CRIME THRILLER. “The Whisper Man.” / “Wardriver.” / “Relay.” / “Nobody Wants to Shoot a Woman.” / “Alone.” / “Crown Vic.” / “The Good Neighbor.” / “Exposed.” / “Oxygen.”

“The Whisper Man” (2026, Netflix) crime thriller. A widowed novelist and his young son move to the town of Garretton as police investigate a child abduction apparently connected to an infamous serial killer known as the Whisper Man. 

       With the exception of the no-brainer remarkable performance by Michael Keaton as jailed serial killer Frank Carter, and the expected focused work by Robert De Niro (as ex-cop Peter Willis), this movie is a minor letdown. 

       This is an obligatory procedural marred by a few plot holes or scenes that don't add up. Such as why would a police officer (Michelle Monaghan as Amanda Beck) visit a possible suspect's house, alone. No back-up cop outside in a car. Plus the climax or end game is a bit “convenient” or effortless. 🎥💻📽

“Wardriver” (2026, Apple TV+) crime thriller. A reclusive hacker steals from unsecured Wi-Fi networks from his car. He is blackmailed into a major heist, uncovers a dangerous laundering scheme, and fights to protect an innocent woman. 

       This is an aesthetically smart neo-noir that's able to effect dramatic tension without resorting to high-strung theatrics or swashbuckling action sequences. Nice work by Rebecca Thomas. 

       My only whine is the sudden twist in the otherwise fine character study. Because of the lack of exposition, we don't really know the characters apart from the facades. Dane DeHaan though makes Cole, believably accessible, as a hacker. 🎥💻📽

“Relay” (2024, Netflix) crime thriller. A fixer assists whistleblowers while concealing his identity through a relay service for the deaf. Stars Riz Ahmed, Lily James, and Sam Worthington. 

       The “relay service” was unknown to me until this movie. So this is education to me, in my old age, LOL! Although I am a bit caught off-guard by the end game twist, the screenplay by Justin Piasecki is clearly deftly structured and David Mackenzie's direction isn't short of technical brilliance. 

       Riz Ahmed as the fixer Ash is a template of dramatic restraint, indeed. 🎥💻📽

“Nobody Wants to Shoot a Woman” (2024, Amazon Prime) noir crime drama. After her husband is murdered, a marginalized Brooklyn mother turns to a violent crime spree and bank robbery to secure a future for her son. 

       This movie was prepped as an all-female core creative team project. Writer-director Kerry Ann Enright and producer Cheyanne Kane, plus the lead star Tina Benko as Mary, in a traditionally male-centric genre. This is supposedly a female-driven perspective.

       But it didn't really matter. Mary as a bank robber doesn't alter the situation. After her arse thief hubby was gunned down, Mary simply took over in the crime joint. The movie, as is, without the feminist pretensions, is not too bad though. 🎥💻📽

“Alone” (2020, Roku) psychological thriller. A young woman desperately tries to escape a deranged and bloodthirsty psychopath in the wilderness. 

       As a critic puts it: "This minimalist survival thriller unfolds with such elegant simplicity and single-minded momentum that its irritations are easily excused.”

       Yes, the irritation mainly comes from the storytelling. Viewers are not given a graspable hint why the antagonist (Marc Menchaca) acts that way, or it'd seem Jessica (Jules Willcox) literally put herself in harm's way? 🎥💻📽

“Crown Vic” (2019, Hulu) crime thriller. The film focuses on the events during a night shift for veteran LAPD officer Ray Mandel and his trainee Nick Holland. The film's title derives from the Ford Crown Victoria, a car widely used by U.S. police, which the main characters also use. 

       The film's title derives from the Ford Crown Victoria, a car widely used by US police, which the main characters also use. 

      The one-night cop thriller theme isn't so challenging as a police action/drama but Thomas Jane's impressive performance is enough to watch. But writer/director Joel Souza proved conveniently effective in this genre, somehow. Gotta check out his handling of the controversial “Rust.” Remember the Alec Baldwin real-life handgun tragedy? 🎥💻📽

“The Good Neighbor” (2016, Hulu) drama thriller. Two high school students want to become famous on YouTube. They create a cruel social experiment to trick their strict, lonely elderly neighbor into thinking his house is haunted. 

       This movie is definitely well-acted (Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Luke Kleintank) and the movie, in general, is welI-made. The suspense is compelling. Except, the storyline is hard to believe. Implausible. 🎥💻📽

“Exposed” (2016, Fandango) action thriller. An NYPD detective investigates the subway murder of his corrupt partner. 

       This movie was originally titled “Daughter of God.” I don't see how that was changed into “Exposed.” From a young woman who witnessed an apparition of sorts or a floating male angel in the New York subway–to a murder investigation of a corrupt detective. So focus is confused. 

       The exposition is dull, replete with dialogue cliches and a narrative that wanders around a singular plot-point. 

        Ana de Armas as the religious Isabel is fine. Keanu Reeves as Detective Scott Galban is Keanu Reeves as he is, cold and one-dimensional (that's okay). And there's Mira Sorvino, too, as a lonely widow. But this movie is lost although the grainy, grayish cinematography of upper Manhattan deserves a high-five. 

       Instead, go check out other Ana de Armas movies, although she's a hit-and-miss affair. But you can't miss Keanu. He is definitely one of those actors who “doesn't act” to act well, you know what I mean? Hey, there are four John Wick movies! 🎥💻📽

“Oxygen” (1999, Tubi) thriller film. A troubled cop pursues a kidnapper who calls himself Harry Houdini.

       This is a good-enough b-movie, with enough suspense and thrills. And the kickass performance by Maura Tierney (as unstable cop, Madeline) and Adrien Brody (as a sly kidnapper). 🎥💻📽