Hail, Caesar! (2016)

In the glitzy, yet morally ambiguous world of 1950s Hollywood, Eddie Mannix, a studio fixer whose job it is to make inconvenient truths disappear, finds himself in a peculiar predicament. When the studio's biggest star, Baird Whitlock, vanishes mid-filming of a lavish biblical epic, Mannix is thrust into a chaotic race against time to locate him. This comedic tale, *Hail, Caesar! (2016)*, masterfully blends farce and caper as Mannix navigates a labyrinth of eccentric characters, political machinations, and existential crises, all while trying to keep the studio's carefully constructed illusion intact. While *Hail, Caesar!* is primarily celebrated for its sharp wit and satirical exploration of the studio system, it undeniably earns its place on a "Best Mystery movies" list due to its central premise. The disappearance of Baird Whitlock acts as the engine of the narrative, driving Mannix to investigate clues, interview a colorful cast of suspects, and piece together the fragmented puzzle of what truly happened. The film plays with the conventions of a mystery, offering red herrings and unexpected twists, even as it revels in its comedic and often absurd explorations of faith, ideology, and the peculiar business of moviemaking. The "whodunit" element, though filtered through a Coen Brothers lens of dark humor and character study, is robust enough to satisfy fans of the genre seeking an unconventional and thoroughly entertaining mystery.