From 'Enola Holmes' to 'Murder Mystery': 5 Netflix mystery flicks that'll majorly test your detective skills
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the world of Hollywood, movie genres often rise and fall in popularity, but one genre stands the test of time: mysteries. From classics like 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' to modern hits like 'Gone Girl,' mysteries have captivated audiences for decades.
They come in various flavors, from horror to comedy to noirish drama, always leaving viewers eager to solve the puzzle before the final reveal.
Today, mysteries are as beloved as ever. We all enjoy playing detective from our armchairs, trying to crack the case before the characters do. Whether you're in the mood for a laugh-out-loud comedy or a brooding psychodrama, there's a mystery movie out there to satisfy your craving for suspense.
Here are 5 mystery movies on Netflix that will challenge your sleuthing skills and keep you guessing until the credits roll.
Murder Mystery (2019)
Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, famous for their roles in 'Just Go With It', team up again in 'Murder Mystery' for a noble cause: solving a crime on a luxurious yacht. In the movie, they portray a married couple - he's a cop from NYPD, and she's a hairdresser.
They embark on a journey to Europe with limited resources. However, their plans take a thrilling turn when they meet a charming aristocrat (Luke Evans) who invites them to join his cruise across the Mediterranean. But soon, they find themselves accused of a murder that occurred onboard, involving the aristocrat's uncle (Terence Stamp).
'Murder Mystery' resembles a livelier version of 'Clue', with Sandler and Aniston surrounded by a diverse cast of eccentric suspects.
Their talent for unraveling mysteries is so impressive that they decide to establish their own detective agency in the sequel, 'Murder Mystery 2'.
Enola Holmes (2020)
In 'Enola Holmes', Millie Bobby Brown switches her telekinetic abilities from 'Stranger Things' to the sharp deduction skills of Sherlock Holmes' spirited 16-year-old sister. Enola, more spirited than the typical Victorian-era woman, takes after her famous detective brother (Henry Cavill) when their mother (Helena Bonham Carter) disappears.
As she searches for her mother, Enola navigates through the streets of London, encountering various mysteries while defying sexist societal norms.
Brown received praise for her comedic timing in the role. She returned as Enola in a lively sequel released in 2022, where Enola transforms her detective talents into a successful career.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Even before 'Knives Out' stormed the box office, writer-director Rian Johnson was already planning sequels. His suave Southern detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), could be the modern version of Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie's famous detective who solved mysteries in numerous novels and short stories.
The first sequel, 'Glass Onion', is a star-studded comedy. It follows a tech billionaire (Edward Norton) who invites his friends, portrayed by Kate Hudson, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, and Dave Bautista, to a remote murder mystery getaway that takes a deadly turn.
This humorous and tightly woven film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, and it's clear why even without detective skills.
Missing (2023)
Technology has always played a significant role in horror movies, notably in the found-footage trend and the newer screen lifestyle, where the action unfolds on computers, smartphones, and similar devices.
Thrillers like 'Unfriended', 'Searching', and 'Host' have portrayed characters' fears through screens, highlighting the terrifying potential of the internet.
'Missing' is an anthology sequel to 'Searching', employing the same technique with different characters. In this film, Storm Reid from 'A Wrinkle in Time' portrays an 18-year-old who becomes convinced that her mother (Nia Long) has been kidnapped after she fails to return home from a vacation with her boyfriend (Ken Leung).
Fast-paced and packed with twists, 'Missing' delivers an absolute adrenaline rush.
The Woman in the Window (2021)
Following the success of 'Gone Girl', another gripping tale emerged: 'The Woman in the Window', adapted from a bestselling book of 2018. Amy Adams stars as a New York City woman, battling agoraphobia and drowning her sorrows in alcohol.
She fixates on her neighbors, especially a troubled family recently moving across the street.
Convinced she witnesses a violent act, she keeps a paranoid eye on her surroundings, only to be thrown into confusion when the supposed perpetrator introduces a different wife. Directed by Joe
Wright ('Atonement') and written by Tracy Letts ('August: Osage County'), this Rear Window-esque thriller is packed with twists best enjoyed with a glass of red wine and the lights turned low.