The Kid Detective

Name: The Kid Detective
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Comedy
Released: October 16, 2020
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Adam Brody, Amalia Williamson, Dallas Edwards, Jesse Noah Gruman, Jonathan Whittaker

2020

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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The Kid Detective (International Trailer 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) | Release Date: October 16, 2020 | R

Starring: Adam Brody, Amalia Williamson, Dallas Edwards, Jesse Noah Gruman, Jonathan Whittaker, Lisa Truong, Maurice Dean Wint, Peter MacNeill, Sarah Sutherland, Sophia Webster, Sophie Nélisse, Tzi Ma, Wendy Crewson

Summary: A once-celebrated kid detective, now 31, continues to solve the same trivial mysteries between hangovers and bouts of self-pity. Until a naive client brings him his first 'adult' case, to find out who brutally murdered her boyfriend.

Director: Evan Morgan

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 100 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Thom Ernst

Nov 12, 2020

I thoroughly enjoyed Kid Detective. It’s not the kind of picture that wins awards, which is too bad because nestled within a traditional tale of a detective in need of redemption, is a story surprisingly unique and humane. Read full review

Michael Ordona

Oct 16, 2020

The Kid Detective is an unexpected mix of disparate elements that in the wrong hands could have resulted in lumpy parody but, fortunately, pours out as something smooth, funny, dark and potent. Read full review

Wendy Ide

Nov 24, 2020

Writer-director Evan Morgan’s deft screenplay balances a taut crime story against a textured character study. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Oct 19, 2020

With its lesser-known cast, The Kid Detective was always going to get lost in the cinematic shuffle, with or without a pandemic closing most theaters. But Morgan and his new muse have concocted a whodunit that could give Hercule Poirot a run for his money in a contest for the year’s best mystery. Read full review

Barry Hertz

Nov 2, 2020

Early in the film, Morgan is careful to highlight Abe’s talent in predicting a movie’s twist (“She poisoned his drink!”). It is extremely doubtful, though, that anyone could guess what happens at the end of The Kid Detective. Read full review

John DeFore

Oct 19, 2020

Morgan's script generously allows us to deduce the truth just before Abe stumbles across it, which is not to say it doesn't have some real surprises left. It's fun to watch Abe put A and B together, and to regain some of his self-respect in the process. Read full review

Johnny Oleksinski

Oct 15, 2020

Laughter and enjoyment is stifled by the constant question of whether we’re allowed to laugh or enjoy anything at all. Read full review

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User Reviews

umaumai

Apr 27, 2021

This movie is incredible. The acting, pacing, dialogue along with the amazing filmmaking make this a must see even if you aren’t into the “Scooby” like vibe it gives off at times. Even the music is perfect from the original score to popular song cues. In comparison it’s not as heavy as theThis movie is incredible. The acting, pacing, dialogue along with the amazing filmmaking make this a must see even if you aren’t into the “Scooby” like vibe it gives off at times. Even the music is perfect from the original score to popular song cues. In comparison it’s not as heavy as the movie “Brick,” but it’s also not a comedy like “Mystery Team.” I honestly can’t recommend this movie enough. If you are in the mood for a murder mystery with a very unique style you can’t go wrong here. Just be prepared. It gets really dark at the end.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MfTonyD

Jan 29, 2021

Simply fantastic. One of the best dark comedies I have seen in years. A total re-examination of the PI noir genre for the modern times.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

thesaw2020

Feb 15, 2021

Funny, dark, odd, creative, The Kid Detective is great. The acting is solid, the editing is top notch and the script was tight.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

kirkender

Feb 15, 2021

A very fun premise that is executed well. A dark comedy about the inevitable reality of a child detective grown up and it is suitably serious and silly. The acting is excellent, the editing is sharp, and overall it is super entertaining. Check it out!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

imthenoob

Jul 22, 2021

The premise was interesting enough to give it a chance and I am glad I did. I thought the bits of humor scattered throughout were well-placed and didn't overwhelm the seriousness of the plot. Solid acting by the cast, The plot had a good mystery to it and overall, it was an enjoyableThe premise was interesting enough to give it a chance and I am glad I did. I thought the bits of humor scattered throughout were well-placed and didn't overwhelm the seriousness of the plot. Solid acting by the cast, The plot had a good mystery to it and overall, it was an enjoyable experience.

The only real flaw of it would be that it can be a bit long once you get to the second half. I think it easily could have been 10 minutes shorter by cutting out the needless filler that weights down the middle of the film. It would certainly improve the pacing a bit as well.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Dec 30, 2020

A small but surprising film, perhaps not so attractive, but solidly built, mostly because it doesn't resort to making the mystery obvious, and yet it doesn't try to make it a brutal puzzle either.

Adam Brody doesn't make a memorable performance, but it's definitely the most decent thingA small but surprising film, perhaps not so attractive, but solidly built, mostly because it doesn't resort to making the mystery obvious, and yet it doesn't try to make it a brutal puzzle either.

Adam Brody doesn't make a memorable performance, but it's definitely the most decent thing he's done in his career.
A curious dramatic twist for him, and he manages to make it effective.

It's worth the shot.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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