Top 10 Detective Exam Films

Description: A rare book dealer is hired to authenticate a book that supposedly contains the secret to summoning the Devil. The journey involves solving puzzles and deciphering clues, akin to an exam of esoteric knowledge.

Fact: Directed by Roman Polanski, the film features Johnny Depp in one of his lesser-known roles. The film's ending is intentionally ambiguous, leaving viewers to interpret the clues themselves.

Description: This adaptation of Dan Brown's novel follows a symbologist and a cryptologist as they solve a series of puzzles and codes to uncover a religious conspiracy. The film is essentially an exam of historical and religious knowledge.

Fact: The Louvre Museum allowed filming inside the museum, a rare occurrence. The film was shot in various locations across Europe.

Description: While not directly about exams, this film involves a nurse who must solve the mystery of a haunted house, where the clues are hidden in plain sight, much like an exam where the answers are there if you look closely enough.

Fact: The film was shot in New Orleans, showcasing the city's unique architecture and atmosphere. It explores themes of voodoo and hoodoo.

Description: Like "The Prestige," this film involves a magician whose performances are puzzles for the audience and authorities to solve, making each trick an exam of perception and deception.

Fact: The film was inspired by a short story by Steven Millhauser. The magic tricks were designed to be historically accurate to the time period.

Description: A man becomes obsessed with a book that seems to parallel his own life, leading him on a quest to solve the mystery of the number 23, which becomes an exam of his sanity and perception.

Fact: Jim Carrey, known for his comedic roles, took on this dramatic and psychological thriller role. The film explores numerology and conspiracy theories.

Description: This film involves a rivalry between two magicians, where each trick becomes an exam of sorts, testing their ability to outwit the other. The narrative structure itself is like a puzzle, challenging the audience to piece together the truth.

Fact: The film was based on a novel by Christopher Priest. The title refers to the final part of a magic trick, where the magician reveals the trick's secret.

Description: A series of murders in Oxford, England, are linked by mathematical symbols, turning the investigation into an intellectual exam for the characters involved, including a young student and his professor.

Fact: The film was adapted from a novel by Argentine author Guillermo Martínez. The mathematical puzzles in the film were created by a real mathematician.

Description: In this psychological thriller, eight candidates compete for a job at a mysterious corporation. The exam room is stripped bare, and the only rule is that they cannot spoil their papers. What follows is a battle of wits, where the real test is not the exam itself but the ability to solve the enigma of the room.

Fact: The film was shot in just 18 days. The entire movie takes place in one room, showcasing the power of minimalistic storytelling.

Description: Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant hacker, teams up with a journalist to solve a 40-year-old mystery. The investigation involves cracking codes and solving puzzles, much like an intellectual exam.

Fact: The film was directed by David Fincher, known for his meticulous attention to detail. The Swedish version of the film was released in

Description: While not strictly an exam film, this biographical thriller about Alan Turing and his team's efforts to crack the Enigma code during WWII involves intense intellectual challenges akin to an exam. The pressure to solve the code before the next attack is a race against time, much like an exam.

Fact: Benedict Cumberbatch's performance as Alan Turing was critically acclaimed, earning him an Oscar nomination. The film was also nominated for Best Picture.