The Little Things Review: Familiar Plot, Forgettable Thrills

Introduction

Anticipation ran high for The Little Things, a crime thriller that landed as a highly-touted HBO Max exclusive. With a heavyweight cast featuring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto, audiences expected a fresh take on the genre. However, from the outset, the film's premise feels like a story we've seen "a hundred times over"—perhaps even "a thousand." It introduces Denzel Washington as a former big-city cop, now a small-town deputy, who finds himself drawn back into a familiar murder investigation in the city. He partners with a hot-shot detective, played by Rami Malek, to crack the case. While a familiar plot isn't always a death sentence, a film needs a compelling hook to make it feel fresh. Unfortunately, The Little Things struggles to find one.

The Lead Dynamic & The Action

The film's greatest asset on paper is its cast, and it feels as though the filmmakers were "banking on that" to draw viewers in, perhaps to compensate for a lack of original material. While Denzel Washington and Rami Malek are undeniably talented, their performances here are merely "fine." The script doesn't offer them enough depth to truly "make the roles their own," leaving them feeling like they're "going through the motions."

The dynamic between the two leads, a crucial element in any buddy-cop or detective pairing, is notably absent. There's no palpable chemistry, no sense of a relationship building between the seasoned veteran and the ambitious newcomer. Instead, their interactions feel like "a couple people clocking in for the day," lacking the spark that elevates similar genre entries. Meanwhile, Jared Leto is conspicuously "typecast" as the unsettling "weirdo" suspect, a role he inhabits with a familiar intensity, reminiscent of his performance in "Blade Runner 2049." He delivers the same unblinking, peculiar demeanor, but it ultimately feels like a rehash rather than a fresh interpretation.

Cameos, Nostalgia & Narrative Stakes

The Little Things starts with a genuinely "compelling" opening sequence, a girl being chased, immediately grabbing attention. However, this initial intrigue quickly dissipates. As the narrative progresses and "the more data and information you get in this movie, the less interesting it starts to be." The plot, which initially promised a gripping mystery, becomes bogged down, failing to maintain its early momentum or deliver on its dramatic potential. The film attempts an "unconventional, compelling, cerebral ending," but it ultimately "didn't work." It's a "swing and a miss," and despite the effort, the result is still a strikeout, leaving the audience with a sense of unfulfillment.

Tone, Direction & Creative Freedom

Directed by John Lee Hancock, The Little Things aspires to be a smart, thought-provoking thriller, but it "isn't quite as smart as it wants to believe it is." The pacing often drags, leading to moments where viewers might find themselves "checking their watch." The film's ambition to deliver a profound, cerebral experience is commendable, but its execution falls short, resulting in a narrative that feels less like a taut mystery and more like a meandering journey to an unsatisfying conclusion.

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Little Things is a forgettable entry in the crime thriller genre. Despite its impressive cast and initial promise, the film's unoriginal plot, lack of character depth, and an ending that fails to land leave little lasting impact. It's the kind of movie that, despite its best efforts, will likely be "forgotten" almost immediately after viewing. While it might offer a momentary distraction for genre enthusiasts, it fails to deliver the fresh, compelling experience its star power suggests.