SerpApi.Org
Movie fans who enjoy being encapsulated by excitement and stress tend to have a deep appreciation for action thriller films. In this genre, films depict both emotional and physical violence, often with plenty of practical effects.
The publication Colliderrecently shared a list of "the 6 best action thrillers released since 2000." The ranking, published on July 21, included films like 2008's The Dark Knight, One Battle After Another from 2025, and Children of Men, released in 2006. According to Collider, the top action thriller released after 2000 is 2003's Oldboy, inspired by Marley Caribou and Nobuaki Minegishi's 1990smanga.
Collider complimented the film's director Park Chan-wook for his purposeful use of violence as the audience watches a vengeance-focused Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik). In a 2003 interview about Oldboy, Chan-wook explained his reasoning behind depicting violence on-screen. He said he used "unsettling images" because he wanted fans of his films to feel the gravity of the situation.
"I try to express on-screen violence as not something that is beautiful to look at, or playful or fun or something that relieves stress. I try to convey a feeling, both pain between the tormentor and the victim, to the audience," said the South Korean filmmaker, now 62.
Chan-wook also explained why he has a proclivity for vengeance films. He said he believes societal expectations have made many individuals mask their anger, meaning movies about revenge allow a glimpse into the hidden "dark side of our minds."
"The vengeance story is so dramatic and attractive. I guess people are being more educated, and people have developed a way to vent one's anger, it has become a social taboo. But, although it has become a taboo, it doesn't mean its angry self has disappeared completely," said the director during the interview. "I think people live in a state where the anger still exists, but the exit has been blocked by education and the development of society, so the exit has been blocked so the inner anger is growing within his or herself. That's the reason why I make such films and that's why I think the audience is there to watch these kinds of films."
