The Little Things

Year: 2021

Runtime: 127 min

Language: English

Director: John Lee Hancock

Budget: $30M

Thriller

In the gritty thriller, Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon, played by Denzel Washington, is pulled into a Los Angeles murder investigation that forces him to confront painful memories. Partnering with L.A. Sheriff Department Sergeant Jim Baxter (Rami Malek), Deke’s experience clashes with Baxter's eagerness as they navigate a complex case. The investigation stirs up long-buried secrets and tests both men’s determination, blurring the lines between right and wrong.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Little Things (2021)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Little Things (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:49

Main Characters – The Little Things (2021)

Meet the key characters of The Little Things (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:49

Major Themes – The Little Things (2021)

Explore the central themes of The Little Things (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:49

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Gritty detective stories with moral collapse like in The Little Things

Cases where the hunt for a killer consumes the hunter.For viewers who liked the dark, character-driven police work in The Little Things, this section features movies about obsessive detectives. These similar thrillers explore the psychological cost of the job, where the pursuit of a killer forces the protagonist to confront their own demons and ambiguous morality.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a seasoned detective, often haunted by a past failure, as they become consumed by a new, eerily familiar case. Their obsessive methods clash with procedure, straining partnerships and leading them down a dark path where their identity and ethics are compromised by the hunt.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the detective protagonist's psychological unraveling. They share a dark tone, heavy emotional weight, and a central theme of obsession that overrides the procedural elements, resulting in a morally complex and often bittersweet conclusion.

Slow burn thrillers with bleak endings like The Little Things

Stories where a steady dread builds to a somber, ambiguous end.If you appreciated the steady, grim pacing and morally complex conclusion of The Little Things, this collection features similar movies. These slow burn thrillers and dramas prioritize a building sense of unease over action, culminating in endings that are emotionally heavy and philosophically ambiguous.

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Narrative Summary

The story unfolds methodically, prioritizing atmosphere and character psychology over plot twists. The central conflict simmers, creating a profound sense of impending doom or moral quandary. The climax is typically subdued, focusing on the emotional or philosophical consequences for the characters rather than a clear-cut victory.

Why These Movies?

This thread unites films based on their shared atmospheric pacing and emotional payoff. They are connected by a steady, deliberate build-up of tension, a consistently dark or anxious mood, and conclusions that resonate with a feeling of melancholy and unresolved complexity.

Unlock the Full Story of The Little Things

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Little Things in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Little Things is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Little Things Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Little Things, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Little Things Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Little Things with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Little Things Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of The Little Things? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

The Little Things Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Little Things that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About The Little Things

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Little Things: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to The Little Things

Discover movies like The Little Things that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.