Trigger Warning: This article mentions abuse and addiction.
Knives Out proved to be a massive hit within the world of murder mysteries, with many fans now highly anticipating the release of Knives Out 2. Whilst many viewers are excited to find themselves plunged into another intricate whodunnit, some fans are concerned that the movie will fail to have a female lead as badass as Marta.
Many female mystery fans felt that Knives Out proved that female sleuths don't always have to be sexy but can be badass, intelligent, and sneaky without being overly sexualized. However, in these movies, the female lead will always solve the case and get the bad guy placed behind bars.
Nancy Drew (2007)
Adapted from the successful teen mystery books, Nancy Drew has become a widely recognized name within the world of mystery and cinema. Whilst the ongoing TV series following her adventures, it's the 2007 movie starring Emma Roberts who left fans guessing with every clue she discovered.
The movie puts a fun twist on the Nancy Drew character many viewers read about and encapsulates the preppy, chatty teen detective that fans know and love through the books. The movie proved that age doesn't necessarily mean more experience within the sleuthing field, with Nancy Drew spotting clues that even viewers failed to spot, encouraging many young people to see their potential and chase it.
Murder Mystery (2019)
Murder Mystery is an obscure whodunnit that every murder mystery fan needs to see, with its husband and wife duo replacing the solo sleuth seen in mystery movies. The pair showcased how love and war sometimes come hand in hand especially when a cop is placed in the middle of a crime that he and his wife did not commit.
By placing Nick as the all-knowing cop in the movie, viewers begin to expect him to solve the crime. Whilst he has a leading role in picking the villain, it is Audrey that makes the first connection. Despite being in stilettos, Audrey puts her foot down in the Ferrari in one of the most intense car chases of all time, proving that even when faced with a two-person lead, the woman can be just as badass as their male counterpart.
The Voyeurs (2021)
The Voyeurs threw fans into a false sense of security when the opening scene pictured a sweet, young couple moving into their first apartment, but it wasn't long till their twosome became a solo act of obsession, attraction, and mystery. The movie contained several plot twists that looked as though Pippa was going to be the final clue in the enigmatic couple that caught her attention, but instead her intelligence saw their exhibitionist neighbors take their last look.
The movie's erotic nature left fans wide-eyed and open-mouthed as The Voyeurs sought to thrill fans by turning a victim into a villain that deservedly wanted revenge, seeing an innocent Sydney Sweeney turn into a sinister badass.
Happy Death Day (2017)
Happy Death Day may have given fans one of the best horror movie boyfriends, but it is the badass female lead that stole the show from the very beginning. The movie combines black comedy and horror with a plot that toys with the concept of life after death through its time-loop structure that mirrors the likes of Groundhog Day whilst also becoming more enigmatic with every loop.
Theresa won viewers' hearts through her infectious personality and outlandish humor, but what sealed the deal was her ability to take every murder attempt in her stride. With each loop, she sought to survive long enough to accumulate more clues which eventually paid off when she essentially saved her own life, subverting the damsel in distress trope.
The Girl On The Train (2016)
The Girl On The Train is a chilling thriller that produces an intricate tale of mystery, made possible through Rachel's lack of reliability. The movie delves into topics like alcoholism and domestic abuse, which both play dominant roles within the movie's mysterious storyline and highlights the stigma attached to them.
Rachel's character is permanently questioned throughout the movie, encouraging viewers to question her motives whilst also raising suspicions around the male characters who somewhat gaslight her and her addiction. The movie is a twisty look into mental abuse and leaves fans willing Rachel to abandon the villainous persona put upon her, replacing it with a need for justice. The powerful female lead does exactly that and becomes an iconic addition to the mystery genre.
Knives Out (2019)
Knives Out is a movie that invites its viewers to solve the mystery alongside the characters, resulting in many fans excitedly anticipating the release of Knives Out 2. Marta's character adopts a prominent role within the movie but abandons the ultra-confident, self-assured protagonist viewers are used to and instead creates a calmer persona that is both belittled and respected by the Thromby family.
Her sick-induced lies lead to her being a trusted addition to the detective squad, and whilst she thinks she had a role in Harlan's death, that doesn't stop her from raising suspicions. Marta accepts the passive-aggressive comments from the family, adopting an invisible role that allows her to gather evidence undetected, resulting in her invisibility becoming a force to be reckoned with when she emits her true power.
Veronica Mars (2014)
Veronica Mars paved the way for more onscreen female detectives with the popular series resulting in the show even having its movie which satisfied many hardcore fans. The mystery drama sought to tie up some of the series' loose ends whilst also providing fans with their favorite private detective in true Veronica Mars style by combining action, comedy and drama.
This action-packed flick encourages fans to solve the mystery alongside its heroine, and through doing this, subverted tropes that commonly haunt representations of female characters in mystery movies. It prompted the idea that female detectives could abandon their sexed-up appearance and instead replace it with substance, depth, and an eye for solving crime.
A Simple Favor (2018)
A Simple Favor is one of the best mystery movies about infidelity and doesn't just contain one badass female lead but two very different but utterly mysterious women. The movie combines comedy with twists and turns to create a well-put-together mystery thriller that made fans laugh one minute and confused them the next.
However, the movie's two badass leads put on more of a show than viewers expected by continuing the mystery of their first encounter throughout the film until the end. The movie provided fans with a stereotypically suave character that toyed with the all-knowing male protagonist commonly seen within mystery movies whilst also showcasing the ditzy female counterpart, making it an incredible mystery movie with badass feminist undertones.
Promising Young Woman (2020)
Promising Young Woman made waves when it was released in 2020 with many fans even listing it as Carey Mulligan's best role to date. The movie provides a chilling yet representative view of the treatment of women within society and contains several subtle but powerful comments that perfectly capture what women encounter every day.
Cassie embodies the anger many women feel, especially those whose lives have been changed forever by incidents that could have been avoided by educating society and rightful justice. Her motives and the reasoning for her ever-changing moods were hidden from fans, creating a mysterious but vengeful plot line. This resulted in fans being completely entranced up until the very end when Cassie's fearless attitude demanded the justice she and many other women rightfully deserve.
Gone Girl (2014)
Adapted from Gillian Flynn's highly successful novel, Gone Girl provides fans with possibly the best onscreen femme fatal in the character of Amy Dunne. The movie takes fans on a psychological journey of mystery, suspicion, and deceit that stirred up a conversation for many years after its release.
Amy Dunne is by far the most badass female lead viewers have seen on their screens in recent years, with her character essentially creating her mystery, and the movie's intricately written plot leads to her husband being labeled a sociopath. Gone Girl provides viewers with a compelling female character that left fans fearful of her deathly stare and ability to frame even the most innocent of people.