Netflix’s Mindhunter broke new ground on the small screen toward the end of the 2010s, and there are plenty of great movies to fill the void after the show’s shocking cancellation. Produced by David Fincher (who also directed several episodes), the series explored the work of FBI agent John Douglas, who developed the protocol to catch serial killers.

Instead of fast-paced thrills, the show opted for a slower approach which examined the minds of the agents and the notorious criminals that they interviewed. It also showed criminal profiling in action, with the second season dedicated to the infamous Atlanta child murders case. Two seasons were produced before the project lost steam and never came back for a third.

Often regarded as one of the most heartbreaking cancellations in recent TV history, Mindhunter simply faded away and left many viewers wanting more. Thankfully, there are plenty of movies that can fill the void left behind by the show. Many of them deal with the same dark themes, and involve shocking crimes, intense investigation, and plenty of twists and turns.

10

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Mindhunter wasn’t David Fincher’s first attempt at the slow-burn detective story, and his 2011 adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo brought the Scandinavian classic to American shores. Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig headline the thriller about family deception and murder, and the movie isn’t afraid to take things to some very dark places.

Fincher’s stylistic choices shined through in Mindhunter, and they are even more overt in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. There is an oppressive dourness to the investigation that eschews any of the conventional ideas about truth and justice. It’s certainly a textbook example of a slow-burn, but well worth the time.

9

Seven (1995)

David Fincher’s first non-franchise film came with the release of Seven in 1995. The gritty and nightmarish detective thriller borders on horror at times, and blew the lid off of the ’90s cop thriller trend that had started with movies like Silence of the Lambs. It’s violent and exaggerated, and doesn’t necessarily reflect the fact-based tone of Mindhunter.

However, the serial killer story at the heart of the film is gripping, and Seven surprises at every turn. It may not be as realistic as Mindhunter, but it has similar brooding themes. Seven is about disillusionment, especially surrounding the idea of law enforcement. These themes are hammered home by brilliant performances from Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman.

8

The Bone Collector (1999)

Serial killer cop thrillers were all the rage in the ’90s, and burgeoning star Angelina Jolie was tapped to lead her own in The Bone Collector. The by-the-numbers hit isn’t anything special on paper, but it is elevated by Jolie and her co-star Denzel Washington, who helps add some emotional depth to the plot.

It isn’t just about catching the killer, it’s about the characters’ lives too, and their personal successes become important to the viewer. The film is slick and stylized, and is able to transform New York City into a claustrophobic nightmare. It’s far from perfect, but a great next step for someone who has already seen all the classic modern thrillers.

7

Primal Fear (1996)

While Mindhunter might be about catching killers, Primal Fear is all about what happens after they’re caught. The legal drama is best known for being Edward Norton’s feature film debut, and he is a powerhouse alongside Richard Gere, who plays the lead role. The movie doesn’t get bogged down in legal procedure, and maintains the pace of a thriller.

While police movies examine the connection between law enforcers and law breakers, Primal Fear is a look at the consequences of the legal system. It calls into question the certainty of guilt, and has a twist that has become its lasting legacy. Some aspects of the movie haven’t aged well, but it remains engaging all these years later.

6

The Pledge (2001)

Though his career was already winding down, Jack Nicholson gave one of his most underrated performances in The Pledge. Director Sean Penn cast Nicholson as an obsessive former detective who will stop at nothing to catch a killer he believes is still at large. The rest of the cast is stuffed with stars, including Robin Wright and Benicio del Toro.

Obsession and paranoia drive the plot, as Nicholson’s Jerry Black begins to see evil in every face around him. Nicholson is really the film’s biggest saving grace, as most of the detective plot is rather standard. The Pledge is typically overlooked, but deserves a second chance. There are better movies out there, but few performances can top Jack Nicholson.

5

Zodiac (2007)

Movies based on real-life serial killer cases are typically taboo, but David Fincher’s Zodiac did its subject matter justice. The legendary unsolved killings from the late ’60s is explored through the eyes of cops and journalists who are trying to crack the case. The film is a masterclass in tension, and truly captures the mystery surrounding the culprit.

Zodiac moves along slowly, but it never becomes dull or uninteresting. The performances keep things grounded, and it’s notable for being one of the movies that revived the career of Robert Downey Jr. Mindhunter shares a lot with Zodiac, and Fincher imported a similar style from the movie when he produced the TV show.

4

Memories Of Murder (2003)

To Western audiences, director Bong Joon Ho became a household name thanks to Parasite, but he actually hit his stride with Memories of Murder. The cop thriller has all the visual style of a David Fincher project, but with an eye toward culture and character. Since the film is based on a true story, it has an edge of terror.

Covering South Korea’s first documented serial killer case, the movie is distinctly linked to Korean culture and how crime impacts local communities. It also has a lot of less-than-subtle commentary about policing, and has a cynical edge. Mindhunter is stylistically linked to Memories of Murder, but the latter is by no means a copy of Fincher’s work.

3

Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

Horror-tinged cop thrillers peaked in the 1990s, and Silence of the Lambs is a big reason the genre was so popular. Thomas Harris’ novel comes to life through Jonathan Demme’s vision, and Anthony Hopkins turned in a legendary performance as the deliciously evil Hannibal Lecter. The pacing is also perfect, and is one of the movie’s most overlooked qualities.

Since Harris’ books were inspired by Mindhunter‘s John Douglas and his FBI profiling work, the serial murder in Silence of the Lambs is quite realistic and accurately depicts the process of nabbing a killer. Clarice is a quintessential protagonist who is both strong and vulnerable, and the movie is as mysterious as it is stomach-churning and horrifying.

2

Copycat (1995)

Copycat is one of the most underrated movies of the ’90s, and it deserves a spot alongside the other great thrillers from that era. Eschewing realism in favor of a more bombastic plot, Copycat might not be realistic, but it is frightening. It explores the vulnerabilities of modern life, and Sigourney Weaver’s powerhouse performance carries an otherwise chilling flick.

While Mindhunter is introspective, Copycat is a fast-paced roller-coaster that pushes cop movie cliches to their breaking point. Nevertheless, it never gets silly or loses any of its edge, due in large part to the performances. The serial killer classic is only just now being rediscovered, and isn’t likely going to be a “cult” classic for very long.

1

Manhunter (1986)

Silence of the Lambs might have jump-started the Hannibal Lecter franchise, but Manhunter was actually the first attempt at the Thomas Harris series. Adapting Red Dragon, the film has the hallmarks of a 1980s Michael Mann movie. It knows exactly how to manipulate the pace to keep things constantly interesting, and the noir-inspired visuals are a feast for the eyes.

Brian Cox is quite strong as the first Hannibal Lecter, but it is Tom Noonan’s performance as serial killer Frances Dolarhyde that really steals the show. Visually, Manhunter couldn’t be any more different from Mindhunter, but the two share similar themes since they are inspired by the experiences of the same FBI legend.