’s just one problem—the cops have stolen his money. Now, Terry is on a relentless mission to recover it and uncover the truth behind why the police targeted him in the first place.
 

Love Lies Bleeding

Kristen Stewart stars as Lou, a gym manager with a troubled family history. Her life takes a turn when she meets Jackie, a bodybuilder preparing for a competition in Vegas. The two quickly form a bond, but as their relationship deepens, Lou’s past begins to resurface. I won’t spoil the twist, but trust me—you won’t see it coming.

Civil War

War photographer Lee Smith (Kirsten Dunst) embarks on a mission to document civil unrest in a dystopian America. Along the way, she encounters militants from opposing factions, each determined to emerge victorious.
 

Alien Romulus (VOD)

The Xenomorphs just keep multiplying—and honestly, I’m not complaining. Alien Romulus is the latest chapter in the iconic franchise, set between the events of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). This time, a group of space colonists investigates an abandoned station, only to discover, you guessed it, more aliens. It’s probably best we don’t reveal much more than that.

Wolfs

Wolfs isn’t about four-legged predators, but the protagonists are just as relentless. In this film, Brad Pitt and George Clooney play rival fixers—the kind of people you call when things go wrong but the cops can’t be involved. When a job takes a dangerous turn, they must depend on each other to survive.