Everyone loves a good murder mystery, don’t they? However, it is known that most murder mystery movies are substandard. Every once in a while, we find a good murder mystery that keeps us on our toes. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that we sit at the bottom of the food, I mean, movie chain. In comparison, fans of other movie genres have a much more extensive selection to choose from. We only have a fistful of good films that we keep rewatching. Well, I have some news; I took it upon myself to go on an internet quest to find excellent murder mysteries for myself and all movie lovers. I only abide by one standard during my research. It was the mighty cinematic experience called “Se7en”.
Why Se7en? You ask. It is a good question but will be answered as we go along. For starters, it is a perfect thriller with an equal amount of good storytelling and acting. Some scenes will shock you, and others will provide some kind of societal justice. But enough about Se7en, you are reading this article because you have already watched Se7en, I assume. Now let us get started with our list of my favorite murder mysteries of all time.
10 Murder Mystery Movies for Everyone Who Loves “Se7en”:
1. Prisoners (2013):
Dark and formidable, Prisoners is filled with symbolism, mythology, and philosophy. This movie fulfills every criterion of a perfect murder mystery. With a heart-wrenching story and closing shot to shock, this movie easily tops my list and is a must-watch for every cinema lover.
This movie revolves around a case of two missing girls over thanksgiving. A competent detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) unravels the case and finds a story full of parental vengeance and labyrinths. The Father of the girls (played by Hugh Jackman) starts his investigation. He remains convinced that Alex(Paul Dano) is responsible for the girl’s disappearance and unleashes terror on said man. Is it Alex? who knows, but one thing is sure, both the detective and the father are playing right into the kidnapper’s hand.
2. Gone Girl (2014):
Dark, wise, and excessively sophisticated, Gone Girl is an overwhelming summertime thriller with a suspenseful plot fit for Alfred Hitchcock. This delightful summer tale will give you shivers and keep you on edge until the end as it delves into the murkiest recesses of the human psyche. Watch it on HBO Max, Spectrum TV, Prime Video, Netflix, Vudu, Apple TV, or Redbox.
Ben Affleck’s character Nick Dunne and his beautiful wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) portray a picture-perfect marriage to the public. However, the couple’s fifth wedding anniversary coincides with Amy missing. Nick Dunne learns that he and his wife are now the centers of attention in the media. The ensuing police pressure and media hysteria have raised doubts regarding Nick and Amy’s true identities.
3. The Pale Blue Eyes (2022):
A chilling, gothic, lonely, and frozen-in-time setting enhances the exquisite quality of this grim tale of dreary death with the remarkable cinematic appeal. This entire fascinating story leaves us with the unsettling impression that something is about to happen or is enigmatic. The latest movie from filmmaker and writer Scott Cooper is available on Netflix.
Harry Melling and Christian Bale star in the next atmospheric mystery. It is about a young cadet who will later become the renowned author Edgar Allan Poe assists veteran investigator Augustus Landor as they look into a string of gruesome murders.
4. Taking lives (2004):
A good murder mystery involving Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke? Sign me up! This suspenseful film contains mystery, thrills, action, and unexpected turns. “Taking Lives” is one of those serial killer thrillers that requires the killer to create a cunning and evil plan in addition to murder. You can watch it on Netflix, Prime Video, or Vudu.
The movie is about a serial killer who kills and steals the identities of his victims. FBI Agent Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) is called by the organization and given the mission of finding a serial killer. While James Costa (Ethan Hawke), an art dealer, claims he was an eyewitness to the most recent murder, Scott’s unconventional methods immediately raise suspicion from the local police.
5. Orphan (2009):
“Orphan” is one of the best “evil child” movies I’ve seen, twisted, efficient, brilliant, intense, and darkly humorous. A film about blatantly immoral and persistently grotesque plotline about a very twisted young girl who rains down upon her family. Watch it on Prime Video, Vudu, Redbox, Apple TV, or Netflix.
The movie is about Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard), who are devastated by the loss of their pregnant child and decide to adopt a child. Both feel attached to Esther, a young girl played by Isabelle Fuhrman, at the orphanage, and the couple soon adopts Esther as their new daughter. But when a dangerous chain of events plays out, Kate starts to believe something sinister is going on.
6. Murder on the Orient Express (2017):
With Murder on the Orient Express included, we’ve got you covered if you’re searching for a classy, exquisite murder mystery film. The movie contains a lot of characteristics of a traditional murder mystery. Watch it on Spectrum TV, Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV, or Redbox. The film concludes with a luxurious train journey around Europe that rapidly turns into a race against time to solve a murder. The Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by an avalanche, and the world’s best detective, Hercule Poirot, comes to question every passenger and look for leads before the murderer can strike again.
7. Knives Out (2019):
Knives Out is a masterfully crafted thriller film that sharpens tired murder-mystery clichés. It’s a fun narrative that was amusing, intriguing, and well-acted. It’s amazing how closely this movie resembles a traditional murder mystery while still feeling new and original. Stream it on Apple iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Redbox, DIRECTV
The film is about a well-known mystery fiction author named Harlan Thrombey, who is discovered dead during his 85th birthday celebrations. But as investigator Benoit Blanc investigates the matter, a scheme with evil motives is revealed.
8. And Then There were None (2017):
The British movie “And Then There Were None” delivers a shamelessly misanthropic view of human nature in a dark but stylishly executed story. A cosy and edgy British murder mystery that you won’t want to miss. You can watch the movie on Hoopla, Acorn TV, Amazon Video, Apple iTunes, Google Play Movies, and Vudu.
Ten strangers are persuaded to leave their regular lives and travel to a small rock off the coast of Devon. Mr. and Mrs. Owen have invited them or hired them to work there. There is no trace of the Owens. At dinner on the first night, a tape identifies them as all having committed murder, details their victims, and declares that they have all been given the death penalty. Then someone begins to kill them one by one.
9. The Call (2020):
The Call is a South-Korean thriller movie that successfully combines world-building with acting to produce a particularly eerie and scary atmosphere that will have viewers on the edge of their seats right up to the very end. Despite the overabundance of time travel murder mysteries, the film is a fantastic work of entertainment that never feels clichéd. Watch it on The Roku Channel, Netflix, Spectrum TV, Redbox., Prime Video, Vudu, or Apple TV.
In this suspenseful story, two women connect over time via an enigmatic landline phone. The woman of the present must act quickly to stop the serial killing rampage that the woman of the past begins.
10. The Chase (2017):
THE CHASE is another excellent example of the South Korean serial killer subgenre, with a complicated plot to keep you on your toes and enough twists and turns to obscure the conclusion completely. Watch it on Netflix.
There was a case of serial killing. Despite Detective Park Pyung-Dal (Sung Dong-Il)best efforts, he could not apprehend the murderer. Sim Deok-soo is a harsh landlord who oversees a dilapidated apartment building. His tenants start mysteriously disappearing suddenly. An ex-detective who has since retired claims a serial killer from 30 years ago has reappeared.
Also Check Out: 10 horror movies to watch this Halloween
