Netflix’s recent addition, Warner Bros.’ “The Little Things,” has caused quite a stir, with some viewers becoming so terrified that they couldn’t continue watching after just a few minutes.
This 1990s-set film revolves around the investigation of a series of murders in Los Angeles by two police officers. As they dive deeper into the case, they become entangled in a complex web of crime, deceit, and their own personal demons. The pursuit of a serial killer takes them on an intense psychological journey, each officer haunted in different ways by the nature of the crimes and their own pasts. The film’s synopsis reads, “Deputy Sheriff Joe ‘Deke’ Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter to search for a serial killer who’s terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.”
Directed by John Lee Hancock, this American neo-noir crime thriller boasts an ensemble cast featuring Academy Award winners Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto. Combining intense character study with suspenseful crime-solving, “The Little Things” offers more than just a standard police procedural.
However, the film has left such a strong impression on viewers that some couldn’t bear to continue watching, feeling overwhelmed with anxiety just minutes into the opening titles. One viewer expressed their unease on X (formerly known as Twitter), writing, “Watching ‘The Little Things’ on Netflix, and the first 2 minutes are so scary I’m not sure I can continue.” Another echoed the sentiment, saying, “2 minutes and 52 seconds into Netflix’s ‘The Little Things,’ and it’s made me so anxious I’ve had to turn it off.”
Despite the unsettling start, others praised Denzel Washington’s performance, with one fan exclaiming, “‘The Little Things’ on Netflix…….WOW, what a movie. Proper old school, Denzel Washington at his best.” Another viewer, who watched it with their sister, declared, “Watched ‘The Little Things’ on Netflix with my sister, and it was So Good!!!”
Upon its release, “The Little Things” received mixed to positive reviews from critics. While some critiques focused on the film’s conventional approach to the genre, many praised its acting and atmospheric elements. Notably, Jared Leto received several nominations for his role, including one for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In an interview with Chicago Reel, Denzel Washington reflected on how the movie and working with Malek and Leto made him realize his evolving role in Hollywood. He shared, “Watching, there’s a scene we shot with Jared and Rami, and they’re in the interrogation room. And I’m in the observation room. The cameras were all in there the first half of the day or whatever, and I’m just in the observation room, missing the popcorn, just watching these two young guys go at it. Whatever amount of years ago, 30 years ago, I was the young guy with Gene Hackman or whoever. But now I’m the guy watching the young guys. It was fascinating… to watch their joust, if you will.”
Despite the praise from some viewers, the film currently holds a rather modest 45% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating that it may not appeal to everyone.
So, if you’re seeking a chilling thriller to test your nerves, “The Little Things” is worth a try… if you dare.
