The mystical detective is one of the most fascinating genres of cinema. The investigation of crimes is always interesting, so the classic detectives were and remain popular and in demand. But a modern criminal story is no longer enough for a modern viewer. Add a little supernatural to the detective story, and you will get a fascinating and exciting cocktail of two genres that a sophisticated viewer cannot fail to like. The mystical detective has long won its niche in the cinema, and to take pictures of this genre is considered an honor for the most venerable directors of our time.
Mystical detectives or horrors - difficulties with classification
With the definition of genre affiliation of this kind of paintings is easy to understand. If there is something that goes beyond the ordinary, you can safely refer the tape to the category of mystical films. But sometimes difficulties arise. If the supernatural in the film is abundant, and one of the goals of the director is to frighten the viewer as much as possible, then such a tape is closer to the horror genre. Although here, there are usually very complicated detective stories and investigations. Such films include the series of thrillers "Saw", "Bell", "Curse".
Mystical thrillers-detectives combine in addition to the supernatural component an element of anxious expectation and fear. Most often, in these tapes there are two scenes - associated with mysticism and the conflict of the protagonist with a dangerous opponent (person or organization).
The Sixth Sense (1999)
The best mystical detectives in many ratings and tops are represented by this picture with Bruce Willis in the title role. In fact, this is not a detective story in the generally accepted sense of the word. A well-known child psychiatrist, who was attacked in the past by his patient, is trying to help the nine-year-old Cole. Symptoms of the boy’s disease exactly repeat the diagnosis of the patient who attacked the doctor. He begins to investigate all the strange cases that occurred with Cole. The doctor does not suspect that his fate is most closely connected with his minor patient.
The film is interesting not only with an intriguing plot, but also with an unexpected ending.
The Heart of an Angel (1987)
Private detective Harry Angel is tasked with finding out if a patient named John Fairit is actually in a psychiatric clinic. Having found the doctor of this hospital, the detective finds out that the patient was taken from there more than ten years ago. Returning home to the doctor to clarify the data, Angel finds him dead. He warns his employer that the case has become too dangerous, but he convinces the detective to continue the investigation and increases his fee many times over. The further Angel goes in his search, the more he realizes that he has gotten into something terrible.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Mystical detective - a category of films in which box office actors are pleased to be removed. The action of the picture, where one of the main roles was played by Johnny Depp, takes place in a distant wilderness, in the village of Sleepy Hollow. Cruel murders take place here - victims are cut off their heads. To study the circumstances of the case, a young inspector is sent here, carried away by scientific methods of investigation and search for criminals.
He is pragmatic to the core, and when residents tell him that the culprit of their troubles is a headless horseman, the investigator considers this nonsense. But then he himself encounters a terrible ghost and begins an investigation that will reveal many secrets of the seemingly serene and decent village.
The Ninth Gate (1999)
Dean Corso is an unusual detective. He is an expert on ancient and ancient books. On the instructions of his wealthy clients, he searches for valuable copies of manuscripts and manuscripts. Once he is entrusted with a seemingly simple task - to find out the authenticity of an old manuscript, in the creation of which, according to legend, Lucifer himself took part. But the further the investigation goes, the more Corso begins to suspect that not everything is clean with the manuscript and his client.
Russian mystical detectives - a list of the best films
From year to year, domestic cinema delights the viewer with high-quality tapes that could well compete with Western blockbusters. Russian directors did not pass by such a genre as mystical detectives. Russia still cannot call itself an expert in this direction, but a lot of interesting pictures with elements of the supernatural have been shot in recent years:
- “The Secret of the Dyatlov Pass” (2013). This Russian mystical detective is a joint work of Russian, American and English filmmakers.
The tragedy that happened more than 50 years ago with a group of students in the mountains of the Northern Urals is still a mystery. The circumstances of the incident worry researchers now. A group of American students decides to contribute to the investigation of the mysterious death of the Dyatlov expedition and leaves for Russia at the scene of the tragedy. They hope to find new data that will help establish the truth. Young people do not know that they are destined to find answers to their questions, and the revealed truth about the tragedy that happened for many years will be terrible.
- “The Ugly Swans” (2006). The ambiguous work of the director Lopushansky, based on the works of the Strugatsky brothers. To film their books is an extremely complicated matter, and so far only the ingenious Andrei Tarkovsky has succeeded. “Ugly Swans” is another attempt to transfer the action of the novels of famous Russian science fiction writers to the big screen. Unfortunately, viewers know almost nothing about this picture.
According to the plot of the film, the writer Banev arrives in the small city of Tashlinsk, closed by the authorities after the appearance of biting midges (people prone to a strange genetic disease) in it. His goal is to take away a daughter who is studying at a school for gifted children from biting midges.
Arriving in the city, he falls into a chain of events, during which he tries to find out what happened. No less interested in the origin of biting midges. Banev will have to choose whose side to take: frightened by the events of humanity or children who are convinced that the adult world should not exist, because it is cruel.
- “Possession 18” (2013). Russian film whose genre affiliation is difficult to determine accurately. This is an investigation with elements of thriller and mysticism.
A young couple receives an unexpectedly advantageous offer - from a small cramped room in a communal apartment they move to a spacious apartment in a new building. After moving, they learn that the house is not yet inhabited, and besides them, only a few people live here. Gradually, young people begin to think that something is wrong with their new home: a suspicious watchman and strange neighbors who try not to leave their apartments. New settlers decide to learn more about the history of the house and begin their investigation.
- “The Man Who Knew Everything” (2009). The mystical detective usually captivates the viewer with a famously twisted plot. In this picture, as a result of an unsuccessful suicide attempt, the main character receives an amazing gift - he knows the answers to all the questions. Having realized what a wonderful ability he now possesses, a failed suicide tries to solve her family troubles with her help. He quickly falls under the scrutiny of bandits and special services. Caught in the hands of American agents, he agrees to help them in the search for a traitor who went over to the side of the enemy.
Mystical detective series
In addition to films, there are many Russian detective series with a mystical component. One of the best is The Other Side of the Moon, in which Pavel Derevyanko played the main role . His hero as a result of a car accident is in the past in the body of his father. He is forced to adapt to new conditions and simultaneously tries to find out the reason for the time movement that happened to him .
Conclusion
Mystical detectives, a list of which is presented in the article, are interesting in that they combine two fascinating genres. The investigation of the crime, seasoned with a mystical component, - such a mixture cannot leave indifferent a true admirer of good films with an intriguing plot.