The Crime genre is a fascinating blend of suspense and mystery capable of drawing the viewer in and keeping them on the edge of their seat for the entire movie. When set in small towns, crime movies can become even more intriguing, with an additional level of intimacy and personal investment. From heartbreaking thrillers to neo-Western productions, the small-town crime subgenre contains many cinematic gems.

These films depict the unraveling of apparently peaceful communities as the hidden criminal scene catches up with them. They thrive on slow-burn suspense and, more often than not, morally complex characters that hardly fit the archetype of the Hollywood hero. The recognizable atmosphere and social messages embedded in these stories of seemingly ordinary people capture the viewer's interest, as they show realities where the concept of justice is more complicated than what appears.

10 A Simple Plan (1998)

Directed By Sam Raimi

Directed by horror maestro Sam Raimi, A Simple Plan is a neo-noir crime thriller based on Scott Smith's book of the same. The movie is set in the rural reality of Minnesota and follows three men, two brothers and a friend, who stumble upon a crashed plane and find more than $4 million in cash. The men choose to keep the money, inadvertently setting off a chain of paranoia and lies that forever ruin their relationships and lives.

The film's tense pacing and character-driven storytelling make it a fascinating exploration of human psychology and morality. In the winter and remote background of Minnesota, the main characters of the story unravel, plunging into utter chaos and desperation. Billy Bob Thornton was nominated at the Academy Awards for his performance. Picked by Raimi as his favorite film of his, A Simple Plan deserves a place in the crime hall of fame.

9 Wind River (2017)

Directed By Taylor Sheridan

Wind River is a neo-western production set in the cold landscape of Wyoming. The two main characters are a United States Fish and Wildlife Service tracker and an FBI Agent, respectively played by Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen. The plot follows the investigation into the murder of a young woman in the Wind River Indian Reservation. Taylor Sheridan, famous for his work on Yellowstone, wrote and directed the film in the hopes of raising awareness about the alarming number of cases of rapes against Indigenous women.

The 2017 movie deserves recognition for its smart blend of mystery and social commentary. Faithful to the genre, one of Wind River's strengths is its isolated and crude atmosphere. With beautiful and chilling visuals, Sheridan not only delivered a thought-provoking story concerning marginalized communities but also a captivating Western with gorgeous cinematography.

8 A History Of Violence (2005)

Directed By David Cronenberg

A History of Violence is another compelling crime story about the haunting presence of the past in our lives. Starring Viggo Mortensen, the movie follows Tom, who, after becoming a local hero, is suddenly faced with the consequences of his previous criminal activity. Tom is a seemingly small-town everyman who owns a modest diner and conducts a peaceful life with his loving family.

The movie received critical acclaim, with a strong emphasis on the nuanced performance of Mortensen. Empire even included it in its "500 Greatest Movies of All Time" list. David Cronenberg successfully explored the cyclical nature of violence through a gripping narrative and a profoundly familiar atmosphere typical of small-town thrillers. A History of Violence is an emotionally haunting character study that deserves to be celebrated as one of the finest productions of the genre.

7 Winter's Bone (2010)

Directed By Debra Granik

Unlike many other similar films, Winter's Bone is a coming-of-age crime story. The main character is a 17-year-old girl, Ree Dolly, played by Jennifer Lawrence in her breakout role. Ree, who lives in rural Missouri, embarks on a journey to track down her father to save her family from homelessness. However, as she delves into her small town's criminal underworld, the girl finds out the community is bound by a code of silence.

The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews when it premiered in 2010 and earned four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Lawrence was especially praised for her mature portrayal of the main character. The film indeed thrives on its sharp realism and gradual pacing, far from Hollywood's often larger-than-life productions. There is a quiet resignation in the dull and isolated environment depicted that makes Jennifer Lawrence's critically acclaimed movie​​​​ a forgotten gem of the small-town crime subgenre.

6 Touch Of Evil (1958)

Directed By Orson Welles

Shockingly, when it premiered in 1959, Touch of Evil did not encounter a positive critical reception in America. In Europe, on the other hand, it was another story. The film belongs to the noir genre and was written, directed, and performed by one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Orson Welles. The plot starts when a bomb planted in a car leads directly into a tense investigation that exposes the continuous corruption on the American-Mexico border.

The story unfolds, revealing a complicated reality of deceit and moral decay. The legendary long takes used in old films, along with the intense characterizations and plot twists, will entice all viewers. Welles' bold and innovative approach to direction paid off, creating a movie that defined the entire noir genre. In 1993, the Library of Congress selected Touch of Evil for preservation in the USA National Film Registry for its cultural significance.

5 Hell Or High Water (2016)

Directed By David Mackenzie

Directed by David Mackenzie and written by neo-Western master Taylor Sheridan, Hell or High Water is a modern Western set in Texas. The plot follows two brothers, Toby, played by Chris Pine, and Tanner, played by Ben Foster, who resort to robbing banks to save the family ranch. When a Texas Ranger (Jeff Bridges) is assigned to their case, Hell or High Water kicks off a thrilling chase into the remote landscape of America's small-town setting.

Praised for its stunning visuals and the actors' powerful performances, Hell or High Water is a Western loosely inspired by Sheridan's real-life experience. The movie offers exciting and character-driven storytelling, showcasing a stark portrayal of the hardships faced by many people in rural America. With a nuanced exploration of morality and more meaningful social commentary, this crime film is one of the best in the history of cinema.

4 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Directed By Martin McDonagh

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a different type of crime drama written and directed by Martin McDonagh. The story follows Mildred (s McDormand), a grieving mother who rents three billboards to encourage the local police to revisit the unsolved rape and murder of her daughter. The act disrupts the seemingly peaceful status quo of Ebbing, a fictional small town in Missouri.

The movie is a powerful mix of unexpected humor and heartbreaking drama. Mildred's character, fiercely obstinate in her pursuit of justice, represents an unusual heroine, an ordinary small-town single mother whose relentlessness and comion turned her into an extraordinary figure. The movie's themes of forgiveness, justice, and moral ambiguity also make it a thought-provoking story. Because of its emotional resonance and social impact, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri stands out among similar genre offerings.

3 In The Heat Of The Night (1967)

Directed By Norman Jewison

One of the most culturally significant films of the 20th century, In the Heat of the Night is a small-town noir crime that defined Sydney Poitier's career. The actor played the role of Virgil Tibbs, a detective from Philadelphia who is forced to a murder investigation in the small town of Sparta, Mississippi. The movie offers a grim portrayal of the bigoted reality of Southern USA and the police department there, characterized by racial discrimination and hostility.

The movie won a total of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is considered one of the greatest films of the 1960s. The sharp commentary and the mysterious intrigues have earned the production the title of classic. The brilliant performances of Poitier and Rod Steiger, along with their chemistry as a duo, complement the film, building a compelling dynamic.

2 No Country For Old Men (2007)

Directed By Ethan & Joel Coen

Considered one of the best films ever written and directed by the Coen Brothers, No Country for Old Men is an emotionally devastating story that hardly deserts the minds of the people who watch it. Set in a desolate area of Texas, the film follows a war veteran who accidentally stumbles upon a suitcase full of cash from a drug deal gone wrong. However, the event turns the man into the target of a ruthless hitman, Anton Chigurh, famously played by Javier Bardem.

The film's bleak setting, typical of the small-town crime genre, heightens the hopelessness of the plot and the endless violence depicted. The Coen brothers use endless tension and crime to delve deep into themes of morality, exploring the line between free will and destiny. The figure of Anton, which earned Bardem an Academy Award, is one of the most complex yet compelling characterizations ever portrayed on the big screen, embodying the darkest depths of humanity. No Country for Old Men is a philosophical masterpiece deserving the highest recognition.

1 Fargo (1996)

Directed By Ethan & Joel Coen

The Coen brothers appear to have a gift for the small-town crime genre. Before leaving the world in awe with No Country for Old Men, the two directors had already crafted another masterpiece named Fargo in 1996. The movie is set in the small corners of Minnesota and follows a car salesman's criminal plan as it spirals into chaos and leaves a trail of blood behind. s McDormand plays Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief who investigates the case.

The film earned critical and commercial success when it premiered, receiving seven nominations at the Academy Awards, and winning two for Best Actress and Screenplay. Fargo shines for its darkly ironic writing and wild, albeit thorough development, exploring small-town life through the vicious criminal scene portrayed. McDormand's captivating performance pays tribute to an incredibly well-built character. Thus, Fargo deserves first place as the best small-town crime movie ever made.

Source: Empire