The 10 best mystery films from the 1980s that may still leave you guessing

Mystery films They’ve been around since the dawn of cinema and are still incredibly popular today. For more than a century, audiences have loved watching as a mystery unfolds on screen. After all, it’s hard to resist a film that allows the viewer to feel like an active participant, getting involved in the story and trying to solve the crime in front of the characters on the screen. The best mysteries, however, tend to be the ones that viewers can’t solve on their own. These films keep the audience guessing until the last moment.

While filmmakers have been making mystery films for generations and generations, few times have been as exciting for the genre as the 1980s.. This decade featured an onslaught of well-executed mysteries covering a wide range of topics. With films ranging from silly whodunits to serious, dark investigations, the ’80s promised something for every type of mystery lover. Even decades after their initial release, these ’80s mystery films are guaranteed to keep audiences guessing from beginning to end.

10

Blow Up (1981)

Directed by Brian De Palma

Over the years, there have been many films about the filmmaking process, as well as many exciting films about mysteries.. Brian De Palma’s 1981 feature film, Explodemanages to effectively combine these two elements. The gripping mystery stars John Travolta as Jack Terry, a sound technician working on a cheap horror film. While recording audio in a local park as a way to obtain sound effects for the project, Jack discovers that his audio may actually serve as valuable evidence of an assassination attempt, leading him to search for the root of the dark events around him.

Brian De Palma’s films (like Scar and Mission: Impossibleto name a few others) rarely disappoint, and Explode easily lives up to the director’s high caliber. Its captivating style perfectly complements the unique, gripping story and stunning performances from Travolta, as well as his co-stars, Nancy Allen and John Lithgow. Although the film was unable to recoup its entire box office budget, it has since gathered a dedicated following, with fans realizing the true intelligence and complexity of the story over time.

9

Dead and Buried (1981)

Directed by Gary Sherman

Written by the creators of the iconic horror classic Foreignerit can be assumed that Dead and buried will certainly include some disturbing horror elements in its eerie mystery story. The haunting film explores the disturbing events that unfold in a small coastal town and the determined sheriff who investigates them. Things get increasingly strange as the townspeople continue to kill every tourist who enters their community (although the dead seem unwilling to stay that way for long).

Dead and buried is a gripping mystery that is sure to be a favorite among horror fans. It’s pretty clear early on in the film that this isn’t your typical murder mystery and that there’s something much more unnatural going on in Potters Bluff. The film is packed with one twist after another, constantly pulling the rug out from under the audience just as they start to think they might know what’s going on. With a haunting ending that raises as many questions as it answers, Dead and buried is sure to linger in viewers’ minds long after the credits roll.

8

The Way of the Cutter (1981)

Directed by Ivan Passer

There is more than one way to solve a crime. This is a lesson quickly learned by Richard Bone in the 1981 mystery thriller, Cutter Path. After being considered a suspect in a deadly crime he believes he witnessed, Bone piques the interest of his veteran friend, Alex Cutter, who becomes increasingly determined to get to the bottom of the strange incident. Cutter’s deep investment in the case quickly turns dangerous, with the lives of his friends and family soon being threatened.

Cutter Path puts an intriguing spin on the mystery genre by having the main focus shift midway through the story. As the film opens from his perspective, the audience is led to believe that Bone will likely be the one desperately trying to solve the mystery. Therefore, an interesting dynamic between the characters is created when Cutter appears to take the lead and becomes determined to take violent action against the real killer. Cutter Path keeps viewers guessing not only whether the crime will be solved, but also what methods will be used to do so.

7

Mississippi Burning (1988)

Directed by Alan Parker

For a dramatic mystery inspired by real events, Alan Parker’s 1988 film Mississippi on fireIt’s a strong option. The film stars Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe as two FBI agents sent to investigate the disappearance and possible murder of three civil rights workers in the American South in the 1960s. Although the events are fictionalized, Mississippi on fire offers a chilling reminder of the real crimes (and many others like them) that occurred throughout this chapter of American history.

The film was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Film, and earned a win in the Best Cinematography category. Hackman and Frances McDormand were praised mainly for their performances. Mississippi on fire is a rare film that manages to portray an exciting mystery story based on real events, making its narrative even more convincing.

6

Blue Velvet (1986)

Directed by David Lynch

Fans of David Lynch’s surrealist, dreamlike style should definitely check it out Blue Velveta 1986 mystery from the acclaimed director behind iconic films like rubber head and Mulholland Road. The film tells the bizarre story of a college student named Jeffrey, who finds himself embroiled in a disturbing conspiracy after discovering a severed ear in a vacant lot. Over time, the film received increasing levels of acclaim and is now widely considered a masterpiece of cinematic storytelling.

Like most of Lynch’s filmography, Blue Velvet is far from a simple and straightforward story. However, even if audiences have moments when they don’t fully understand the true depth of the narrative, the feelings evoked by Lynch’s unique style are persistent and undeniable. The film proves highly effective at building suspense, often inspiring genuine concern for the characters’ safety. Fueled further by the performances of its stellar cast (including Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Laura Dern and Dennis Hopper), Blue Velvet presents a true sense of danger achieved only by the most effective mystery films.

5

Clue (1985)

Directed by Jonathan Lynn

Not every murder mystery needs to be dark and dramatic. Based on the beloved board game of the same name, Jonathan Lynn’s comedy-mystery film, Tipmeets the humorous side of a classic murder mystery setup. Using the characters from the board game (as well as some new additions), Tip centers on an eccentric group of strangers who must work together to solve a crime when the man who was blackmailing them all is found dead. With a hilarious cast led by Tim Curry, Tip promises to bring lots of laughs from start to finish.

Unlike many mystery films, Tip thrives on never taking itself too seriously. The film is full of witty dialogue, goofy characters, and over-the-top fun. An additional element that defines Tip in addition to other films of the genre is the inclusion of three distinct endings. Instead of having a big reveal at the end of the film, Tip offers three different versions, each revealing a different culprit, while also explaining the clues that suggest the character’s guilt. With three endings and countless laughs, Tip is an excellent choice for lovers of mystery with a silly side.

4

Frantic (1988)

Directed by Roman Polanski

As the title suggests, Frantic is a high-energy option for mystery lovers everywhere. The film stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Walker, a surgeon in the midst of a trip to Paris with his wife, Sondra (played by Betty Buckley). When Sondra is suddenly kidnapped from her hotel room after discovering she picked up the wrong suitcase at the airport, Walker decides to find out why Sondra was taken and how to get her back. Despite its dismal box office performance, the film was highly praised by critics.

Part of the appeal of Frantic is the humble nature of its protagonist. YouUnlike most mystery films, the main character of Frantic is not someone whose life revolves around solving crimes; he’s not a detective, or an FBI agent, or anything like that. Instead, he is an ordinary man, willing to do whatever it takes to find his missing wife. With a thrilling, action-packed climax and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, Frantic is a strong addition to the world of 80s mystery films.

3

Evil Under the Sun (1982)

Directed by Guy Hamilton

When it comes to murder mystery stories, few names are better known than Hercule Poirot, the iconic detective featured in many of acclaimed mystery writer Agatha Christie’s novels. In Evil under the sunthe famous detective played by Peter Ustinov travels to an island in the Adriatic Sea to investigate the murder of Arlena Stuart Marshall, an actress with a very tumultuous love life. With a large cast of potential suspects, this case is no easy task for Poirot to solve.

Like other Hercule Poirot mysteries, Evil under the sun is an enjoyable film to watch due to its consistency with the other films in the series. Viewers know they will be introduced to possible suspects, a deadly crime will occur, and Poirot will use his natural gifts to solve the case. This constant structure encourages viewers to try to solve the crime alongside Poirot, seeing if they can piece together the clues and identify the culprit before the famous detective. Whether they succeed or not, Evil under the sun promises an exciting mystery full of surprises for the audience.

2

Deadly Trap (1982)

Directed by Sidney Lumet

Based on the play of the same name, Sidney Lumet’s 1982 mystery film Deadly trapis full of suspense and comedy. The wacky film follows playwright Sidney Bruhl as he plots to kill a talented former student and steal his new manuscript, intending to use it as his own in order to revitalize his career. As the main characters, Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve dominate the screen, infusing the film with a thoroughly entertaining mix of nail-biting suspense and sweeping comedy.

Big twists are usually a staple of the mystery genre, but Deadly trap manages to include one after the other, ensuring that the audience can never guess the characters’ next moves. The film effectively draws the audience into the characters’ place on screen, allowing them to share the feeling of being unsure of who else they can trust. All the humor, twists, and unconventional weapons culminate in a surprise ending that’s hilarious, satisfying, and refreshingly unique.

1

Road Games (1981)

Directed by Richard Franklin

The Australian thriller, road gamesoffers a captivating mystery story with a clever twist, taking place mostly on the road as the characters travel through rural Australia. The 1981 film stars Stacy Keach as Pat Quid, a hitchhiking truck driver (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) to track down and stop a deranged killer who is disposing of his victims along a remote road. The film was not very successful at the box office, but received much praise from critics.

road games stands out as a film that works effectively across multiple genres. The film works not only as a mystery, but also as a chilling horror film and an extended road movie. Although the mystery story is at its core, the killer’s violent acts and disturbing methods give the film an undeniably frightening feel. Plus, having the story unfold across a vast stretch of highway gives each genre an extra edge. The film is more widespread than most mysteries and much darker than most road movies, which makes it a thoroughly intriguing feature.