Denzel Washington is by far one of the greatest actors of our generation, but even the best have some duds. The Little Things, released in theaters and on streaming in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a star-studded thriller that failed to enrapture audiences in its serial killer mystery. Featuring some head-scratching performances and a far too self-serious story, despite being so audacious, not even Washington could save The Little Things from becoming a forgotten part of the actor’s recent filmography. Well, audiences can find that out for themselves before it leaves Netflix by the end of November.
The Little Things is set to leave Netflix by December 1, before it arrives back at its original streaming home, Max. The neo-noir period thriller certainly has its fans, so it is good to know that the Washington-led film will still have a place in the vast streaming world. The Little Things also stars Rami Malek as another detective who teams up with Washington’s character to investigate a string of killings, in which Jared Leto plays the suspected murderer. Leto, in particular, received widespread acclaim for his performance as the lead suspect, and even garnered a Golden Globe nomination for Supporting Actor. Despite the film’s woes, there are still bright spots for audiences to latch onto if you’re a fan of the cast or the mystery genre.
In addition to the aforementioned movie stars, The Little Things cast also includes Natalie Morales, Terry Kinney, Chris Bauer, Joris Jarsky, Isabel Arraiza, and Michael Hyatt. The film was directed by John Lee Hancock, whose credits also include The Founder and The Highwaymen. Check out the official synopsis:
“Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon (Washington) is sent to Los Angeles for what should have been a quick evidence-gathering assignment. Instead, he becomes embroiled in the search for a killer who is terrorizing the city. Leading the hunt, L.A. Sheriff Department Sergeant Jim Baxter (Malek), impressed with Deke’s cop instincts, unofficially engages his help. But as they track the killer, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.”
‘The Little Things’ is a Perplexing Watch From Start to Finish
On paper, The Little Things had the makings of the next big Academy Award-winning darling. A neo-noir serial killer story set in the 1990s starring Denzel Washington and Rami Malek, as well as infamous method actor Jared Leto, was widely expected to be a big hit for Warner Bros. I mean, it also didn’t have much competition out there due to releasing during the backend of the pandemic. But nothing could’ve prepared critics and audiences alike for the final product, which proved to be a slog of a thriller that features a questionable third-act twist and a frustrating ending that fails to deliver on the movie’s premise.
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Of course, for as many detractors as The Little Things has, not everyone disliked what it brought to the serial killer genre. Critic reviews added up to a Rotten 41% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the audience Popcornmeter is Fresh at 67%. Many still praise Leto’s inspired performance, which stands out for all the right reasons in a film that feels dreadfully self-serious. Washington and Malek get passing grades, but fans of the acclaimed actors may want to look away at them reciting some cringe-worthy lines. It’s still a well-shot movie that visually sits well within the neo-noir genre. But remember, it’s the little things that get us at the end.
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