If you enjoyed the tense psychological thriller 'Duress' (2009), you're likely craving more films that deliver gripping suspense and high-stakes drama. This article explores 10 movies and shows with similar themes of psychological torment, survival, and moral dilemmas, perfect for fans of edge-of-your-seat storytelling.

The Desperate Hours (1955)
Description: A family held hostage in their own home must outsmart their captors in a tense battle of nerves and strategy.
Fact: The film was based on a Broadway play and a novel inspired by a real-life home invasion case.


Wait Until Dark (1967)
Description: A blind woman must use her wits to defend herself against criminals searching for a hidden stash in her apartment.
Fact: Audrey Hepburn trained with a blindfold for weeks to accurately portray her character's blindness and movements.


Cape Fear (1991)
Description: A relentless stalker terrorizes a family, blending psychological torment with physical threats in a battle of wits and survival.
Fact: Robert De Niro trained as a boxer and studied criminal psychology to prepare for his role as the menacing Max Cady.


Breakdown (1997)
Description: A man's desperate search for his missing wife leads him into a web of deception and danger on a lonely highway.
Fact: Kurt Russell did most of his own driving stunts, including a harrowing truck chase sequence.


Panic Room (2002)
Description: A tense home invasion thriller where protagonists must outwit intruders in a confined, fortified space, emphasizing survival and psychological tension.
Fact: The film's set was built on a soundstage with a fully functional panic room, allowing for realistic camera angles and movement.


The Strangers (2008)
Description: A harrowing tale of random violence and terror as masked assailants torment innocent victims in their own home, focusing on fear and helplessness.
Fact: The movie was inspired by real-life break-ins and the Manson Family murders, adding a layer of chilling realism.


The Call (2013)
Description: A high-stakes thriller centered around a 911 operator trying to save a kidnapped girl, with tension escalating in real-time.
Fact: Halle Berry performed many of her own stunts, including a dramatic freeway chase scene.


The Purge (2013)
Description: A dystopian home invasion scenario where all crime is legal for one night, exploring themes of survival and moral decay under extreme pressure.
Fact: The entire film was shot in just 20 days, with a budget of only $3 million, yet it spawned a successful franchise.


Don't Breathe (2016)
Description: A group of thieves find themselves trapped in a blind man's house, where the tables turn in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
Fact: The movie's climax features a single-take sequence that took three days to film and required meticulous choreography.


Hush (2016)
Description: A deaf writer must defend herself against a masked killer in a secluded home, highlighting isolation and sensory deprivation as key elements of suspense.
Fact: The film was shot in just 18 days, with the lead actress learning sign language to authentically portray her character.
