Denzel Washington’s Forgotten Crime Thriller The Little Things Becomes a Global Netflix Hit Four Years Later

 

Denzel Washington’s 2021 neo-noir crime thriller The Little Things is enjoying an unexpected resurgence, climbing Netflix’s global charts four years after its original release. The film — often compared to Se7en for its dark tone, atmospheric mystery, and psychological tension — has suddenly become one of the streamer’s most-watched titles worldwide.

As of November 20, The Little Things sits at #7 on Netflix’s Worldwide Top 10 Movies for the day. It trails titles like Champagne Problems and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, while ranking above Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and KPop Demon Hunters.

For the week of November 10–16, the movie also holds the #7 spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10, pulling in 5.3 million views and 11.4 million hours watched. It’s charting in 21 countries, primarily across Latin America and the Caribbean.

(Note: The film is currently streaming on Netflix in the United States.)

🕵️ The Movie

Written and directed by John Lee Hancock, The Little Things follows two detectives — played by Denzel Washington and Rami Malek — attempting to solve a series of murders in early 1990s Los Angeles. Their investigation leads them to a strange, unsettling suspect portrayed by Jared Leto, whose performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

The supporting cast includes Chris Bauer, Terry Kinney, Natalie Morales, Maya Kazan, and Sofia Vassilieva.

💬 Critical & Audience Response

When it first premiered in January 2021, the film drew mixed reviews:

Critics praised its cast and old-school thriller style but found it overly familiar for the genre.

Viewers criticized its muted plot and ambiguous ending, though many appreciated its focus on the psychological toll of police work.

Rotten Tomatoes:

Critics Score: 45%

Audience Score: 67%

The film was also released in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, debuting simultaneously on HBO Max — a strategy that significantly impacted its box office earnings. It made $30.8 million on a $30 million budget.

Its release timing sparked controversy, as the story involves police officers covering up the deaths of innocent individuals — a sensitive topic during a period of intense public scrutiny of law enforcement following the murder of George Floyd.

📈 Why the Comeback Now?

Despite its lukewarm initial reception, The Little Things has consistently resurfaced on streaming platforms. Earlier this year, it reached #2 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 (April 1–7, 2024) with 8.7 million views.

Its newfound popularity may be driven by:

Renewed interest in dark, psychological thrillers

Denzel Washington’s enduring star power

A nostalgic return to ’90s-style detective stories

Algorithm-driven rediscovery by global audiences

📌 Final Thoughts

Four years later, The Little Things has finally found its audience — and while it may not reinvent the crime thriller genre, its atmosphere, performances, and slow-burn suspense are clearly striking a chord with Netflix viewers worldwide.