There's something uniquely unsettling about being trapped inside your own home, with unknown horrors lurking just beyond the walls. That's the terrifying premise at the heart of Netflix's latest sci-fi thriller, The Last House, directed by Louis Leterrier and written by Matthew Robinson. The film follows a family of four who find themselves inexplicably sealed inside their house by a mysterious, water-controlling environmental force while a global crisis unfolds outside. Over an agonizingly long period, they must fight to survive, protect each other, and hold onto their humanity as the world crumbles around them.
Starring Greta Lee and Wagner Moura, The Last House is a masterclass in claustrophobic tension. If you're craving more films that deliver that same gut-wrenching, trapped-in-a-nightmare feeling, you're in luck. We've rounded up eight thrillers that will have you checking your locks and peering out the window before you press play. From alien invasions to home invasions, these movies are guaranteed to get your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping.
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
If there's one film that pairs perfectly with The Last House, it's 10 Cloverfield Lane. This sci-fi horror thriller follows Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), who wakes up in an underground bunker after a car crash. The bunker's owner, Howard (John Goodman), claims he saved her from a chemical or nuclear attack that has made the surface uninhabitable. Along with fellow survivor Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.), Michelle begins to notice Howard's controlling and erratic behavior, leading her to question whether he's a savior or a captor. The film is a psychological tour de force, keeping you guessing until the very end.
Like The Last House, 10 Cloverfield Lane traps its characters—and its audience—in a single, confined location. The tension builds as you're forced to decide whether the apocalypse is real or if Howard is just a dangerous liar. Goodman's performance is career-best, oscillating between folksy charm and terrifying volatility. It's a smart, high-intensity thriller that will leave you breathless.
A Quiet Place (2018)
John Krasinski's A Quiet Place is another modern horror masterpiece that shares DNA with The Last House. In a world overrun by blind alien creatures with super-sensitive hearing, the Abbott family must live in total silence to survive. A single sound—a whisper, a footstep, a toy—can bring death. After a tragic loss, Lee and Evelyn (Krasinski and Emily Blunt) fight to protect their children while searching for a way to fight back. The film is a heart-wrenching exploration of parental love and sacrifice, wrapped in relentless suspense.
The sound design is extraordinary, turning every rustle and breath into a life-or-death gamble. The silence is deafening, and the sudden bursts of noise are jarring. Like The Last House, it transforms the home—a place of safety—into a fortress where the outside world is a constant threat. If you want to keep the survivalist momentum going, this is the perfect follow-up.
Bird Box (2018)
In Bird Box, the sense we lose is sight. Based on the novel by Josh Malerman and directed by Susanne Bier, this Netflix hit stars Sandra Bullock as Malorie, a woman trying to survive a post-apocalyptic world where unseen entities drive anyone who looks at them to suicide. Told across two timelines, the film follows Malorie's journey to find safety while blindfolded, guiding two children through a treacherous wilderness. It's a tense, nerve-wracking thriller that explores the lengths a mother will go to protect her children.
Like The Last House, Bird Box is about survival against an invisible, inexplicable threat. The constant fear of the unknown is palpable, and the film's claustrophobic tension—even in open spaces—keeps you on edge. If you're looking for another Netflix thriller that will have you holding your breath, this is it.
Leave the World Behind (2023)
Sam Esmail's Leave the World Behind is another recent thriller that shares The Last House's theme of a family trapped in their home as the world collapses. Starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali, the film follows a family whose vacation rental is invaded by the owners, claiming a cyberattack has caused chaos. As strange events unfold—deer behaving oddly, planes falling from the sky—the two families must decide whether to trust each other or flee. It's a slow-burn psychological thriller that builds to a chilling climax.
The film excels at creating an atmosphere of dread and uncertainty, much like The Last House. The home becomes a pressure cooker, and the outside world becomes increasingly hostile. If you enjoyed the moral ambiguity and family dynamics of The Last House, this is a must-watch.
Nope (2022)
Jordan Peele's Nope is a different kind of thriller, but it shares the sense of being trapped and helpless against an unseen force. Set on a remote California horse ranch, the film follows siblings OJ and Emerald Haywood (Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) as they discover a mysterious, malevolent presence in the sky. As they try to capture evidence of the UFO-like entity, they find themselves increasingly isolated and endangered. It's a smart, visually stunning film that blends sci-fi, horror, and western tropes.
Like The Last House, Nope is about the struggle to survive against an inexplicable, powerful force. The sense of isolation and the constant threat from above create a palpable tension. Peele's direction is masterful, and the film's commentary on spectacle and exploitation adds depth. If you want a thriller that's both thought-provoking and terrifying, this is it.
The Invisible Man (2020)
Leigh Whannell's The Invisible Man is a modern reimagining of the classic horror story, and it's a perfect companion to The Last House. The film follows Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss), who escapes an abusive relationship with a wealthy scientist. When she learns he has died, she begins to believe he's actually alive and invisible, tormenting her. The film is a masterclass in psychological suspense, as Cecilia—and the audience—is never quite sure if the threat is real or in her head.
The film's use of empty space and silence creates a constant sense of dread, much like the claustrophobia of The Last House. Moss delivers a powerhouse performance, and the film's exploration of gaslighting and trauma adds a chilling layer. If you want a thriller that gets under your skin, this is it.
Panic Room (2002)
David Fincher's Panic Room is a classic thriller that shares The Last House's premise of being trapped in a home. The film stars Jodie Foster as a mother who, along with her daughter, takes refuge in a high-tech panic room during a home invasion. But the intruders are after something in that very room, and the mother must fight to protect her child and herself. The film is a tense, cat-and-mouse game that never lets up.
Like The Last House, Panic Room is a single-location thriller that maximizes tension through confinement. Fincher's direction is impeccable, and the film's use of the house's layout adds to the suspense. If you're looking for a classic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is a great choice.
The Platform (2019)
For a more surreal take on the trapped-in-a-structure theme, The Platform is a Spanish sci-fi thriller that will leave you reeling. Set in a vertical prison where a platform of food descends from the top to the bottom, the film follows a man who must navigate the brutal social hierarchy to survive. It's a visceral, allegorical film that explores themes of greed, inequality, and survival.
Like The Last House, The Platform is about people trapped in an inescapable situation, forced to make impossible choices. The film's claustrophobic setting and relentless tension make it a gripping watch. If you want a thriller that's both thought-provoking and horrifying, this is it.
So, if you've just finished The Last House and are hungry for more, these eight films will satisfy your craving for suspense, terror, and survival. And if you're looking for more binge-worthy content, check out our weekend watchlist or see what's new on Netflix. Happy watching—and maybe keep the lights on.
