As we move closer to the most exciting season of the year—i.e., Halloween (too soon?), I find myself watching a lot of action-thriller movies, craving that unexpected excitement, piqued curiosity, and exhilarating flow of adrenaline. It’s a good thing, then, that Hulu is stacked on the pulse-pounders.
If you find yourself in that same mood and are looking for some worthwhile cinematic action and thrills to include in your weekend, here are three solid Hulu recommendations to pair with your popcorn.
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Locked
I almost passed on this movie, thinking it was probably too slow and couldn’t be that entertaining, but oh, I was so very wrong. Not only is Locked a curious psychological thriller with unexpected plot twists and hair-raising action, but it also boasts a fantastic performance by Bill Skarsgård (Boy Kills World).
Not to be confused with 2013’s Locke, which also deals with a man confined in a car, 2025’s Locked is a remake of Argentinian film 4×4, produced by Sam Raimi, and it does a stellar job at making this experience utterly terrifying. It’s also a scathing lesson on why you should never mess with other peoples’ things.
Eddie (Skarsgård) is a deadbeat but well-meaning dad to his daughter. He’s also a petty thief desperate for money, fast. So, when he attempts to steal an unlocked luxury SUV, his life is ripped from his control when he becomes trapped inside, with no way out. The vehicle’s psychotic vigilante owner, William (Anthony Hopkins), has rigged it to be an impenetrable fortress from the inside, where bad things happen when rules aren’t followed.
There’s no food or water, the entire car is soundproof and bulletproof, and there are seriously painful consequences if you do things like avoid answering the phone or William’s questions, disobey the orders of a psychopath, and try to shoot your way out of his death trap … you know, normal things. Oh, and be prepared for some pretty intense end-of-movie action!
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Brawl in Cell Block 99
Brawl in Cell Block 99 is your chance to see a whole other side of Vince Vaughn’s acting chops, in a performance that will floor you as it takes you on a wild, visceral ride. It’s also a startling allegation of the American dream.
Vaughn stars as Bradley Thomas, a former boxer who has landed on some tough times. His marriage is hanging on for dear life by a quickly unraveling thread, and he’s just lost his job as an auto mechanic. Feeling as though he has no better option, he takes a job as a drug trafficker. But when a botched deal goes sideways, he first finds himself in the middle of a gunfight between police and his allies, then he finds himself arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison. After his wife (Jennifer Carpenter, of Dexter) is kidnapped for extortion, Bradley must resort to violent, skull-shattering measures to protect her and save his unborn child.
Though extremely brutal, Brawl in Cell Block 99’s violence serves a character-driven purpose and isn’t gratuitous or superfluous. You’ll also want to notice and savor how everything in every scene is so meticulous and focused that it creates or enhances the gritty, intense atmosphere we find ourselves in.
I’m also pretty sure this is Vince Vaughn’s most riveting performance of his career. You’ll be talking about this one for weeks with your friends.
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28 Weeks Later
I’ll be the first one to say, if zombies like this ever chase us, I’m tripping you … I’m kidding. Nothing gets my heart pounding and my blood rushing like fast, ravenous zombies, and I lovingly blame it all on Danny Boyle and those impressive, effective action sequences of 28 Days Later. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s 28 Weeks Later is just as blameworthy, even if it’s not a direct sequel to Boyle’s hit. His movie is still effective at providing a rush of thrills that burns all my calories.
Set six months after the original epidemic, the Rage virus has all but annihilated the population of the British Isles. As the U.S. Army declares the threat over and American soldiers arrive to restore order and begin reconstruction, refugees begin to return home. What they don’t know is that one of them carries a destructive secret: The virus isn’t gone. It’s still active, and it has evolved to become much more dangerous.
The opening scene of 28 Weeks Later is horrifically intense, serving as a metaphor for our primal desire to survive in the face of an all-consuming reality. It’s a strong, engaging sequence that should set the pace and tone for the rest of the film but doesn’t really. Still, this horror-thriller is way more disturbing and far less restrained than you can imagine, and the filmmakers play off of that by inserting a lack of character-based safety to heighten our sense of dread that works like a charm.
For an enhanced experience, make sure you’re working with a good sound system at home, and don’t forget to butter your popcorn. With a huge library of films and plenty of action and thriller titles, Hulu is here to serve and wants to make sure you get your money’s worth. Stay up-to-date on the latest added movies by visiting their “New & Upcoming” section under the “Movies” tab.
- Subscription with ads
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Yes, $10/month
- Live TV
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Yes, various plans available
- Price
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Starting at $10/month ($2/month for students)
- Number of live TV channels
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Over 85
Get your piece of the action this weekend with Locked, Brawl in Cell Block 99, and 28 Weeks Later.