If you were captivated by the gripping mystery and intense storytelling of 'The Night of the 12th' (2022), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 similar movies and shows that deliver the same suspense, dark atmosphere, and intricate crime-solving narratives. Whether you're a fan of psychological thrillers or police procedurals, these recommendations will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Description: A psychological thriller that pairs an FBI trainee with an incarcerated cannibal to catch a serial killer, exploring themes of power, manipulation, and trauma.
Fact: It's one of only three films to win all five major Academy Awards (Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay). The moth imagery was inspired by a Salvador Dalí photograph.


Se7en (1995)
Description: A grim, rain-soaked crime thriller about two detectives hunting a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi, culminating in a shocking finale.
Fact: The opening title sequence, showing the killer's notebooks, was created by filmmaker Kyle Cooper and became highly influential in title design. The studio wanted to change the dark ending but the director refused.


Insomnia (2002)
Description: A psychological crime thriller set in perpetual daylight, following a detective whose moral boundaries blur as he investigates a murder while battling sleep deprivation.
Fact: The film was shot in reverse order to accommodate the lead actor's schedule. The constant daylight of Alaska was simulated in British Columbia by shooting during summer months with additional lighting.


Mystic River (2003)
Description: A tragic crime drama about childhood friends reunited by a murder investigation, exploring themes of trauma, guilt, and the lasting impact of violence.
Fact: The bridge where a key scene was filmed had to be specially aged with dirt and grime to match the film's gritty aesthetic. The novel's author initially didn't want the book adapted into a film.


Zodiac (2007)
Description: A meticulous and haunting procedural that explores the obsession with an unsolved serial killer case, blending journalism and police work in a dark, atmospheric narrative.
Fact: The film's production was delayed due to the director's insistence on historical accuracy, including recreating the San Francisco Chronicle newsroom down to the smallest detail. It features one of the longest runtime for a mainstream thriller at 157 minutes.


Gone Baby Gone (2007)
Description: A morally ambiguous detective story set in working-class Boston, where the search for a missing child reveals uncomfortable truths about the community.
Fact: The film's child abduction plot was so similar to a real-life case that occurred during production that the release was delayed. Many local Boston residents were cast in supporting roles.


The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)
Description: A masterful blend of crime drama and romance that examines the lingering effects of a brutal murder case over decades, with a focus on memory and justice.
Fact: The film's famous single-shot chase scene through a football stadium was achieved by digitally stitching together multiple takes. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in


Prisoners (2013)
Description: A gripping crime thriller that delves into the psychological toll of a child abduction case, featuring a relentless investigation and moral dilemmas.
Fact: The film's tense atmosphere was enhanced by shooting during an unusually cold winter in Georgia. It was initially developed as a project for director Antoine Fuqua before Denis Villeneuve took over.


The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Description: A dark, complex mystery involving a decades-old disappearance, featuring a brilliant but troubled investigator and graphic depictions of violence against women.
Fact: The opening title sequence, featuring a black liquid engulfing bodies, took three months to create and used a mixture of oil and ink. The Swedish production company initially opposed an American remake.


Wind River (2017)
Description: A bleak, atmospheric crime story set against the harsh Wyoming wilderness, focusing on the investigation of a young woman's murder and the systemic issues it reveals.
Fact: The film was inspired by real-life statistics about missing Native American women, though the story itself is fictional. The director wrote the script in just six days.
