5 Underrated 1990’s thrillers

These are five brilliant 1990’s thriller films that have somehow gone under the radar. They may have bombed at the box office or seen limited release in theaters, but these films are definitely worth your time.

Pulp Fiction (1994), The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and The Usual Suspects (1995) are just three examples of thrillers that normally spring to mind when compiling a list of great 1990’s thrillers. But below is an alternative list of thrillers that went largely unnoticed in the 90’s.

Ravenous (1999)

This thriller crosses over into other genres and can be described as having a few horror elements, as well as black comedy. Set in 1840’s California, Lieutenant Boyd (Guy Pearce) is banished to a remote camp in the Sierra Nevada mountain range for cowardice in battle. Soon after he arrives a wanderer (Robert Carlyle) appears in the camp telling a story of his wagon journey becoming lost and resorting to cannibalism. So Boyd and his commanding officer (Jeffrey Jones) set off with a band of misfits to find out if there are any survivors.

Ravenous is a memorable film for a number of reasons, it has a period setting that acts as the backdrop to a mix of slapstick comedy, gruesome gore and genuine thrills. However, inspired by the real-life Donner Party incident, Ravenous revolves around the gruesome subject of cannibalism that is explored in morbid glee; providing a number of tongue-in-cheek moments. Carlyle really enjoys himself in a Hannibal Lector-like deliberately over the top role that is similar to his more famous performance in Trainspotting, due to his seemingly calm demeanor punctuated by a maniacal rage. Together with the spectacular setting, real tension, a zany performance from Jones and bizarrely unique soundtrack, this is a truly memorable thriller sure to divide opinion.

 

Kalifornia (1993)

Brian, a graduate student and his photographer girlfriend, Carrie embark on a cross country road trip to visit various murder sites. However, they unwittingly carpool with a serial killer (Brad Pitt) and his naive and child-like girlfriend played by Juliette Lewis. This was a box office bomb, yet boasts a frighteningly committed performance from Brad Pitt as a killer who, whilst already insane, become even more unhinged as the film goes on.

Many have discarded this film as a cheap knock off of Natural Born Killers (which also starred Lewis in a contrasting role). But, whilst the plot sounds derivative, the film is actually a rather startling exploration into why people are so fascinated in the morbid side of human nature. It is also fascinating to see two such disparate characters interact in such close proximity as Pitt slowly takes control of the trip and encourages Brian into bad ways. Kalifornia is a riveting thrill ride that isn’t as predictable as expected and features Brad Pitt eschewing his pretty boy image in a brilliantly deranged performance.

 

Breakdown (1997)

Kurt Russel and Kathleen Quinlan star as a couple driving across America to start a new life in San Diego. However, their SUV breaks down in the middle of nowhere and a friendly trucker (J.T Walsh) drives by and offers Quinlan a lift to the nearest phone. But once Russel gets his car started, his wife is not where she is supposed to be and the truck driver denies ever seeing the couple.

This is a taut and compact thriller that makes much of a simple premise. Breakdown bears a few similarities to other classics such as Spielberg’s Duel and 1986’s The Hitcher. The sparse hostile landscapes, colourful cast of villains, the dangers of hitchhiking and the spectacularly tense finale are perfected here. Russel is great as the out of his depth middle-American, but J.T Walsh, is outstanding as the calmly malevolent Red Barr. He makes for a particularly memorable villain who deftly switches from friendly and helpful trucker to cold blooded killer in a chilling performance. This is a first rate nail-biter and one of the most engrossing thrillers ever made.

 

Red Rock West (1993)

A penniless ex-marine drifter (Nicolas Cage) finds himself in a town in the middle of nowhere after being denied a job. However, he is soon mistaken for an out of state hit-man by the vindictive local who wants his wife dead. After being given half the money in advance, he accepts a counter offer from the man’s wife and attempts to make off with the money. But soon the real hit-man (Dennis Hopper) and the vengeful local are hot on his heels.

Initially released straight-to-video, it gained attention through word of mouth and a theatrical release was soon arranged. Red Rock West really kicks off when a bizarre series of events and coincidences plant Cage firmly in trouble. The casting is spot on in this film, with Dennis Hopper in full psycho mode and pre-stardom Cage holds it all together as the hapless drifter. Plus J.T Walsh is a deliciously amoral secondary villain and Lara Flynn Boyle is perfect in the femme fatale role. This wittily plotted and quirky thriller, boasting its own delirious in-built logic, should have never slipped through the cracks and is a must see as one of the best thrillers of the 1990’s.

 

A Simple Plan (1998)

Directed by Sam Raimi, A Simple Plan features Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton in rural Minnesota as two brothers who, along with a friend, discover a crashed plane containing $4.4 million. The three men go to great lengths to keep their discovery a secret, but they soon begin to doubt each other’s trust and the situation spirals out of control. This is one of Sam Raimi’s most overlooked films and possibly his least characteristic.

It is a fascinating exploration into the capability of normal people committing unspeakably evil acts. But if you’re looking for typical Raimi dark humour, you’re in the wrong place here. This is a serious thriller, with cold visuals and suspense that builds to unbearable levels as the authorities and real owners of the money close in on the two brothers. This is made more effective by Paxton and Thornton’s credible and sympathetic brotherly relationship. There performances will surely keep anybody invested right up to the emotionally shattering conclusion. This is not a just an overlooked thriller, but arguably one of the most underrated films of the 1990’s.