Summer may be wrapping up soon, but the cinematic thrills are continuing to go strong. Whether it’s in theaters, on Netflix, with Shudder or through another streaming service, everyone seems to be putting forward plenty of adrenaline pumping and high stakes films. These movies include the likes of a self-help author trapped in a nightmare, an attorney turned con, a notorious real-life killer and plenty more.
Lucky
This Shudder original movie follows a self-help author after she discovers a strange man comes into her home to try to kill her every night; however, he never succeeds. Even odder, the author’s husband is aware of this. The mental toll this takes on the protagonist is already enough to make Lucky a solid thriller, but the fact that those around her do not take this serious adds another layer of tension and trauma to her nightmare in this certified fresh movie.
Directed by Natasha Kermani, Lucky stars Brea Grant, Dhruv Day Singh, Kaiser Mohammed, Hunter C. Smith and Kristina Klebe and is available on digital and DVD Aug. 3.
Beckett
Netflix’s new film, Beckett, leans more on the mystery side of the thriller genre. Here, a couple’s vacation turns into a nightmare when a boyfriend wakes up with a broken arm and his girlfriend missing. To make matters worse, the police are after him for some reason, and they are not afraid to use deadly force. As if things were not risky enough for the titular Beckett, the area he is vacationing is in a state of political unrest, creating an even more tense environment.
Directed by Ferdinando Cito Filomarino, Beckett stars John David Washington, Boyd Holbrook, Vicky Krieps and Alicia Vikander and is available Aug. 13 on Netflix.
Naked Singularity
John Boyega’s character is an optimistic public defender with the hopes of making a difference; however, it is difficult for someone to work within this legal system and keep their idealistic ways. In Naked Singularity — based on the best-selling novel — viewers will see whether or not this attorney will finally hit his breaking point, as he works the justice system from a new angle: a drug heist.
Naked Singularity stars John Boyega, Olivia Cooke, Bill Skarsgård, Tim Blake Nelson and Linda Levin and premieres in theaters Aug. 6 and on VOD Aug. 13.
Shook
Another Shudder original coming to the streaming service this month, Shook sees a social media star become the latest victim in a terror campaign. This goes beyond online threats and toxic comments, as the villain physically torments others. He takes on a Jigsaw role in Shook, and the protagonist must play his sick game or die.
Directed by Jennifer Harrington, Shook stars Daisye Tutor, Emily Goss, Nicola Posener and Octavius J. Johnson and is available on demand and digital Aug. 17.
Sweet Girl
Another Netflix’s thriller hitting the streaming service this month is Sweet Girl. This movie joins a long catalogue of thrillers — like Taken and Peppermint — that focus on a parental figure pursuing violent acts in the name of their loved ones. However, this time the father figure takes his daughter on this journey with him. Tragically, Jason Momoa’s character lost his wife, so he does everything he can to protect his daughter while getting revenge.
Directed by Brian Andrew Mendoza, Sweet Girl stars Jason Momoa, Isabela Merced, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Raza Jaffrey, Adria Arjona, Justin Bartha, Lex Scott Davis, Michael Raymond-James, Dominic Fumusa, Brian Howe, Nelson Franklin, Reggie Lee and Marisa Tomei. The film arrives on Netflix Aug. 20.
Risen
The thriller genre can easily overlap with other genres, as is the case for Risen. In this sci-fi/thriller, a meteor strikes a small town, transforming the environment into something uninhabitable. Like Annihilation, what initially starts of as contained could grow out of hand, thus prompting an exobiologist to learn exactly what is going on before it is too late for Earth and humanity.
Directed by Eddie Arya, Risen stars Nicole Schalmo, Jack Campbell and Dominic Stone and comes out Aug. 20.
The Protégé
Following in the footsteps of Lionsgate’s other assassin epic, John Wick, The Protégé further explores the dynamic and dangerous world of contracted killers. Instead of focusing on a lone wolf assassin, The Protégé centers around the relationship between Anna and Moody, with the latter saving the former when she was a child. This could lead to them having a dynamic similar Big Daddy and Hit Girl’s in Kick-Ass or Leon and Mathilda’s in The Professional. Despite them having a strong bond, things go south, and Anna swears revenge in this thriller.
Directed by Martin Campbell, The Protege stars Michael Keaton, Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Patrick and premieres Aug. 20 in theaters.
No Man of God
This list would be incomplete without one film based off of true crime, and No Man of God is going back to one of the most talked about American serial killers: Ted Bundy. However, instead of documenting his murders, No Man of God takes place during Bundy’s time in prison, where he agreed to disclose details about his crimes to FBI agent Bill Hagmaier. Along with insight about this real life monster, No Man of God will also explore the relationship between Bundy and Hagmaier.
Directed by Kit Lesser, No Man of God stars Elijah Wood, Luke Kirby, Aleksa Palladino and Robert Patrick and premieres in theaters, on demand and on digital Aug. 27.
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