15 Best detectives from across cinematic universes

Detective Movies have long been loved by the audience. The mystery draws their attention and captivates them into the fictional world it creates. Then like a saviour a witty and smart detective makes their appearance. They have a solution for every problem and their charm, charisma, and ability to notice every minutest detail makes the audience swoon over them. Here is a list of 15 Best Detectives from across cinematic universes.

**Disclaimer: This article is entirely based on the writer's perspective. Reader's discretion is advised.**

15) Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins (Devil in a Blue Dress, 1995)

The 1995 movie - Devil Wears a Blue Dress, is credited with giving us the charming detective - Ezekiel Rawlins, also known as Easy. He is resourceful with great problem-solving skills. What really draws in the audience to him, is his effortless relatability. In no way is Ezekiel perfect. He is stuck amidst his own personal dilemmas and this is what adds to his appeal, making him a deep yet human character.

14) Detective Loki (Prisoners, 2013)

In the 2013 movie - Prisoners, Jake Gyllenhaal plays the role of Detective Loki. Despite having a troubled past, Loki is dedicated and committed towards his job. He has a sympathetic nature and likes his own company. His tattooed arms give him a menacing presence and add to his moral ambiguity. Although he is not hesitant to walk the wrong path to reach the right destination, he gives a lot of significance to justice in life.

13) William Somerset and David Mills (Se7en, 1995)

The movie Se7en is about a serial killer who chooses his victims based on the type of deathly sins committed by them. The detectives assigned to solve his case are - old and wise William Somerset, played by Morgan Freeman, and young and passionate David Mills portrayed by Brad Pitt. This duo is a much loved detective pairing with one being reflective and experienced while the other is passionate but naive.

12) Rick Deckard (Blade Runner, 1982)

Played by Harrison Ford, Rick Deckard in the iconic film - Blade Runner is a detective who had to be called in from retirement for a special case. This is a testament to his talent and how his expertise is sought and valued. He has an emotionally detached aura to him and can even come off as cynical at times. But there is no doubting his courageous attitude and is always ready to face the challenges thrown at him.

11) Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry, 1971)

Another much-loved detective in cinema is Harry Callahan, portrayed by Clint Eastwood in the movie Dirty Harry. He works with the San Francisco Police Department and is a stoic and tough man. He has a rebellious aura to him and is determined and relentless. His catchphrase - ‘Go ahead, Make my Day’ is quite popular and is a true testament to his character which is unyielding and ruthless.

10) Jack Reacher (Jack Reacher, 2012)

Tom Cruise has given us many iconic characters and films throughout his career. One of them is the popular Jack Reacher. He used to be a skilled investigator working with the U.S. Army Military Police before he started working independently. He has a mysterious presence to him, and reaching him is a tough task. He is intellectually sharp and his military training makes him a proficient fighter. His moral compass is strong and cannot be shaken easily and he enjoys quite a laid-back lifestyle.

9) Enola Holmes (Enola Holmes, 2020)

Enola Holmes is one of the youngest and newest to join this wagon of detectives. Played by Milly Bobby Brown, she is the sister of the famous and acclaimed detective - Sherlock Holmes. Living in Victorian Era England, she is a visionary who thinks beyond her time. She is intelligent with great deduction skills and despite her age and gender is highly courageous. Her actions are often motivated by her empathy towards those who face injustice.

8) Philip Marlowe (The Big Sleep, 1946)

Philip Marlowe is another much-loved detective from the year 1964. His first appearance was in the movie - The Big Sleep, directed by Howard Hawks. He is a detective working in the underworld of Los Angeles and is often armed with sarcastic and witty remarks. Solving a case is of utmost importance to him and he can be quite relentless about achieving what he wants. He likes to work alone and because of the constant exposure to crime and corruption around him is somewhat cynical.

7) Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon, 1941)

The highly popular and appreciated American Film-Noir - The Maltese Falcon, features Sam Spade. Sam Spade is a private investigator working in San Francisco. He is ruthless and somewhat shrewd and is a master at reading people and situations. His charisma is daunting and manages to captivate people. He fits the mold of a morally grey character as he can take the wrong way sometimes to turn a situation in his favor, but it's always for a good cause.

6) Clarice Starling (The Silence of the Lambs, 1991)

The Silence of the Lambs is considered a highly iconic piece of cinema. It features Clarice Sterling, an FBI trainee adept at solving mysteries, who is assigned to a case to interview a serial killer - Hannibal Lecter to capture another killer - Buffalo Bill. Hannibal is a cannibalistic killer and interviewing him requires a person with a strong back bone which Clarice sure has. She has great analytical skills and does not get manipulated easily. She is highly empathetic and her resilience to save innocent victims leads to her, sharing her traumatic past with Hannibal to make him share information in return.

5) Benoit Blanc (Knives Out, 2019)

The 2019 movie - Knives Out is a hilarious mystery movie revolving around the death of a wealthy mystery novelist. Benoit Blanc is the detective trying to solve his case and is portrayed by the James Bond actor - Daniel Craig. Benoit with his southern accent is sharp and deductive. He is an empath yet is notorious for using unorthodox means. He has a comic influence to him which makes him highly loved by the audience.

4) Hercule Poirot (Murder on the Orient Express, 2017)

Hercule Poirot, created by the acclaimed novelist - Agatha Christie, is portrayed by actor - Kenneth Branagh and made his appearance in the 2017 film - Murder on the Orient Express. This detective’s deduction skills are unparalleled, perhaps in league with Sherlock Holmes. He values perfectionism and likes things to be organized and symmetrical. He has a quirky and charming personality that is expressed with his witty remarks.

3) Scooby-Doo (Scooby-Doo: The Movie, 2002)

Perhaps the most loved detective in this list is - Scooby Doo. What makes him unique is, that this detective is not a human but a talking dog. He is a little scared but loyal to his core. He is a detective but by chance. This is because he often finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time which helps him solve the mysteries surrounding him. He is goofy and funny and is loved by children and adults alike.

2) Batman (The Dark Knight, 2008)

The Caped Crusader - Batman, is another highly skilled and acclaimed detective. He is not only adept at deduction but also an expert in forensic sciences. He is great at understanding criminal behavior and can anticipate the moves of criminals. He is armed to the teeth with the latest technologies and almost always has an upper hand in situations. He can recognize a bullet simply by looking at it and is highly proficient in decoding riddles and puzzles.

1) Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes, 2009)

Sherlock Holmes is a name synonymous with great detective at this point of time. This master mystery solver residing at 221B Baker Street in London is one of the best detectives to ever exist. His observational skills are perfect and he is also a master of subjects like - chemistry, forensics, law, and biology. Through a very logical approach, he manages to solve the toughest of situations. One of his most loved skills is his calm and cool way of going about demanding situations.