--- title: "The Little Things: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-little-things/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-little-things" critics_score: 64 critics_reviews: 27 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Little Things (2021): what the critics said Critics' score 64 from 27 reviews: 13 positive, 12 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics lean gently positive, and nearly all of them reach for the same word: throwback. The film is read as a return to the 1990s serial-killer procedural, with Se7en and Zodiac named repeatedly as its models. Praise clusters on Denzel Washington’s weary detective, with Rami Malek and Jared Leto’s twitchy suspect also singled out. Hancock’s decision to dwell on the toll the case takes on the two men rather than on solving it is the most admired choice, along with the gloomy, well-mapped Los Angeles. The reservations cluster on the same familiarity. Many find the script derivative and dated, the plotting implausible, and the ending either too cryptic or too timid. The spread is wide: Deadline calls it the best film in its genre for decades, while Empire finds it a dull relic with no invention. The Guardian argues that even Washington cannot save it, a view most of the reviews do not share. ## Little White Lies — Erik Nielsen Rating 3/4/3. 2 February 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. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-little-things) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 28 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-01-28/review-little-things-review-denzel-washington-rami-malek) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Fi1m's normalised score 77/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-little-things-review-hbomax-1234610149/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 74/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-little-things-film-review-4120171/) ## The Times — Kevin Maher Rating ★★★☆☆. 12 March 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/the-little-things-review-workaday-thriller-elevated-by-denzel-washingtons-brilliance-b7h0ptqxz) ## Slant Magazine — Chuck Bowen Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review-the-little-things-is-essentially-a-david-fincher-tribute-reel/) ## The AV Club — A.A. Dowd Rating B-. 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/denzel-washington-returns-to-the-manhunt-business-in-th-1846129019) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-little-things-review/) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 66/100 (inferred from the text). 28 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/movies/the-little-things-review.html) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 63/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-little-things-review/5156292.article) ## The Independent — Jake Coyle Rating 2.5/4. 27 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/review-hunting-90s-killers-again-in-the-little-things-denzel-washington-jared-leto-killers-throwback-hunting-b1793233.html) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 53/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/02/08/denzel-washington-sweats-the-little-things) ## The i Paper — Francesca Steele Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 11 March 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/the-little-things-review-denzel-washington-remi-malek-909006) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 29 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-the-little-things-with-denzel-washington.html) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 48/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/the-little-things-review-denzel-washington-rami-malek-jared-leto-1234890946/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 42/100 (inferred from the text). 13 March 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/mar/13/the-little-things-review-denzel-washington-rami-malek-jared-leto) ## Empire — Dan Jolin Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-little-things/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 91/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/video/the-little-things-review-denzel-washington-rami-malek-jared-leto-serial-killer-thriller/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 4/5. 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-little-things-review-denzel-washington-serial-killer-thriller/) ## The Playlist — Rodrigo Perez Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/little-things-review-denzel-washington-20210126/) ## Polygon — Robert Daniels Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/movies/22249907/the-little-things-review-denzel-washington-movie/) ## The Ringer — Adam Nayman Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 February 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2021/02/01/movies/the-little-things-movie-review-denzel-washington-jared-leto) ## /Film — Chris Evangelista Rating 6.5/10. 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/578989/the-little-things-review/) ## Consequence Rating C+. 28 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2021/01/film-review-the-little-things/) ## HeyUGuys — Zehra Phelan Rating 3/5. 8 March 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-little-things-review/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating C-. 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-little-things-review-hbo-max-denzel-washington/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 46/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/the-little-things-film-review-denzel-washington-rami-malek-jared-leto/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-little-things.md