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.
Does The Little Things have end credit scenes?
No!
The Little Things does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of The Little Things, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.
Jared Leto
Albert Sparma
Rami Malek
Jim Baxter
Natalie Morales
Detective Jamie Estrada
Denzel Washington
Joe 'Deke' Deacon
Chris Bauer
Detective Sal Rizoli
Terry Kinney
LASD Captain Carl Farris
Jason James Richter
Detective Williams
Tom Hughes
Sofia Vassilieva
Tina Salvatore
Adam Harrington
Stephanie Erb
Discover where to watch The Little Things online, including streaming platforms, rental options, and official sources. Compare reviews, ratings, and in-depth movie information across sites like IMDb, TMDb, Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic.
See how The Little Things is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Little Things stands among top-rated movies in its genre.
Overall, The Little Things presents a mixture of strengths and weaknesses that generated varied responses. It garners praise for its performances and atmospheric nod to 1990s neo-noir while drawing criticism for its pacing and narrative depth. Viewers found the ambiguous ending stimulating yet undermined by moments of predictability and uneven momentum. The film’s technical craft and suspenseful elements resonate intermittently, but the blend of evocative style and underdeveloped narrative yields a moderately uneven experience.
The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for The Little Things
Art & Craft
In terms of visual craft, the film delivers a carefully composed aesthetic that evokes classic 1990s crime thrillers but often feels unremarkable. The cinematography and production design reflect a moody palette and cohesive framing, yet moments of mundane lighting and uninspired editing undermine the intended tension. The overall visual style is competent but seldom distinctive.
Character & Emotion
When it comes to character and emotion, the cast’s performances are a clear highlight, with seasoned leads delivering measured, immersive portrayals. The on-screen chemistry conveys genuine rapport and taut psychological interplay, although some characters lack substantial depth or evolution. Overall, the acting elevates the material even as emotional resonance wavers in places.
Story & Flow
In terms of plot and flow, responses are divided between appreciation for its ambiguous finale and frustration over uneven pacing and predictability. The narrative offers intermittent engagement through thematic tension and thoughtful subversions, yet protracted sequences and formulaic developments hinder momentum. Consequently, the story feels intermittently compelling but ultimately undercuts its own suspenseful potential.
Sensory Experience
In terms of auditory and stylistic impact, the soundtrack and sound design support the film’s moody atmosphere but rarely leave a lasting impression. The score’s repetitive motifs and modest dynamic range can feel unadventurous, even as sound mixing enhances select suspenseful moments. Visually cohesive color grading anchors the tone, though memorable sensory peaks are limited.
Rewatch Factor
Regarding rewatch value, the film’s intricate atmospherics and thematic ambiguity invite further viewings, with subtle visual cues and open-ended elements rewarding close attention. However, the uneven narrative momentum and lack of distinctive set pieces may reduce its lasting appeal for some viewers. Overall, the rewatch factor is moderate, buoyed by style but tempered by pacing.
54
Metascore
5.7
User Score
44%
TOMATOMETER
67%
User Score
6.3 /10
IMDb Rating
63
%
User Score
2.6
From 83 fan ratings
3.14/5
From 43 fan ratings
Challenge your knowledge of The Little Things with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
What year does the main event of 'The Little Things' take place?
Discover all the awards and nominations received by The Little Things, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how The Little Things and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.
Read the complete plot summary of The Little Things, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
One fateful night in 1990, a young girl named Tina Salvatore (Sofia Vassilieva) finds herself driving along a desolate highway, being closely pursued by an ominous motorist. In a moment of quick thinking, she stops at an abandoned gas station, where she attracts the attention of a passing truck driver who helps her evade her relentless stalker.
Fast forward to Bakersfield, where Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon (Denzel Washington) is summoned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for evidence collection related to a recent murder case. As he prepares to leave, he’s told he needs homicide authorization to release the evidence, which ultimately prolongs his stay at the precinct. Deacon, who was once a respected detective in L.A., returns only to find his presence unwelcome among colleagues, particularly from the newly appointed lead detective, Jim Baxter (Rami Malek). Faced with pressure from superiors to solve the case of the murdered Julie Brock (Tiffany Gonzalez), Baxter reluctantly takes Deacon along, despite his clear disdain for the older detective.
Through intense investigation, Baxter identifies a suspect named Stan Peters (Frederick Koehler), who had been seen frequently peering into Julie’s apartment. However, Deacon starts connecting the victim’s murder to old unresolved cases from his past, marked by haunting flashbacks in his dreams. This compels him to take a deeper look, especially after the disappearance of another woman, Ronda Rathbun (Maya Kazan), after she is followed during her evening jog. It’s revealed that Deacon has been deeply affected by obsession, leading to his divorce and a heart attack – facts that his colleague, Captain Carl Farris (Terry Kinney), reluctantly shares with Baxter.
As tension mounts, the case spirals further when they discover a body, consistent with a pattern of murders targeting sex workers. This drives Deacon to suspect a local repairman, Albert Sparma (Jared Leto), whose peculiar behavior and timeline seem too coincidental to ignore. Deacon grows increasingly convinced that Sparma holds the key to solving these grisly crimes, especially as he learns unsettling details about the murderer’s methods.
In a shocking twist, Sparma manages to outsmart the detectives, managing to taunt them during interrogation and securing his release even after triggering Deacon’s temper. Their investigation is compromised when Tina, who is critical to identifying Sparma’s presence on the night of the attack, spots him at the police station. As the FBI steps in to take control of the investigation, Deacon and Baxter are under immense pressure, but they remain adamant about proving Sparma’s guilt.
Despite an illegal search yielding no incriminating evidence against Sparma, a chilling confrontation leaves Baxter questioning the very nature of justice. What unfolds is a harrowing journey through moral dilemmas and the shadows of a tormented past, leading to a tragic encounter between Baxter and Sparma in the desert, where frustration meets fatal consequence.
As unresolved tensions culminate, Deacon tries to guide Baxter away from the haunting chase for answers that could consume him. A poignant moment arrives when Baxter receives a strange envelope from Deacon, containing a red barrette—identical to that worn by Ronda when she vanished. This is a final act of closure from Deacon, who desperately tries to confront his own past missteps while still seeking redemption in the lives they both failed to protect. Ultimately, the mysterious connection between Deacon and Baxter underscores a haunting exploration of guilt, loss, and the quest for truth amidst darkness.
Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Little Things. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.
Explore all cars featured in The Little Things, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.
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