The Little Things (2021)

The critic finds it a familiar but enjoyable throwback to mid-budget serial-killer procedurals, praising its character focus on the two detectives and Jared Leto’s lively turn as the suspect. It singles out the patient, slow-burn approach to the cops’ personal lives and dynamics as refreshing amid the familiar plot beats.

The critic calls it a moody, respectable throwback to ’90s serial-killer thrillers with sturdy craftsmanship and real feeling beneath the conventions, praising the sense of menace, geography of Los Angeles, and the cast's work while noting it locates an unexpectedly steady pulse in an overworked genre.

Washington and Malek deliver as haunted detectives in a strong serial-killer throwback that mines vintage genre fun with echoes of Se7en. Jared Leto’s unhinged performance adds to the mix in this solid but familiar effort.

The film is a suspenseful neo-noir crime thriller whose strength lies in the performances of Denzel Washington and Rami Malek as cops with contrasting styles who grow closer. Hancock is more interested in the psychological toll on the investigators than solving the case, though the ending is too cryptic.

The critic calls it a derivative, workaday procedural thriller packed with familiar cop and serial-killer tropes, but praises Denzel Washington as a miracle worker who elevates the material into something compelling. They single out a brilliant scene of the character quietly crying at night as a highlight of his performance.

The film functions as a David Fincher tribute reel blending Se7en and Zodiac modes but feels impersonal and inconsistently executed. It has an obsessive pull through its noir imagery and the compelling Washington-Malek pairing, with a haunting atmosphere and strong central performances.

The film is an enjoyably clichéd cop thriller drenched in genre tropes that plays like an accidental spoof without the jokes. Washington fits the worn-out detective role well, and it has a sinister Fincher-inspired atmosphere, but it remains derivative boilerplate.

The film is praised as a murky must-see led by three Oscar winners delivering strong performances, with Leto especially mesmerising. The critic highlights the solid serial-killer genre addition and off-screen violence as effective choices.

The critic sees the film as an unapologetic throwback neo-noir thriller about the damaging effects of police work, with Washington and Malek as detectives pursuing a serial killer. Hancock's craft and the actors' discipline make it more than watchable, but it lacks the weight to haunt or surprise the viewer.

The review describes it as a moody LA procedural that savours its gloomy atmosphere and genre tropes but gets bogged down in clichés and overheated characters. It singles out Denzel Washington’s commanding performance as the ageing cop and the strong procedural details and score for praise while noting the lack of originality.

The critic calls it a throwback serial-killer procedural that feels locked in the 1990s with little fresh material. Denzel Washington’s performance is singled out as a strong point amid the otherwise dated and implausible story.

The critic finds the serial-killer cop drama implausible in its plotting, with the material challenging even strong actors like Washington, while noting some pleasures in individual shots and performances amid the flaws.

The film is described as an old-fashioned, musty neo-noir that feels dated and listless despite strong turns from Washington, Malek and Leto. The critic notes it works as a serviceable homage but ultimately needs updating.

The film is frustrating despite its old-fashioned serial-killer thriller setup and strong premise on paper; it fails to clarify the case or develop characters meaningfully beyond the initial setup. Leto’s suspect adds unpredictability, and the surprising direction is a highlight, but the twists are not fully earned.

The critic views it as a recycled serial-killer procedural that cribs heavily from “Se7en” and “Manhunter” and feels like a rerun or not-so-special episode of “C.S.I.,” with some strong moments like Leto’s interrogation scene but lacking revelation and failing to get the big things right.

The critic finds the film a tired, plodding serial killer thriller that even Denzel Washington cannot salvage, calling it overly familiar and stale in the vein of Seven and Zodiac. They single out the bold use of green in the colour palette as a notable stylistic choice amid the murkiness.

The script feels like a relic from the 1990s with dour visuals and little thrills or invention; Washington is watchable but the film is overall a dull throwback. The critic singles out the prestige cast and neo-noir style as highlights that ultimately disappoint.

The critic calls it a brilliantly realized and complex thriller and a major motion picture achievement, the best in the serial killer genre since The Silence of the Lambs. They single out the strong performances from the three Oscar-winning leads and the authentic depiction of 1990s Los Angeles.

The critic calls it an engrossing, nerve-fraying throwback serial killer thriller with strong period atmosphere and lead performances that almost make familiar tropes feel fresh again. The main praise is for the somber tone, unsettling details, and the deliberate ambiguity of the ending that focuses on the effects on the characters rather than closure.

The critic describes it as a surprisingly decent, meat-and-potatoes dad-rock version of Se7en that takes viewers by surprise with its morally ambiguous ending and thoughtful meditation on the psychic toll of police work. They single out the resonant, subverting finale and strong performances from the three leads.

The critic finds Hancock nearly pulls off a grim slow-burn neo-noir that grazes greatness through its leads and moral murkiness. They single out the enthralling performances and regret-driven mystery for praise while complaining about the mawkish habits, slow start, and timid finale.

The critic sees the film as a gripping if muted and derivative throwback thriller that is watchable on its own terms. They single out its committed subversion of expectations and strong lead performances for praise while noting it lacks the dangerous edge of true classics in the genre.

The critic sees it as a predictable and derivative serial killer thriller whose '90s setting feels quaint and stale rather than fresh. They single out the lack of style, one-note characters, and dated approach as major complaints, while noting some haunting qualities in the ending and Washington's performance.

The critic calls the film a dull, dated copy of better thrillers like Se7en, with sleepwalking performances and no momentum. They single out the unimaginative script and underutilized cast for complaint while noting Hancock's competence as a director.

The critic finds it a bleak, slow-burning serial killer story whose narrative shortfalls are offset by strong performances from the big-name cast. They praise the exceptional acting, especially from Washington and Leto, while noting flaws like disjointed flashbacks and a lack of sophistication.

The critic finds the film too conventional and pedestrian despite its pedigree and strong lead performance. They single out Denzel Washington's nuanced portrayal for praise while complaining about the familiar plot beats, overdone supporting turns, and tone-deaf resolution.

The critic finds the film disappointing, saying it flirts with big thematic and character ideas but never closes the deal and feels like an ungainly chopped series. They single out the lack of coherent plotting, motivation, and period specificity beyond superficial details.