You can still rely on a murder mystery film to keep you cheering for justice when things don’t go as planned. The cult of the dead has reached new heights thanks to the cinematic medium, and murder is a tried-and-true viewpoint in literature. The murderer frequently poses as the most unlikely person, and their motivation forces the audience to examine the evil side of human nature. When the corpse is made public, it frequently serves as a means of exposing yet another pervasive social evil. HBO Max has a vast collection of films in every genre, including some that are highly captivating and stick with viewers long after the mystery has been resolved.
Mommy Dead and Dearest (2017)
Erin Lee Carr is well-known for using a powerful voice to address the outskirts of justice in her documentaries. With a focus on facts and unbiased judgment, her actual crime documentary explores the notorious case of Dee Dee Blanchard’s murder. In 2015, Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her partner plotted Dee Dee’s murder after years of abuse and neglect. Although the case may be familiar to you from Hulu’s fictional portrayal of it, “The Act,” the documentary takes a more nuanced and daring approach to addressing this morally challenging subject. This movie would captivate you if you’re searching for a complex murder mystery that focuses more on the motive behind the killing. It is available to view here.
Beware the Slenderman (2018)
The terrifying murder mystery documentary “Beware the Slenderman,” which was made by Irene Taylor Brodsky, explores the case of two 12-year-old girls who attacked their friend in 2014 and claimed to have been inspired by the imaginary online persona Slenderman. The movie painstakingly delves into the young offenders’ minds, revealing the intricacies of their deeds and the influence of internet mythology. The documentary poses challenging issues regarding morality, mental health, and the effect of the digital age on developing minds through expert analysis, court footage, and interviews. “Beware the Slenderman” is a gripping and thought-provoking murder mystery that goes beyond the crime and offers a disturbing yet fascinating glimpse into the minds of young people influenced by internet myths. This is made possible by Brodsky’s masterful storytelling, the compelling real-life narrative, and perceptive commentary. The movie is available to stream online.
Citizen X (1995)
“Citizen X,” which was directed by Chris Gerolmo, is based on the real-life account of Andrei Chikatilo, often known as The Butcher of Rostov, a Soviet serial killer who, between 1978 and 1990, sexually raped and murdered over 50 women and children. Viktor Burakov (Steven Rea), a low-level police detective, is determined to track down Communist Chikatilo (Jeffrey DeMunn) in the movie, but he encounters difficulties because it appears that the Soviet bureaucracy is shielding him. This critically and financially praised film shows how Burakov, with the help of a psychiatrist, finds the criminal and puts him to justice. It is available for streaming here.
Kimi (2022)
Steven Soderbergh’s masterwork of a thriller, “Kimi,” centers on Angela Childs (Zoë Kravitz), a tech worker who focuses on enhancing the software that powers Kimi, a smart speaker, a new technological innovation. Angela is unable to leave her home due to agoraphobia. She must listen to all of the audio that the program records from the Kimi devices as part of her job. She knows she must report it after one of these recordings shows a deliberate murder. This entails risking her agoraphobia by leaving her home. When her bosses attempt to stop her from reporting the crime to the FBI, using any means necessary, she quickly learns that her health is the least of her concerns. You can view “Kimi” right here to learn the conspiracy’s origins.
MaXXXine (2024)
The plot of Ti West’s thriller drama “MaXXXine” centers on Mia Goth’s character Maxine Minx, who succeeds in the porn industry and then tries her hand at Hollywood. A serial killer approaches her cautiously as she makes her way through Tinseltown. The killer, known to the media as the Night Stalker, had been killing individuals Maxine knew. This circumstance, along with an enigmatic private investigator who is also pursuing her, could perhaps be the most significant and violent hindrance to her accomplishment. Can she get past them? Only if she discovers who they are. You can stream “MaXXXine,” a fitting followup to “Pearl,” right here. It’s stylized and captivating.
Juror #2 (2024)
Justin Kemp, a juror in Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2,” is put in a difficult situation during a murder trial. As the trial goes on and more information becomes available, Kemp comes to the realization that he may not be the one being charged but rather the murderer of the woman whose murder is the subject of the trial. In this gripping legal drama, we learn if he will confess or let justice do its thing. Will his morality overcome him, or will the jury in him fulfill his duties? The suspenseful and captivating thriller “Juror #2,” which stars Nicholas Hoult as Justin Kemp, will have you on the tip of your seat as you watch to see how things work out. You can view it here.
Rashomon (1951)
The mystery thriller “Rashomon” is one of the enduring masterpieces of cinematic history due to Akira Kurosawa’s skillful storytelling. The film explores the ephemeral and subjective nature of truth itself by telling the story of a man’s murder and his wife’s rape through four narratives that differ greatly from one another. Whether it was the immersive performances or the set design, the primarily black comedy film gained enough societal traction to inspire a phenomena that bears its name. The Rashomon effect describes how internal bias and prior experiences shape memory in the brain. It is available for streaming here.
Blue Velvet (1986)
The multiple-award-winning film “Blue Velvet” by David Lynch centers on college student Jeffrey Beaumont, who becomes involved in a dubious police investigation after discovering a severed ear. The investigation involves mysterious lounge singer Dorothy Vallens, drug-dealing psychopathic gangster Frank Booth, and Jeffrey’s new ladylove, Sandy. As the plot develops, we are given a surreal look at the case in question and Jeffrey’s quest to track down the murderer by navigating dubious figures from the gray area of morality. “Blue Velvet,” which stars Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, and Laura Dern, is a must-watch neo-noir murder mystery thriller that is rich in symbolism and thematic aspects. It is available for streaming here.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Guy Ritchie is the director of “Sherlock Holmes,” which stars Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. The movie takes place in 1890 and is based on the immortal characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It centers on the investigation of a string of unexplained fatalities that appear to be caused by black magic and are linked to mysticist Lord Henry Blackwood by Holmes (Downey Jr.) and his best buddy John Waston (Law).
Blackwood is utilizing magical methods to carry out his plot to conquer Britain. But without evidence, nothing can be determined, and Holmes must act quickly to hold Blackwood accountable for the bodies that are being discovered. Among other honors, “Sherlock Holmes,” which won a Golden Globe and was nominated for two Academy Awards, is a masterful adaptation of the renowned detective’s exploits. It skillfully combines humor and action to provide us with a respectable historical murder mystery that is emphasized by powerful performances. The film is available for viewing here.
Batman (2022)
In “The Batman,” filmmaker Matt Reeves adds his ominous dread to the classic comic superhero following Christopher Nolan’s time with the caped crusader. The story revolves around the rise of Riddler, a brand-new villain in Gotham City. The murderer leaves a few hints for Robert Pattinson’s Batman as he murders his victims one by one. As he befriends Catwoman, the latter gradually learns about the criminal’s schemes. Batman, played by Matt Reeves, is more of a noir detective when Nolan’s grandiose vision is removed. You could therefore be surprised by the superhero movie’s worth as a murder mystery. You may view it here.
