9 romantic thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat, on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar

While we do like a good thriller with its compelling narrative and twists and turns, throw in a bit of romance and the movie gets an added edge. With just the right dose of intimacy and suspense, a romantic thriller can send shivers down your spine. The genre has led to some gems in both Bollywood and Hollywood. Cult classics such as 1997’s Gupt—for which Kajol became the first female actor to receive an award for best performance in a negative role—and Abbas Mustan’s Aitraaz—that revolved around the theme of sexual harassment—redefined the genre in Hindi films. Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958), too, is considered a masterpiece that combines psychological shocks and a stylish love affair. If you're looking for something similar, here’s a list of a few of the most riveting thrillers with a romance at their centre.

Ek Hasina Thi (2004)

Before he gave us gems like Badlapur and Andhadhun, Sriram Raghavan directed Ek Hasina Thi—a cult classic in the romantic thriller space. When Sarika (Urmila Matondkar) falls head over heels in love with Karan (Saif Ali Khan), little does she know that she would land up in jail because of his conniving ways. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned—Sarika’s transformation from a naïve girl to one bent on revenge is one of the highlights of the film.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Fatal Attraction (1987)

Nominated for six Academy Awards, the Michael Douglas- and Glenn Close-starrer is a reminder of the consequences of an extramarital affair gone wrong. Daniel (Douglas) has a weekend affair with Alexandra (Close), only to realise that she is not someone who lets go very easily. There is high tension and riveting performances by the leads along with Close's performance singling out for her villainous turn as the other woman. In fact, she revealed during interviews that men often came up to tell her how she ‘scared the shit out of them’ and saved their marriage. Reason enough to watch the movie?

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Malang (2020)

Adavait (Aditya Roy Kapoor) goes on a corrupt cop-killing spree after his lover Sara (Disha Patani) becomes a victim of a policeman's brutality. The engaging narrative keeps the audience hooked until the end. For a romantic thriller that has some pretty intense murders, Mohit Suri’s directorial is high on entertainment.

Streaming on Netflix

Safe Haven (2013)

Katie (Julianne Hough) is on the run from an abusive marriage and ends up meeting and falling in love with widower Alex (Josh Duhamel). But her newfound bliss is short-lived as a nasty blast from the past comes back to haunt her. The thriller element is a tad slow to arrive in this adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ novel of the same name,  but the likeable characters and competent performances by the leads make it a compelling watch.

Streaming on Netflix

Humraaz (2002)

What seems like a love triangle between Karan (Akshaye Khanna), Priya (Ameesha Patel) and Raj (Bobby Deol), turns into a treacherous tale of greed, complex relationships and ambition in this film. The movie is laced with romance, but the surprising twists don’t stop coming.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

The Tourist (2010)

Throw in two of the most desirable artists together on screen and there are bound to be some electrifying moments. Married to a man who is being trailed by the cops and the mob alike, Elise (Angelina Jolie) seduces a tourist Frank (Johnny Depp) to throw off the chase. The remake of the 2005 French film Anthony Zimmer, is slow in building up the mystery but when it does, the surprises keep the narrative alive. It was nominated in three categories at the 68th Golden Globe Awards.

Streaming on Netflix

Ek Villain (2014)

The easy-breezy romance between Guru (Sidharth Malhotra) and Aisha (Shraddha Kapoor) is cut short when the latter gets murdered. Enraged, Guru sets out to seek revenge from Rakesh (Riteish Deshmukh), a hen-pecked husband who kills other women to take out his frustration. The edgy thriller features a melodious soundtrack to boot as well.

Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar

The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)

A remake of the 1968 film of the same name, this John McTiernan-directorial stars Pierce Brosnan as Thomas Crown, a billionaire who steals an art painting from a gallery. Catherine Banning (Rene Russo) is an insurance agent who wants to nail him for the crime but the two end up falling in love. The sleek and stylish thriller received positive reviews from critics who were impressed by the chemistry between the lead pair.

Available to buy on Amazon Prime Video

The Bodyguard (1992)

While the critics were not too kind when it came to the performances of the lead actors Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, The Bodyguard went on to become the second highest grossing film of the year 1992. Frank (Costner) is a Secret Services agent-turned-bodyguard for Rachel (Houston), a superstar with a dangerous stalker in pursuit. There is attraction and tenderness, but the looming death threats and tension make this more than just a cheesy romance.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

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