Cheap Thrills

 

After premiering at SXSW back in 2013, this one finally acquired distribution in 2014 to largely positive critical response. E.L. Katz is a first-time writer and director, but he perfectly constructs a darkly humorous set-up in which a rich couple shamelessly manipulate two pretty sad cases into doing whatever dirty (read: disturbing) deeds they ask. All in good fun, you understand.

The competition for financial reward which starts off as a parlour game predictably descends into madness, but it’s the unsettling believability of this descent that lands Cheap Thrills a place on our list. A few underrated but superb leading actors including Sara Paxton, Pat Healy and comedy actor David Koechner (The Office, Anchorman) evoke an uncomfortable tension that’ll keep you guessing until the last moment.