As we look ahead to this autumn’s new films, it’s clear that a kind of crime wave is taking over the screen. Whether cozy or brutal, based on true events or entirely fictional—filled with forensic scenes and hazmat-suited investigators, or with charming actors solving mysteries that baffle the police—crime stories are everywhere, proving they’re a reliable bet for moviegoers.
Streaming platforms and television have already shown that crime content draws audiences, from true crime podcasts to genteel murder mysteries and clever twists on the genre. Now, cinema is catching on.
There’s plenty to look forward to: The Woman in Cabin 10, based on Ruth Ware’s bestseller, stars Keira Knightley as a travel writer on a luxury cruise who believes she witnessed a murder but can’t prove it. Meanwhile, feel-good director Chris Columbus brings Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club to life, with Helen Mirren, Celia Imrie, Ben Kingsley, and Pierce Brosnan as retirees who outsmart the local police with their crime-solving skills.
Heavyweight directors are also diving into crime. Darren Aronofsky shifts from the introspective themes of The Whale to Caught Stealing, starring Austin Butler as a former baseball player tangled in New York’s criminal underworld. Paul Thomas Anderson is set to deliver One Battle After Another, a darkly comic paranoia-fueled story inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead.
Perhaps the most surprising take comes from Kelly Reichardt with The Mastermind, starring Josh O’Connor. Known for her quiet realism, Reichardt crafts a low-key heist drama about an art school dropout in 1960s Massachusetts who plans a museum robbery—only for things to spiral into chaos.
In contrast, Spike Lee offers a bold remake of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, retitled Highest 2 Lowest, with Denzel Washington as a music producer whose godson is mistakenly kidnapped. The film’s audacious style, including a suspenseful subway sequence reminiscent of The Taking of Pelham 123, makes for thrilling viewing, though it may not please purists of the original.
Even Derek Cianfrance, known for emotional dramas, explores true crime with The Roofman. Channing Tatum plays Jeffrey Manchester, a 1990s antihero who gained notoriety for breaking into McDonald’s through the roof, hiding until opening time, and then—Emerging and robbing everyone, the film promises to deliver that 90s-style dark comedy crime vibe that’s making a comeback. Beyond these standout prestige releases, there’s also the return of Rian Johnson’s hugely popular Knives Out series, which gave Daniel Craig a new franchise role just as he was leaving James Bond. He’s back as the witty detective Benoit Blanc in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, a film with a religious theme and the same sharp, playful tone. The title might even be a nod to the bravery of one of its stars, Jeremy Renner, who is making his first film since his near-fatal snowplow accident in 2023. Clearly, crime stories are serving up plenty of variety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the statement The highclass crime flick is back and its criminally good
General Questions
Q What is a highclass crime flick
A Its a stylish wellmade movie about criminals heists or the underworld often with famous actors clever plots and a sophisticated feelnot just simple action
Q What does criminally good mean
A Its a playful way of saying the movie is so good it should be illegal Its an extremely high compliment
Q Is this about a specific movie or a general trend
A This phrase is often used to announce a specific new movie that fits this genre perfectly suggesting a return to form for highquality crime films
For New Viewers
Q Im new to this genre What are some classic examples of a highclass crime flick
A Great starting points are movies like Oceans Eleven The Godfather Heat The Sting and The Departed
Q Whats the main appeal of these movies
A You get a thrilling clever story with complex characters Its less about mindless action and more about the intricate planning of a heist or the drama of rival gangs
Q Are these movies usually violent
A They can contain violence but its often more about tension and suspense than constant gore The focus is on the strategy and characters
For Fans of the Genre
Q Why are people saying the genre is back Had it gone away
A It never fully disappeared but this phrase suggests a new movie has the quality style and buzz of the alltime greats making it feel like a major comeback
Q What makes a modern crime film stand out as highclass today
A It usually combines a talented director a smart and unpredictable script Alist actors giving great performances and stunning cinematography
Q Can you recommend any recent highclass crime flicks
