10 best Spanish thriller movies on Netflix, Prime Video & more

There is nothing more nerve-wracking than sitting through a thriller film with a solid plot that has the audience glued to the screen wondering where the next turn is going to come from. The Spanish and Latin-American film industry provides us with many such viable options.

From revenge epics to supernatural unexplained terrors, Spanish language thrillers have it all on display in the realm of streaming. Here are the 10 best Spanish Thriller movies that you must watch:

1. Contratiempo (The Invisible Guest)

Available on: Netflix

Cast: Mario Casas, Ana Wagener, Jose Coronado, Bárbara Lennie, Francesc Orella, Paco Tous

When a high profile entrepreneur is accused of the murder of his significant other, it is up to him and his defence attorney to figure out the truth behind this peculiar case. There are countless lies and nothing is as it seems in their puzzling mystery where the main goal is to conjure up a solid defence strategy.

A gripping story that has spawned multiple international remakes, this Spanish Thriller has the makings of an engrossing watch.

2. Quien a hierro mata (Eye for an Eye)

Available on: Netflix

Cast: Luis Tosar, Xan Cejudo, Ismael Martínez, Enric Auquer, María Vázquez, Daniel Currás

When an old drug lord is forced to live out his days in a nursing home, he has assistance from a nurse who has some history with the drug lord. Blaming drugs for the cause of his brother’s death many years ago, the nurse decides to provide the drug lord with a slow death while he tries to avoid suspicion from everyone else.

A riveting story of revenge with such a strong script makes this Spanish thriller a thoroughly exciting watch.

3. Mientras duermes (Sleep Tight)

Available on: Prime Video

Cast: Luis Tosar, Marta Etura, Alberto San Juan, Petra Martínez, Iris Almeida, Carlos Lasarte

A troubled building manager aims to make the lives of the tenants a living hell in some twisted form of self-pleasure. But when his obsession with one particular tenant goes up to unhealthy levels, the walls around him begin to crumble and he slowly begins to lose the calm and composure that helped him maintain his secret for so long.

Journey deep into the mind of a psychopath in this film that has also been remade in South Korea but told from the perspective of the victim rather than the perpetrator.

4. Tu Hijo (Your Son)

Available on: Netflix

Cast: Jose Coronado, Ana Wagener, Asia Ortega, Pol Monen, Ester Expósito, Marco H. Medina

When a reputed surgeon is informed that his son has been beaten up and admitted to the hospital, he moves heaven and earth to figure out who is responsible for it. Acting as a lone wolf, investigating this crime to get his measure of revenge means this father will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

A tale of a wronged father looking to avenge his offspring isn’t necessarily a new concept, but this Spanish thriller pushes the envelope and delivers strongly on its premise.

5. El hoyo (The Platform)

Available on: Netflix

Cast: Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Antonia San Juan, Emilio Buale, Alexandra Masangkay, Zihara Llana

In a vertical prison, there are two prisoners in each level and a platform with food that moves down for all the inmates. With the platform only staying for a limited time, it’s up to the inmates to devour as much as they possibly can before it moves on, and the lower residents are constantly stuck with the leftovers.

An interesting sci-fi concept that also acts as a social commentary on incarceration and class systems in general, this film will have you switched on for its entire duration.

6. Legado en los huesos (The legacy of the Bones)

Available on: Netflix

Cast: Marta Etura, Nene, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Francesc Orella, Imanol Arias, Benn Northover

Detective Amaia Salazar is called upon to investigate some peculiar suicides in Elizondo. She moves there with her husband and infant son, but the pressures of the case drive a wedge in her relationships. Her investigations lead to some truly horrifying discoveries as she realizes that her mentally disturbed mother has a very shady past and is connected to the present crimes in some way.

The second instalment in a trilogy of Spanish thrillers, this film is a strong adaptation of the eponymous novel and allows you to get invested in the fate of the main characters.

7. Durante la tormenta (Mirage)

Available on: Netflix

Cast: Adriana Ugarte, Chino Darín, Javier Gutiérrez, Álvaro Morte, Nora Navas, Miquel Fernández

A mysterious storm occurs on two occasions, 25 years apart. It allows an individual in the past to communicate with someone from the present. When a woman from the present speaks with a young boy from the past, it affects her reality in ways that she cannot fathom and she ends up trying her best to get back to the world that she knew and recognised.

The story succeeds in keeping the audience engaged with its complex plot. The character work leaves you emotionally invested in the outcome of the film.

8. Toro

Available on: Netflix

Cast: Mario Casas, Luis Tosar, José Sacristán, Claudia Canal, José Manuel Poga, Ingrid García Jonsson

A con-man attempts to move out from under the employ of a mob boss and make it on his own, but when his plans do not succeed, he has to team up with his brother and survive the threat of the mob boss for their freedom and safety. They also have to avoid getting caught by law enforcement as they are both wanted individuals.

Some brilliant work by the cast blended well non-stop brutal action sequences provide this Spanish thriller with all it needs to be a guaranteed draw.

9. Hogar (The Occupant)

Available on: Netflix

Cast: Javier Gutiérrez, Mario Casas, Bruna Cusí, Ruth Díaz, Iris Vallés Torres, Cristian Muñoz

When Javier is forced to leave his apartment due to unemployment, his life completely unravels as his wife leaves him as well. When he finds out who the new tenants of his apartment are, he becomes obsessed with them and makes it his goal to see that they suffer. He embeds himself into their lives to sow seeds of discourse from within.

An exciting premise held up by a magnificent and chilling performance by Javier Gutiérrez means that ‘The Occupant’ is a film that you do not want to miss out on.

10. La sombra de la ley (Gun City)

Available on: Netflix

Cast: Luis Tosar, Michelle Jenner, Vicente Romero, Manolo Solo, Paco Tous, Jaime Lorente

In 1920s Barcelona, tensions run high as the police are mostly corrupt, criminal activity is bustling, and the plight of daily workers was of the least concern. When a shipment of weapons is stolen by some revolutionary anarchists, a single detective who is also a war veteran is sent to help with the investigation. He has to overcome the muddy nature of society to locate the weapons and avoid casualties.

This Spanish thriller has won several accolades for its brilliant and authentic setting as well as wonderful storytelling of a troublesome time in the history of Spain.


Also Read: 10 best Spanish thriller series on Netflix right now

Nadeem Abdul
Nadeem Abdul
Nadeem is an editor for The Envoy Web and an avid fan of films and shows. He has spent a significant amount of time taking in all kinds of genres and has a particular interest in the sci-fi and fantasy realms including series like Doctor Who, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and Young Justice among others.

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