Interrogation scenes are often pivotal moments in cinema, where characters are stripped down to their core, revealing truths or fabricating lies under pressure. This curated list of films focuses on the art of interrogation, showcasing how these intense interactions can drive narratives, reveal character depth, and keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Whether it's through psychological warfare, physical duress, or clever manipulation, these films offer a fascinating look into the human psyche and the tactics used to extract information.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Description: Features several chilling interrogation scenes between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter, where psychological manipulation is at its finest.
Fact: The film won all five major Academy Awards for which it was nominated, a feat matched only by "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "It Happened One Night."


The Usual Suspects (1995)
Description: This film is renowned for its iconic interrogation scene where Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey) tells his story to the police, leading to one of the most famous plot twists in cinema history.
Fact: The film's title is a reference to a line from the 1955 film "The Big Combo." The character of Keyser Söze was inspired by a real-life criminal.


The Departed (2006)
Description: Features several interrogation scenes as part of the cat-and-mouse game between the police and the mob, showcasing the psychological tension.
Fact: The film is a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs," but with significant changes to the plot.


Zodiac (2007)
Description: Focuses on the investigation of the Zodiac Killer, featuring intense interrogation scenes where detectives attempt to piece together clues from the killer's cryptic messages.
Fact: The film was shot in the actual locations where the Zodiac crimes took place. Robert Graysmith, the cartoonist who wrote the book the film is based on, appears in a cameo.


Gone Baby Gone (2007)
Description: Includes a pivotal interrogation scene where the truth about a child's disappearance is slowly revealed, testing the moral compass of the characters.
Fact: This was Ben Affleck's directorial debut, and he chose to adapt the novel by Dennis Lehane, a fellow Bostonian.


The Dark Knight (2008)
Description: Contains a memorable interrogation scene between Batman and The Joker, showcasing psychological warfare and the battle of wits.
Fact: Heath Ledger improvised much of his dialogue during the interrogation scene, adding to the scene's raw intensity.


The Ghost Writer (2010)
Description: Includes a tense interrogation scene where the ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) is questioned by the CIA, revealing layers of political intrigue.
Fact: The film was Roman Polanski's first since his arrest in 1977, and it was shot in Germany due to his legal situation.


Prisoners (2013)
Description: The film includes intense interrogation scenes as Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) tries to solve the disappearance of two young girls.
Fact: The film was shot in chronological order to capture the emotional progression of the characters.


Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Description: Depicts the CIA's hunt for Osama bin Laden, with several interrogation scenes that highlight the ethical and moral dilemmas involved.
Fact: The film's title refers to the military time for 30 minutes after midnight, when the raid on bin Laden's compound occurred.


The Interrogation (2016)
Description: A lesser-known film that focuses entirely on the interrogation process, exploring themes of truth, deception, and human psychology.
Fact: The film was shot in a single location, emphasizing the claustrophobic nature of the interrogation room.
