Whodunit backdrop

Whodunit movies

A closed question drives the plot—who did it? Built on clues, suspects, alibis, and a final reveal.

The Vast of Night

1. The Vast of Night

Drama Mystery Science Fiction Thriller Whodunit
6.7
20191h 31min

Overview

At the dawn of the space-race, two radio-obsessed teens discover a strange frequency over the airwaves in what becomes the most important night of their lives and in the history of their small town.

Themes

Small town paranoia, Racial bias in selection, Secret military programs, Abduction anxiety and rumor, Media interference and fear, Radio as truth conduit

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Murder Mystery

2. Murder Mystery

Action Comedy Mystery Whodunit Parody
6.1
20191h 37min

Overview

On a long-awaited trip to Europe, a New York City cop and his hairdresser wife scramble to solve a baffling murder aboard a billionaire's yacht.

Themes

Inheritance intrigue, Murder motive, Money motive, Whodunit mechanics, Crime investigation pressure, Elite deception

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Us

3. Us

Horror Mystery Home Invasion Horror Whodunit
6.8
20191h 56min

Overview

Husband and wife Gabe and Adelaide Wilson take their kids to their beach house expecting to unplug and unwind with friends. But as night descends, their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some shocking visitors arrive uninvited.

Themes

Survival under threat, Family under siege, Duality and duplication, Control through secrecy, Doppelgänger presence, Hidden population awakening

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Peacock Premium
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Professor and the Madman

4. The Professor and the Madman

History Drama Mystery Thriller Biographical History
7.2
20192h 4min

Overview

Professor James Murray begins work compiling words for the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the mid 19th century, and receives over 10,000 entries from a patient at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, Dr. William Minor.

Themes

Public contribution to knowledge, Institutional gatekeeping of progress, Madness and intellect tension, Hidden contributions to language, Power dynamics in scholarly work, Care versus control in therapy

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Polaroid

5. Polaroid

Horror Mystery Thriller Supernatural Horror Whodunit
5.2
20191h 28min

Overview

High school loner Bird Fitcher has no idea what dark secrets are tied to the mysterious Polaroid vintage camera she stumbles upon, but it doesn't take long to discover that those who have their picture taken meet a tragic end. Bird and her friends must survive one more night as they race to solve the mystery of the haunted Polaroid before it kills them all.

Themes

"movie: polaroid. genres: horror, Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Mystery, Thriller main themes: high school, 1970s, Camera, High school, 1970s, Camera full keywords list: high school, 1970s, Camera, Undead, Antique, Polaroid, Polaroid camera, Haunted. concept analysis: the film explores the consequences of trauma and the haunting nature of guilt, As characters confront their past actions and the ripple effects they have on others. it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unresolved grief and the cycle of violence that can ensue from it."

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Clovehitch Killer

6. The Clovehitch Killer

Drama Mystery Crime Whodunit Serial Killer Crime
6.5
20181h 49min

Overview

A picture-perfect family is torn apart after Tyler finds a cache of disturbing images in his father's possession. He begins to suspect that the man he trusts most in the world may be responsible for the murder of 13 women ten years prior.

Themes

Family secrecy under pressure, Deception within families, Coming-of-age under scrutiny, Community surveillance and judgment, Manipulation of truth, Burden of evidence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Lie

7. The Lie

Horror Mystery Thriller Psychological Horror Whodunit
5.8
20181h 35min

Overview

A father and daughter are on their way to dance camp when they spot the girl's best friend on the side of the road. When they stop to offer the friend a ride, their good intentions soon result in terrible consequences.

Themes

"movie: the lie. genres: horror, Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Mystery, Thriller main themes: remake, Parenthood, Woman director, Remake, Parenthood, Woman director full keywords list: remake, Parenthood, Woman director, Falling in lake. concept analysis: the film explores the destructive nature of lies and the lengths individuals will go to in order to protect their loved ones. it delves into themes of familial disconnection and the desperate desire for reconciliation amidst chaos."

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Summer of 84

8. Summer of 84

Drama Horror Mystery Whodunit Psychological Horror
6.7
20181h 46min

Overview

After suspecting that their police officer neighbor is a serial killer, a group of teenage friends spend their summer spying on him and gathering evidence, but as they get closer to discovering the truth, things get dangerous.

Themes

Surveillance and intrusion, Suspicion toward authority, Youth friendship under pressure, Suburban paranoia and mystery, Trauma and vigilance after events, Evidence gathering under risk

Available on

Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Unfriended: Dark Web

9. Unfriended: Dark Web

Horror Mystery Psychological Horror Whodunit
6.0
20181h 32min

Overview

​When a 20-something finds a cache of hidden files on his new laptop, he and his friends are unwittingly thrust into the depths of the dark web. They soon discover someone has been watching their every move and will go to unimaginable lengths to protect the dark web.

Themes

Privacy vs exposure, Online deception and manipulation, Anonymous threat escalation, Swatting risk and harm, Broadcast surveillance ethics, Group trust under threat

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Knife+Heart

10. Knife+Heart

Horror Romance Mystery Slasher Horror Whodunit
6.3
20181h 42min

Overview

In the summer of 1979, gay porn producer Anne sets out to film her most ambitious film yet, but her actors are picked off, one by one, by a mysterious killer.

Themes

Exploitation of performers, Obsession with success, Identity and deception, Hidden past and revenge, Fear in creative spaces, Lgbt stigma

Available on

Amazon Video
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
AMC+ Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.