3 sinister Paramount+ thrillers to watch this weekend (October 23-25)

Published Oct 24, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT Tyler is an journalist and content contributor at How-To Geek with over three years of experience covering the automotive and tech industries. His work focuses on delivering clear, well-researched, and engaging content that helps readers better understand the vehicles they drive and the technology that they use everyday. Before entering automotive media, he spent five years as an academic editor, developing a strong foundation in research methodology, factual accuracy, and structured analysis. This background informs his journalistic approach today, ensuring that every article balances technical insight with accessibility for a broad audience. We're getting closer to Halloween by the day, and it is the perfect time for some content that will bring the thrills. While horror movies are great, some people prefer something a little more psychological, which is where the picks on this list come in. They might not feature the supernatural, but they will still haunt you long after you've switched off your TV. Paramount+ has some solid thrillers to pick from, and this week we've gone with some classics. They may be a little older, but they have definitely stood the test of time, and they will give you goosebumps just as easily as any modern thriller. We start with a twisty legal thriller and move on to a psychological crime movie. Finally, we finish things off with my top pick of the weekend, which happens to be one of the greatest based-on-a-true-story adaptations ever. 3 Primal Fear One of the best debuts of an actor ever As far as courtroom thrillers go, there are few that are as captivating or as mind-bending as Primal Fear. It is a great script, and Gregory Hoblit, the director, did a fantastic job of keeping the tension building as the movie plays out. You're hit by a wave of twists and turns, and you get to experience the raw emotional impact of the events as if you're a bystander, watching the court case play out. The performances stand out above all else, though. We get to see Richard Gere play a hotshot defense attorney, Martin Vail. He is slick and arrogant and throughout the movie portrays himself as above the people that he defends. Even more impressive is how Edward Norton plays Aaron Stampler, the meek and anxious defendant on trial. Norton is a pretty well known name now, being considered one of the most compelling actors of our time, but Primal Fear was actually his big debut in the world of acting, and it instantly solidified him as a name to watch. Without spoiling the plot, Primal Fear introduces Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton), who is charged with murdering and mutilating an Archbishop. He claims he has no memory of anything that happened. Martin Vail (Richard Gere) is brought in to defend him. Despite Vail seeming one step ahead at every point, the twists and turns throughout this legal thriller will have you on the edge of your seat.​​​​​​​ 2 Seven You'll look at the world differently after this one Few thrillers are as dark, disturbing, and relentlessly gripping as Seven. Directed by David Fincher, this 1995 crime thriller follows two detectives, the veteran William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and the short-tempered David Mills (Brad Pitt), as they hunt a serial killer whose murders are inspired by the seven deadly sins. What starts as a disturbing murder investigation quickly turns into something much more sinister, with each crime revealing just how calculated and horrifying their target really is. One of the best things about Seven is the atmosphere. Fincher creates a world that feels permanently soaked in rain, darkness, and misery, making the city feel almost as threatening as the killer. It borders on being trope-like, but the stories of the city make it feel more real than you'd expect. The performances are fantastic, too, with Freeman bringing weary intelligence to Somerset, while Pitt captures Mills's frustration and impulsiveness. Seven is the kind of thriller that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Its methodical pacing, grisly crime scenes, and unsettling psychological games make it genuinely nerve-racking without relying on cheap jump scares, making it feel like a borderline horror film. And then there's that infamous ending, which remains one of the most shocking and unforgettable finales in movie history. If you're looking for a sinister thriller to watch this week, Seven is an easy pick. Se7en Release Date September 22, 1995 1 Argo A real life thriller brought to the screen There is a lot that makes Argo so special, which is why it is my top pick this week. Perhaps most important is the fact that it is actually based on a real story. During the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, a CIA exfiltration expert devised a plan to rescue six American diplomats from Tehran by disguising them as a film crew scouting a location for a fake science fiction movie. The tension that comes from a movie grounded in the real-life stories of people who actually had their lives on the line is rare and captivating. Another special element here is that Ben Affleck didn't just play the lead role of Tony Mendez, the CIA exfil expert, but he also directed the movie. Directing a movie where you play the lead is a pretty big gamble, but it paid off big with Argo, which is now considered to be one of the most successful thrillers of all time. Argo is a fantastic watch. The tension is built so well throughout the movie, and you're constantly aware of the life-or-death stakes. It is such an aesthetically fantastic movie, as the use of vintage camera lenses, grainy film stock, and detailed sets brings the 1970s to life. Argo Release Date October 11, 2012 Your eyes will be glued to the screen At times, we watch movies to relax, but these three picks are designed to worm their way into your brain and keep you on high alert. Paramount+ has a swath of different kinds of thrillers, but this week's picks take us back to genre-defining classics that have aged like fine wines. Just because something is a little older doesn't mean it isn't worth watching! Subscription with ads Yes, $8/month Simultaneous streams 3