October is usually dominated by horror movies, but anyone looking for a tense, gripping watch without veering into terrifying territory has plenty to choose from, too. Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu are all adding notable thriller titles this month, ranging from a brand-new kidnapping drama and an ambitious heist movie to one of the greatest crime films ever made.

These five films don't all deliver thrills in the same way. Some put ordinary people into impossible situations, while others rely on elaborate crimes, psychological manipulation, or a battle between equally determined opponents. For anyone looking for a great thriller to watch this month, these movies should be near the top of your watchlist, especially if you have a Netflix, Hulu, or Prime subscription.

From Heat's brutal violence to Se7en's dark subject matter, these are the best R-rated thrillers ever made.

There are few things more stressful than watching a film where the characters are trapped somewhere human beings aren't really supposed to be. Last Breath takes that idea and runs with it to the bottom of the North Sea, where saturation diver Chris Lemons becomes stranded hundreds of feet underwater after an accident separates him from his support system. Making matters worse, 2025's Last Breath is based on a true story.

Finn Cole plays Lemons, while Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu are among the divers who are desperately trying to get him back. Last Breath doesn't need a brutal monster or sinister villain because every ounce of its tension comes from its horrifying premise: being stranded in almost complete darkness with a rapidly dwindling oxygen supply.

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