The Mystery Behind Whodunit Films: What are They and Why are They so Popular?
If you’re a film lover, and you enjoy mysteries, there’s a rather strong chance you’ve watched at least a couple of whodunit films in your lifetime. In fact, most of us have enjoyed these films! Or a classic whodunit novel of the murder-mystery type. Certainly if you’ve ever played the game “Clue” you are familiar with the whodunit theme or motto. But, what are whodunit films? And what’s the mystery behind these classic films?
What are Whodunit Films?
Whodunit films represent a unique and yet complex, plot-driven mix of adventure and classic murder mystery. In typical “Clue” fashion, whodunit films typically involve a complex detective story that is driven by the plot.
It has twists and turns as an attempt is made to figure out who, out of a group of people, completed the crime. It’s a mystery, and determining who did it, or who done it, is the main point of the story.
Throughout the classic whodunit film, viewers are provided a series of clues. Which help them to gradually attempt to identify who the perpetrator is. And follow the potential clues until there’s a great revelation of who is behind the mystery at the climax of the story.
What makes the whodunit so hard to figure out? The mystery is generally being gradually solved by an amateur sleuth or detective.
Classic Whodunit Films
Over the years, there have been several classic whodunit films that have been produced. These films represent a double narrative structure in which there are several different potential outcomes.
Together, two tales coexist throughout the story, such that the audience can easily mistake one or the other as a potential culprit and as they focus on the first crime and the most logical perpetrator, a secondary story is also being corroborated and delivered to the audience at the same time.
The best part of whodunit films is that they are not predictable like many other styles and types of murder mystery films.
Thus, you might recall the following whodunit films from the past:
- Clue
- Rear Window
- Memento
- Murder on Orient Express
- Mystic River
Over the years there have been many different whodunit films produced with the classic tales of a murder mystery in which am amateur detective attempts to solve the case and there are several twists and turns which lead to the least logical outcome in the end.
That’s the mystery of whodunit films.