Tension is one of the most difficult facets of filmmaking to pull off because it requires the script, direction, acting, and editing to all work in tandem to evoke the perfect pace. If just one part of that group misses then the most important part of the film falls apart.

In 2019 we continued to see some excellent use of tension used to build mystery or to be the harbinger of the coming dread, or even the ticking clock of inevitability.   

So without further ado, these are the moments of tension that kept us on the edge of our seats in 2019. Be warned that there may be some slight spoilers ahead for the films in question and you can click on the banners to be taken to the full reviews.

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan

A film where every moment a bullet could be the end, and quite often it was.

Directed by – Kriv Stenders
Written by – Stuart Beattie, James Nicholas, Karel Segers, Paul Sullivan & Jack Brislee
Edited by – Veronika Jenet

Hotel Mumbai

As the attack unfolds, every moment becomes a moment when someone can die, the wrong elevator sound, turning the wrong corner, opening the wrong door, and that is it.  

Directed by – Anthony Maras
Written by – John Collee & Anthony Maras
Edited by – Peter McNulty & Anthony Maras

I Am Mother

At every moment in this film, you can feel something is wrong, but you can’t put your finger on just what that is, and then everything unravels.   

Directed by – Grant Sputore
Written by – Grant Sputore & Michael Lloyd Green
Edited by – Sean Lahiff

Noblemen

This is a film about bullying where you can see the outcome coming and you can’t do anything to stop it, you wish that someone would see the crash before it is too late but alas.   

Directed by – Vandana Kataria
Written by – Sonia Bahl, Sunil Drego & Vandana Kataria
Edited by – Simranjeet Malhotra

Parasite (Gisaengchung, 기생충)

This is a film that goes from interesting to can’t look away in the final act where every moment becomes a moment that sets characters on unmovable trajectories to catastrophe.

Directed by – Bong Joon-ho
Written by – Bong Joon-ho & Han Jin-won
Edited by – Jung Jae-il

And the Winner is!!!!!

There is, of course, the escape scene where they try to fool Mother to get out, but all of this film could be on this list. From the very moment it opens as a war rages above, to mother, who is completely caring but also a little off, this is all before a single human turns up. This whole film has you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next.     

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

What are your favourite cinematic moments from 2019?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images used were created by the respective studio and artist of each film