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Trailer

The Element of Crime

1984Movie1 h 44 minNR

CrimeDrama
71
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.6Metacritic666.7Rotten Tomatoes83%73%

A slow-burning, gripping crime movie about crime and mystery, with standout cinematography.

Good for friends night · thought-provoking · adults

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Movies with

Story

Fisher, an ex-detective, decides to take one final case when a mysterious serial killer claims the lives of several young girls. Fisher, unable to find the culprit, turns to Osbourne, a writer who was once respected for his contributions to the field of criminology. Fisher begins to use Osbourne's technique, which involves empathizing with serial killers; however, as the detective becomes increasingly engrossed in this method, things take a disturbing turn.

Feels like

  • Noir Crime Thriller
  • Psychological Investigation
  • European Arthouse
  • Visually Striking
  • Bleak Atmosphere
  • Stylized Cinematography
  • Mystery and Intrigue
  • Slow-Burn Narrative
  • Moral Ambiguity

Cast

14 of 14

Crew

Directed by
Lars von Trier
Written by
Lars von Trier, Niels Vørsel
Produced by
Per Holst, Sanne Arnt Torp, Per Årman
Music by
Bo Holten

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

May 14, 1984 · 1 h 44 min · NR

Released
May 14, 1984
Runtime
1 h 44 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Crime, Drama, Science Fiction
Original language
Danish
Also spoken
Arabic, English, German
Made in
Denmark
Available in
52 countries

Tropes

Mad Doctor, Silence Is Golden, Real Is Brown +9

  • Mad Doctor
  • Silence Is Golden
  • Real Is Brown
  • World of Bad Cops
  • Riddle for the Ages
  • Genre Deconstruction
  • Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism
  • Cyberpunk
  • Mind Screw
  • Shout-Out
  • Private Eye Monologue
  • He Who Fights Monsters

12 of 17 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Element of Crime?"

Questions about The Element of Crime

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Element of Crime?

MUBI

In the United States, The Element of Crime streams on MUBI. It also streams in 40 other countries.

Is The Element of Crime worth watching?

71
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 71 (IMDb 6.6, Rotten Tomatoes 83%, and Metacritic 66).

Will I feel good after watching The Element of Crime?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 7 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.

Will The Element of Crime scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

At times: scares are rated 6 of 10.

Is The Element of Crime in English?

DanishArabicEnglishGerman

No, it was made in Danish, with some Arabic, English, and German.