I am fresh out of the theater from watching Don’t Worry Darling, arguably one of the most talked about films today. Now, if you clicked here because you assumed I might give away a few juicy deets… you’re unfortunately wrong. I’m not one to spoil film endings, I grew up in the prime of Kevin Feige with his Marvel projects. However, that won’t stop me from recommending you some phenomenal psychological thriller books to enjoy either before or after watching DWD.
I’m not going to be reviewing the movie, but I do have to say… I love Miss Flo. I’ve been known to enjoy a few thrillers in my day, Inception, Sixth Sense, Us, Fresh… I could go on, but why bore you? Don’t Worry Darling is what I would describe as a psychological thriller with romantic undertones.
Everyone knows that director, Olivia Wilde said that she hoped people received the movie as an ode to “female pleasure.” That being said, the romance between Alice (played by Florence Pugh) and Jack (played by Harry Styles) do share a romantic partnership on screen, a fact that can’t be ignored. I would describe it more as an obsession, something that influences my recommendations for psychological thriller books!
Remember to always check trigger warnings for any content that you consume. Your health and well-being should be the number one priority.
The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawkins
If you’re looking for a quick fix (as it were) after just finishing Don’t Worry Darling, this is the thriller for you. The Girl on the Train is a quicker read that features the iconic twist at the end. Much like Alice of DWD, the three narrators of The Girl on the Train are wholly unreliable and each dealing with their own issues that cloud their judgment in the worst times. When the picture starts fracturing, and pieces start falling together, who survives?
Rock Paper Scissors
Alice Feeney
How well do you know the person you love? A question that can be applied to DWD and to Rock Paper Scissors. Mr. and Mrs. A. Wright have been selected to receive an all-inclusive trip to the gorgeous countryside of Scotland! Adam Wright, husband, screenwriter, and sufferer of prosopagnosia (face blindness), has neglected his marriage in favor of his job. Amelia is tired of his antics and documents her feelings in yearly letters, which Adam receives (but isn’t allowed to open) on their anniversary. Of course, with any psychological thriller, there’s a twist you don’t see coming, while still answering that age-old question.
Into the Darkest Corner
Elizabeth Haynes
Readers experience Into the Darkest Corner in two POVs, however, the POVs are just told from two different times. Catherine suffers from PTSD and OCD, the unfortunate consequence of a relationship gone bad. With her ex now in jail, you’d think things would get better… at least until the phone rings. Into the Darkest Corner, while not identical to the storyline of DWD, I feel is the (terrifying) real-world application of the plot. It’s a scary world out there and without the help of fictional technology, who knows what lengths people will go to?
The One
John Marrs
What if finding your soulmate could be as easy as testing for strep throat? One long-handled cotton swab could stand between you and your forever partner. At least that’s how it is in The One. In this particular thriller, scientists have identified a specific gene that will match you and your soulmate. Seems legit, right? The One has five POVs that explore the ramifications of this new discovery.
The Stepford Wives
Ira Levin
Too on the nose? The Stepford Wives is eerily (eerily) similar to that of DWD. The women live in the men’s world. Just like Frank (Chris Pine) asks Jack (Styles), “Who’s world is it?” The Stepford Wives live in an idyllic town built on the idea that “there is grace in symmetry,” a sentiment felt by the characters of DWD. I’m not saying that The Stepford Wives is a direct inspiration, but I’m not not saying it either.
Once again, remember to always check trigger warnings for any content that you consume. Your health and well-being should be the number one priority.
In a nutshell, Don’t Worry Darling was a pretty good show. Though there isn’t a direct inspiration mentioned by screenwriter, Katie Silberman, and director, Olivia Wilde, I think that these are some pretty good follow-up reads. The thriller genre is not where I reside normally, but this grouping is one that doesn’t cut too deep.
For more thriller book recommendations from us at Bookstr, click here!