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Best French Suspense Thrillers of all time (10+1list)

Best French Suspense Thrillers of all time

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best French Suspense Thrillers of all time – and that includes the classics, the definitives, the masterpieces and only the immortals of French cinema that simply refuse to fade away with time!

They are edgy, classy and full of intense drama; the plots twist and the tension builds up, till the suspense is revealed. All internationally acclaimed cinemas made by some of the most famous French directors of the time.

Hold on to your seats folks, let the fun begin!

10. This Man Must Die (1969)

Que la bête meure (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImsAaCwoG0g

French-Suspense-ThrillersOne of the best from French director Claude Chabrol where a father is obsessed with revenge as he recently lost her daughter in a hit-and-run accident. But then, unfortunately he gets too involved with the lives of the culprits!

A complicated and intense portrayal of human nature with brilliant performances.

A few other thrillers from the same director are La Cérémonie (1995), Le Boucher (1970) and Violette (1978).

9. Diva (1981)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS2t2Noglac

French-Suspense-ThrillersDirected by Jean-Jacques Beineix, this is the story of a handful of characters – an opera fan, a thief, a cop, a couple of hit men and a philosopher, all entangled in a murder plot that they cannot escape from.

A visually stunning thriller with some brilliant chasing sequences that needs much more attention from film buffs all across the world.

8. Le Jour se Leve (1939)

Le jour se lève (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlLqSYt3EdM

French-Suspense-ThrillersA man commits a murder and locks himself up in his apartment, going through his head the events that led him into the terrible crime in the first place.

Shot beautifully in black and white, directed by Marcel Carnéone of the pioneers of Poetic realism film movement of the 1930s, this is undoubtedly one of his best work.

7. Purple Noon (1960)

Plein soleil (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWnvLNTzt-k

French-Suspense-ThrillersHave you seen The Talented Mr. Ripley starring Matt Damon and Jude Law?

Well, this film is the first adaptation from the same novel written by Patricia Highsmith, brilliantly directed by René Clément.

Enigmatic Alain Delon portrays the role of the versatile Mr.Ripley and his performance is outstanding!

6. Eyes Without a Face (1960)

Les yeux sans visage (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEjrg-L8lvs

French-Suspense-ThrillersA talented surgeon wants to give her disfigured daughter a new face but his methods of attempting face transplantation are rather unconventional, I mean it involves things like kidnapping and murder!

Directed by Georges Franju, this is one brilliant emotional thriller that evokes a haunting effect, more like an unforgettable nightmare!

5. Shoot the Piano Player (1960)

Tirez sur le pianiste (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjd6Eg9APAs

French-Suspense-ThrillersA classic thriller, the second feature directed by acclaimed auteur François Truffaut.

A piano player who gets mixed up in some dangerous business and now his life is in danger!

The film though not very commercially successful when released, is considered far ahead of its time by many critics and has a huge cult following over the years, a must watch!

4. Elevator to the Gallows (1958)

Ascenseur pour l’échafaud (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euB6PWW6tcI

French-Suspense-ThrillersA calculated murder, a mistress and then misfortune! Does the concept of perfect murder exists in real? No matter how much planning and precaution one takes there always remains the factor of ‘unpredictability’!

Directed by renowned Louis Malle, this one is a superb thriller that takes it slow and yet very engaging with the many twists and turns that keeps you guessing till the end.

3. Rififi (1955)

Du rififi chez les hommes (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVRiC5ysSLk

French-Suspense-ThrillersA spectacular tale of a group of jewel thieves who carefully plan out their next heist and execute it with enough precision – but can they pull it off till the end without any glitch?

The level of suspense in the film is absolutely intense and almost romantically dangerous. Directed by Jules Dassin, he won the best director for this one at the Cannes Film Festival that year!

2. Le Samouraï (1967)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmWt0l7hX8k

French-Suspense-ThrillersA professional hitman, a cool perfectionist gets into trouble as he’s seen by witnesses while committing a murder. But then he wants to prove his alibi and the real trouble begins!

With Alain Delon playing the sleek hitman and the master of French Suspense Thriller Jean-Pierre Melville as the director, this one is definitely the coolest films in this list.

A few other thrillers from the same director are Bob le Flambeur (1956), Le Doulos (1962), Army of Shadows (1969) and Le Cercle Rouge (1970).

1. Diabolique (1955)

Les diaboliques (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzbGtjtfZwA

French-Suspense-ThrillersThe wife and the mistress plans to murder a sadistic man and succeeds, but then the two women doesn’t have much chance of relief as they are rattled by some strange events!

Directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot, a cult classic cult, undoubtedly the best French suspense thriller with a superb plot and certainly the best twist in the tale!

A few other thrillers from the same director are The Wages of Fear (1953) and Le Corbeau (1943).

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch).

+1. Pickpocket (1959)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCZhSPwIZEg

French-Suspense-ThrillersThe story of a man whose hobby/profession is to pick pockets; a thief, but then also an independent man who wants to express himself through an unusually dangerous profession!

Directed by Robert Bresson and brilliantly performed by Martin LaSalle, technically a classic crime drama but then, it scores much above than most of its so called contemporary French Suspense Thrillers!  

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Best French Thrillers of Recent Times (10+1list)

Best French Thrillers of Recent Times

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best French Thrillers of Recent Times: Bonjour mon ami! It’s time for some French toasts and French Thrillers!

Well, its common knowledge that the French are famous for their beards, windows and kisses, but did you know that they also specialize in Thrillers?

Suspense, mystery, action packed and even psychological dramas seem to be their favourite genres and thus, here, this list comprises of some of the Best French Thrillers of Recent Times! 

Au revoir! As you have guessed, my French is pretty limited but what I actually want to say is Enjoy the list!

10. With a Friend Like Harry… (2000)

original title: Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiSP7T0bf2o

French-ThrillersMeeting an old school friend is always a moment of joy, right?

Wrong. Specially when you meet the mysterious Harry, an old chum who makes sure to flip your life upside down.

Directed by Dominik Moll, and casting Laurent LucasSergi López and Mathilde Seigner – a mystery that soon turns into something unexpectedly sinister.

9. The Apartment (1996)

original title: L’appartement

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwapQhrZ-D0

French-ThrillersA mysterious take on love, a superb piece of story-telling and top quality acting; the result is this fine example of a French Thriller.

Romane BohringerVincent Cassel and of course Monica Bellucci, a combination played to perfection.

Directed by Gilles Mimouni, this one is a unique film with enough number of plot twists to keep the guessing game going till the finish line.

8. Anything for Her (2008)

original title: Pour elle

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBZVsLoSsDU

French-ThrillersA school teacher’s wife gets arrested and their family life is shattered. Now, he is ready to do anything for her, even if that means breaking the law!

Starring Vincent Lindon and Diane Kruger who gave very believable performances.

Directed by Fred Cavayéthis one is a powerful crime drama with a heart pounding climax.

7. Mesrine Part 1: Killer Instinct (2008)

original title: L’instinct de mort

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Ku-B5Gkws

French-ThrillersA biographical account of legendary french gangster Jacques Mesrine.

Vincent Cassel plays the mean and brutal goon who is stylish, egoistic and trigger happy! 

Adventurous and thrilling, desperate and unflinching,  a cool gangster flick directed by Jean-François Richet.

The story comes in two parts/films, so don’t you forget to watch Mesrine Part 2: Public Enemy #1 (2008).

6. Tell No One (2006)

original title: Ne le dis à personne

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvvY1M8vjzI

French-ThrillersHow can there be signs of someone being alive even after their death?

Only few thrillers can keep the romantic involvements intact and still tell the story in a way that makes you sit up with tension.

Directed by Guillaume Canet, a novel based film that will keep you guessing till the end.

5. The Connection (2014)

original title: La French

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx41FbyvSMw

French-ThrillersMarseilles, the South of France being the backdrop, the film is based on the life story of the infamous mafia boss Gaëtan ‘Tany’ Zampa.

Jean Dujardin is as usual brilliant, and Gilles Lellouche at his very best. 

Directed by Cédric Jimenez, a gangster film full of thrill and emotion. 

4. A Pure Formality (1994)

original title: Una pura formalità

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Li11QSlIJY

French-ThrillersA mysterious killing, a suspect and an inspector who collects the clues and tries to solve the case.

Brilliant performances by Gérard Depardieu and Roman Polanski who plays the game of guilty and innocence till the very end.

Directed by acclaimed Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore, this is one thriller that shouldn’t be missed.

From the same director The Unknown Woman (2006) and The Professor (1986).

3. A Prophet (2009)

original title: Un prophète

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69ARbQt-Ko

French-ThrillersPrisons are always dangerous and a French prison is no exception.

Directed by Jacques Audiard, this is a thrilling tale of an Arab man who climbs the ropes and learns to survive inside the prison, and finally becomes the mafia boss.

Full of intense moments, real, gritty and violent. And Tahar Rahim gives his career best performance in this one.

From the same director The Beat That My Heart Skipped (2005) and Read My Lips (2001).

2. Hidden (Caché) (2005)

original title: Caché

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_ZtfuvxpEw

French-ThrillersDaniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche are seemingly a happily married couple but then, certain surveillance videotapes begin to appear from an unknown source and that terrorizes them to the core.

A French film by the renowned German director Michael Haneke, a superb thriller loaded with extreme tension, paranoia and suspense. 

From the same director The White Ribbon (2009) and Funny Games (1997).

1. Léon: The Professional (1994)

original title: Léon

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcsirofJrlM

French-ThrillersA professional assassin reluctantly shelters and protects a 12-year-old girl, who quickly learns the dangerous trade and becomes his protégée!

Jean RenoGary Oldman and young Natalie Portman – some performances to remember.

Directed by Luc Besson (before his plunge into more commercialized Hollywood films), this one is undoubtedly the most sleek and stylish action thriller ever made. My personal favorite!

From the same director La Femme Nikita (1990) and The Fifth Element (1997).

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most disturbing one. A must watch).

+1. Irreversible (2002)

original title: Irréversible

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU-ZOHeWLkU

French-ThrillersStarring Monica BellucciVincent Cassel and Albert Dupontel, the film comes with some of the most disturbing visuals in the history of film making. So remember, it’s Adult only.

Directed by Argentinian filmmaker Gaspar Noé, a dark psychological thriller, extremely black in its content, and the way it has been shot (dizzy camera movements) only adds to the stress level.

Approach with caution, this one is definitely not everyone’s cup of cinema.

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