Best Serial Killer Movies

Serial killers have been an enduring source of fascination in the film; whether they’re a force of evil or a tragic figure, they’ve made an indelible mark in the horror genre. Here are the best serial killer movies you can find, according to Reelgood.com.

1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
   The Silence of the Lambs is a classic psychological horror film directed by Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins as FBI agent Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter, respectively. Clarice is tasked with seeking Lecter’s help to capture a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill.
   
   The Silence of the Lambs is a masterful blend of horror and suspense, with the performances of both Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins elevating the material. Hopkins’ portrayal of Lecter is particularly chilling, and his presence looms large over the film. The Silence of the Lambs is a classic that is well worth revisiting.
   
2. Se7en (1995)
   Se7en is a dark and disturbing crime thriller directed by David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt as two detectives on the trail of a serial killer. The killer has chosen to enact his warped version of the seven deadly sins, killing his victims in gruesome ways that reflect each sin.
   
   Se7en is a film that is as thrilling as it is psychologically complex. Fincher’s direction is masterful, creating an atmosphere of dread and suspense as the detectives delve deeper into the killer’s mind. The performances of Freeman and Pitt also elevate the material, and the film’s ending is guaranteed to stick with you long after the credits have rolled.
   
3. Zodiac (2007)
   Zodiac is a crime thriller directed by David Fincher, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr. as detectives on the hunt for the Zodiac killer. The Zodiac killer was a serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the detectives were determined to capture him.
   
   Zodiac is an expertly crafted thriller that is as much a character study as a detective story. Gyllenhaal and Downey Jr. are both excellent in their roles, and Fincher’s direction is precise and precise. The film’s focus on the psychological toll of the investigation is especially effective, and the film’s conclusion is hauntingly ambiguous.
   
4. Psycho (1960)
   Psycho is a classic psychological horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins as the iconic Norman Bates. Bates is a seemingly mild-mannered motel owner who harbors a dark secret; he is a serial killer driven to murder by his mother’s influence.
   
   Psycho is a horror genre classic, and its influence can still be felt today. Hitchcock’s direction is masterful, and Perkins’ performance is chilling in its subtlety. The film’s iconic shower scene is a classic of the genre, and its ending is sure to leave an impression.
   
5. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
   The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a classic horror film directed by Tobe Hooper, starring Marilyn Burns as one of five young adults who a family of cannibals terrorizes, led by the iconic Leatherface.
   
   The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a masterful blend of horror and suspense, with Hooper’s direction creating an atmosphere of dread and terror. The actors’ performances are also great, and the film’s iconic score is guaranteed to stay with you long after the credits have rolled. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is an essential classic of the genre.
   
6. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)
   Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a dark and disturbing crime drama directed by John McNaughton, starring Michael Rooker as the titular Henry. Henry is a drifter and a serial killer on the run from the law.
   
   Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a bleak and unsettling film that is as much a character study as a crime drama. Rooker’s performance is chilling in its realism, and McNaughton’s direction is precise and effective. The film’s ending is sure to leave an impression, and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is an essential watch for fans of the genre.
   
7. American Psycho (2000)
   American Psycho is a darkly comic psychological horror film directed by Mary Harron, starring Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker who is also a serial killer.
   
   American Psycho is a film that is as much a satire of corporate culture as it is a horror film. Bale is excellent in the role, and his performance is captivating in its complexity. The film’s blend of horror and dark comedy is also effective, and the film’s ending is sure to leave an impression. American Psycho is an essential watch for fans of the genre.

Whether they’re a force of evil or a tragic figure, serial killers have been an enduring source of fascination in film. These are the best serial killer movies, according to Reelgood.com. From The Silence of the Lambs to American Psycho, these films will leave an impression.