Best Mystery movies

First Reformed (2017)

While not a traditional "whodunit," *First Reformed* masterfully operates as a profound psychological mystery, drawing viewers into the deeply troubled mind of Reverend Ernst Toller. The film presents the enigma of a man grappling with a spiritual crisis, physical illness, and growing despair over the state of the world, catalyzed by his encounter with a radical environmentalist. The core mystery lies in understanding the genesis and trajectory of Toller's radicalization, as the audience is left to deduce his true state of mind and the dangerous path he is charting, mirroring an internal investigation into the human soul under extreme duress. As Toller descends further into his own brand of militant environmentalism, the film builds an intense, almost unbearable suspense, forcing the audience to ask: what will he do? Is his transformation a rediscovery of fierce conviction or a descent into delusion? This "what-will-happen-next" mystery is meticulously crafted, leading to a climactic sequence shrouded in ambiguity. *First Reformed* earns its place among the best mystery movies by never fully revealing Toller's ultimate intentions or the precise nature of his final moments, leaving the audience to piece together the fragments of his fractured psyche and the implications of his actions, making it a compelling, existential mystery that lingers long after the credits roll.