It is safe to say that movies recently have been in a rut when it comes to high-concept mysteries. For one of these crime flicks to work, not only does the mystery itself have to be well crafted, but the ones solving it must also be innately magnetic. The most recent example that caught the American audience's attention would have to be Knives Out and Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc. But even still, that was in 2019. These stories have recently shifted to being produced for the small screen, where twists and turns can get played out over the course of several episodes or even seasons.

But there is something to be said for a concise mystery that unfolds in the average span of a movie's runtime. Watching a cigarette-smoking detective comb through piles of notes for two hours until they find the killer can be incredibly satisfying. So, while fans patiently await Rian Johnson's sequel to Knives Out, let's look at some performers who have created memorable and impactful detectives that remain relevant in the zeitgeist.

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The Pink Panther's Inspector Clouseau Transcends Time

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When multiple famous actors portray the same character, it is safe to say the property is truly beloved. That is certainly the case with the eccentric yet formidable Inspector Jaques Clouseau, portrayed by Peter Sellers, Alan Arkin, Roger Moore and Steve Martin across 11 films. And while the franchise has passed its prime, that still doesn't take away from its role in the genre's history. Ask any movie fan from the ages of 25-80, and they'll have some connection to laughing at Clouseau's antics. Clouseau is a fumbling and absent-minded inspector who always solves his cases, but almost entirely coincidentally. His humor has sent up countless troupes of the crime and mystery genre and has provided a brilliant showcase for some of the best slapstick put to film.

Steve Martin's Pink Panther films are available to stream on Hulu.

Chinatown's J.J. "Jake" Gittes Tackles a Grime Mystery

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A good mystery is only as good as its script, and 1974's Chinatown may be one of the best ever written. The Polanski film follows Jack Nicholson's J.J. "Jake" Gittes, an L.A. Private Investigator, as he unravels a mystery far denser than his usual cases. When it first got released, the film was considered a modern re-imagining of early film noir. Screenwriter Robert Towne, who won an Academy Award for his work, understood the genre's inner workings and tropes so well that he subverted audiences' expectations in ways never done before. Any lover of mysteries that hasn't seen this film is doing themselves a true disservice. Its grime, intrigue and overwhelming plot twists will stick in viewers' heads longer than a cigarette stain on a carpet.

Chinatown is available to stream now on Hulu.

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Seven's Detective William Somerset Never Gave Up

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While many remember Seven for Brad Pitt screaming, what really makes the film shine is Morgan Freeman's performance as Detective William Somerset. Freeman followed up 1994's Shawshank Redemption by making a hard pivot to the other side of the legal system when playing a detective during the final period of his tenure. The dedication that Somerset brings to his final and most traumatizing case proves that he may be the most fleshed-out detective ever put to screen. After living a life solving dreadful crime after dreadful crime in a nameless city, Somerset lives alone and is happiest when researching his cases in an empty library during his off hours. And if not for his determination and experience, he and Detective Mills would have never gotten on John Doe's trail.

Stream Somerset's last case in David Fincher's Seven, streaming on Netflix.

The Silence of the Lambs' Clarice Starling Is an Icon

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The Silence of the Lambs is essential viewing for any film buff for a reason. And what makes it so special is the unnerving yet intriguing conversations that FBI Agent Clarice Starling has with convicted serial killer Hannibal Lecter. Starling made her first appearance as the protagonist of Thomas Harris' novels The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal and, like Inspector Clouseau, has been portrayed by several actors on both the big and small screens. While Jodie Foster is the most recognizable, Clarice has also been played by Julianne Moore and most recently by Rebecca Breeds in a CBS Television series.

Catch Clarice Starling's origin story on Paramount+ in the CBS drama Clarice.

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The Maltese Falcon's Sam Spade Changed the Game

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The Maltese Falcon has solidified itself as one of the quintessential mystery films to hit the silver screen. A portion of that notoriety comes from Humphrey Bogart's portrayal of the now-cliched private investigator. The John Huston film was not only based on a book of the same name but was also a remake of a version just ten years earlier in 1931. Despite nearing its 100th anniversary, it still feels fresh each time fans watch Spade untangle the web of clues. The shots produced on the Warner Bros. Hollywood backlot capture the essence of the smoke-filled rooms of pre-war San Francisco and force the audiences to stew in it. And Bogart's performance and style of sleuthing have never been recaptured despite decades of attempts.

The Maltese Falcon is available for rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Fargo's Marge Gunderson Paved the Way

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Marge Gunderson did not seem like the ideal candidate to solve a crime, but Frances McDormand proved to viewers otherwise. Marge is the special sauce in the mid-western Coen Brothers flick and helped create a distinct brand of dark comedy that is still chugging today. Throughout the film, Marge juggles being in her third trimester of pregnancy, keeping her small police precinct together and solving a not-so-organized murder case. The quirky energy that Fargo brought to the crime drama has spun off into one of FX's most acclaimed series, with each season displaying a new crime and stunning character work. And much of that success is thanks to the Oscar-winning and career-making performance McDormand gave as Police Chief Gunderson.

Both the Fargo series and the original film are streaming now on Hulu.

Beverly Hills Cop's Alex Foley Is One of Eddie Murphy's Best Roles

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Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley is the quintessential '80s comedy detective. If Foley had been paired with a buddy, they wouldn't have stood a chance, as everything in this movie revolves around Murphy. The 1984 Don Simpson production follows the dare devilish Detroit detective as he travels to the west coast in an attempt to solve his best friend's murder. Along the way, fans will see classic 1980s figures pop up playing criminals, West Coast cops and the Hollywood elite. Beverly Hills Cop is hands down one of the best fish-out-of-water flicks, and that is all thanks to Murphy's magnetic and goofy nature.

See all of Axel Foley's adventures on Paramount+ and Prime Video.