From classic stories like Death on the Nile to superhero-centric detective thrillers like The Batman, 2022 already has an abundance of murder mystery films. More will come with Netflix's Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, although the streaming service recently debunked its November release date. Nevertheless, movie watchers have this obsession for murder mysteries or whodunnits, with characters putting their fedoras and solving the crimes - sometimes inspired by cruel real-life events and others a work of pure fiction.
Fans over at Letterboxd took to the polls to determine what they thought were the best murder mysteries of all time. Whether it's a classic film from the 1950s or a modern blockbuster, fans never grow tired of the exhilarating chase and plot twists that lead to the final reveal.
Clue (1985) - 3.8
The only whodunnit to make the top ten that is also a comedy, Clue is based on the popular board game of the same name and follows six guests as they attempt to uncover who among them is the killer. Featuring a cast that has now become iconic, it initially opened with mixed reviews but has since garnered a dedicated cult following, some even calling for Clue sequel.
Clue fully embraces the absurdity of the premise and fully adopts aspects of the classic board game. From the goofy pseudonyms to the iconic weapons and rooms, the film even goes as far as having multiple endings to give audiences the most authentic whodunnit experience when watching the film.
Scream (1996) - 4.0
Unlike other entries, at its core, Scream is a horror film with only traces of a traditional whodunnit. The famously meta-story about a group of high schoolers who find themselves simultaneously attempting to identify the notorious Ghostface killer while also avoiding certain death, Scream has become a staple in the horror genre.
While Scream invokes the classic traits of a murder mystery, its unique use of self-referential comedy is what makes the movie stand out in an era inundated with predictable slasher films. Scream was not afraid to take risks, even killing off arguably the most famous cast member in the opening minutes of the film. However, it's these types of risks that have led to the immense success of Scream, ultimately spawning a multi-decade-long franchise.
Zodiac (2007) - 4.0
David Fincher has this virtuosity when it comes to mystery thrillers, and Zodiac has been his most memorable work. The movie was influenced by the real-life events of the Zodiac killer, a notorious serial murderer who terrorized San Francisco denizens in the 1960s.
With gorgeous cinematography that highlights the scuzzy streets of San Francisco, Zodiac is a gritty film brimming with apprehension. While the story of the real-life Zodiac killer may be well known, Fincher perfectly translates the tangible fear the community felt during this time onto the silver screen, leaving the audience white-knuckled with anticipation.
The Usual Suspects (1995) - 4.0
Most audiences love a good twist, which is the case for The Usual Suspects, a film about how a ruthless crime lord named Keyser Soze and his alleged multiple heinous crimes. The twist is the reason many viewers are left floored and running to their closest friends, inquiring if they saw the twist coming.
A common trope in films, The Usual Suspects is a great example of using the villain as the protagonist. However, what makes the film different from something like Goodfellas is that the audience is not aware that the protagonist they spend a majority of the film with is the actual villain. The reveal that Verbal Kint is the mythical Keyser Soze is executed with near perfection, resulting in an audience frozen with incredulity.
Gone Girl (2014) - 4.1
David Fincher is no stranger when it comes to the genre of murder mysteries, but Gone Girl is a unique entry into the world of whodunnit films. While it does center around the disappearance of a missing wife, Gone Girl deviates from traditional whodunnit films by making it immediately clear to the audience that the missing wife is not actually missing.
Despite knowing that Amy Dunne is alive and well, Gone Girl still delivers an intense and chilling story about marriage, revenge, and manipulation, thanks to the Oscar-nominated performance from Rosamund Pike. Her performance is hypnotic as she details the intricacies of her plan to frame her husband but also terrifying as she exhibits no fear to achieve what she desires.
Memento (2000) - 4.1
While Christopher Nolan has become known for his fascination with the concept of time, Memento is a perfect blend of that fascination but woven into a complicated murder mystery. Leonard Shelby's hunt to find his wife's murderer is made even more difficult by his short-term memory loss, but it's Nolan's clever use of time that makes Memento a wild ride for viewers.
By 2000, multiple narratives and non-linear storytelling had already been mastered by prior directors and writers. However, for Memento Nolan took it one step further, and instead, the film is partially told backward. A risk that proved to be successful as Memento delivers the typical thrills of a traditional murder mystery but adds an extra layer of mystery due to its narrative structure.
Rear Window (1954) - 4.3
Rear Window is a timeless whodunnit about a man who spends his time observing his neighbors and begins to suspect one of them might be responsible for a murder. Though an older murder mystery, Rear Window is often considered one of the best film noir in movie history.
The influence of Rear Window has been seen far and wide in the decades after its release. Regardless of the premise's simplicity, the film is overflowing with suspense, largely thanks to Alfred Hitchcock's masterful direction. No matter the decade that it's watched, Rear Window has kept audiences on their toes for generations.
Silence of the Lambs (1991) - 4.3
Despite releasing over 30 years ago, Silence of the Lambs is still immensely popular and often considered one of the best classic horror films of all time. The story of FBI agent Clarice Starling teaming up with the demented Dr. Hannibal Lecter to capture a separate notorious murderer has become a horror movie staple for fans of the genre.
While many murder mystery films blur the line between horror and thriller, Silence of the Lambs fully embraces the horror genre. From the terrifying final showdown with Buffalo Bill to the haunting performance from Anthony Hopkins, the unpredictable nature of the characters and the story will have audiences watching through their fingers.
Memories of Murder (2003) - 4.3
The only international film to make it into the top ten, Bong Joon-Ho's Memories of Murder is loosely based on real-life events about Korea's first confirmed serial murders and chronicles the police's efforts to track down and stop the killer. Only his second feature film, the film would go on to earn critical acclaim for its performances and direction, among many other aspects.
Tonally, Memories of Murder is grim from the opening credits to the final minutes of the film, emphasized further by the cinematography, which accentuates the desperation of a town paralyzed with fear. Tragically sad and brutally honest, Memories of Murder is a reminder that not all murder mysteries have a happy ending and, sometimes, not an ending at all.
Se7en (1995) - 4.3
It may be fair to call David Fincher a master of the murder mystery genre, considering Se7en is his third film to make the top ten list. A film about a serial murderer, who commits horrible murders based on the seven deadly sins, Se7en is by far Fincher's most popular thriller but also the most brutal.
Se7en does not pull any punches when it comes to its storytelling. Bordering on the horror genre at times, the visuals in Se7en will leave some viewers in shock due to its depravity. But beyond its gruesome nature, Se7en has an engrossing story filled with incredible performances that put a stranglehold on the mind, making the blindside tackle of the ending twist that much more gut-wrenching.