Perhaps it was the cynicism of the 90’s striking yet again, but the decade has a distinct fascination with crime thrillers. Indie filmmakers flooded the industry with innovation, and the genre is somewhat loosely defined, so there’s plenty to revisit. Certain films stood out in examining the filth with forthright attitudes and sharp, enduring screenplays. However, some stories move beyond even an analysis of crime or society.
Many of these films dare the audience to sympathize with the anti-heroes in their stark underworld. Likewise, there are also heroic cops, and it’s compelling to explore the psyche of lives so foreign to most. That endures, regardless of theatricality or verisimilitude. Here are 10 of the best crime thrillers of the ’90s.
Hard Boiled (1992)
John Woo is something of an auteur, with a unique vision that’s influenced countless movies in his signature genre. Action can become redundant, but the manner with which Woo intertwines plotting and visuals is exemplary. It’s more akin to a ballet, wherein the dancing itself can utterly capture the story.
Woo traverses an expansive world of smugglers and undercover cops with stunning spectacle and gripping characters alike. Chow Yun-Fat, perhaps best known for martial arts masterpiece Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, is a captivating protagonist. He undeniably lifts the character above archetype and fuels the writing that transcends its genre.
Falling Down (1993)
Michael Douglas delivers one of his all-time best performances, in a role whose mania could easily get out of hand. The story itself is remarkably straightforward, simply moving from one episode of cathartic frustration to the next. Meanwhile, we learn more about the protagonist’s history, which complicates our sympathies.
Of course, the many confrontations of the film involve exaggerated bouts of distinctly abhorrent people. Almost close to racial needling, interactions like the Neo-Nazi helps cement the film’s themes into a conversation about violence itself. It’s a brisk, slick showcase for Douglas with a story that escalates organically, and even offers sly dark comedy.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
Christopher McQuarrie has become a household name since propelling the Mission: Impossible franchise to increasing popularity. But his first real hit was this clever mystery, which can stay ahead of you at every turn. It may be famous for the twist ending, but with an all-star cast, this crime classic is also unexpectedly funny. In fact, some characters are defined by their sense of humor, or lack thereof.
Yet the characters feel strangely tangible, likely due to the talent at hand. Although the plot’s influences are often felt, the execution is impeccable, moving briskly and intelligently.
The Fugitive (1993)
This is essentially a chase film, and even manages to stand out amongst the filmography of Harrison Ford himself. Once again, he plays a fallible everyman that can still act heroically. His driving goal is sympathetic, given he was wrongfully accused of murdering someone he loves.
And ultimately, he must use his wits to overcome impossible odds. Given that Tommy Lee Jones’ pursuer is equally intelligent, the cat-and-mouse game is gripping from beginning to end. It isn’t hard for the audience to consider what they might do in the hero’s position. The mystery is captivating, the action well-staged, and the finale immensely satisfying.
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Yet another of many all-star casts to explore crime, this is an effective, blatant throwback to classic film noir. The story is mostly interested in corruption, and reviews various approaches to law enforcement that are each uniquely engaging. They populate a seedy, perverse and violent world that offers up a tantalizing mystery with just enough turns to keep audiences guessing.
Thanks to stylized directing and a witty script, the film manages to avoid the anchors of a procedural. Based on a novel, it maintains the literary depth without sacrificing a streamlined plot. Likewise, the characters feel palpable because of their nuances, transcending their archetypes.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
The pipe dream of every aspiring filmmaker—an abruptly funded indie that spawns an empire in one go. Here, Quentin Tarantino tightly packs his characters together, which allows him to flaunt his signature dialogue. It’s the most defining characteristic of his entire filmography, which is otherwise a series of ultimate fan films, essentially.
Reservoir Dogs is brimming with infectious style, wielding an astonishing cast for an indie movie, and an addictive soundtrack. Quentin is so tuned in with pop culture and fans of genre films, this movie plays like a preemptive greatest hits album. It establishes all of his greatest strengths and habits at once.
Heat (1995)
Robert De Niro and Al Pacino share the screen, for an elaborate Michael Mann masterpiece of heists, action, and romance. It’s the ultimate game of cops and robbers, where both are equally troubled and cunning. The film adds surprising sophistication for the genre, with harrowing, convincing drama that reexamines the criminal chessboard.
The story predominantly focuses on the personal lives of thieves, regarding their unique motivations, ethics, and codes. Aside from an extensive make-out scene with Pacino, the runtime never feels superfluous. And the direction is intimate, casting a blue hue and gripping realism throughout.
Goodfellas (1990)
Martin Scorsese keeps sustaining his contest with the comics-based MCU, but there’s no denying the man can direct a crime film. This is one of the most brutal, darkly comedic, gripping crime stories on film. Given Scorsese’s own track record, that’s saying a lot. It’s absolutely a thriller, in the sense that every character is in imminent danger at all times. Mainly from each other, given that the law is hardly feared in the mobsters’ underworld.
It is such a strange, dangerous lifestyle, that learning its quirks is just as fascinating as the characters themselves. Bolstered by an outstanding cast, this movie challenges all preconceptions of gangster livelihood and makes the epic runtime feel like a sprint.
Fargo (1996)
This is possibly the Coen brothers’ most definitive film, which certainly blends all of their striking trademarks in one pot. The Coens’ ability to subvert expectations is virtually unrivaled. Here, they molded such a lively, palpable universe, it even spawned an arresting TV spin-off.
Most interesting of all, the conceit of the film is that its antics are inspired by a true story. But by all accounts, the story is generally fiction, which was quite the subject of debate. Either way, the characters exist in a fascinating bubble, amidst truly unusual crime. The dark comedy is hilarious, and the thrills are heart-stopping. It’s anything but a nuanced film, and all the better for it.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
This was not the debut for Hannibal Lecter on film. But Anthony Hopkins, with hardly any screen time, inarguably cemented Lecter as one of the most famous figures in horror fiction. His composed demeanor and sophistication are so contradictory to expectations of a killer, that his acts of violence are especially disturbing. But the movie is mainly preoccupied with Clarice, the perfect complement to Lector’s probing. A rookie, and a woman that subverts the male-driven law enforcement, Jodie Foster delivers an indelible hero with plausibility.
She is vulnerable and fallible, but equally tenacious and powerful. The dichotomy between Clarice and Lecter is compelling, and their relationship is deeply fascinating. Meanwhile, the hunt for Buffalo Bill is a jarring, blunt approach to serial killers. Aside from the unforgettable personalities and their performances, the mystery itself is an urgent, captivating thrill ride.
