Sooner or later in a film, the detective always figures it out. Mystery has always been a compelling genre in any medium, especially movies. In films like Glass Onion, the suspense builds as viewers learn more and more about what took place on that mysterious night. The detective is the guiding force who shines a light on the layers of information needed to crack the case, and Benoit Blanc is certainly a great detective.
Some detectives are smarter and more efficient, while others have amazing tools to help them uncover mysteries. Movies have given audiences some of the best mysteries ever written and even better detectives to solve them.
10 William Somerset Is Dedicated
Se7en
In the psychological thriller Se7en, William Somerset was a highly decorated veteran detective who was on the verge of retirement. Living in solitude after the trauma of solving so many grisly crimes, Morgan Freeman’s Somerset is only happy when working on a case.
Somerset is dedicated in a way that is rarely seen in movies, even spending his free time in an empty library doing research. His many years of experience came in handy when he and Brad Pitt’s Detective David Mills were pursuing the complicated John Doe in what would be Somerset’s final case.
9 Inspector Clouseau Is Iconic
The Pink Panther
Though highly ineffective, Inspector Clouseau from Pink Panther is one of the most beloved movie detectives of all time. No matter which actor portrays him, he is a hilarious buffoon who seems to exclusively stumble into solving his cases.
Where other movie detectives may be intelligent, observant, or focused, Clouseau is none of that. He exists as a direct satire of those same characters, which is why he works so well. He is a comedic spin on a popular trope in a series that spans four actors in 11 films.
8 Clarice Starling Is Intelligent And Determined
Silence Of The Lambs
For anyone who has seen Silence of the Lambs, two words will always send chills down their spine: “Hello Clarice.” Agent Clarice Starling was a student at the FBI Academy who was sent by her mentor to interview the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter.
Agent Starling’s intelligence and determination intrigues the cannibal, and she can use his knowledge to find and capture Buffalo Bill. In the sequel Hannibal, she uses that same brilliance and perseverance to track down Dr. Lecter himself.
7 Enola Holmes Has Some Of Sherlock's Wisdom
Enola Holmes
Based on the mystery novels by Nancy Springer, Enola Holmes is about the youngest sibling of the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. She is brilliant and capable, even impressing her legendary brother with her detective work.
Enola, played by Millie Bobby Brown, even uses her deductive reasoning to foil an intricate plot filled with political intrigue. She is also skilled in jujitsu, using it and her wits to take down much larger and stronger opponents. In the sequel, Enola Holmes 2, she continues to show how impressive she is and how she shares Sherlock's wisdom.
6 Axel Foley Was Charming And Gifted
Beverly Hills Cop
Having spent much of his youth on the opposite side of the law, Axel Foley from Beverly Hills Cop was a charming and gifted detective. When his childhood friend Mikey was murdered, Axel took it personally and defied his superiors to travel to Beverly Hills and investigate.
Through Axel's charm, his consistently impressive deductive reasoning, and more than a little dumb luck, he succeeded. Throughout the '80s action film, he solved and avenged Mikey’s death, and also managed to take down a massive drug smuggling ring with very little help.
5 Rick Deckard Always Asked The Right Questions
Blade Runner
Rick Deckard is not just an impressive investigator in Blade Runner, he is also one of the most subtly complicated characters in film history. Written and acted to perfection, Deckard’s most intriguing mystery is the one of his own identity. For decades, fans have debated whether Deckard is a human or a replicant.
Regardless of his status, the bounty hunter was able to track down his quarry with an almost psychic ability to intuit their actions and intentions. He was always asked the right questions and found leads where no one else could.
4 Hercule Poirot Is The Quintessential Gentleman Detective
Murder On The Orient Express
Hercule Poirot is a highly celebrated figure who has been portrayed by more actors than even James Bond. His latest incarnation, played by Kenneth Branaugh, is the quintessential gentleman detective. He is charming, observant, and brilliant.
In Murder on the Orient Express, Poirot is portrayed as a burdened genius who believes his ability to see lies hiding within the truth is a curse. He is reluctant, but that does not stop him from successfully investigating a well-planned and almost impossible-to-solve murder. In Death on the Nile, he demonstrates his prowess even more.
3 Sherlock Holmes Has Impeccable Deduction Skills
Sherlock Holmes
The detective genre would be nowhere without Sherlock Holmes. He is the archetype who's known for his incredible deduction skills. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle knew what he was doing when he created this unstoppable genius of a character. Portrayed by almost 350 actors in film, television, and radio, Sherlock is obsessive and clever in a way that borders on superhuman.
Robert Downing Jr’s version of Holmes in Sherlock Holmes is an argumentative, case-solving machine. He is even able to apply his deductive reasoning to hand-to-hand combat, thinking through every possibility and willing the fight before the first punch is thrown.
2 Benoit Blanc Can Form Theories Almost Immediately
Knives Out & Glass Onion
Another member of the gentleman detective club, Benoit Blanc’s observant eyes and Southern charm find every piece of evidence available and disarm potential suspects. As seen in both Knives Out and Glass Onion, Blanc is capable of assessing a crime scene and forming several theories as soon as he enters a room.
Daniel Craig’s exaggerated drawl commands every scene he is in and makes his reveals and revelations even more entertaining. Very few movie detectives have the charisma audiences have seen on display with Blanc.
1 Batman Is The Ultimate Vigilante Detective
The Batman
Every Batman movie focuses on a different aspect of the Caped Crusader. Matt Reeve’s 2022 film, The Batman, was no exception. It was time to focus on Batman's detective skills. He always has technology that others don’t have access to, tools of the trade that help put him leagues ahead of the competition.
When this is combined with Batman's obsessive determination and keen deductive mind, he can solve any mystery. Even a meticulously planned scheme that has been in motion for years doesn't stop him from figuring it out and protecting the lives of the people it was targeting.