Crime cinema is one of the most important subgenres in the film industry, as it has been steadily evolving for well over a century. Although cinema first began to lionize the criminal lifestyle thanks to a series of gangsters filmsduring the “Golden Age of Hollywood,”the perspective on crime began to evolve during a transcendent period in the 1970s in which films likeThe Godfather, Taxi Driver, Serpico,andDog Day Afternoonwere hailed as being some of the greatest of all-time.
There has been no shortage of great crime films in the 2010s, as many of the industry’s finest filmmakers were able to tell subversive stories about intrigue and suspense. Although they did have to contend with the popularity ofcrime on prestige drama television shows,the best films were able to tell complete stories that had definitive conclusions. Here are the ten best R-Rated crime movies of the 2010s, ranked.
11‘Killing Them Softly’ (2012)
Directed by Andrew Dominik
Killing Them Softlyis among themost politically charged crime films of the decade, as it deals with the direct fallout of the 2008 presidential election ofBarack Obamaand the financial crisis that initiate a series of crimes in a small community reliant on gambling. Although directorAndrew Dominikreceived a fair amount of criticism for the disturbing way he treated the legacy ofMarilyn Monroein his controversial biopicBlonde,Killing Them Softlywas an example of a film that justified its violent content.
Killing Them Softlyis a brilliantly written film, as the exchanges of dialogue between various criminals are often quite piertic, and at times even moving. Although the sinister performance byBrad Pittmay have been the film’s scene-stealer,Killing Them Softlyalso features an incredible role for the late greatJames Gandolfini, which would sadly be one of the last gangster parts that he would ever play.
Killing Them Softly
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10‘You Were Never Really Here’ (2018)
Directed by Lynne Ramsay
You Were Never Really Hereis an incrediblyinventive vigilante filmthat draws away from the disturbing sense of wish fulfillment that often comes with stories about men taking the law into their own hands. WhileJoaquin Phoenixis an actor who has often been criticized for being very over-the-top in his roles, he gives a very nuanced, subtle performance inYou Were Never Really Hereas a traumatized veteran who is trying to rescue children that have been kidnaped by traffickers.
You Were Never Really Hereis a very hypnotic, existentialist filmthat peers into the psychology of a deeply disturbed character; it also happens to feature an amazing musical score byJonny Greenwood, who may have even outdone the incredible work that he did withPaul Thomas AndersononThere Will Be Blood, Phantom Thread,andThe Master.
You Were Never Really Here
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9‘Parasite’ (2019)
Directed by Bong Joon-ho
Parasiteis one of the most surprising films towin the Academy Award for Best Picture,as it was the first instance in which an international film was handed the first time, and the only instance in which a South Korean production was honored by the Oscars. However, it is not hard to see whyParasitewas almost instantly heralded as a future classic;Bong Joon-hocrafted a wildly entertaining satire of class relations that is packed with shocking twists and turns.
Parasiteis genuinely unpredictable, and only improves upon each subsequent viewing due to how much attention-to-detail there was in every level of the production. Although there are some particularly amusing instances of very dark comedy,Parasiteends with a horrific indictment of the corruptive nature of capitalism that continues to feel even more relevant than ever with each passing day.
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8‘Good Time’ (2017)
Directed by Josh and Benny Safdie
Good Timeis a heist film that flips the entire genre on its head, as it explores the aftermath of a robbery that goes wrong in all of the worst ways.JoshandBenny Safidehave a unique way of makingvery intense, upsetting thrillersthat never lose their sense of momentum; the running time ofGood Timesimply flies by between each subsequent set piece and is even more involved than the last.
Good Timeis anchored by an incredible performance by Robert Pattinsonin what is likely the best role he has ever had; although he managed to charm audiences with blockbusters likeTwilightandThe Batman,Good Timeproved that Pattinson was capable of playing dark, complicated characters who were successful in attracting attention, even if all of their actions revealed them to be completely despicable to a somewhat shocking degree.
7‘Sicario’ (2015)
Directed by Denis Villenueve
Sicariowas a revelatory film from Denis Villenueve, as it proved to be a novel take on the Mexican border crisis that actually had something new to say about the drug war. AlthoughSicariofeatures some of the decade’s best action sequences, including an amazing shootout on a highway, the film succeeds because it never loses sight of its mystery and suspense.
Sicariowas able to explore the ways in which cyclical violence permeates, and crafted a brilliant anti-hero in the character of Alejando, portrayed in an Academy Award worthy performance by the greatBenicio del Toro. Although del Toro succeeds in showing the dark side of human nature, there is also a warmth to the story thanks to the performance byEmily Bluntas Kate Mercer, the one character in the film that couldfeasibly be described as being a hero.
6‘Hell or High Water’ (2016)
Directed by David Mackenzie
Hell or High Wateris another masterful heist film that has something to say about the nature of capitalism, as it explores the sinister ways in whichmajor banks are able to feed off the savings of working class people.Although the film is loaded with insightful political commentary, it’s also an exhilarating thriller in its own right that is populated by unique characters and dark humor.
Hell or High Wateris one of the best scripts that Taylor Sheridan has ever written, as he seems to have affection for all of his characters. AlthoughJeff Bridgesearned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding performance as a grizzled Texas Ranger,Ben Fosterwas just as worthy of accolades for his role as a defiant, unpredictable bank robber desperate to protect his family’s legacy and future.
Hell or High Water
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5‘Drive’ (2011)
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Driveis one of the most visceral films of the decade, asNicolas Winding Refncrafted a lyrical, existentialist examination ofcrime within modern Los Angelesthat played upon the vast history of genre fiction. Although the film is about as gritty as crime movies can be, the way in which it tells the story of a lonesome drifter destined to protect others has many allusions to classic westerns, particularly the work done bySergio LeonewithThe Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.
Ryan Gosling gives one of his best performances ever inDrive, as he is able to do some very physical acting that requires him to emote without speaking. Refn also made the brilliant choice to castAlbert Brooks, largely regarded to be one of the greatest comedic actors of all-time, in the role of a menacing gangster that terrorizes all of L.A.
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4‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ (2011)
Directed by David Fincher
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoois the single greatest adaptation of any novel within the “Millennium” series, which is no small statement considering that the Swedish trilogy that had starredNoomi Rapacehad already generated a fair amount of critical acclaim. The 2011 film works becauseDavid Fincherwas able to tie in a deeply disturbing mystery about a dreaded family secret, and somehow managed to tell a story that was nearly three hours long, but never got boring in the slightest.
Rooney Mara gives the definitive performanceas Lisbeth Salender, and shows how this inventive computer hacker becomes a vigilante that targets abusers. Although it is deeply unfortunate that it never received a sequel,The Girl With The Dragon Tattoois still a standalone masterpiece that ranks as one of the most intense projects within Fincher’s entire filmography.
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
3‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)
Uncut Gemsis most well-known due to the shocking dramatic turn from Adam Sandler, an actor who has beena tycoon of slapstick comedyever since his series of breakout roles in the 1990s. While Sandler has occasionally shown evidence that he is capable of more serious projects withThe Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)andPunch-Drunk Love,Uncut Gemswas a rare chance for him to play a despicable anti-hero.
Uncut Gemsis an unrelenting force of tension, as the film is so brilliantly edited that it can be challenging for viewers to stop and take a chance to breathe. Sandler pulls off the impossible balancing act of creating an irritating, selfish main character who is nonetheless compelling to watch on screen at all times, if only to see if he finally is met with the fate that he deserves.
Uncut Gems
2‘The Place Beyond the Pines’ (2013)
Directed by Derek Cianfrance
The Place Beyond the Pinesis an unusual crime epicbecause it explores how one inciting incident sets off a series of tensions between two families that spans for several decades. Although there are a fair amount of breathtaking heist sequences withinThe Place Beyond the Pines, the film is often at its best when it focuses on quieter moments of characters dealing with their sense of grief and anguish.
The Place Beyond the Pinessucceeds by being highly realistic, as it never feels like the film is trying to form solid opinions on its characters. Although this sense of authenticity allowsThe Place Beyond the Pinesto be far more empathetic than it would have been otherwise, there is a universality to this epic story of families being intertwined that feels plucked right out of the works ofWilliam Shakespeare.
