3 new to Netflix thriller movies to watch this week — including a Russell Crowe drama based on a shocking true story

Introduction

Every week, streaming enthusiasts and thriller fans comb through the latest arrivals on Netflix looking for something intense, gripping, and deeply suspenseful. Thrillers consistently rank among the most popular genres on the platform, and for good reason—they keep viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

This week’s curated selection of new additions to Netflix features an eclectic mix of styles, ranging from cutting-edge screenlife tech thrillers and nostalgic 90s melodramas to a brand-new streaming original chronicling one of the most infamous domestic terrorists in United States history. Whether you are looking for a hidden gem that flew under the radar or a high-profile biographical drama, these three thriller movies deserve a spot on your watchlist.

‘Lifehack’ (2026)

If you enjoyed cult-favorite genre hits like "Missing" and "Searching," you will likely find a lot to love in "Lifehack." This sleek heist thriller falls into the screenlife subgenre, meaning that the entire narrative unfolds through the interface of a computer screen, utilizing video calls, messaging apps, and web browser windows to tell its story.

Earning an impressive 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, "Lifehack" is a genuine hidden gem that initially flew under the radar when it was released earlier in the spring. The plot centers on a quartet of tech-savvy hackers who attempt to orchestrate a massive cryptocurrency heist targeting a ruthless billionaire, played by Charlie Creed-Miles. However, when the mogul’s sharp-witted daughter, portrayed by Jessica Reynolds, catches them in the act, the tables are turned. Instead of exposing them, she blackmails the hackers into assisting her in an even bigger scheme: stealing her father’s entire fortune. Beyond the suspense, it serves as a sharp, tech-focused thriller with a potent social message exploring modern class divides and the "eat the rich" movement.

‘Cruel Intentions’ (1999)

For those looking for a blast from the past, "Cruel Intentions" offers a frothy, highly manipulative teen thriller experience centered around a group of delightfully unlikable characters. While its wealthy, upper-crust Manhattan leads are undeniably morally bankrupt, there is an undeniable, trashy fun in watching them scheme, betray, and try to one-up each other.

The film kicks off with a high-stakes wager between cruel step-siblings Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe), who run amok through New York’s elite social circles. Sebastian bets that he can successfully seduce Annette (Reese Witherspoon), the notoriously chaste daughter of a headmaster, with his prized vintage Jaguar acting as the grand prize. Complications ensue when Annette’s genuine honesty and innocence genuinely begin to crack the playboy's hardened exterior. Packed with melodrama, sharp dialogue, and unforgettable 90s style, it remains a darkly comedic thriller classic.

‘Unabomber’ (2026)

Thrillers always carry an extra layer of psychological weight when they are rooted in terrifying real-world events, and "Unabomber" tackles one of the most harrowing chapters in modern American history. This tense Netflix original dramatizes the actions of Ted Kaczynski, the infamous domestic terrorist and anti-technology extremist whose mail-bombing campaign sparked a nationwide manhunt spanning nearly two decades.

Boasting a stellar cast that includes Russell Crowe, Jacob Tremblay, Annabelle Wallis, and Shailene Woodley, "Unabomber" chronicles Kaczynski's life across two distinct eras: his time as a brilliant but troubled student attending Harvard University in the 1960s, and the exhaustive, decades-long investigation that eventually led to his capture. As a high-profile biographical thriller, it is poised to quickly dominate the Netflix charts upon its release.