Hold onto your popcorn, fellow crime movie fanatics, because 2023 is serving up a tantalizing smorgasbord of cinematic criminality! From big-budget Hollywood capers to indie gems that are the real hidden heroes, this year’s crime flicks are ready to steal everyone’s heart and keep them guessing.
Whether one is in the mood for gritty cityscape escapades or action-packed thrillers, they are all in for a treat. Missing titles like Luther: The Fallen Sun, Sharper, and the beloved Murder Mystery 2 would be a cinematic crime.
10 Sharper
In a world where motivations are shrouded in suspicion and expectations spiral into chaos, a cunning con artist sets their sights on Manhattan’s billionaire elite. The movie centers on the interconnected lives of Tom, Sandra, Max, and Madeline. Imagine it as a puzzle that feels like it morphed from a theatrical feature into a binge-worthy streaming series somewhere in the mid-2010s.
The film’s complex, non-linear plot keeps viewers hooked, complemented by a stellar ensemble cast that delivers an impeccable performance. There’s an exhilarating sense of satisfaction in witnessing this story unfold, like finding the missing piece to a captivating mystery.
9 Detective Knight: Independence
In Edward Drake’s latest film, set against the backdrop of the 4th of July, Detective James Knight finds himself assigned to patrol duty on Independence Day. His mission: to race against the clock and thwart the dangerous plan of an unhinged ambulance MET, armed with stolen law enforcement gear. They aim to disrupt the city’s celebrations with a potentially catastrophic spectacle.
As the line between hunter and hunted blurs, Knight faces a gripping battle against domestic terrorism that strikes close to home in this action-packed crime thriller. While Detective Knight: Independence surpasses its predecessor, it still falls short, with underdeveloped characters and uninspiring action scenes.
8 Murder Mystery 2
Adam Sandler reprises his role as Nick Spitz in Murder Mystery 2, a New York City police officer-turned-crime solver, alongside his wife Audrey, played by Jennifer Aniston. The couple establishes their detective agency, and their lives take an unexpected turn when their billionaire friend is abducted during his wedding.
Murder Mystery 2 offers an enjoyable mix of humor and mystery crime, delivering entertaining laughs while unraveling a compelling crime-solving narrative. This movie doesn’t aim for grandiose ambitions; instead, it focuses on providing 90 minutes of disposable yet satisfying entertainment. With a clever and engaging storyline, it successfully fulfills its role as a lighthearted and engaging cinematic experience, perfect for those seeking a dose of fun and intrigue.
7 Luther: The Fallen Sun
In the much-anticipated film adaptation of the beloved British series Luther, Idris Elba reprises his iconic role, captivating audiences once more. The story unfolds around DCI Luther, taking viewers on a tumultuous journey as he faces off against the formidable adversary, the wealthy serial killer David Robey, who seeks to engineer Luther’s downfall through clever manipulation.
Despite its brooding atmosphere and gritty dialogue, the film’s main appeal lies in the exceptional performances of its actors, including those who’ve portrayed these roles for years. While it had a limited theatrical run, its true victory unfolded on Netflix, where it attracted a substantial audience.
6 Boston Strangler
Keira Knightley delivers a formidable and determined performance in Matt Ruskin’s Boston Stranger. She plays the role of Loretta, a wife and mother, initially working in the lifestyle section at the Record-American newspaper in Boston. Teaming up with her colleague Jean Cole, they uncover a connection among a series of gruesome murders involving women strangled with their own underwear fashioned into bows. Loretta and Jean are the first to pursue and report this link in the newspaper.
Filmmaker Ruskin approaches this narrative with a newspaper noir sensibility reminiscent of David Fincher’s Zodiac. Boston Strangler immerses itself completely in the gripping events it recreates, offering unsettling twists in a truth-based third act. However, the film’s lack of distinctive visual style becomes increasingly apparent as it revisits familiar sequences.
5 Mafia Mamma
In this crime-comedy with a female-centric focus, a suburban mother’s life takes an extraordinary turn when she unexpectedly inherits her grandfather’s Mafia empire. Under the guidance of the firm’s consigliere, she embarks on an unconventional journey, challenging societal norms and overcoming her personal uncertainties as she steps into the role of the family business’s new leader.
Toni Collette delivers a captivating and charismatic performance. It leads the audience through the movie’s exploration of the humorous and challenging experiences faced by a woman trying to balance the complexities of motherhood and the criminal mafia world. This film offers a fresh and distinctive twist on the genre, offering viewers a delightful blend of crime, comedy, and a compelling narrative that centers on a female protagonist.
4 The Good Mother
Following the tragic murder of her estranged son, journalist Marissa Bennings forms an unexpected partnership with his pregnant girlfriend, Paige, in a quest to identify the culprits. Their journey leads them into a world of illicit drugs, widespread corruption, and the seedy underbelly of a small upstate New York town. As they inch closer to unraveling the truth, they stumble upon an even more hidden truth.
Amidst the shadowy backdrop of their modest update in New York City, they grapple with a complex network of narcotics, malfeasance, and a sinister concealed reality. This results in a gripping, high-stakes cinematic experience rife with suspense and intensity that will captivate audiences.
3 To Catch a Killer
In the midst of New Year’s Eve in Baltimore, a brilliant but troubled police officer is recruited by the FBI’s top investigator to provide expertise in profiling and capturing a serial killer who is sowing chaos. The intricate plot unravels as the officer immerses themselves in the psyche of this mass murderer, navigating the perilous world of homicide investigation.
With time ticking away, the chase escalates, and the officer must confront their personal demons while racing against the clock to bring this relentless killer to justice in a gripping crime-thriller. To CatchaKiller places the blame for the gruesome violence squarely on the perpetrator’s mental health, and only scratches the surface in exploring the system’s failures in dealing with such individuals.
2 Heart of Stone
Starring Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan, Alia Bhatt, and others, the film’s storyline revolves around an international intelligence operative faced with a perilous mission: safeguarding a mysterious artificial intelligence system called The Heart. Tasked by the peacekeeping organization, Charter, her mission is to prevent this coveted object from falling into the wrong hands.
Heart of Stone boasts impeccably crafted action sequences. The film boasts a talented cast, and it brings a contemporary perspective on the ethical aspects of AI dependence. Nevertheless, despite viewers’ confidence that Heart of Stone could kick-start a Netflix action franchise, it occasionally lacks excitement.
1 The Out-Laws
In The Out-Laws, Owen Browning finds himself in a comical predicament when he becomes intertwined with his fiancée’s covert bank-robbing parents, the notorious Ghost Bandits. Just as he’s about to embrace marital bliss, chaos erupts as the bandits strike his bank during his wedding week. Owen suspects his newly arrived in-laws. Sparling a sidesplitting class between them.
With an impressive cast lineup, the film appears promising on the surface, aiming to inject intensity into the Meet the Parents concept. However, it expends more effort than it executes, lacking character growth and depth in its humor. This film strives for charm with its comedic efforts but, most of the time, takes disappointing, lazy shortcuts.
