Courage Under Fire (1996)

**Courage Under Fire (1996)** plunges audiences into a gripping mystery as a US Army officer, haunted by a past "friendly fire" incident that led to his reassignment, is tasked with a seemingly straightforward investigation. His mission: to determine the posthumous Medal of Honor worthiness of a female chopper commander. Initially, the evidence appears to support her heroic actions, but as the officer delves deeper, subtle inconsistencies begin to surface within the witness testimonies, hinting at a carefully constructed facade and a truth far more complex than it first appears. This film earns its place among the best mystery movies due to its masterful pacing and escalating suspense. What begins as a procedural investigation gradually morphs into a tense psychological thriller as the protagonist, and by extension the audience, grapples with unreliable narrators and the potential for a deep-seated cover-up. The film expertly weaves a narrative of doubt, forcing viewers to question everything they are told, just as the investigator does. The mounting discrepancies, the moral complexities of military justice, and the chilling realization that the truth may be actively concealed all contribute to a deeply satisfying and thought-provoking mystery experience.