Hollywood’s fascination with the art of obsession is truly captivating. Some films have a tendency to minimize the true severity of this creepy behavior and even turn it into something romantic. However, fear not! There are horror movies and psychological thrillers that take this disturbing behavior very seriously.
In the world of cinema, stalkers make for incredible villains because they possess the ability to initially appear kind and charming. This creates a thrilling twist when their true, dangerous nature is eventually revealed, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats.
Nevertheless, these movies don’t always receive the warmest of receptions due to their dark nature. Some face criticism for lacking originality, while others may have a unique and unconventional style. However, hidden beneath the surface, there exist several stalker films that are far more entertaining than their reviews or box office success would lead you to believe.
1. One Hour Photo
The Premise: Meet Sy Parrish (played by Robin Williams), a solitary individual who leads a reclusive life and only interacts with others while working at a large retail store where he develops photos. Over time, Sy becomes increasingly obsessed with the Yorkin Family, one of his regular customers. As he develops their photos, he finds himself captivated by their seemingly perfect lives. However, merely keeping copies of their pictures in his own home no longer satisfies Sy, leading him to make misguided attempts to get closer to them. When he uncovers the truth that the Yorkins are not as flawless as he had imagined, Sy’s sanity unravels, and he embarks on a mission to destroy their lives.
Why It’s Underrated: Robin Williams has graced the silver screen in countless movies, and amidst his vast filmography, some of his outstanding performances may go unnoticed. One Hour Photo, often overshadowed by his comedic work, is a remarkable demonstration of Williams’s versatility. He portrays Sy, a deeply disturbed individual, with profound intensity. Additionally, the film is skillfully directed, allowing the audience to comprehend the reasons behind Sy’s fixation on immersing himself in the idyllic world depicted in the photographs he develops.
2. The Crush
The premise of the film revolves around writer Nick Eliot (Cary Elwes), who moves into a wealthy family’s guest house after landing a new job. The family’s teenage daughter, Adrian (Alicia Silverstone), develops a crush on Nick and starts flirting with him. This eventually leads to an inappropriate kiss, which Nick quickly puts an end to. Moving forward, Nick begins dating his co-worker Amy (Jennifer Rubin), but Adrian becomes obsessed with getting him back and goes to extreme lengths to remove any obstacle in their relationship.
While it’s important to acknowledge the objectionable elements in The Crush, such as the movie’s failure to condemn Nick’s initial acceptance of a teenager’s advances, some fans have managed to look past these problematic aspects. As a result, the film has gained a cult following, with viewers finding enjoyment in its more entertaining scenes. For instance, one memorable scene involves Adrian sneaking a wasp nest into an air vent to attack Amy.
Overall, The Crush may have its flaws, but it has still managed to find a dedicated fan base who can appreciate it for its entertaining moments, despite the problematic elements present.
3. Cape Fear
The Premise: LawyerSam Bowden (played by Nick Nolte) finds himself in a moral dilemma as he defends Max (played by Robert De Niro), who is facing trial for assaulting a young girl. Struggling with his own belief that Max deserves punishment, Sam intentionally conceals evidence to secure a longer sentence for Max, assuming that Max, being illiterate, will never realize he received a subpar defense. Unbeknownst to Sam, Max utilizes his time in prison to educate himself and plot revenge. Upon his release, Max relentlessly pursues Sam’s family, even when they seek refuge on their houseboat along the Cape Fear River.
Why It’s Underrated: The 1991 film Cape Fear, directed by Martin Scorsese, showcases an abundance of stylistic brilliance, and Robert De Niro’s portrayal of Max is truly bone-chilling. Unfortunately, the film suffers from being a remake of an equally well-crafted 1962 version. Despite its greatness, the ’91 rendition of Cape Fear often doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves due to constant comparisons to the original.
4. The Resident
The Premise:
Juliet Devereau (Hilary Swank) recently filed for divorce and moves into a New York City apartment. She forms a connection with her landlord Max (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), but their romance is short-lived as Juliet ends it. However, little does she know that Max has been stalking her and has designed the apartment with secret passages and one-way mirrors to spy on her. When Max is rejected, he becomes violent towards Juliet and her soon-to-be ex-husband.
Why It’s Underrated:
The Resident received criticism for feeling generic, which is somewhat understandable since stalker movies often share a similar premise. However, what sets this movie apart is its fantastic cast. Swank and Morgan deliver a captivating blend of potential romantic tension followed by a bitter struggle for dominance and survival.
5. Single White Female
The premise of “Single White Female” revolves around Allie, who, after a falling out with her fiancée, Sam, decides to find someone to share her apartment. She finds Hedy, her new roommate, initially appearing to be a good friend. However, things take a strange turn when Hedy’s protectiveness towards Allie becomes excessive. As Sam and Allie reconcile, Hedy’s jealousy intensifies, leading her to impersonate Allie and take control of her life, even resorting to extreme measures.
“Single White Female” is often underrated due to mixed critical opinions. Some view it as a far-fetched and unrealistic thriller, while others see it as a more sophisticated slasher film. Nevertheless, this hidden gem offers a fresh perspective on the typically formulaic slasher genre. Both Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh deliver noteworthy performances that make the movie worth watching, regardless of the initial premise not being particularly captivating.
6. The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
The Premise: Claire Bartel goes for a regular pregnancy check-up, but unfortunately, she becomes a victim of sexual assault by her doctor. This incident leads to a series of events where multiple victims come forward and Dr. Mott, the perpetrator, tragically takes his own life. As a consequence, his widow suffers a miscarriage and loses her home. Months later, Claire and her husband hire a nanny named Peyton Flanders, whom they believe to be perfect. Little do they know that Peyton is actually Mrs. Mott, seeking revenge on Claire and her entire family.
Why It’s Underrated: The Hand that Rocks the Cradle manages to instill fear in its audience by making them question the true intentions of people they might usually trust, such as doctors and nannies. Rebecca De Mornay delivers a chilling performance as Mrs. Mott, leaving a lasting impact. Additionally, Julianne Moore shines in her supporting role as Claire’s friend, Marlene.
7. Fear
The Premise:
Nicole Walker (Reese Witherspoon), a teenager, falls for a guy named David (Mark Wahlberg). At first, David seems nice, but things quickly take a dark turn. He starts lying about physical violence, damaging Nicole’s relationship with her father. He also becomes aggressive towards her friend Margo (Alyssa Milano). As Nicole realizes how dangerous David is, she finds herself trapped. David starts killing her loved ones, anyone who tries to come between them.
Why It’s Underrated:
Critics didn’t give Fear much praise because of how exaggerated David’s actions are. However, the intensity is what makes the movie appealing. While some may find the movie gratuitous and exploitative in its portrayal of serious issues like intimate partner violence, fans of trashy horror movies who can handle heavy themes may find Fear to be a thrilling and enjoyable experience.
8. The Gift
The Premise: Simon and Robyn, a married couple, move to Los Angeles and unexpectedly encounter an old classmate of Simon’s named Gordo. Gordo tries to establish a friendship with them, but Simon is wary of his kindness. Simon claims to have no idea why Gordo starts acting strangely towards him, but it is eventually revealed that Simon had bullied Gordo in the past, leading to significant consequences for Gordo. Now, Gordo seeks revenge.
Why It’s Underrated: The Gift cleverly defies the usual conventions of stalker movies, which is why it stands out among other films on this list. Unlike typical portrayals, the targets in this movie aren’t purely innocent, allowing for a gripping twist that exposes Simon’s true nature. Joel Edgerton, who plays Gordo, also wrote and directed the film, ensuring a cohesive and compelling vision for the story.
9. Swimfan
The premise of the movie revolves around Ben, a talented teenage swimmer, who becomes acquainted with a classmate named Madison through a series of chance encounters. Madison takes a bold approach in pursuing Ben, which ultimately leads him to make the regrettable decision of cheating on his girlfriend with her. As their affair unfolds, Madison’s obsession with Ben intensifies, as she bombards him with relentless emails and starts showing up uninvited at his house. Despite Ben’s lack of interest, Madison proves that she is willing to go to extreme lengths, even resorting to murder, in order to be with him.
Why Swimfan is underrated is because it often gets compared, albeit unfavorably, to movies like Fatal Attraction and Scream. While it may not reach the same level of quality as those films, it still manages to provide an entertaining experience. With its PG-13 rating, this movie serves as a great introduction to the genre for younger viewers who may not have yet explored R-rated alternatives. Additionally, Swimfan holds a nostalgic appeal for those who were teenagers during the turn of the millennium.
10. The Cable Guy
The premise of the movie revolves around Steven Kovacs, played by Matthew Broderick, who moves into a new apartment and gets persuaded by his friend to bribe the cable guy, Chip, played by Jim Carrey, for free movie channels. Initially, their friendship seems to be thriving, with Steven becoming a “preferred customer.” However, things quickly take a turn for the worse as Chip starts crossing boundaries, leading Steven to try and end the friendship, which sets Chip on a vengeful warpath.
The Cable Guy is an underrated film that didn’t receive much praise from critics and fans of Jim Carrey. One of the reasons behind this is the movie’s darker tone, which caught many off guard. People expecting the typical, slapstick comedy associated with Carrey were disappointed by the subtler and sometimes unsettling nature of the film. Nevertheless, The Cable Guy is worth a watch for its unique blend of humor, albeit dark humor, in the stalker genre. It has even managed to gather a dedicated cult following over time.
