TMBTMB
TMBTMB

Track, discover and find where to watch TV shows and movies.

Discover

  • Movies
  • TV Shows
  • Browse
  • Topics

Account

  • Watchlist
  • Watched
  • Ratings

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Content Policy

© 2026 Movie Browser. All rights reserved.

Data provided by TMDB

Home
Browse
Watchlist
backdrop
backdrop
logo
A journalist wants to film his nephew's schizophrenia AND commit the perfect crime. What could go wrong?

By a Thread (1992)

lo-fi psychologicalmorally queasyindie 90s grit

Overview

ThrillerMystery

Television journalist Quentin Springer has two obsessions: first, he wants to help his schizophrenic nephew by making video recordings of his life; and second, he dreams of carrying out a "perfect crime".

Flag of USUS
Content warning

Standout Aspects

Acting

Michael O'Hare's slippery charisma makes you root for a creep.

Direction

Richardson's clinical eye turns domestic spaces into crime scenes.

Best for:Solo: Late night when you want to feel weird about humanity.·Streaming: Deep cut 90s thriller hunt for Letterboxd completionists.
Heads up:Disturbing: Unflinching portrayal of untreated schizophrenia and familial exploitation.
C

Director

Craig Richardson

ReleasedOct 2, 1992
Runtime1h 28m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feelheavy
Tangent Films
Angelika Films

Top Cast

Michael O'Hare

Michael O'Hare

Quentin Springer

Michael Constantine

Michael Constantine

Anthony Gallucci

David Eigenberg

David Eigenberg

Kiri

Melissa Leo

Melissa Leo

Helen

Ask about By a Thread

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Michael O'Hare was fresh off Babylon 5's pilot when he took this role—the contrast between noble Commander Sinclair and this sweaty opportunist is wild.

Cultural

Made during the true-crime TV boom of the early 90s, it interrogates the same exploitative impulse that would later consume cable news and Netflix docuseries.

Reviews

No ratings yet

Start the discussionBe the first to post — spoiler-safe
Rate & reviewBe the first to weigh in

Recommended

The Mean Season movie poster (1985)
6.2

The Mean Season

The Quiller Memorandum movie poster (1966)
5.9

The Quiller Memorandum

The Dark Mirror movie poster (1946)
7.0

The Dark Mirror

Indemnity movie poster (2022)
6.6

Indemnity

The Glass Key movie poster (1942)
6.6

The Glass Key

Black Widow movie poster (1987)
6.2

Black Widow

The Blue Gardenia movie poster (1953)
6.5

The Blue Gardenia

Time Without Pity movie poster (1957)
6.5

Time Without Pity

The Apology movie poster (2022)
5.8

The Apology

Maniac movie poster (1963)
6.2

Maniac

Each Dawn I Die movie poster (1939)
6.8

Each Dawn I Die

Islands movie poster (2025)
6.1

Islands

Quicksand movie poster (2023)
6.2

Quicksand

No Name on the Bullet movie poster (1959)
6.6

No Name on the Bullet

Another Thin Man movie poster (1939)
7.1

Another Thin Man

Discussion

Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.

Discussion starters

View all comments →