The “Whodunit” picture has evolved over the years, with notable auteur filmmakers flocking in droves to what has become of the genre.
The following 10 21st century-made films either evoke classic murder mysteries, or exist as sendoffs to related genres equally dealing in murder-based plots (neo-noir, suspense thriller, etc). For consideration, each required the initially-presumed victim to have actually been murdered – thereby disqualifying a pair of David Fincher films other rankings might feature. Further honorable mention: Memento, because he already found the killer; and Murder Mystery, because in spite of its title and strong fanbase, it accumulated a mere 6.0 rating on IMDb.
Gosford Park (2001) – 7.2
Though it was not his final outing, Robert Altman’s ensemble black comedy/murder mystery served as a “last hoorah” of sorts – riding its acclaim to the tune of seven Academy Award nominations.
Starring Eileen Atkins, Bob Balaban, Richard E. Grant, Helen Mirren, Clive Owen, Ryan Philippe, and Emily Watson, the film modeled itself after Agatha Christie’s signature style with confident satirical oeuvre. It is currently streaming on Netflix for one’s viewing pleasure, providing ample introduction to the filmmaker who inspired the likes of Paul Thomas Anderson, The Safdie Brothers, and many more.
Zodiac (2007) – 7.7
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal, and Mark Ruffalo – a trio who also appeared in MCU movies last year – Fincher’s Zodiac treats its audiences with more intellectual respect than most recent films tend to.
The film knows viewers are geared for an open-ended payoff, yet rewards them with the gripping pursuit of alternative suspects – while also establishing why the case remains unresolved today.
Brick (2005) – 7.3
Evoking the high school underworld like only Heathers and Twin Peaks had prior, Rian Johnson’s low-budgeted directorial debut is a model example for every indie filmmaker-hopeful.
Establishing Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer, 50/50) as a leading man a few years before he became one, the film pulls no sugar-coated punches. Co-starring Lost‘s Emilie de Ravin in flashbacks as the deceased, one should sample this film if they covet early demonstrations of the man behind The Last Jedi flexing his creative muscles.
Watchmen (2009) – 7.6
Character-jumping origin stories and political-riffing commentary aside, Zack Snyder’s adaptation of the famed Alan Moore comic upheld fidelity to its basic premise and then some.
The DC standalone film that helped paved the way for Snyder to direct Man of Steel (2013) consisted of a multi-layered mosaic narratively kickstarted and subsequently held together by a singular inciting incident: the murder of The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).
Memories of Murder (2003) – 8.1
Based on Korea’s first serial murders, Bong Joon-ho’s crime drama solidified the director’s staying power from the get. Irrefutable, elite-caliber status as a filmmaker whose work transcended beyond country and culture.
Years prior to sweeping at the 2020 Oscars with his Best-Picture winning Parasite, Joon-ho unleashed this cinematographically-profound, fast-paced flick that is considered one of the best South Korean films ever made. Those doing their due diligence by tackling the rest of the director’s filmography ought to begin and end with Memories of Murder.
Prisoners (2013) – 8.1
A key, intended victim – and the audience’s introduction into the killer’s purview – was found and spared; but Denis Villeneuve’s first of many box-offices smashes had the thrills and kills needed for comparison among the best in-store.
Starring Hugh Jackman as the father of a kidnapped girl and Jake Gyllenhaal as the detective in a race against time to find her, Prisoners is longer than it ever feels.
The Ghost Writer (2010) – 7.2
Hired to pen a controversial former British Prime Minister’s (Pierce Brosnan) memoir, the unnamed eponymous ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) had no clue what he was in for.
Soon into the gig, he stumbled onto information pertaining to – and provided by – his recently-deceased predecessor, whose presumed death-by-accidental drowning is quickly proven to be quite the opposite. The film only gains in steam the more its lead heads face-first down a conspiracy web carefully-connected by Hitchockian elastic.
Knives Out (2019) – 7.9
The quintessential old school murder mystery tailored to the modern moviegoer – and Rian Johnson’s most recent foray into the genre – garnered the filmmaker an Original Screenplay nomination at the 2020 Oscars.
Flaunting his knowledge for the literature and cinema he paid tribute to throughout, Johnson’s iron-clad plotted film’s most commendable qualities are two-fold: its narrative experimentation, and a killer ensemble.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) – 7.5
Shane Black’s fun black comedy served as the filmmaker’s directorial debut after a long hiatus from writing action films he had grown to resent. Additionally, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang convinced Jon Favreau and Marvel that Roberty Downey Jr. could front a major Hollywood production (or 12). With Downey, Val Kilmer, and Michelle Monaghan above the marquee, the murder-driven film simultaneously lampooned the hard-boiled detective days of old while also championing the bygone era for its own narrative benefit.
Mystic River (2003) – 7.9
Though Clint Eastwood – who nearly played Bruce Wayne in a live-action Batman Beyond – won Best Picture and Director for Million Dollar Baby, the previous year’s Mystic River is arguably his true 21st Century masterpiece.
As boys, they were thick as thieves. As adults, Jimmy (Sean Penn), Dave (Tim Robbins) and Sean (Kevin Bacon) are anything but. The former two won Oscars for their performances in the Boston-set film adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s novel, where the trio is brought back together after Jimmy’s daughter (Emmy Rossum, Shameless) is murdered. See where the grieving father, the prime suspect, and the investigating detective’s varying traumas intersect in this incomparable gem that is currently streaming on Netflix.
