10 Psychological Thrillers That Totally Messed With Your Head

2005's A History of Violence is a notable film in many respects. For one, it's a film that most people don't seem to realise is based on a comic book, adapted from the 1997 John Wagner/Vince Locke graphic novel.

For another, it's a film which at the time was considered a bit of an anomaly in the career of David Cronenberg, a director hitherto most closely associated with extreme body horror; but who has, in the years since, largely stuck to more grounded material along these lines.

However, while it may not be as gruesome or surreal as Cronenberg's best known work, A History of Violence is in its own way as surprising and mind-bending.

Viggo Mortensen's mild-mannered diner owner Tom seems like your standard, small town guy, until an altercation with some violent would-be robbers sees him deploy lethal force with unnerving skill.

The ultimate revelation about Tom's true identity might seem simple and obvious enough, but it's handled in so compelling and eerily plausible a manner as to leave you questioning just how well you know anyone.