Ever since the inception of cinema as a storytelling medium, the crime genre has been one of the most popular. It’s a great way to tell riveting stories with impactful themes and memorable characters.
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In the suspenseful and exhilarating environments that crime movies often present, it’s easy to connect to the characters and their struggles. This is particularly true when the film in question is driven by those characters, their arcs, and their development, like in the case of the Safdie brothers’Good TimeandMary Harron’s satirical classicAmerican Psycho.
1’The Godfather' (1972) & ‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974)
When it comes to character studies, it’s hard to get any better thanFrancis Ford Coppola’s masterpiecesThe GodfatherandThe Godfather Part II, seminal pieces of the crime genre and filmmaking in general.
The two first films in the series have a thoroughly engaging storyline and fascinating themes regarding tradition, family, and the American Dream. However, the true core of it all are Michael and Vito Corleone. Audiences are subjected to the tragic moral downfall of the former, while watching the latter rise to power and perpetuate it through a combination of loyalty and violence.
2’Heat' (1995)
Michael Mannis no stranger to character studies in the crime genre, and it’s hard to argue against the fact that the heavily laudedHeatis his magnum opus in that department.
Although it isn’t common to see crime thrillers that are slow-burning and all about building atmosphere, Mann somehow makes it work wonderfully withHeat. The star-studded cast does an amazing job, and it definitely helps that they’re all playing brilliantly written characters with clearly defined personalities and fascinating flaws.
3’In Bruges' (2008)
The Banshees of InisherincementedColin FarrellandBrendan Gleesonas one of the greatest comedic duos in recent times, but it wasIn Brugesthat introduced this iconic pairing with a delightfully dark comedy about a pair of hitmen waiting for their next mission in Bruges, Belgium.
n Brugesis hilarious, tense, fun, and full ofMartin McDonagh’s signature nihilism and cynicism. What makes it work as well as it does, though, is its focus on its nuanced characters and the way they experience guilt and redemption.
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4’The King of Comedy' (1982)
Martin Scorseseis one of cinema’s greatest masters of dark character studies following deeply flawed, morally questionable people (often played by the always brilliantRobert De Niro).
The King of Comedyis one of Scorsese’s most underrated movies (as well as featuring one of De Niro’s most overlooked performances), where the protagonist is one ofthe most deranged charactersin the director’s filmography. As the film goes deeper and deeper into the character’s psyche, it becomes even more engaging.
5’Good Time’ (2017)
WithRobert Pattinsoncurrently having a bit of a renaissance, it’s always worth looking back at one of the earlier roles that let audiences see just what this talented actor is capable of:Good Time.
JoshandBenny Safdiedirect this tense thriller about a guy trying to get his brother out of jailover the course of one night. The audience isn’t asked to empathize with the main character or root for him, but it’s inevitable to be captivated by his energetic personality and deep meaning in the symbolism of the narrative.
6’American Psycho' (2000)
Based on the almost equally famous 1991 novel of the same title, Mary Harron’s rendition ofAmerican Psychois an equal parts hilarious, equal parts thought-provoking satire poking fun at materialistic culture and the dark side of masculinity.
Harron does an admirable job at balancing comedy, horror, and crime movie tropes. The audience gets to see the whole thing through the eyes ofChristian Bale’s Patrick Bateman, resulting in a twisting and contorting of reality and perceptions that simply makes the story’s themes more fascinating.
7’Nightcrawler' (2014)
One of the most enrapturing crime thrillers in recent years,Nightcrawleris the story of a journalist desperate for work who starts to blur the line between observation and participation.
Jake Gyllenhaalis terrifyingly convincing in the role of Lou Bloom, a ruthless and manipulative walking mystery. From scene to scene, it gets increasingly harder to say with certainty whether he’s an antihero or a full-blown villain. He’s the perfect representation of what happens to unstable people in a dangerously brutal capitalistic society.
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American auteurAbel Ferrarais known for making contentious character studies that redefine the modern neo-noir film. For some, his best work in this vein isBad Lieutenant.
On the surface, Ferrara’s masterpiece may look like a typical police procedural. Beneath that, however, lies a brilliant exploration of an irredeemably decadent man falling deeper and deeper into despair and corruption, and the spiritual implications of that downward spiral.
9’Dog Day Afternoon' (1975)
Cinema owes a great deal to the chameleonic filmmakerSidney Lumet. Some of the artform’s greatest works come from him, including12 Angry Men,Serpico, and—of course—Dog Day Afternoon, based on the true story of a bizarre bank heist.
The film is superbly crafted in every sense, including what most people agree is one ofAl Pacino’s greatest performances. Lumet packs the film with a variety of social issues and fascinating character moments, with the main characters driving the narrative beautifully.
10’Taxi Driver' (1976)
It’s hard to beatTaxi Driver. It’s the ultimate crime drama, the ultimate character study, the ultimate Martin Scorseseand Robert De Niro film, and just a staggering work of art all-around.
The film explores loneliness, masculinity, and violence in the most riveting of ways. In the story, New York is purgatory and the character of Travis moves through it like a ghost. It’s a movie about the repressiveness of urban environments, the volatility of a lonely person’s ideals, and the difficulty of true human connection. This is how you do a proper character-driven crime film.
