Movie Review: "The Little Things" – A Nostalgic Misfire

"The Little Things" harks back to a bygone era of dark, brooding thrillers, but ultimately fails to live up to its predecessors. In the wake of classics like "The Silence of the Lambs," weekly adaptations flooded screens, often starring Denzel Washington. However, recent years have seen this genre shift to television, with shows like "True Detective" and "Mindhunter" taking the spotlight. This makes "The Little Things" feel dated, especially as it echoes better films like David Fincher’s "Seven."

Set in 1990, the film follows Joe Deacon (Washington), a disgraced former L.A. cop now working in Bakersfield. Haunted by a brutal case that led to his downfall, Deacon gets pulled back into the world of crime when a new serial killer emerges in Los Angeles. Teaming up with his replacement, Jim Baxter (Rami Malek), Deacon delves into the unsettling case, focusing their suspicions on loner Albert Sparma (Jared Leto), a disturbing figure who revels in playing mind games with the detectives.

The movie starts with promise, with an effective procedural quality in the first third as Baxter seeks Deacon's help. There’s an interesting dynamic between old and new approaches to policing, reminiscent of "Seven." However, the film fails to deepen the victims' characters, reducing them to mere ghosts. Women in the story are largely relegated to victim roles or background figures.

Washington’s performance grounds the film, while Leto's overacting detracts from the overall tone. Malek falls somewhere in between, feeling too eccentric initially but finding his footing as the film progresses. Washington's ability to inhabit his character with authenticity stands out, contrasting with his co-stars’ exaggerated performances.

As the movie progresses, its lack of urgency leads to a loss of tension. The new detective succumbs to the same obsession that destroyed his predecessor, and the plot twists defy logic, resulting in a dissatisfying ending. While the film attempts to explore the toll a case takes on investigators, it struggles to maintain an intriguing mystery.

"The Little Things" attempts to capture the essence of classic thrillers but falls short due to its lackluster execution. While Washington’s performance shines, the film ultimately feels like a nostalgic misfire, failing to deliver on its promising premise.