The Kid Detective, not really a title that is very appealing, but the truth is that this movie is certainly entertaining. The humor is most of the time subtle. To me the mystery level is what makes this movie stand out. I don't know if the humor was really necessary to make this a good movie. But it's there, subtle and dark at times, it made me giggle a couple times, not rolling over from laughing but good enough to make me grin. The plot is well written, definitely the best thing about The Kid Detective. Nice twists, and an ending that will surprise more than one. The acting was good and that from the whole cast. Better than I expected to be honest.
137 Reviews
One of the Great Hidden Gems of 2020
aidanratesmovies27 May 2021
I'm not gonna lie, this film took me completely by surprise. I have always liked Adam Brody as an actor, but it's in this film we truly see him able to prove himself in a leading role, and he does an absolutely fantastic job- in honestly one of my favorite performances from the films of 2020. The Kid Detective was largely swept under the rug by most moviegoers, as it was shortly dumped in theaters in the fall of last year. I had heard good things about it, but lacked much of a desire to see it. However, the movie eventually made its way to the library where I decided to give it a watch, and I was completely shook by the time it was over. Not only do I regret not seeing the film in theaters, but it's also inspired me a bit more about movies in general. That it may just be still possible to make a good original film with a major studio this day and age, among all the sequels, franchises, and remakes out there. The film is complex, dark, and quite funny- its script is well fleshed out and incredibly well edited and paced. It never feels like too much or too little. It never feels like it's holding your hand or stuffing its hardship down your throat, it simply is a brilliant and well done mystery- and I couldn't be more pleased with it if I tried. The cinematography is excellent, a nostalgic view of a small middle class american town, and its soundtrack is incredibly fitting- providing the audience with classic tunes that lend the film to a more nostalgic tone- incredibly well set for its classic mystery inspired setup. In the end, The Kid Detective is easily the best mystery/thriller i've seen in quite a long time, and easily one of the best films of 2020.
My Rating: 10/10.
My Rating: 10/10.
Adam Brody did wonder in this quirky murder mystery
witra_as17 August 2021
A quirky murder mystery by Evan Morgan had unconventional steps to reveal the truth. I wasn't thoroughly impressed but had genuine LOL moments. Adam Brody is the best thing here cause you can't miss both his coming of age story and investigation process.
Caught me by surprise
Sergiodave21 December 2020
The Kid Detective starts out as a fairly run of the mill amateur sleuth movie, something not too distant from 'Murder She Wrote'. Luckily I didn't quit the film because it then turns very surprisingly dark. Well acted and directed with an ingenious plot , this movie will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled.
brutal mystery wrapped in a light tone
SnoopyStyle14 July 2022
Abe Applebaum (Adam Brody) is a world-weary 32 year old private detective working his small cases. He is pitied. Twenty years earlier, he solved a big case at school and became adorably known as The Kid Detective. He solved all kinds of fun kiddie cases. It all came crashing down when his kiddie secretary Gracie Gulliver gets kidnapped and he failed to find her. Her disappearance haunts him to this day. Caroline (Sophie Nélisse) walks in with a big case. Her boyfriend was brutally murdered.
This is a lot better than I expected. Mostly, I found the mystery to be very compelling and the shocking reveal only tops it. The issue is the movie's lighter tone and comedic touches. It works but it does clash with the story's dark material. It's a brutal depressing story. I do wonder if the movie should try for a dark neo-noir tone instead. Nevertheless, this is a very good indie.
This is a lot better than I expected. Mostly, I found the mystery to be very compelling and the shocking reveal only tops it. The issue is the movie's lighter tone and comedic touches. It works but it does clash with the story's dark material. It's a brutal depressing story. I do wonder if the movie should try for a dark neo-noir tone instead. Nevertheless, this is a very good indie.
A surprisingly complex cinematic treat.
GrantKanigan22 February 2021
A brilliant, funny premise with comedic heft, that is also a unsettling thriller. It'a due to the whole cast, whip smart direction, excellent direction and a masterful performance from Adam Brody. It's a testament to both the writing and Brody that such a weird, unique premise can ride the line between goofy satire and deadly serious themes. It's a unique, thrilling and absolutely memorable film. Where the Coen brothers seem to be more tongue in cheek or outright violent, or Guy Ritchie might stylize and use violence for jokes, this film somehow has its hilarious moments without taking away from some of its deadly serious tones. It's wonderful filmmaking, and surely would have been a hit if 2020 hadn't decimated moviegoing. Here's hoping this isn't the last we've seen from the creative duo of Morgan and Brody, and that this film finds its audience on VOD. It's destined to be a cult classic.
Far better than it has any right to be
Holland_March20 January 2021
I'm honestly shocked at how well this film turned out. Whatever I expected this to be, it turned out far better. Adam Brody gave an amazing performance, somewhat similar to a live action BoJack Horseman in this movie (obviously with detectives instead of actors). The comedy is really good too, the film knows how to make the audience laugh and when it's appropriate to do so. Not every line is hilarious, but a majority of the jokes tend to land. A sign of a good movie is, despite however much comedy it is, it's plot is well thought out, unpredictable, and possibly one of the most well done mysteries I've seen. It fits perfectly with the tone, plot, and characters. And the ending! The ending! Something so different from the rest of the movie, but something that works so well with it! When the film wraps, it leaves you wanting nothing but for Abe Applebaum's next mystery.
A Hidden Gem
Dave_0516 December 2020
I stumbled across this movie completely by accident (and with help of the current COVID situation), and I am so glad I did. An excellent film with many twists and turns, some dark humor, and also a story of lost and found potential.
It is a shame that more people have not found this movie; hopefully streaming and word of mouth will help it get a bigger audience. My only problem with it is the music that plays over the last scene; really does not seem to fit.
It is a shame that more people have not found this movie; hopefully streaming and word of mouth will help it get a bigger audience. My only problem with it is the music that plays over the last scene; really does not seem to fit.
The Kid Detective
henry8-318 August 2021
A once famous child detective who solved hundreds of cases around town and in school grows up to be something of a failure as an adult (Brody), haunted by the disappearance years ago of a girl who helped him. One day a girl turns up (Nelisse) asking him to solve the murder of her boyfriend.
Well executed comedy thriller with some genuinely funny scenes throughout as Brody does his best to investigate with little or no information and no support from family and friends. His somber, half drunken / stoned approach makes for an amusing character to be with. Interestingly about 30 minutes from the end it all gets very dark indeed as the fog clears for Brody. A really good effort.
Well executed comedy thriller with some genuinely funny scenes throughout as Brody does his best to investigate with little or no information and no support from family and friends. His somber, half drunken / stoned approach makes for an amusing character to be with. Interestingly about 30 minutes from the end it all gets very dark indeed as the fog clears for Brody. A really good effort.
Free Ice Cream
scythertitus16 March 2021
This movie is a great look at 'what happens next', holding true to this idea even at the end. There is a certain cynical tone that is self-reflective, both on what is real and why we hope. So it gives you a lot to unpack.
At the same time there is a lot of fun to be had here, especially if you enjoy dark comedy. All the performances are great and everyone knows what they are doing. It's very much a self aware movie that has lots of things to say, but has fun with it at the same time.
Overall I found this really enjoyable, and it's not even necessarily something I would be into otherwise. Has serious Brick vibes, so if you loved that you will probably love this, even though in some ways it is the exact opposite.
At the same time there is a lot of fun to be had here, especially if you enjoy dark comedy. All the performances are great and everyone knows what they are doing. It's very much a self aware movie that has lots of things to say, but has fun with it at the same time.
Overall I found this really enjoyable, and it's not even necessarily something I would be into otherwise. Has serious Brick vibes, so if you loved that you will probably love this, even though in some ways it is the exact opposite.
Dark humor and mystery that will leave you speechless
trinaboice26 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
IN A NUTSHELL:
This quirky dramedy blends dark humor, mystery, sadness, intrigue, and profound insight. It's a detective story layered with a coming-of-age story and a surprise gut punch. The movie is written and directed by Evan Morgan. I'm now a fan and can't wait to see more from him. Its unconventional look at murder and humor reminded me of the movie Knives Out.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: Talk of a "concubine." Some profanity You see a man snort lines of cocaine. Talk of inappropriate behavior. You see the naked backside of a man. You see the front of a naked woman wearing a mask that covers her face. You see a bloody suicide. Murder Lots of alcohol.
THEMES: Coming-of-age Earning respect How it feels when no one takes you seriously. The theme I thought was the most interesting and compelling was one voiced by Adam Brody's character. He said, "It's difficult to accept who you are in your head and who you really are." Balance Everyone has secrets. Is the truth worth knowing?
THINGS I LIKED: Adam Brody gives a stellar performance in this role. I loved Sophie Nelisse in The Book Thief and haven't seen her in anything else since. She was perfect in her role in this movie too. The subtle humor is hilarious. Abe Applebaum's terrible receptionist was funny and should be fired. Even the side characters are interesting. Several surprising twists. There is a fascinating juxtaposition of sweet, upbeat music and a terrible crime unfolding right before your eyes. The ending gives you a chance to exhale and release your own feelings, along with the protagonist. It's powerful. There is a film noir feel to it but with a more modern spin. Effective editing.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: It starts off quickly, then starts to drag as you try to figure out how things are related. A lot of people mumble, making it difficult to know what's going on. The last 20 minutes of the movie are jaw-dropping and take the movie in a direction you don't quite expect, leaving you utterly speechless.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: Talk of a "concubine." Some profanity You see a man snort lines of cocaine. Talk of inappropriate behavior. You see the naked backside of a man. You see the front of a naked woman wearing a mask that covers her face. You see a bloody suicide. Murder Lots of alcohol.
THEMES: Coming-of-age Earning respect How it feels when no one takes you seriously. The theme I thought was the most interesting and compelling was one voiced by Adam Brody's character. He said, "It's difficult to accept who you are in your head and who you really are." Balance Everyone has secrets. Is the truth worth knowing?
THINGS I LIKED: Adam Brody gives a stellar performance in this role. I loved Sophie Nelisse in The Book Thief and haven't seen her in anything else since. She was perfect in her role in this movie too. The subtle humor is hilarious. Abe Applebaum's terrible receptionist was funny and should be fired. Even the side characters are interesting. Several surprising twists. There is a fascinating juxtaposition of sweet, upbeat music and a terrible crime unfolding right before your eyes. The ending gives you a chance to exhale and release your own feelings, along with the protagonist. It's powerful. There is a film noir feel to it but with a more modern spin. Effective editing.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: It starts off quickly, then starts to drag as you try to figure out how things are related. A lot of people mumble, making it difficult to know what's going on. The last 20 minutes of the movie are jaw-dropping and take the movie in a direction you don't quite expect, leaving you utterly speechless.
milestone for Morgan ********
A_Different_Drummer20 December 2020
Morgan as writer and director announces himself to the world with the rare combination of tight script and masterful direction. What starts off as simply a single clever idea gradually becomes a unique story in its own right. In the same rarified air as Rian Johnson's BRICK.
Well written "comedy" mystery that gets dark
Cujo_Firebird21 December 2020
Funny dark comedy
batiste-bieler15 December 2020
Pretty simple story with a few twists. I chuckled quite a few times at the weird situations the protagonist find himself in. Quite enjoyable overall and good cinematography and score.
I liked the script and the dialogs as well.
Encyclopedia Brown, boy detective, becomes Jeff Lebowski in Canadian suburbia.
tlooknbill29 October 2020
Canadian made movies seem to create a dream like parallel "more innocent" American universe which is what I felt watching this "Ghost World" like indie film of a boy detective now attempting to solve his first murder mystery as a young man but in the same suburbs he grew up in as a boy solving minor issues and mysteries asked by his school mates which is hilarious if not endearing on its own as it's illustrated quite humorously in flashbacks.
It is this localization of his connection and familiarity with the community that cleverly aids him in solving a missing person and recent stabbing of an Asian boy reminiscent of a Columbo episode but in a Napoleon Dynamite kind of droll community. It's clunky, slow paced and pretty sloppy as it slogs and meanders along eventually leading to the ultimate pay off but in the most disturbing scene considering its innocent suburbia setting.
This is a smartly made movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it for its mix of humor and unusual methods of sleuthing by knowing the community better than the cops who were also solving the same missing persons and murder cases.
The ending is a big surprise but not as usual surprise endings go in detective movies because it's as slow paced and unassuming as if you're watching someone clear the table after a potluck dinner making it just weird and disturbing but in a thought provoking way. I certainly didn't see it coming.
It is this localization of his connection and familiarity with the community that cleverly aids him in solving a missing person and recent stabbing of an Asian boy reminiscent of a Columbo episode but in a Napoleon Dynamite kind of droll community. It's clunky, slow paced and pretty sloppy as it slogs and meanders along eventually leading to the ultimate pay off but in the most disturbing scene considering its innocent suburbia setting.
This is a smartly made movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it for its mix of humor and unusual methods of sleuthing by knowing the community better than the cops who were also solving the same missing persons and murder cases.
The ending is a big surprise but not as usual surprise endings go in detective movies because it's as slow paced and unassuming as if you're watching someone clear the table after a potluck dinner making it just weird and disturbing but in a thought provoking way. I certainly didn't see it coming.
Funny, Gritty, Complex... the complete Package
Frank-E-Hickey16 October 2020
I honestly was not expecting such a compelling film out of The Kid Detective. It is a dark comedy in every sense of the word. From beginning to end. There are moments that are drop dead hilarious, and also so sad. Adam Brody plays his role perfectly. It is non-stop melancholy fused with bits of rich humor. I loved it.
HIGHLY UNDERRATED !!!!!!
mohamed_khaled-1001312 January 2021
Smart, darkly funny, and a good mystery to boot
blott2319-118 February 2021
The Kid Detective is a clever idea. Considering all the books and TV shows that have been made about young kids acting as detectives, it's kind of fun to explore what might become of one of those kids when they grow up. In this case it's a darkly comedic look at a man who never fully matured and failed to move on with his life, because of one particular mystery that he was never able to solve. I was able to connect quite well to the comedic tone of this film. It's not traditional jokes, but a subtle undertone of dark comedy, and I could see some people watching the movie without even sensing that it is intended to be funny. It plays on a number of the tropes that most of us know from when we were growing up reading/watching things like the Hardy Boys, Scooby-Doo, etc.
Perhaps I wouldn't have as much fun with The Kid Detective if it weren't for the fact that there was also a solid mystery woven into the whole thing. It would have been easy for them to just play with the concept and then leave it there with a by-the-numbers story. However, I was genuinely puzzled by this film, and had trouble putting the pieces together, even though they do a decent job of slowly revealing clues along the way. It's a well-written whodunnit with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I also appreciate that there are layers to the mystery, and we are never completely sure if this kid was ever a good detective at all. Since the flashbacks are stylized in a way to make them feel like his own personal recollection of how he remembers things, we are left wondering if he was as good as his memories made him out to be.
Adam Brody did a solid job in the lead role, and he sold all the emotion of The Kid Detective. There are a number of scenes where there isn't much going on, but you can sense the importance of those moments based on Brody's expression (or lack thereof.) Sophie Nélisse is his co-star, but she doesn't get quite enough to do in the film. I was hoping she would play a more active role in the investigation rather than just tagging along. It is vital that she not be around for some scenes, though, and her somewhat hands-off role as "the client" makes sense because this film is also emulating a classic film noir. All these genres meshed quite well, and made for a movie that I found surprisingly entertaining, and will definitely recommend to others.
Perhaps I wouldn't have as much fun with The Kid Detective if it weren't for the fact that there was also a solid mystery woven into the whole thing. It would have been easy for them to just play with the concept and then leave it there with a by-the-numbers story. However, I was genuinely puzzled by this film, and had trouble putting the pieces together, even though they do a decent job of slowly revealing clues along the way. It's a well-written whodunnit with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I also appreciate that there are layers to the mystery, and we are never completely sure if this kid was ever a good detective at all. Since the flashbacks are stylized in a way to make them feel like his own personal recollection of how he remembers things, we are left wondering if he was as good as his memories made him out to be.
Adam Brody did a solid job in the lead role, and he sold all the emotion of The Kid Detective. There are a number of scenes where there isn't much going on, but you can sense the importance of those moments based on Brody's expression (or lack thereof.) Sophie Nélisse is his co-star, but she doesn't get quite enough to do in the film. I was hoping she would play a more active role in the investigation rather than just tagging along. It is vital that she not be around for some scenes, though, and her somewhat hands-off role as "the client" makes sense because this film is also emulating a classic film noir. All these genres meshed quite well, and made for a movie that I found surprisingly entertaining, and will definitely recommend to others.
Surprising
harrisonmoon13 June 2021
Sneaky compelling. Adam Brody's style... deadpan delivery of lines keeps you hooked. You get vested and want to know what happened. Canadian film too which surprised me more... a movie I expected would be the usual 4 or something I just didn't finish. But it's good and it's a bit different... and you kinda want to see it to the end.
One Of The Better Films I Have Seen
ladymidath5 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't sure what to expect when I decided to watch The Kid Detective but I found myself really enjoying it. It is an enthralling mystery but it was the character of Abe that had me invested. A brilliant kid detective who was well liked and respected but years later, he is now a depressed man who everyone worries over or who are disappointed in. This is a realistic look at what happens to an expectational who became an ordinary man who happens to be good at something.
This is not just a story about a kidnapping and an unsolved mystery, but a study on depression. Unrealised expectations and the realities of being a grown up.
A child hiding in a closet is cute, an adult hiding in a closet is a predator. A child solving mysteries is wonderful, a man living with his past triumphs and disappointed family is misery.
This goes so much deeper almost into Bojack Horseman territory. This is one to watch.
This is not just a story about a kidnapping and an unsolved mystery, but a study on depression. Unrealised expectations and the realities of being a grown up.
A child hiding in a closet is cute, an adult hiding in a closet is a predator. A child solving mysteries is wonderful, a man living with his past triumphs and disappointed family is misery.
This goes so much deeper almost into Bojack Horseman territory. This is one to watch.
Pretty good!
leonmessyb17 August 2021
interesting premise handled well
cherold5 February 2021
What if The Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew kept on detecting as adults? It's hard to imagine, simply because you never think of them as growing up, but The Kid Detective suggests a possible scenario.
In this private detective dramedy, Abe Applebaum was a town celebrity; a whiz kid with a talent for detecting. Now he's 30 and is still pursuing the same penny-ante cases of his childhood - missing pets and digging up info on relatives. You just have to ignore the absurdity that the cases he handles would be enough to pay a secretary (amusing and dourly played by Veep's Sarah Sutherland).
Then Abe gets a serious case; a girl's boyfriend was stabbed and the police are flummoxed. It's the first really important case he's had since a kid-era case that doesn't appear to have gone well, but he pursues it doggedly and often foolishly.
This is a rather odd movie. It starts light and comedic but gets darker as it moves along. The end is actually downright grim, and that's not really what you're expecting at the beginning.
I didn't really enjoy the last half hour as much as the rest, but it's hard for me to separate my feelings about the movie from the fact that an hour into the movie I got into a brief spat with my girlfriend that I expected to blow up when we had a chance to talk more, and I was very stressed after that. It's possible that if not for that I might have given the movie an 8.
Anyway, if you like detective movies and find the premise appealing it's definitely worth checking out.
In this private detective dramedy, Abe Applebaum was a town celebrity; a whiz kid with a talent for detecting. Now he's 30 and is still pursuing the same penny-ante cases of his childhood - missing pets and digging up info on relatives. You just have to ignore the absurdity that the cases he handles would be enough to pay a secretary (amusing and dourly played by Veep's Sarah Sutherland).
Then Abe gets a serious case; a girl's boyfriend was stabbed and the police are flummoxed. It's the first really important case he's had since a kid-era case that doesn't appear to have gone well, but he pursues it doggedly and often foolishly.
This is a rather odd movie. It starts light and comedic but gets darker as it moves along. The end is actually downright grim, and that's not really what you're expecting at the beginning.
I didn't really enjoy the last half hour as much as the rest, but it's hard for me to separate my feelings about the movie from the fact that an hour into the movie I got into a brief spat with my girlfriend that I expected to blow up when we had a chance to talk more, and I was very stressed after that. It's possible that if not for that I might have given the movie an 8.
Anyway, if you like detective movies and find the premise appealing it's definitely worth checking out.
Most underrated film of this awful year!
heresija28 October 2020
Surprisingly Affecting & Well Done
fraser-simons9 January 2023
Adam Brody plays post-insert-first-roles characters well. For some reason, it's easy to believe him in these rising stars that end up disaffected and disappointed with their lives. The millennial malaise actor. In this he is a kid detective who solved everything-except the most important case that came along: the disappearance of a local girl. It took the wind right out of his sales all the way up to adulthood. Until a young client comes to him to solve the death of her boyfriend, who was stabbed.
It's a realistic but subversive effort that veers into comedy. It actually reminds me a little of Brick. It takes teenagers seriously and the genre not so much, creating a weird confluence that just works when it's good. I really loved the ending and thought the script was surprisingly good. The acting isn't magnificent, or the shots. But it's got a few qualities that propel it well beyond the usual riff raff.
It's a realistic but subversive effort that veers into comedy. It actually reminds me a little of Brick. It takes teenagers seriously and the genre not so much, creating a weird confluence that just works when it's good. I really loved the ending and thought the script was surprisingly good. The acting isn't magnificent, or the shots. But it's got a few qualities that propel it well beyond the usual riff raff.
Once a kid detective, can he get his MOJO back at 32?
TxMike21 March 2021
Based on the title I figured this would be just an entertaining, light-hearted comedy. In fact there are many comedy elements but I would consider it a dark comedy because there is an unsolved abduction, and an unsolved murder of a teenage boy.
The boy when young was a sort of Nancy Drew type of detective and he achieved quite a reputation in his town. Part of the whimsy in this story is some of his old cases come back to haunt him because he had identified the wrong perp. As an adult he isn't getting much work and he always seems out of sorts.
My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library. We enjoyed it, the dialog isn't totally standard, there are some quirky elements. A good change-of-pace for an evening's viewing.
The boy when young was a sort of Nancy Drew type of detective and he achieved quite a reputation in his town. Part of the whimsy in this story is some of his old cases come back to haunt him because he had identified the wrong perp. As an adult he isn't getting much work and he always seems out of sorts.
My wife and I watched it at home on DVD from our public library. We enjoyed it, the dialog isn't totally standard, there are some quirky elements. A good change-of-pace for an evening's viewing.
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