Few decades have been as massively impactful and influential to the thriller genre as the 2000s, with the beginnings of the 21st century and the advent of digital filmmaking lending itself to constant top-notch thriller filmmaking. From high-stakes action thrillers like Children of Men and Taken to meticulously calculated slow-burn thrillers like Zodiac and No Country For Old Men, the 2000s were home to many of the greatest thrillers of all time. However, for every substantial and groundbreaking thriller that the decade saw, there were also many whose completely botched executions transformed them into titles of pure infamy.

From massive blockbusters that failed to live up to the standards of the decade to low-budget disasters that are visibly falling apart at the seams, the wide variety of notoriously terrible thrillers serves as a harsh contrast to the greatness that the decade is recognized for. More than any other genre, there is a distinct art and magic that goes into creating an effective thriller, finding the perfect balance between tension and intrigue to keep audiences engaged. Yet, these films completely failed at achieving that engagement among audiences.

10 Experience ‘Bangkok Dangerous’ (2008): A Nicolas Cage Thriller Gone Wrong

Directed by Danny Pang Fat, Oxide Pang Shun

While Nicolas Cage was always a beloved and acclaimed actor in both thrillers and non-thrillers alike, his reputation became defined as a chaotic, larger-than-life presence in below-average films in the 2000s, particularly thanks to films like Bangkok Dangerous. The action thriller sees Cage as Joe, a professional freelance assassin who has lived a secluded and secretive life. As he fully takes in his surroundings before going for his latest targets, he begins to train a street kid, which leads to a whirlwind of chaos when he becomes a target of a band of killers himself. This narrative attempts to blend action with emotional stakes, yet fails to resonate deeply with viewers.

At the very least, the concept and name of a Nicolas Cage film called Bangkok Dangerous conjures up images of wild action and a gloriously chaotic time. However, even on this front, Bangkok Dangerous manages to disappoint when it comes to compelling action or stakes, becoming a generic slog that takes too much from clichés of the era and doesn’t do enough to set itself apart. It’s far from the worst movie that Nicolas Cage has done, but when compared to the heights of his capabilities in a thriller context, the film is a significant letdown.

9 Unpacking the Disappointment of ‘The Happening’ (2008)

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

One of the strangest and most divisive films in M. Night Shyamalan‘s filmography, The Happening‘s attempts at widespread fear and dread are largely minimized by its abstract execution and performances. The film presents a terrifying airborne virus that travels across the northeastern United States, forcing those it infects into a frenzy that leads them to end their own lives. In an attempt to escape the virus and uncover the truth behind this disaster, teacher Elliott Moore (Mark Wahlberg) and his wife flee from the cities into the countryside, desperately searching for answers and safety.

While The Happening harbors an inherently terrifying concept that could easily conjure up dread and tension in a different execution, the film’s strange characterization and stilted performances transform it into an unintentional comedy. The film manages to constantly one-up itself with increasingly bizarre plot points and line readings, significantly detracting from its intention as a thriller. In essence, it becomes more of a curiosity than a genuine horror experience.

Watch on Hulu

8 Examining the Flaws of ‘I Know Who Killed Me’ (2007)

Directed by Chris Sivertson

I Know Who Killed Me follows the outcry and consequences of the death of bright young Aubrey Fleming (Lindsay Lohan), whose torture at the hands of a sadistic serial killer devastates the lives of a small town. After Aubrey manages to escape from her captor’s clutches, she regains consciousness in a hospital, adamantly insisting that she is not actually Aubrey Fleming, but that the real Aubrey is still in danger. This sets off a race against time to identify the serial killer before the true Aubrey becomes his next victim, intertwining a gripping narrative with psychological tension.

Easily one of the worst cinematic outings from Lindsay Lohan, I Know Who Killed Me features a chaotic and nonsensical plot that quickly falls apart under scrutiny, making it difficult to follow. While much of the hatred surrounding the film stemmed from the controversies surrounding Lohan at the time, the film itself lacks any strengths on its own merits. It attempts to present an artsy and sophisticated take on a murder mystery, but its shallow execution renders it a painful viewing experience.

Rent on Amazon Prime

7 Dissecting the Catastrophe of ‘A Sound of Thunder’ (2005)

Directed by Peter Hyams

A sci-fi thriller that went through production hell, A Sound of Thunder was supposed to bring a massive blockbuster scope to the classic 1952 short story of the same name. The film presents a company in the future that provides an experience of a lifetime through a Time Safari, allowing wealthy clients to travel to the past and hunt dinosaurs that would otherwise die of natural causes. However, when one hunter strays away from the designated path, he triggers a chain reaction that has massive implications for history, showcasing a failure to grasp the complexities of time travel in a thrilling narrative.

The implications and butterfly effect of time travel have been explored in thrillers long before A Sound of Thunder hit theaters. Even as a tribute to the original short story, the film flounders in execution. The CGI visual effects are jarring, even for the era they were released in, alongside a comical misunderstanding of history and lackluster performances. Many of the issues surrounding the film can be attributed to the numerous rewrites, reshoots, and production problems that plagued its development, making it an assured disaster from the outset.

Watch on Tubi

6 The Underwhelming Adaptation of ‘Max Payne’ (2008)

Directed by John Moore