Crime Drama Movies to Kill For

Crime Drama Movies to Kill For Review

Where would the film industry be without crime? Bad guys and the investigators who pursue them have long held our fascination, and the most popular way to gain insight into the criminal or police mind is through film. Daring films exploring the psyche of killers or simply offering excellent depictions of the madness behind certain actions make for excellent viewing. You also often leave with something to roll around in your brain for hours, sometimes days after leaving the theater.

Many excellent television shows have been made recently about crime and crime scene investigation, but I don’t really care. Or, to restate, I'm ignoring them for the purposes of this review. I love movies, so I felt it necessary to find the top five crime drama movies ever made. Now, I’ll admit I have a certain bias toward films from the last twenty or thirty years, but there are excellent crime films from before that time, as well.

I also took the liberty of deciding what constituted a crime drama. Some might only consider “cops and robbers” style films true crime drama, but I feel the category is much broader than this. I opened it to include any film that investigates or depicts crime – and is dramatic, rather than a comedy. With that wide selection the results were varied, but this is fine with me. If you don’t agree, I’ll just have to make you an offer you can’t refuse.

To judge the films I evaluated each on four criteria;

How intriguing the film is,
The overall plot of the movie,
How interesting and developed the characters are,
And finally the satisfaction of the conclusion - There is nothing worse than a great film with a crummy ending!

And the Winner Is?

After reviewing countless films (fortunately, I had years to do this), I’ve determined the top five. The winner out of all of these, however, is Silence of the Lambs. Clarice and Dr. Hannibal Lecter have intrigued us for years, and the plot is truly fascinating. Serial killers, cannibals, and deranged men making suits of skin – how much more crime do you need?

Silence of the Lambs

Conclusions: Silence of the Lambs is, without doubt, the most intriguing crime drama film. Fascinating characters and plot lines make this a classic for years to come.

Pros: Intriguing characters and plot ~ strong resolution ~ cannibals ~ serial killers ~ and an FBI investigation

Cons: Some scenes can be disturbing or even frightening. The lingering thoughts following the film can be disturbing for some viewers.

Our Top Recommended Crime Drama Movies

Silence of the Lambs

9.75/10

Time is running out for a young woman abducted by a deranged serial killer. The FBI are out of ideas, and it falls to rookie agent Clarice Starling to enlist the help of one of the most horrifying killers in America to discover what really goes on in a mind of pure evil.

Intrigue
Plot
Characters
Satisfaction

With unforgettable characters and plot lines, Silence of the Lambs is truly a modern classic. It’s almost shocking to think the film is fifteen years old, but fantastic movies such as this one will be forever timeless.
Overall

The Godfather

9.5/10

Michael Corleone returns from WWII to find himself drawn against his will into his family's criminal empire. When his father and brother are gunned down by rivals, Michael finds himself the reluctant head of the Corleone family.

Intrigue
Plot
Characters
Satisfaction

The award winning depiction of the mafia made waves and has fascinated viewers for generations. Excellent all round for general intrigue, plot, and characters. Another film that will last for more generations to come.
Overall

Pulp Fiction

9.25/10

An intriguing montage of converging plot lines gradually reveal the connections between the many characters in this expletive-peppered Tarantino flick.

Intrigue
Plot
Characters
Satisfaction

Pulp Fiction is a unique look at crime. Criminals are extremely likable, and even personable, and the plot keeps twisting around until it meets itself back in the middle, or beginning... or somewhere near the end – I think.
Overall

Traffic

8.75/10

Four separate stories investigate the war on drugs and drug trafficking. A Congressman heading up the war on drugs discovers his daughter is an addict, and Mexican drug lords demonstrate what it takes to stay on top of the business.

Intrigue
Plot
Characters
Satisfaction

With so many perspectives narrowing in on such a pressing social issue, this film irresistibly draws viewers in. Is the war on drugs futile? What of the victims? Should the drug lords get away with it? The characters and intrigue suck you in and really make you wonder.
Overall

Se7en

8.75/10

A rookie homicide detective teams up with a veteran investigator to pursue a serial killer who selects his victims according to their sins. Will Mills and Somerset find the killer before he completes the series, and what does he have in store for the final sin: wrath?

Intrigue
Plot
Characters
Satisfaction

With grisly murder scenes and an unforgettable yet vaguely unsatisfying ending, Se7en is a fascinating look into the mind of a serial killer. This movie is credited with changing the way crime movies have been made since its release in the mid 90s. Gruesome, but excellent.
Overall

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