The Best New Mystery Movies Of The Last Few Years

The mystery genre has experienced a significant resurgence in recent years, moving beyond traditional whodunits to embrace psychological thrillers, neo-noirs, and high-concept puzzles. Audiences have been treated to a diverse range of stories, from classic detective investigations to innovative digital-age searches and intense courtroom dramas. Filmmakers are increasingly blending mystery with other genres, such as social satire and supernatural horror, to create multi-layered narratives that keep viewers guessing. The following list showcases thirty of the most prominent and critically recognized mystery films released between 2020 and 2024.

‘Monster’ (2023)

A mother notices her son’s behavior changing and confronts his teacher, sparking a complex investigation into school bullying. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, revealing a web of misunderstandings and hidden truths involving the students and staff. Director Hirokazu Kore-eda explores the nature of truth in a suburban Japanese setting. This film received the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival.

‘The Batman’ (2022)

Bruce Wayne operates as a vigilante in Gotham City during his second year of fighting crime. He investigates a series of gruesome murders committed by a cryptic serial killer known as the Riddler, who leaves puzzles at every crime scene. The investigation leads him into the dark underbelly of the city’s corrupt political and law enforcement systems. This version of the character focuses heavily on his identity as the world’s greatest detective.

‘Anatomy of a Fall’ (2023)

A woman is suspected of her husband’s murder after he falls to his death outside their remote chalet. The only witness is their vision-impaired son, who faces a moral dilemma during the high-stakes legal proceedings. The trial scrutinizes the couple’s volatile relationship and personal lives to determine if the fall was an accident, suicide, or homicide. This French courtroom drama won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ (2023)

Members of the Osage Nation are murdered under mysterious circumstances in 1920s Oklahoma following the discovery of oil on their land. The investigation reveals a massive criminal conspiracy involving local power figures and systemic exploitation. The newly formed FBI is sent to solve the series of crimes that became known as the Reign of Terror. This film is based on the meticulously researched non-fiction book by David Grann.

‘Promising Young Woman’ (2020)

Cassie lives a double life, seeking vengeance for a past trauma that derailed her medical career. She frequents bars to expose the predatory behavior of men who claim to be “nice guys” by feigning intoxication. Her path for retribution leads her to the people she holds responsible for her best friend’s tragedy. This psychological thriller won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

‘Decision to Leave’ (2022)

An insomniac detective investigates the death of a man who fell from a mountain peak under suspicious circumstances. He becomes obsessed with the man’s widow, who is the primary suspect in the potential murder case. As the investigation deepens, the professional boundaries between the detective and the suspect begin to blur. This South Korean neo-noir was directed and co-written by Park Chan-wook.

‘Holy Spider’ (2022)

A female journalist travels to the Iranian holy city of Mashhad to investigate a serial killer targeting sex workers. She discovers that the local authorities are not in a hurry to solve the case because the killer believes he is cleansing the streets of sinners. The story is based on the real-life “Spider Killer” who operated in the early 2000s. The film explores the societal and political obstacles that hinder the quest for justice.

‘The Menu’ (2022)

A young couple travels to a remote island to dine at an exclusive restaurant run by a world-renowned chef. The evening takes a dark turn as the meticulously prepared courses reveal disturbing secrets about the high-profile guests. Each dish is part of a larger, lethal conceptual art piece designed by the chef to punish the diners. This film blends elements of dark comedy, satire, and suspense in an isolated setting.

‘Red Rooms’ (2023)

A young woman becomes obsessed with the high-profile trial of a man accused of murdering several teenage girls. She attends every court session and eventually attempts to locate a missing “snuff” film that serves as key evidence. Her fixation leads her into the darkest corners of the dark web in search of the truth. This Canadian thriller explores the psychological impact of technological depravity and modern obsession.

‘The Outfit’ (2022)

An English tailor operates a shop in 1950s Chicago, catering to a family of vicious gangsters. One fateful night, two killers knock on his door looking for a place to hide while protecting a valuable recording. The tailor must use his wit and skills to survive a deadly game of deception and betrayal within his workshop. The entire story unfolds within the claustrophobic and meticulously designed setting of the tailor’s shop.

‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ (2022)

A young woman who raised herself in the marshes of North Carolina becomes the lead suspect in the murder of a prominent local man. The trial reveals her isolated upbringing and the prejudices of the townspeople who shunned her for years. As the investigation proceeds, the truth about the victim’s death and her connection to him slowly emerges. This film is an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Delia Owens.

‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ (2022)

Detective Benoit Blanc is invited to a private island in Greece for a murder mystery party hosted by a tech billionaire. The lighthearted game turns into a real investigation when one of the guests dies unexpectedly. Blanc must peel back the layers of deception surrounding the host and his eccentric group of influential friends. This film serves as a standalone sequel to ‘Knives Out’.

‘Missing’ (2023)

A teenager uses digital tools and social media to find her mother, who disappears while on a vacation in Colombia. From her computer in Los Angeles, she uncovers secrets about her mother’s past and the man she was traveling with. The investigation is hindered by international bureaucracy and misleading online information that obscures the truth. This film is a standalone sequel to the 2018 thriller ‘Searching’.

‘The Invisible Man’ (2020)

Cecilia escapes an abusive relationship with an optics scientist, only to learn of his apparent suicide shortly after. She soon suspects that his death was a hoax and that he has found a way to become invisible to stalk her. As her life begins to unravel, she struggles to prove she is being hunted by someone no one else can see. This modern reimagining of the classic story focuses on domestic trauma and psychological gaslighting.

‘Last Night in Soho’ (2021)

An aspiring fashion designer discovers she can mysteriously travel back in time to 1960s London through her dreams. She experiences the life of a glamorous singer but soon realizes the era’s glitter masks a much darker reality of violence. The boundaries between the past and present begin to dissolve as she is haunted by visions of historical crimes. This psychological mystery was directed by Edgar Wright.

‘Barbarian’ (2022)

A woman traveling to Detroit for a job interview discovers that her rental home has been double-booked by a stranger. Despite her reservations, she decides to stay for the night and soon discovers a hidden tunnel system in the basement. The property conceals a horrific secret that endangers both occupants and reveals a dark local history. This film is known for its unexpected tonal shifts and structural subversions of the mystery genre.

‘The Dry’ (2020)

Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns to his drought-stricken hometown to attend the funeral of a childhood friend. He is drawn into an investigation to determine if his friend committed a murder-suicide or was a victim of foul play. The case reopens an old wound regarding a death that occurred decades earlier during Falk’s youth. This Australian mystery is based on the bestselling novel by Jane Harper.

‘Vengeance’ (2022)

A podcaster from New York City travels to rural Texas to investigate the death of a girl he was casually dating. He intends to frame the investigation as a story about the “American myth” and contemporary conspiracy theories. However, he soon finds himself entangled in a genuine mystery involving the local community and drug-related crime. This film marks the directorial debut of B.J. Novak.

‘Reptile’ (2023)

A hardened detective attempts to uncover the truth behind the brutal murder of a young real estate agent. As he investigates the case, he uncovers a complex web of corruption within his own community and law enforcement profession. The evidence leads him to question the motives of everyone involved, including the victim’s boyfriend and family. This procedural thriller stars Benicio del Toro as the lead investigator.

‘The Killer’ (2023)

An assassin’s life is thrown into chaos after a professional hit goes wrong in Paris. He embarks on an international manhunt to eliminate his employers and anyone who threatens his personal safety. Along the way, he maintains a rigorous code of conduct and internal monologue to stay focused on his targets. This film was directed by David Fincher and is based on a French graphic novel.

‘Emily the Criminal’ (2022)

Saddled with student debt and a minor criminal record, Emily takes a job as a “dummy shopper” for a credit card fraud ring. She quickly becomes immersed in the dangerous world of black-market capitalism and illicit retail schemes in Los Angeles. Her involvement in the crime ring leads her to plan a high-stakes heist to secure her financial freedom. This neo-noir mystery focuses on the economic pressures of modern life.

‘Enola Holmes 2’ (2022)

Enola Holmes takes on her first official case as a detective-for-hire to find a missing factory girl. The investigation leads her into a dangerous conspiracy involving a corrupt business and the highest levels of government. She eventually teams up with her brother, Sherlock Holmes, to solve their interconnected mysteries. This sequel is inspired by the book series by Nancy Springer.

‘Longlegs’ (2024)

An FBI agent is assigned to an unsolved case involving a serial killer who leaves occult messages at crime scenes. As she delves deeper into the investigation, she discovers a personal connection to the murderer that dates back to her childhood. The case involves supernatural elements and atmospheric dread set in the Pacific Northwest. This film stars Nicolas Cage as the titular and enigmatic antagonist.

‘The Pale Blue Eye’ (2022)

A veteran detective is hired to investigate a series of gruesome murders at the West Point Military Academy in 1830. He enlists the help of a young cadet named Edgar Allan Poe to navigate the academy’s rigid social structures and secrets. The investigation reveals a dark plot involving occult rituals and hidden military history. This Gothic mystery is based on the novel by Louis Bayard.

‘Enola Holmes’ (2020)

On her sixteenth birthday, Enola Holmes discovers that her mother has disappeared, leaving behind a series of cryptic clues and hidden money. She travels to London to find her mother while evading her older brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft. Along the way, she becomes entangled in a mystery involving a runaway young lord and a political plot. The film explores themes of independence and female empowerment in Victorian England.

‘Woman of the Hour’ (2023)

An aspiring actress appears on ‘The Dating Game’ and chooses a bachelor who happens to be a prolific serial killer. The story depicts the real-life events involving Rodney Alcala during his murder spree in the late 1970s. It focuses on the perspectives of the women who crossed paths with him and the systemic failures that allowed him to remain free. This film marks the directorial debut of Anna Kendrick.

‘Blink Twice’ (2024)

A cocktail waitress is invited by a tech billionaire to his private island for an extravagant vacation with his friends. As the days pass, she and her companion notice strange occurrences and significant gaps in their memories. They must uncover the dark truth behind the host’s hospitality to survive the trip and escape the island. This psychological thriller explores themes of power, wealth, and memory manipulation.

‘A Haunting in Venice’ (2023)

A retired Hercule Poirot living in post-World War II Venice reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective must come out of retirement to solve the crime in a supposedly haunted house. The case involves potential supernatural elements that challenge Poirot’s strictly logical worldview. This film is loosely based on the Agatha Christie novel ‘Hallowe’en Party’.

‘See How They Run’ (2022)

In 1950s London, a weary inspector and an eager rookie constable investigate a murder backstage at a hit West End play. The victim is a Hollywood director who was set to adapt the stage show into a film. The investigation takes place within the theatrical community, frequently poking fun at classic whodunit tropes. This comedic mystery features an ensemble cast including Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan.

‘Confess, Fletch’ (2022)

Irreverent investigative journalist Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher becomes the prime suspect in a murder case while searching for a stolen art collection. To clear his name, he must navigate a series of eccentric suspects and avoid a persistent local police detective. The investigation takes him from Italy to Boston as he tries to locate the missing paintings and the real killer. This film is based on the popular mystery novel series by Gregory Mcdonald.

Please share which of these modern mysteries kept you guessing the longest in the comments.