Top Serial Killer Films of 2025: A Global Perspective

The year 2025 has delivered an impressive lineup of serial killer films that span cultures and storytelling styles. From psychological thrillers to gritty investigations, these top-rated films from America, Spain, South Korea, and India push the boundaries of suspense and horror.

Top 10 Serial Killer Films in the United States (2025)

1. The Pattern

   IMDb: 8.1

   A retired FBI profiler is forced out of retirement when a string of murders eerily matches a past case he failed to solve. The slow-burn suspense and shocking twist make it a standout.

   
   

2. Blood Archive

   IMDb: 7.9

   An investigative journalist uncovers evidence linking cold cases across decades to a reclusive artist. The creepy visuals and tight plot fuel the tension.

   
   

3. Still Waters Bleed

   IMDb: 8.3

   A small-town sheriff must confront his dark past as killings mimic a childhood trauma. Powerful performances elevate this emotionally charged thriller.

   
   

4. Echoes of the Mind

   IMDb: 8.0

   A psychiatrist treating a disturbed inmate finds herself caught in a deadly psychological game. This film features a mind-bending narrative with a strong character study.

   
   

5. The Final Canvas

   IMDb: 7.8

   A serial killer leaves abstract art installations at each crime scene. A detective teams up with an art professor to decode them, creating a visually stunning and original story.

   
   

6. Mother’s Eyes

   IMDb: 7.7

   A grieving mother suspects her son might be connected to a spree of disappearances. This film merges chilling family drama with thriller elements.

   
   

7. Concrete Confession

   IMDb: 8.0

   A murder confession is found in a hidden note inside a demolished prison. The plot follows a race to stop a copycat inspired by the confessor's actions.

   
   

8. Hunter’s Moon

   IMDb: 7.6

   Set in the Alaskan wilderness, a former marine hunts a killer who uses full moons as a ritual trigger. This film is gritty and beautifully shot.

   
   

9. Serial

   IMDb: 7.5

   A meta-thriller about a filmmaker researching serial killers who may be inspiring one in real life. Clever and self-aware, this film adds unique layers to the genre.

   
   

10. Whisper Creek

IMDb: 7.4

When children vanish in a peaceful forest town, a retired detective must revisit an unsolved case from 30 years ago. The atmosphere is both eerie and captivating.

Top 10 Serial Killer Films in Spain (2025)

1. Los Rostros del Silencio (The Faces of Silence)

   IMDb: 8.2

   A forensic linguist helps track a killer who sends coded voicemails to victims’ families. The film is intelligent and suspenseful.

   
   

2. Niebla (Fog)

   IMDb: 7.9

   A journalist returns to her hometown and discovers a killer who only strikes on foggy nights. It is rich in atmosphere and tension.

   
   

3. El Jardinero (The Gardener)

   IMDb: 8.1

   Set in a rural village, a gardener's work hides a macabre truth. The film is both gothic and poetic.

   
   

4. Última Llamada (Last Call)

   IMDb: 7.8

   A series of murders are tied to final phone calls from a stolen number. The intricate plotting keeps viewers guessing.

   
   

5. La Casa Rota (The Broken House)

   IMDb: 7.7

   A psychologist uncovers horrifying links between a group therapy circle and a local killer. It's deep and emotional.

   
   

6. Sombras de Verano (Summer Shadows)

   IMDb: 7.6

   Teenagers at a summer camp begin vanishing one by one. The film adopts a retro-style horror thriller vibe.

   
   

7. Sin Nombre (Nameless)

   IMDb: 7.9

   A man suffering from amnesia may either be a key witness or the killer himself. The film is tense with moral ambiguity.

   
   

8. Rastro Oscuro (Dark Trail)

   IMDb: 7.5

   A hiking path becomes a hunting ground in this survival thriller filled with natural tension.

   
   

9. Mirada Fría (Cold Gaze)

   IMDb: 7.6

   A detective haunted by her past follows a killer obsessed with eyes. This film is symbolic and intense.

   
   

10. El Lienzo (The Canvas)

IMDb: 7.4

Murders staged as classical paintings create a visually rich experience with deep historical references.

Top 10 Serial Killer Films in South Korea (2025)

1. Silent Verdict

   IMDb: 8.4

   A judge’s daughter is murdered, and he secretly hunts the killer, risking everything. The story is deeply moral and gripping.

   
   

2. The Red Hook

   IMDb: 8.2

   A fisherman’s village hides a deadly secret. Beautiful cinematography meets brutal killings.

   
   

3. Echoes in the Rain

   IMDb: 8.1

   A detective and a clairvoyant team up to stop a killer who strikes during the rain. The film is mystical and cerebral.

   
   

4. Whisper of Bones

   IMDb: 8.0

   Bodies are found buried with musical instruments in this haunting music-based crime story.

   
   

5. Nameless Number

   IMDb: 7.9

   A hacker stumbles onto a dark web killing game. This tech-thriller captures modern urgency effectively.

   
   

6. Chaser 2: Legacy

   IMDb: 7.8

   A sequel to the 2008 hit The Chaser, this film sees a new detective uncover connections to the original crimes.

   
   

7. Blood Chronicle

   IMDb: 7.7

   A crime novelist finds her new book aligning with real killings. Paranoia builds masterfully throughout the film.

   
   

8. Dead Smile

   IMDb: 7.6

   Victims are discovered smiling grotesquely. Ties to a defunct amusement park create eerie settings.

   
   

9. Crimson Strings

   IMDb: 7.5

   A puppeteer leaves victims in disturbing poses. It's a haunting and symbolic narrative.

   
   

10. The 5th Window

IMDb: 7.4

A locked-room murder mystery features only one witness: a boy with autism. The plot develops emotionally complex themes.

Top 10 Serial Killer Films in India (2025)

1. Dahan (Curse)

   IMDb: 8.3

   A remote tribal village believes murders stem from a curse. A government officer uncovers the dark truth hidden within the community.

   
   

2. Red Diary

   IMDb: 8.1

   A psychology student finds a killer’s diary, becoming entangled in a suspenseful cat-and-mouse chase.

   
   

3. Chakravyuh (Maze)

   IMDb: 8.0

   A police officer finds himself trapped in a mental asylum where the killer may be among the staff or inmates.

   
   

4. Kaali Raat (Black Night)

   IMDb: 7.9

   Inspired by true events, this thriller follows the hunt for a killer who strikes only during power cuts, creating an intense atmosphere.

   
   

5. Shatranj (Chess)

   IMDb: 7.8

   A serial killer challenges a police officer with riddles based on ancient Indian puzzles. The tension is palpable.

   
   

6. Sutradhar (The Narrator)

   IMDb: 7.7

   A podcast host begins receiving tips from an anonymous source, who might just be the killer.

   
   

7. Vanishing Point

   IMDb: 7.6

   A female journalist goes undercover in a cult suspected of ritual killings, leading to tense and bold storytelling.

   
   

8. Teesra Chehra (The Third Face)

   IMDb: 7.5

   A triple personality disorder may conceal the real identity of a killer in this psychological drama.

   
   

9. Echoes of Varanasi

   IMDb: 7.5

   The holy city becomes a backdrop for a series of symbolic killings, rich in cultural elements.

   
   

10. Jungle Red

IMDb: 7.4

A rural tribal forest holds the secret to a series of missing women. The film explores brutal and raw aspects of the genre.

Conclusion

From poetic Spanish horrors to mind-bending Korean thrillers and raw Indian mysteries, the serial killer genre has been richly represented in 2025. Whether you’re into psychological depth, stylized violence, or investigative complexity, these global gems promise to keep you on the edge of your seat.