Shubhabrata Dutta
While crime in any form should not be supported, its popularity as a film genre proves that cinephiles love it. By this, we do not mean that we love it, but to be subjected to the intricacies of a well-thought-out crime does spark interest, excitement, and catharsis (if there is any). Since time immemorial, writers and directors have given us great crime movies with endless possibilities. For lovers of the genre, HBO Max offers some of the best crime movies out there.
16. The Alto Knights (2025)
‘The Alto Knights’ is based on the true story of mob bosses Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, notorious New York City gangsters during the 1950s. The biographical drama features Robert De Niro in dual roles of both gangsters and delves into their lives, showing how they got into crime as youngsters and their eventual fallout. After Costello survives an assassination attempt, he realizes that Genovese orchestrated it. The film then shifts back and forth between past and present, showcasing how the two men grew up and what led them to their current positions. Costello wants to give up his position in the Luciano crime family and retire, although Genovese believes he has tricks up his sleeve. With the authorities waiting for the right moment to capture either, if not both, of them, it becomes essential to come to an arrangement beneficial to both men. Can they do it? Directed by Barry Levinson, ‘The Alto Knights’ is custom-made for fans of the gangster genre and is fueled by the performance of De Niro, a cornerstone actor in gangster dramas. You can watch the film here.
15. Knox Goes Away (2023)
Directed by and starring Michael Keaton, ‘Knox Goes Away’ revolves around contract killer John Knox (Keaton), who is diagnosed with a fast-evolving form of dementia. Naturally, he makes his arrangements to retire but soon makes a tragic mistake, setting off a string of events that take a heavy toll on him and his family. Subsequently, we see a morally unhinged Knox grappling with his past and present, ultimately paying his dues. Co-starring James Marsden, Suzy Nakamura, and Joanna Kulig, ‘Knox Goes Away’ is worth the watch for Keaton alone, who offers a powerful performance. Adding to the overall effect is the story that, despite its shortcomings, manages to keep us interested in finding out how things turn out for the assassin. If you want to find out too, you can watch the film here.
14. Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
Winner of the Best Indie award at the Astra Midseason Movie Awards, ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ is directed by Rose Glass and stars Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian. The film follows Lou (Stewart), a solitary gym manager, who falls for Jackie (O’Brian), an ambitious bodybuilder. As the two embark on a steamy relationship, their love is subjected to violence and death, thanks to Lou’s criminal family. To what extent the two are willing to go to keep their love safe is what we find out in this dark, captivating, and intimate neo-noir thriller. Both Stewart and O’Brian play their roles to the T, proving their mettle as good actors made for complicated characters. You can watch ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ here.
13. Kimi (2022)
Steven Soderbergh’s underrated crime thriller ‘Kimi’ focuses on highly-skilled tech worker Angela Childs (Zoë Kravitz), who has agoraphobia (anxiety that results from the feeling of being in an unsafe environment). Her work on a new tech invention brings to light a premeditated murder, forcing her to inform the FBI about it. Unfortunately, she not only has to face her fear of vulnerable spaces but also those who want to keep her from reporting the crime, even if it means killing her. With a dark conspiracy at its heart, ‘Kimi’ offers a satisfying watch with a gripping story and a powerful performance by Kravitz. You can watch the film here.
12. No Sudden Move (2021)
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, ‘No Sudden Move’ is a gripping crime drama film set against the backdrop of 1950s Detroit. It is about three gangsters recruited for a blackmailing scheme against the family of an accountant of a multinational automotive manufacturer. The guy is told to bring a document from his boss’ safe while his family is held hostage. But when the document turns out fake, the gangsters realize they are part of a larger scheme. What follows is them trying to figure out who is pulling the strings. With a stellar ensemble that includes Brendan Fraser, Benicio Del Toro, Don Cheadle, Kieran Culkin, David Harbour, Matt Damon, Julia Fox, and Frankie Shaw, ‘No Sudden Move’ offers an unpredictable plot that is a social commentary about how only the corrupted manage to reach and stay at the top. You can watch the movie here.
11. Bad Education (2019)
Directed by Cory Finley, ‘Bad Education’ depicts the events that led to the biggest public school embezzlement in American history. Based on Robert Kolker’s 2004 New York magazine article “The Bad Superintendent,” the film shows how Dr. Frank Tassone, the school district superintendent, and Pam Gluckin, assistant superintendent, embezzled over $11 million from the funds of Roslyn Union Free School District in Long Island. Hugh Jackman plays Frank Tassone, and Allison Janney plays Pam Gluckin. Geraldine Viswanathan as Rachel Bhargava, the student reporter who found the misappropriation while doing research for her high school newspaper. Bhargava is the fictional counterpart of Rebekah Rombom, the Roslyn High School newspaper editor-in-chief, who came across the inconsistencies in the funds. ‘Bad Education’ received 5 nominations at the 2020 Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards, winning two, a Primetime Emmy nomination and 2 Satellite Award nominations, among other accolades. You can watch it here.
10. Le Samouraï (1967)
A noir gem and a necessary addition to any crime films list, ‘Le Samouraï’ is directed by Jean Pierre Melville. It follows Jef Costello, a hitman whose latest hit gets multiple witnesses. However, he is let go after one witness identifies him. Unfortunately, he is attacked and wounded but escapes, realizing that the attacker was sent by his mysterious employer, for whom he has become a liability. Things get more and more convoluted as he tries to keep himself alive while looking for his mysterious employer. A filmmaking masterclass, ‘Le Samouraï’ seamlessly combines story, setting, and camerawork in a manner that led acclaimed film critic Roger Ebert to give it four out of four stars, a rare achievement. You can watch it here.
9. Reality (2023)
This compelling crime drama is based on an interrogation transcript. Read that again. Directed by Tina Satter, the film shows the events as revealed by NSA translator Reality Winner to FBI agents R. Wallace Taylor and Justin C. Garrick. Reality was charged with leaking classified information regarding the 2016 Presidential Elections in the US to an online publication and arrested on June 3, 2017. Sydney Sweeney plays Reality Winner, Marchánt Davis plays Wallace Taylor, and Josh Hamilton plays Justin Garrick. With 2 nominations at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival, among other accolades, ‘Reality’ is a brilliantly executed drama underscored by effective detailing. You can watch it here.
8. Blood Simple (1984)
Directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, ‘Blood Simple’ is an independent neo-noir crime that won the Grand Jury Prize at the 1985 Sundance Film Festival. The gripping drama revolves around Abby (Frances McDormand), whose affair with bartender Ray (John Getz) makes her husband, Julian Marty (Dan Hedaya), hire a shady private detective, Loren Visser (M. Emmet Walsh), to kill the two lovers. However, Visser, who has already provided his services to Marty, decides to do things his way, which benefits him. This is how things start getting complicated and fatal (stressed) for not just him but Marty, Abby, and Ray. Add a gun, money, and photographs to the mix, and you have a perfect crime drama. ‘Blood Simple’ can be streamed here.
7. End of Watch (2012)
Directed by David Ayer, ‘End of Watch’ follows two Los Angeles Police Department officers working out of South Central Los Angeles. With their friendship at the plot’s core, the film delves into their daily dealings with crime, with a major focus on cartels. Their exploits are legendary among their peers, but the same thing puts them on the radar of a Mexican drug cartel. The film offers a gripping combination of found footage style and traditional photography, adding to the realism and upping the ante of the police procedural genre. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña, ‘End of Watch’ is a must-watch. You can enjoy it here.
6. The Batman (2022)
Directed by Matt Reeves, ‘The Batman’ is a superhero movie that serves as an authentic crime drama as well due to its dark plot showcasing the underbelly of the fictional Gotham City. In it, Batman takes on Edward Nashton, aka Riddler, and Oswald “Oz” Cobblepot, aka Penguin. Reeves’ dark take on the character and the world separates this one from the other Batman movies and does manage to establish the gritty nature of the titular character, who, despite being a human underneath, can be a ruthless entity serving vengeance on those who deserve it. Robert Pattinson plays Bruce Wayne/Batman, while the rest of the cast includes Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Paul Dano as Riddler, Colin Farrell as Penguin, Jeffrey Wright as Officer James Gordon, and Andy Serkis as Alfred. You can experience this dark tale right here.
5. Public Enemies (2009)
Johnny Depp plays the role of gangster John Dillinger, who garnered quite a reputation during the Depression era for robbing banks. Adapted from Bryan Burrough’s non-fiction book ‘Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34,’ the movie encompasses the final years of Dillinger’s life of crime, and his relationship with his teammates and ladylove Billie Frechette, played by Marion Cotillard. We also see how a team of FBI agents, led by Christian Bale’s Melvin Purvis, goes on a relentless pursuit to capture Dillinger in what becomes America’s first war on crime. A gripping plot, stunning visuals, and powerful performances make ‘Public Enemies’ a true-to-form crime drama. You can watch it right here.
4. Joker (2019)
The origin story of Batman’s arch-nemesis Joker, the Todd Phillips directorial, upped the ante of crime drama in a never-before manner. Delving into the psyche of the titular character, aka Arthur Fleck, a subject of urban isolation underscored by mistreatment and abuse, ‘Joker’ shows the extent to which it can affect a person and lead him/her to an unstable point from where there is no return. Pain becomes a friend, fear disappears, judgment becomes personal, and chaos becomes order. Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for his role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, who takes to a life of crime because it is the only way for him to send his message loud and clear, i.e., the only way to live life is without rules. You can watch ‘Joker’ here.
3. The Usual Suspects (1995)
Bryan Singer’s cult classic crime thriller ‘The Usual Suspects’ centers on a survivor of a boat explosion who tells his interrogators about a certain legendary crime lord who is responsible for the massacre. We thus see how the survivor and his partners-in-crime were manipulated into boarding the boat. The question is: Is he telling the truth because it seems that the crime lord is a myth? Starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Pollak, Stephen Baldwin, and Benicio del Toro, ‘The Usual Suspects’ is a thoroughly entertaining crime drama garnished with violence, deceit, and humor. The film won two Academy Awards and two BAFTAs, among other accolades, with special praise for Spacey for his performance. You can watch it here.
2. Casino (1995)
Starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone in the lead roles, Martin Scorsese’s cult classic crime drama ‘Casino’ delves into the world of casinos and how they are connected to the mafia. Based on Nicholas Pileggi’s nonfiction novel ‘Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas,’ the story centers on Sam “Ace” Rothstein, who takes on the role of running the Tangiers Casino. As expert as he is and always has been at all things betworthy, his childhood friend Nicky Santoro, with his unexpected tantrums and murderous antics, puts them both on the radar of the authorities. To top it off, there is Sam’s alcohol-addicted ladylove, Ginger, an unhinged woman who doesn’t know what she wants. As the stakes go higher, ‘Casino’ turns into a gripping game of roulette where anyone can get lucky while the others get unlucky. You can watch the movie here.
1. Goodfellas (1990)
Martin Scorsese’s ‘Goodfellas’ is an adaptation of Pileggi’s book ‘Wiseguy,’ and tracks the life of mobster Henry Hill, who starts working for a local caporegime in Brooklyn as a young boy and grows up to become one of the core members of the Lucchese crime family. The film’s timeline ranges from the 1950s to the 1980s and explores Hill’s relationships with his peers and his romantic partner Karen Friedman. Set against the backdrop of crime in 20th-century America, ‘Goodfellas’ is a palpable adaptation of Pileggi’s novel, which itself is considered a masterpiece in non-fiction crime novels. The film stars Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, along with Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, and Paul Sorvino. You can watch it here.
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