In the early days of cinema, detective stories were almost as ubiquitous as superhero movies are today. Today, most detective movies that make it to the big screen are either remakes of earlier tales or adaptations of novels from the distant past, but there are still a few interesting takes on the genre.
The detective story has found a more stable home on TV these days, but those weekly episodic mysteries often fail to capture the majesty of big-screen mysteries. Shows like The Blacklist or Elementary may be excellent mystery tales, but the movies still find their way into the private eye's office from time to time.
The Kid Detective
This 2020 dark comedy interrogates the classic child crime solver trope by asking whatever happened to kids like Encyclopedia Brown or The Hardy Boys. Adam Brody stars as Abe Applebaum who was once famous in his hometown for solving various youth-oriented capers. As a grown man, he hasn't lived up to the potential of his early days and now lives in both his own shadow and a perpetual hangover. When a high school student comes to him with a brutal murder that needs to be solved, he sees his opportunity to get back on top. Written and directed by Evan Morgan, The Kid Detective had a very limited chance to succeed. It premiered at TIFF in 2020, but its brief theatrical run was ambushed by the ongoing pandemic, leaving it with a tiny box office take. This unique pitch-black mystery deserves a look from fans of detective tales, as it's one of the most original takes on the genre in years.
Sherlock Holmes
When asked who among the catalog of accomplished directors should put their unique spin on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legacy, Guy Ritchie might have been one of the last names mentioned. The director that epitomized the word "bloke" through crime dramas like Snatch and Revolver turned out to have a longtime appreciation for the great detective. His 2009 adaptation turned out to be a fun romp with a stellar cast and plenty of fun action scenes. Some fans saw the more explosive material as disrespectful to the character, but the original novels featured plenty of action and the film featured plenty of solid deduction. Robert Downey Jr. is perfect in the title role and Jude Law is a stellar counterpart as Dr. Watson. Fans wouldn't have seen it coming at the time, but Guy Ritchie's 2009 Sherlock Holmes is one of the character's best outings in decades.
Prisoners
Directed by the filmmaker behind Blade Runner 2049 from a script by the creator of Raised by Wolves, this 2013 thriller is one of the smartest films of the 2010s. The film was nominated for a number of rewards, mostly addressed towards legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins, but deserved even more. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Detective Loki, a cop working hard to solve the kidnappings of a pair of young girls. The film deals with huge issues with the deft hand of a master. Subtlety gives way to massive emotional explosions. The entire piece is crafted with incredible specificity. Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, Viola Davis, Terrance Howard, and the rest of the cast are giving 100% and turning in incredible performances. Prisoners is an extremely difficult watch, but it's well worth it.
Public Enemies
Michael Mann directed one of the greatest crime films of all time in the 1995 bank robbery epic Heat, but the director took a long time to craft a proper follow-up. His eventual return to the well wasn't quite as good and certainly wasn't as successful, but it's still head and shoulders above most of the genre. Public Enemies tells the story of the iconic criminals of the Great Depression and the determined lawmen who sought to stop them. Christian Bale takes the lead detective role as FBI agent Melvin Purvis as he pursues Johnny Depp's take on John Dillinger. This period drama tells a great crime story and a great detective story in one excellent film.
Brick
Rian Johnson is one of the most controversial directors in Hollywood. Most of that reputation is owed to his take on a beloved sci-fi franchise, but the praise and derision he received in that crucible spill over. He is often celebrated for his 2019 mystery Knives Out, but an earlier work of his took a less referential take on the genre. Brick tells the story of a high school student who enters the shady underbelly of his local peers to investigate the tragic death of his girlfriend. With a clear neo-noir sensibility and elements of old spaghetti westerns, this film is a cultural cross-section that does interesting work with its inspirations. At its core, Brick is a grim and stirring mystery that keeps the viewer engaged and elicits delight, even as its tone continues to crush spirits.