Crime films not only offer a critique of law enforcement forces, but also probe into the dark depths of human psychology.
What compels a seemingly ordinary citizen to rob a bank? Or a psychopath to commit brutal acts of violence?
What does it take for the detectives or the cops to follow a blood-stained trail of clues and catch the killer before it’s too late?
These are just some of the questions that crime thrillers and neo noirs are concerned with. With complex characters, twisty plots and suspense-ridden narrative arcs, these movies keep the viewers guessing at every turn, while also providing a shot of adrenaline.
If you’re planning a crime-themed movie night, you should know some of the greatest hits were made between the Decade of Greed and the Aughts. Here are the best crime thrillers and neo noirs from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s.
Body Heat (1981)
Body Heat marked Lawrence Kasdan’s directorial debut, blending elements of neo noirs and erotic thrillers into a steamy and stylish masterpiece.
The movie was actually inspired by Double Indemnity (1944), a classic of the film noir genre, and follows a similar plot wherein a sultry woman and a corrupt attorney have a passionate affair while planning the murder of her wealthy husband.
The film was pivotal in launching Kathleen Turner’s career, and, set against a Florida heatwave, it gets pretty hot (pun intended).
Blue Velvet (1986)
A cult classic by the visionary director David Lynch, Blue Velvet mixes film noir with psychological horror to craft an intensely immersive narrative, laced with dread, mystery, and dreamlike imagery.
The film follows a college student who, upon discovering a severed human ear in a field, is gradually pulled into a sinister conspiracy relating to a lounge singer.
Surreal and engrossing, this crime thriller unfolds like a fever dream. It's a perfect fit if you’re looking for something darkly moody and ultra weird.
Miami Blues (1990)
An underrated 90s classic, this one is a sun-drenched neo noir, filled with soft yearning and plenty of dark humor.
Directed by George Armitage and starring Alec Baldwin in the lead, the film follows the exploits of a thief who moves to Miami, hooks up with a prostitute, and reverts to his former criminal ways.
Baldwin’s Frederick is a ruthless criminal, ready to hurt, steal, lie, and even kill to get his way. But he also has a soft side that awakens in his romance with Susie (played tenderly by Jennifer Jason Leigh).
The peculiar balance between criminality and domesticity makes Miami Blues a particularly engaging and moving watch.
Se7en (1995)
One of David Fincher’s best films, Se7en follows a retiring detective and a young rookie on the hunt to find a serial killer whose murders are all linked to the seven deadly sins, as outlined in the Bible.
The grimy, crime-ridden unnamed city in Se7en provides a perfect backdrop to delve into mankind’s violent impulses.
Featuring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and John C. McGinley in lead roles, the film is full of compelling performances and closes with a thoroughly satisfying twist ending.
Out of Sight (1998)
You can’t quite go wrong with a Steven Soderbergh film, and Out of Sight is no exception.
Starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez opposite each other, the film is a fresh take on the classic cat-and-mouse chase, with plenty of sexual tension thrown in.
A bank robber breaks out of jail and shares a moment of romantic attraction with the cop he’s kidnapped. The two continue to cross paths in dangerous situations, unable to ignore the sizzling chemistry between them.
Smartly plotted and extremely entertaining, Out of Sight is a fun watch for those who like their crime capers tinged with action and romance.
Memento (2000)
Memento was the film that launched Christopher Nolan’s Hollywood career and established him as a director with a fondness for intricately-crafted narratives and mind-screw endings.
Much of Memento unfolds in reverse, like a puzzle for viewers to solve, simulating the psychological state of the protagonist, Leonard (Guy Pearce), who struggles with short term memory loss. Leonard relies on an elaborate system of notes, tattoos, and letters to keep himself going, as well as uncover the true identity of his wife’s killer.
In addition to being a crime thriller, this non-linear film very purposefully delves into the nature of memory-making itself, and how our past remembrances continue to shape our choices, good and bad.
Minority Report (2002)
A landmark sci-fi mystery film by Steven Spielberg, Minority Report expertly deals with the philosophical conundrums of arresting criminals before they’ve even committed the crime.
The movie is set in a futuristic society where clairvoyant humans called “Precogs" receive visions of impending homicides, and police officers use this information to apprehend criminals before they can accomplish any violent deed.
Adapted from a Philip K. Dick novella, the film follows “Precrime” Chief John Anderton (played by a charismatic Tom Cruise) as he investigates a mysterious case and slowly realizes that he has been framed for a future murder.
Action-packed and thought-provoking, Minority Report remains a riveting watch.
