Some of the most effective thrillers use a contained location to build unbearable suspense. These three films from Netflix and Prime Video masterfully trap their characters, forcing them to fight for survival against an immediate, close-quarters threat.
First, 10 Cloverfield Lane (Prime Video) is the ultimate “trapped” film. Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s character is locked in an underground bunker by a man (John Goodman) who claims a catastrophic event has made the outside world unlivable. The tension comes from her confinement and her psychological battle with her captor.
Next, Interceptor (Netflix) traps its hero on a remote missile interceptor station in the middle of the ocean. Elsa Pataky’s character, an Army Captain, must fight off a team of terrorists who have boarded the base, turning her workplace into a high-stakes warzone.
Finally, The Occupant (Netflix) uses a luxury apartment as its trap. While the new family living there doesn’t know it, a dangerous man (Javier Gutiérrez) has the keys and is secretly infiltrating their home, turning their sanctuary into his personal hunting ground.
For thrills that explore the wide-open world, you can also stream Bird Box (Netflix), Havoc (Netflix), Black Bag (Prime Video), and Saltburn (Prime Video).