The Victorian Era is a period in time that is used to refer to the age whenQueen Victoriaof England reigned, which, specifically, ran from 1837 to 1901. The era is commonly romanticized on account of its signature aesthetic involving frilly, elaborate ballgowns and towering top hats, canes, long, dark overcoats, and high leather boots. This era isn’t restricted only to the British Commonwealth, either, as it is still commonly associated with the United States at the time, too.
This signature aesthetic lends itself quite nicely to the crime and mystery genre, especially considering the fact that some of the most famous mystery novels take place during this period in time. Though it is more prevalent in books, many films have either adapted these stories or presented original takes on the era, all with a heavy aura of mystery.These are the best Victorian mystery films, which provide sweeping drama and intriguing crimes, all set during one of the most rapidly changing periods in history.
10’The Limehouse Golem' (2016)
Directed by Juan Carlos Medina
As many Victorian mystery movies do,The Limehouse Golemis set in late 19th-century London and follows an enigmatic yet terrifying serial killer who terrorizes the city while writing cryptic and confusing messages on walls using his victims' blood. The unidentified serial killer is called “the Golem” after the malevolent creature from Jewish folklore. When Scotland Yard investigates the murders, they come up with four main suspects, many of whom are real historical figures.
While many found the movie to be a bit of a disappointment due to its strong premise, it’s a far cry from being bad. It earned favourable reviews from critics and mixed to above-average reviews from audiences. While not the best film of its kind by any means, mystery fans looking fora grisly and interesting storyshould most definitely give this one a go, especially if one is afan of the Victorian aesthetic.
The Limehouse Golem
9’The Pale Blue Eye' (2022)
Directed by Scott Cooper
The Pale Blue Eyetakes place in the United States and blends heavy elements of fiction with a little bit of real life. At the inception of this iconic period in time, a cadet at West Point Academy is brutally murdered, and a washed-up, alcoholic detective is assigned to crack the case and find the murderer. Unfortunately, the rest of the West Point cadets have a code of silence, meaning they’re not telling law enforcement anything about anything. Or at least, all except for one.
Out of options, the detective enlists the help of an odd young cadet, who many know as one of the world’s finest Gothic horror writers,Edgar Allan Poe(Harry Melling). This movie is nothing groundbreaking or revolutionary, but it did earn positive reviews from critics on account of itsimpeccable casting and correspondingly great performances. There were some lacking aspects, but any true crime fan will be sure to appreciateThe Pale Blue Eye’shaunting atmosphere and lush production design.
The Pale Blue Eye
8’Enola Holmes' (2020)
Directed by Harry Bradbeer
Sure, everyone’s heard of detective Sherlock Holmes, but not many have heard of his teenage sister, Enola Holmes, who proves to be just as good a detective as he is. The 2020 filmEnola HolmesstarsMillie Bobby Brownas the titular character, with Sherlock played byHenry Cavill. Instead of Sherlock taking the reins on this newfound mystery, he lets his aspiring detective sister grab the helm and solve this caper for herself while he guides her through it.
In contrast to many other Victorian mysteries,this movie is surprisingly light, loaded with bright colors and a more kid-friendly appeal that is meant to inspire young teens and provide a coming-of-age tale as well as a simple mystery. It’s a pretty interesting take on someone who didn’t exist in SirArthur Conan Doyle’s literary universe. Enola brings a sense of youth and freshness to what is an otherwise well-known tale,bringing the mystery genre to the Gen Z generation with a bang.
Enola Holmes
7’Crimson Peak' (2015)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
Crimson Peakis a Gothic romance/horror film with a heavy element of mystery to it, directed byGuillermo del Toro, who is primarily known for his dark fantasy flicks. While themarketing for this moviereally didn’t help its reputation, it’s still a very good film, if not what many came to expect from the trailers. The film is about an American heiress named Edith (Mia Wasikowska) who marries a British entrepreneur. He brings her to his ancestral home of Crimson Peak, called so because it sits on a deposit of red clay that occasionally peaks through the surface, giving the mountainside a bloodied appearance.
This large mansion is home to several ghosts and is much more than it meets the eye. Edith dives deep into the mansion’s history, where it is revealed that her new husband might not be who he says he is.A paranormal thriller with a sinister mystery at its heart,Crimson Peakis one of del Toro’s most underrated efforts and a really unique and creepy experience from one of the most visionary and creative minds in modern cinema.
Crimson Peak
6’Batman: Gotham by Gaslight' (2018)
Directed by Sam Liu
It’s the world’s greatest detective versus the world’s most famed serial killer inBatman: Gotham by Gaslight,an adult animated, direct-to-video film that takes place inan alternate version of Gotham City in the Victorian Era. In the smoke-filled streets of Gotham, women begin turning up dead on the sidewalks, many of them horrifically mutilated. With no leads in the criminal investigation, the Dark Knight, Batman (Bruce Greenwood), is enlisted by the GCPD to help track down the elusive new serial killer calling himself “Jack the Ripper.”
With some steampunkand superhero elements mixed in,Batman: Gotham by Gaslightis a really fresh take on the Caped Crusader, mixing it with factual events and telling the true story of the still-unidentified Jack the Ripper in a whole new way. Though this animated feature never hit theatres, it received some pretty astonishing reviews thanks to itsdark and sombre tone combined with its originality.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight
5’Sherlock Holmes' (2009)
Directed by Guy Ritchie
So, there have beenlots of adaptationsofSherlock Holmesover the years, from TV series to movies. It seems people can’t get enough of the classic mystery tales told by Sir Arthur Conan Doyleand the well-spoken gentleman detective known as Sherlock Holmes, which came to be a near-universal symbol of mysteries and the Victorian Era in general. While there have been many movies about the titular detective, one that stands out in recent memory is the 2009 version starringRobert Downey Jr.as the eponymous investigator.
This movie brought a whole new energy to the long-running franchise, this time giving it a little bit more action alongside its central mystery, meaning it’s not just about investigating murder scenes, but also about taking a personal approach, withSherlock actually confronting and fighting the baddies. This approach peaks in a thrilling and violent climax sequence, which is certainly atypical of other adaptations. Yet, the moviedoesn’t feel too far removed from its source, still containing the signature charm of Sir Doyle’s original stories.
Sherlock Holmes
4’The Illusionist' (2006)
Directed by Neil Burger
The Illusionistwas unfortunatelyovershadowed by a very similar filmthat came out the same year (which we’ll get to later), but in hindsight, it’s been remembered asa cult classic that didn’t deserve the treatment it received. This movie starsEdward Nortonas a Viennese magician who falls in love with a woman in a much higher social class than he is. Using his talents for magic and hypnosis, he begins to entice her to fall in love with him, as well.
Though the plot seems straightforward, there areelements of a mystery at its heart, with a married woman’s body mysteriously turning up in the woods near Vienna, apparently having been murdered. The investigation proceeds in the background, intertwining with the main plot. Though itflew under the radar due to its poor timing and the release of a bigger film that same year, there’s no better time to giveThe Illusionista try, especially if you’re a fan of the genre.
The Illusionist
3’Murder by Decree' (1979)
Directed by Bob Clarke
AnotherSherlock Holmesflick,Murder by Decreeis much more reminiscent of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels and short stories, witha heavier emphasis on crime scene investigationand actually figuring things out rather than throwing punches. The movie, while somewhat unheard of in the 21st century, is an excellent addition to the franchise and is once again a film that features thereal-life serial killer, Jack the Ripper.
In this film, Sherlock is played byChristopher Plummer, who is sent to investigate a series of gruesome murders in the low-income Whitechapel district of London, England. Once again featuring a true story intersecting with fiction,Murder by Decreeis a fantastic film that presents an original story that wasn’t initially penned by Sir Doyle,allowing the IP to branch out into more exciting and creative aspects.
Murder by Decree
2’The Prestige' (2006)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Ask anyone to name aChristopher Nolanmovie, and chances are, they’ll likely mention major blockbusters likeInception,The Dark Knight,orInterstellar. Very few people would immediately answer withThe Prestige, as it’s definitely not Nolan’s most popular film, though it is undoubtedly up there among his finest efforts. Taking place in the Victorian Era, this story is aboutthe terrible things that go on behind the curtain in the entertainment industry, specifically in the world of magicians, illusionists, and escape artists.
More specifically, it’s about two rival magicians, played byChristian BaleandHugh Jackman, who constantly seek to undermine each other and earn the title of the world’s greatest magician. Their nefarious schemes involve some steampunk elements and sci-fi-esque constructs, all covered with a heavy aura of mystery as people die and conspiracies unravel. This is the movie that unfortunately overtookThe Illusionist, though both are good films.Underrated yet a true masterpiece,The Prestigeis a film that simply must not be missed.
The Prestige
1’Gaslight' (1944)
Directed by George Cukor
A mix of 1940s film noir and a classic Victorian mystery tale,Gaslightis by far the best movie of its kind, even 80 years after its release. The movie is a remake of the 1940 British film of the same name, which is, in itself, an adaptation of a 1938 stage play byPatrick Hamilton. The story is set in 1875, when an opera singer is murdered by an unknown assailant in her London home, prompting a police investigation. The singer’s niece, Paula (Ingrid Bergman), inherits her aunt’s newly vacant home and moves in with her husband, where she finds a clue that might help solve her aunt’s untimely death.
With elements ofromance, classic conventions of 40s film noir, and a riveting mysteryall set at the height of the Victorian Era, there’s nothing to dislike inGaslight, which has helped it stay fresh in spite of its age.It won two Oscars,including Best Actress for Bergman, and was nominated for an additional five, and is as loved now as it was then, which is why it is undoubtedly the best Victorian mystery movie ever made.
