Best Suspense Movies on Disney+ Hotstar

From missing money in Johnny Gaddaar (2007) to black money in Raid (2018), and dangerous suspects in Cadaver (2022) to forgotten suspects in Mumbai Police (2013), the tension and suspense that comes with an investigation gone wrong or a crime that didn’t go down the way it should have, is exhilarating. When you guess a plot twist, you feel victorious, and if you don’t, the surprise is worth it.

We have rounded up the five best suspense movies on Disney+ Hotstar, which amp up the suspense and leave you guessing about the protagonist's fate until the end.

Johnny Gaddaar (2007)

Here’s an underrated suspense movie that references Seventies suspense thrillers while simultaneously doing justice to a tight plot with lots of twists. Sriram Raghavan, who recently gave us Merry Christmas (2023), is the director of this underrated gem.

With a fast-paced plot about missing money, shady deals, and deceit and an engaging soundtrack thanks to Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Johnny Gaddaar is a witty narrative about Vikram (Neil Nitin Mukesh) and his four friends who are part of a gambling club. When greed takes over, a plan goes haywire, and chaos ensues.

Neil Nitin Mukesh had a strong debut with this film. He is not the quintessential bad guy, as you start feeling sympathy for him at some point through the film. He did justice to this role that had shades of grey, and it’s one of the strongest films in his roster.

Inspired by James Hadley Chase’s novels, this crime suspense movie on Disney+ Hotstar has so many layers to peel back that it’s worth watching for any crime suspense lover.

Mumbai Police (2013)

This Malayalam suspense thriller is about ACP Antony Moses (Prithviraj Sukumaran), who is on the verge of solving a crime. An accident leads to memory loss, derailing the case because he cannot remember the culprit's name.  He tries to use his reflexes to jog his memory, leading to some truths he wasn’t ready for.

You are solving the suspense along with Antony, and there are so many possibilities about how the movie will end; it will be a race in your head to see who solves it first.

This is different from your standard police thriller. There are no over-the-top dialogues, and the action elements are measured. Mumbai Police is a great introduction to Malayalam cinema. Tight scenes, a great soundtrack, and top-notch performances make this an engaging thriller.

Raid (2018)

This captivating crime suspense thriller on Disney+ Hotstar is about IRS officer Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn), who is on a mission to catch Rameshwar Singh (Saurabh Shukla), an MP, for his black money activities. It’s a realistic plot with a treasure hunt leading him through political red tape across different departments. Amay is righteous, as indicated by the number of transfers (49, to be specific) he’s had across various departments.

Raid is tight, with a run time of just over two hours. Devgn and Shukla gave strong performances, and their clash is a thrilling watch.

Raj Kumar Gupta, who directed No One Killed Jessica (2011), also brought his usual laser focus to this film. The film is cleverly structured; even if you know the ending, the ride is gripping enough to keep watching.

Khuda Haafiz (2020)

This action-packed suspense thriller has a simple plot. Sameer (Vidyut Jammwal) and Nargis (Shivaleeka Oberoi) relocate to a new country for employment opportunities.

When Nargis is abducted, Sameer has to wade through the treacherous waters of corruption, trafficking, and betrayal. Usman (Annu Kapoor) helps Sameer navigate the cultural and language barriers. Jammwal’s action scenes are the highlight of Khuda Haafiz. The range of emotions he portrays will reel you in. Kapoor’s acting in a supporting role is also worth applauding because he brings a simplicity that complements Sameer's love for Nargis.

Cadaver (2022)

This Tamil movie on Disney+ Hotstar is a medical suspense murder mystery. There are many intersecting genres, but a strong plot binds them all.

When Vetri (Thrigun, formerly known as Adith Arun), who is already in prison, is a prime suspect in the murder of a hospital director, the police rope in Dr. Badra Thanagvel (Amala Paul), a police surgeon, to help solve the case.

With tension at an all-time high – because how is he killing people from jail? –  another murder happens, and the police force is on tenterhooks. With backstories that intersperse well with each other as the plot unfolds, this police thriller has twists and turns you will not see coming.

Amala Paul is fantastic in this film. She defies typical female lead tropes and is refreshing in her role as someone in power. Cadaver has a plethora of metaphors and dialogue with lots of punch, making it a compelling watch.