Sartaj Singh
Whether through true crime or compelling performances, serial killers have stalked the silver screen since the early days of cinema. The greatest films about them expand beyond the terror of psychopaths and use them to create intimate stories and as vehicles for commentary on society. Ranging from shocking slashers to exquisitely crafted black-and-white masterpieces, these are the best serial killer movies on HBO Max.
10. Pandora’s Box (1929)
With G.W. Pabst in the director’s chair, ‘Pandora’s Box’ is a classic German silent film that revolves around Lulu (Louise Brooks), an enigmatic woman whose destructive charm leads her through a series of unfortunate events. Seemingly able to seduce anyone with her allure, Lulu’s involvement with multiple men wreaks havoc on her life and those around her, leading to murder and tragedy. Pabst’s direction is distinguished by its exploration of societal decay and moral ambiguity, and Brooks’ performance is both magnetic and unsettling. The film also features a historical serial killer in its climax. You can see the movie here.
9. Funny Games (1997)
‘Funny Games’ is an Austrian psychological thriller that takes us along a harrowing journey with a small family whose idyllic vacation is violently interrupted by two psychopaths. The intruders subject the family to a series of brutal games, manipulating them with a chilling sense of detachment. Written and directed by Michael Haneke, we are presented with many lengthy takes that often have the brutality taking place slightly offscreen, letting our imagination fill in the horrors being experienced by the victims. The violence itself is visceral and unglamorized, presented in a provocative and painful manner. Only those with the strongest of stomachs should dare to stream ‘Funny Games’ here.
8. The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927)
An Alfred Hitchcock directorial, ‘The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog’ is a silent thriller that stands as one of Hitchcock’s earliest masterpieces. Based on Marie Belloc Lowndes’ 1913 novel, the film follows a mysterious lodger (Ivor Novello) who moves into a boarding house in London, just as a series of grisly murders known as the “Avenger” killings terrorizes the city targeting blond women. The owner of the lodge begins to suspect that her new guest is connected to the killings and starts to observe his peculiar behavior, creating an atmosphere of suspense and paranoia. ‘The Lodger’ is a pioneering work in the serial killer genre and is considered Hitchcock’s greatest silent film that informed his thriller style in future works. The movie can be streamed here.
7. MaXXXine (2024)
A serial killer and a pornstar-turned-Hollwyood-actress lock horns in Ti West’s horror drama ‘MaXXXine,’ the third film in the ‘X’ film franchise. As Maxine Minx navigates her way into the glamorous world of the 1980s movie industry while running from her dark past, she is tracked by the Night Walker, a serial killer out killing women. ‘MaXXXine’ does a commendable job blending the moral complexities of the titular protagonist with satanic entertainment, giving us a thrilling genre-bending movie that is retro-stylized, vibrant, alluring, and gory. You can experience the film right here.
6. Trap (2024)
Directed by master mind-bender M. Night Shyamalan, ‘Trap’ centers on a serial killer who tries to avoid getting caught while being stuck at a concert he takes his daughter to. Realizing that the event is a ploy by the FBI to catch him, he has only until the concert’s conclusion to find a way to escape. The catch? All exits are secured. Starring Josh Hartnett and Ariel Donoghue, ‘Trap’ is a signature Shyamalan film garnished with twists and surprises, subtly underscored by a father-daughter relationship. You can watch the movie here.
5. Citizen X (1995)
Helmed by Chris Gerolmo, ‘Citizen X’ chronicles the hunt for a Russian serial killer and the challenges faced by the investigators as they navigate the sluggish bureaucracy to find him. Lt. Viktor Burakov (Stephen Rea) leads the hunt for a killer on the loose who targets women and children. However, Soviet propaganda and incompetency plague the police response, with the serial killer’s presence not being declared publicly for fear of tainting the country’s image. The performances are outstanding, and Jeffrey DeMunn’s Andrei Chikatilo somehow inspires empathy despite being a monster. What elevates the serial killer film beyond its masterful execution is its status of being based on a true serial killer hunt that spanned over a decade. The movie can be watched here.
4. M (1931)
Director Fritz Lang’s magnum opus, ‘M’ is a pioneering serial killer film that remains a landmark in cinematic history. The German film centers on a city in the clutches of fear as a serial killer goes on a kidnapping and killing spree targeting children. The police struggle to catch him, with the only pieces of evidence being the letters he sent to the newspaper. With the police increasing its presence to the maximum, the city’s underworld is unable to conduct business, leading the top criminals to begin searching for the predator as well. The first of Lang’s movies with sound, it uses its technology to full effect, with the killer’s compulsive whistling becoming an unforgettable cue. It is also notable for the use of expressionistic techniques, the exploration of the criminal mind, and Peter Lorre’s haunting performance. You can stream the movie here.
3. A Nightmare on Elm Street Movies (1984- )
The titular franchise began with Wes Craven’s ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street,’ which came out in 1984. From 1984 to 2010, the original franchise spun nine movies, all of which feature grotesque and undead Freddy Krueger, a serial killer who infiltrates people’s dreams to kill them in the fictional town of Springwood, Ohio. The cult classic slasher franchise has garnered a following across all age groups. If you are into gory movies, these movies are a must-watch due to their pure “slashing” aura. They can be streamed here.
2. Se7en (1995)
The wages of sin is death. David Fincher’s cult classic crime drama ‘Se7en’ takes the biblical phrase to a whole new level. We follow veteran Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), who is about to retire, and his new and much younger partner, Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt), as they try to track down a serial killer who is murdering his targets based on the Seven Deadly Sins as mentioned in Christianity, each victim for each sin. The killer does reveal himself, but the catch is that the detectives are rendered harmless as he reveals his actions. With a twist ending that is considered one of the best ever, ‘Se7en’ is a David Fincher masterpiece. It can be streamed here.
1. The Batman (2022)
In Matt Reeves’ ‘The Batman,’ we see the dark knight investigating a series of murders by the criminal known as the Riddler. As he digs deeper, the stakes get higher and higher, with multiple deaths and even more lives on the line. With a dark conspiracy within the government waiting to be unearthed, Batman must put all his skills to good use and track down the criminal mastermind who may be known for his complex riddles, but he also has many answers. Starring Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Jeffrey Wright as Officer James Gordon, Paul Dano as the Riddler, Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, and Colin Farrell as Penguin, ‘The Batman’ offers the most gritty and noir onscreen version of the iconic comic character underscored by a powerful story and brilliant performances. You can watch the film here.
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