Movies About Detectives

From David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Kevin Walker
Rated R

Se7en is a psychological crime thriller directed by David Fincher and starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, and Kevin Spacey. In the film, two detectives, Somerset (Freeman) and Mills (Pitt), investigate a series of gruesome murders inspired by the seven deadly sins. The killer, John Doe (Spacey), is familiar with the intricacies of the criminal justice system, and uses the detectives' own moral code against them. As the mystery unfolds, the detectives come to realize that John Doe's motivations are far more intricate and diabolical than they initially imagined. In the end, the detectives' pursuit of justice leads to a shocking conclusion that tests the boundaries of their own morality.

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 American psychological horror film directed by Jonathan Demme. The film is based on Thomas Harris' 1988 novel of the same name and stars Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, a Federal Bureau of Investigation trainee who is hunting for a serial killer, "Buffalo Bill", played by Ted Levine. She is aided by the brilliant, but disturbed, psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins. The story follows Clarice as she attempts to catch Buffalo Bill, while also dealing with her personal demons. As her hunt progresses, Clarice is forced to rely on Hannibal's insights to narrow down the list of suspects. Along the way, she must also confront her own fears and compatibilities in order to succeed. In the end, Clarice is able to track down Buffalo Bill, aided by the clues provided by Hannibal. The film won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Actor.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
Rated PG

Vertigo is an intense psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1958. The film follows John "Scottie" Ferguson (James Stewart), a former San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia, who is hired to follow the mysterious Madeleine Elster (Kim Novak). As Scottie investigates the strange behavior of Madeleine, he finds himself increasingly drawn to her, despite her apparent involvement in the death of her husband. As the story unfolds, Scottie discovers the truth behind Madeleine’s identity and his own feelings of vertigo. With the help of his friend, Midge (Barbara Bel Geddes), Scottie must confront his fears and uncover the truth of the mysterious woman.

From Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez
Rated R

Chinatown is a 1974 American neo-noir mystery film directed by Roman Polanski and written by Robert Towne. It stars Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston. The story is set in 1937 Los Angeles and follows private investigator J. J. "Jake" Gittes (Nicholson), who is hired by Evelyn Mulwray to investigate an apparent adultery case. Gittes uncovers a much more complex mystery that connects to Los Angeles' water supply. The film's exploration of corruption in the Los Angeles government, which includes bribery, police corruption, and corporate corruption, has been praised by critics. It was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and won for Best Original Screenplay.

From Curtis Hanson, starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger
Rated R

L.A. Confidential is a 1997 neo-noir mystery crime film directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kim Basinger. The story follows three police officers in 1953 Los Angeles as they investigate a series of murders that are linked to a scandal involving Hollywood celebrities, police corruption, and real estate developers. As the investigation progresses, the three cops uncover a conspiracy that reaches to the highest ranks of power. With its dark and gritty atmosphere, sharp dialogue, and sharp performances, L.A. Confidential is one of the most acclaimed films of the 90s, earning nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley
Rated R

In Shutter Island, directed by Martin Scorsese, US Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is sent to Shutter Island, home to Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane, to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a patient. Teddy soon discovers that the hospital’s patients are not what they seem and the island itself has a sinister agenda. With the help of his partner, Chuck (Mark Ruffalo), he uncovers the truth about what really happened to the patient and the terrifying secrets hidden on the island. In the end, Teddy and Chuck must face the ultimate test of their courage and sanity.

From Juan José Campanella, starring Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Carla Quevedo
Rated R

The Secret in Their Eyes is a 2009 Argentine drama film directed by Juan José Campanella and written by Eduardo Sacheri and Campanella, based on Sacheri's novel La pregunta de sus ojos. The movie follows retired criminal court investigator Benjamin Esposito (Ricardo Darín) as he reflects on a case that deeply affected him in 1974. Esposito and his assistant, Pablo Sandoval (Guillermo Francella), are assigned to investigate a rape and murder case of a beautiful young woman, Liliana Coloto (Carla Quevedo). Esposito becomes obsessed with the case, and decides to write a novel about it as his retirement project. During his investigation, he discovers that Liliana's husband, Ricardo Morales (Pablo Ráez), is the prime suspect. However, after a series of events, Esposito finally discovers the identity of the real killer, a retired police officer named Isidoro Gómez (Javier Godino). Esposito decides to confront Gómez with the evidence, but the killer commits suicide in a church before he can be brought to justice. Esposito is left with a sense of closure

From Bong Joon Ho, starring Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Roe-ha Kim, Jae-ho Song
Rated Not Rated

Memories of Murder is a 2003 South Korean crime thriller film directed by Bong Joon Ho. The film follows detectives Park Doo-man (Song Kang-ho) and Seo Tae-yoon (Kim Sang-kyung) in their search for a serial killer in a rural area of South Korea in the 1980s. The detectives initially have no clues and progress on the case is slow. The two men come up with increasingly desperate and unorthodox methods to try to find the killer as the death toll rises. Park and Seo find themselves in a battle against a faceless enemy, as well as public distrust and ridicule, as their investigation leads them further down a dark and twisted path. Despite its tragic theme, Memories of Murder is a gripping and suspenseful crime classic that has been acclaimed both domestically and internationally.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo
Rated R

Prisoners is a 2013 psychological thriller-drama film directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, and Viola Davis. The story follows two families living in a small Pennsylvania town whose lives are thrown into turmoil when the two daughters from one family are abducted. With the police investigation at a dead end, the desperate father of the missing girls takes matters into his own hands and abducts the prime suspect himself. As detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) attempts to unravel the mystery, he finds himself in a game of cat-and-mouse with the desperate father (Jackman) whose only goal is to save his daughters. The film is a thought-provoking exploration of the lengths to which a parent will go to ensure the safety of their children and the power of faith in times of tragedy.

From John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre
Rated Passed

The Maltese Falcon is a 1941 classic film noir directed by John Huston, and starring Humphrey Bogart. The film follows the story of Sam Spade, a private detective in San Francisco, who is hired to find a valuable statuette of a falcon, a treasure sought by many criminals. He soon discovers that a sinister group is after the treasure, and they will stop at nothing to get it. As Sam gets closer to the truth, he is forced to confront the criminals and eventually solve the mystery. The film is filled with suspense, mystery, and dark humor, making it one of the most beloved films of all time.

From Howard Hawks, starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely, Martha Vickers
Rated Passed

The Big Sleep is a classic film noir set in 1940s Los Angeles. Private detective Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) is hired by the wealthy Sternwood family to solve a blackmail case. Marlowe quickly finds himself in over his head, as he is dragged into a complex web of deceit, murder, and corruption. Marlowe must navigate the treacherous criminal underworld, all while trying to keep the Sternwoods safe and unmask the blackmailer. With a razor-sharp script and a deft blend of mystery and humor, The Big Sleep is a Noir masterpiece.

From Norman Jewison, starring Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant
Rated Approved

In the Heat of the Night is a 1967 crime drama directed by Norman Jewison and starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger. The film follows Virgil Tibbs, an African-American police detective from Philadelphia who is on his way home to the South when he is arrested in a small town in Mississippi for the murder of a local businessman. During the investigation, Tibbs finds himself confronting racial prejudice and hatred from the townsfolk, as well as from police chief Gillespie (Rod Steiger). Tibbs eventually helps Gillespie solve the case and the two form a grudging respect for each other as Tibbs returns home. The film won five Academy Awards and was nominated for seven, including Best Picture.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Emmy Rossum
Rated R

Mystic River is a 2003 American mystery drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Brian Helgeland. The film stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney, and Emmy Rossum. The film focuses on three childhood friends from the working-class neighborhoods of Boston, Massachusetts, who are reunited after the murder of one of their daughters. When the police investigation leads to a prime suspect, a tragedy from the friends' past resurfaces, and the consequences of their actions haunt them throughout the film. While grappling with their guilt and loss, they must struggle to face the truth within themselves and each other.

From Alan Parker, starring Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif
Rated R

Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American drama film directed by Alan Parker and starring Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe. Set in Mississippi during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, the film follows two FBI investigators, Rupert Anderson (Hackman) and Alan Ward (Dafoe), and their investigation of the disappearance of three civil rights activists. In the face of strong opposition from the townspeople and fierce Ku Klux Klan violence, the two agents use various tactics to uncover the truth and bring the guilty to justice. The film received several Academy Award nominations and won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and BAFTA Awards for Best Film and Best Editing.

From Directors: Don Siegel, Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Andrew Robinson, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni
Rated R

Dirty Harry is a 1971 American action thriller directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood as the eponymous San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan. The film centers on Inspector Callahan as he relentlessly pursues a psychopathic serial killer known as "Scorpio" (Andy Robinson), who is terrorizing San Francisco. With his unorthodox methods of law enforcement, Callahan clashes with the city's mayor and police chief, who disapprove of his vigilante-like tactics. As the film progresses, Callahan is able to corner Scorpio and finally bring him to justice. Throughout the movie, Callahan is portrayed as a tough, no-nonsense cop who is willing to go to any lengths to get the job done. The film was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of the most influential films in the action genre.

From William Friedkin, starring Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Fernando Rey, Tony Lo Bianco
Rated R

The French Connection is a 1971 American crime thriller directed by William Friedkin and starring Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider and Fernando Rey. The film is based on Robin Moore's non-fiction book of the same name and focuses on two New York City Police Department narcotics detectives on a mission to stop a heroin smuggling operation from France. It follows Hackman's character, "Popeye" Doyle and Scheider's character, Buddy Russo, as they attempt to outwit a French drug kingpin and his associates. The film was met with critical acclaim, winning five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. The film is considered to be a classic of the crime and police genres, and is widely regarded as one of the best films of the 1970s.

From Jean-Jacques Annaud, starring Sean Connery, Christian Slater, Helmut Qualtinger, Elya Baskin
Rated R

Set in the year 1327, The Name of the Rose is a murder mystery set in a 14th-century Italian monastery. Franciscan monk William of Baskerville (Sean Connery) and his young apprentice Adso of Melk (Christian Slater) arrive at the monastery to investigate a series of suspicious deaths. With the help of an eccentric yet brilliant old monk (F. Murray Abraham), William and Adso uncover a terrifying secret that threatens to shake the very foundations of Christianity. As they uncover the truth, they must race against time to prevent a deadly conspiracy that could spell the end of the Middle Ages.

From Robert Altman, starring Elliott Gould, Nina van Pallandt, Sterling Hayden, Mark Rydell
Rated R

The Long Goodbye is a 1973 American neo-noir film directed by Robert Altman and based on Raymond Chandler's novel of the same name. It stars Elliott Gould as the wisecracking private detective Philip Marlowe, set in 1970s Los Angeles. Marlowe is hired by an old friend, Terry Lennox (Jim Bouton), to drive him to Tijuana, Mexico. After dropping him off, Marlowe discovers that Lennox has killed his wife and is wanted for murder. Marlowe is then hired by Eileen Wade (Nina van Pallandt) to find her missing husband, which leads him to discover a convoluted plot involving a millionaire, a call girl, and a missing fortune. The film is noted for its heavy use of improvisation and changes to the original novel, such as making Marlowe a more sympathetic character. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and was praised by critics for its innovative visual style, engaging story, and Gould's performance as Marlowe.

From Guy Ritchie, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong
Rated PG-13

Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and Dr. Watson (Jude Law) investigate a mysterious and dangerous criminal mastermind, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). They must use their wits to outsmart him, as well as their extraordinary detective skills. Along their journey, they must also battle dark forces from England's underworld. Along the way, they will be aided by a mysterious gypsy (Noomi Rapace) and the beautiful Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). In the end, Sherlock Holmes must come face to face with the greatest criminal mind of all in a battle of epic proportions.

From Robin Hardy, starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland
Rated R

The Wicker Man is a 1973 British psychological horror film directed by Robin Hardy and starring Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland and Christopher Lee. The story follows Police Sergeant Neil Howie as he investigates the strange disappearance of a young girl on a remote Scottish island. He discovers a pagan cult led by Lord Summerisle and begins to uncover a darker secret behind the disappearance. As Howie delves deeper into the island's secrets, he finds himself tangled in a web of religious ritual and supernatural forces that threaten to consume him. With a powerful soundtrack and chilling imagery, The Wicker Man is a classic of British horror cinema.

From Peter Yates, starring Steve McQueen, Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Vaughn, Don Gordon
Rated M/PG

From Guy Ritchie, starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Rachel McAdams
Rated PG-13

From Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon
Rated R

From Robert Moore, starring Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Eileen Brennan
Rated PG

From Bruce A. Evans, starring Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, William Hurt, Dane Cook
Rated R