The Little Things (2021)

While a departure from some of his more uplifting dramas, "The Little Things" is a quintessential John Lee Hancock film, showcasing his masterful grip on atmospheric storytelling and complex character studies. This neo-noir thriller delves deep into the psychological toll of obsession, featuring Denzel Washington's haunted Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon and Rami Malek's ambitious Detective Jim Baxter, as they hunt a serial killer in early 90s Los Angeles. Hancock meticulously crafts a grim, sun-drenched backdrop where the line between justice and personal vendetta blurs, building palpable tension not through jump scares, but through the slow, agonizing unraveling of characters grappling with their own moral compasses. What elevates "The Little Things" to "Best John Lee Hancock Movies" status is its unflinching exploration of themes that often underscore his work, but here are pushed to their darkest conclusion. Like "The Founder" or "The Highwaymen," Hancock is less interested in clear-cut heroes and villains, and more in the moral ambiguities inherent in the pursuit of a goal. The film challenges the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about guilt, the nature of evil, and the sacrifices made in the quest for resolution, even if that resolution is elusive or morally compromised. Its deliberate pacing, exceptional performances, and haunting ambiguity solidify it as a mature, compelling entry that showcases Hancock's versatility and his profound understanding of the human condition's darker corners.