The Little Things

John Lee Hancock's “The Little Things” attempts to recapture the gritty atmosphere of 1990s serial killer thrillers, bringing together a formidable cast led by Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto. The film follows Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon (Washington) as he reluctantly returns to Los Angeles and becomes entangled in a new murder investigation alongside Sgt. Jim Baxter (Malek).

As they pursue a suspect, the case begins to dredge up unsettling echoes of Deke's own past, hinting at unresolved trauma and dark secrets. While the film successfully establishes a brooding, melancholic tone, its narrative struggles to maintain consistent tension or deliver a truly compelling mystery. The screenplay, a long-gestating project, often feels derivative and dated, failing to forge a distinctive path beyond its influences.

Pacing is a frequent point of contention, with many finding the investigation to be plodding and the storytelling lacking the necessary urgency to sustain its lengthy runtime. The dialogue, while functional, rarely elevates the material, and the overall plot progression can feel muddled, leading to a conclusion that has widely been described as frustrating and anticlimactic. Despite these narrative shortcomings, the performances are a significant draw.

Denzel Washington anchors the film with a typically intense and nuanced portrayal of a haunted lawman, often carrying the weight of the story on his shoulders. Jared Leto delivers a memorable, if sometimes divisive, performance as the prime suspect, adding an unsettling presence to the proceedings. Rami Malek's role as the ambitious but increasingly troubled detective receives a more mixed reception, sometimes struggling to match the gravitas of his co-stars.

The film's visual style and production design competently evoke its intended era, contributing to the overall mood, but they cannot fully compensate for the weaknesses in the script. Ultimately, “The Little Things” offers a glimpse of what could have been a compelling genre piece, but its narrative missteps prevent it from achieving its full potential.