The 2010s represented a marked change in crime cinema.

Keller takes matters into his own hands and begins a vigilante investigation into his daughter’s disappearance.

It isn’t an accident thatDenis Villeneuvemakes two appearances on this list.

Best-Crime-Movies-of-the-2010s

Image by Nimesh Niyomal Perera

The directors deft hand and eye for character are clear to anyone who watchesPrisoners.

For every decade thatDavid Fincherhas been a filmmaker, he has redefined crime films.

The grungy cynicism ofSevenrepresents the best of what 90’s procedurals had to offer.

Jake Gyllenhaal’s Loki intensely interrogates Paul Dano’s Alex in Prisoners

Image via Summit Entertainment

Gillian Flynn makes her second appearance on this list withWidows, a film she co-wrote with the film’sdirectorSteve McQueen.

McQueens unbridled and undeniable talent as a filmmaker has been on display for almost two decades.

Before directingWidows, McQueen directed IRA historical filmHunger, sex-addiction dramaShameand Oscar-winning Solomon Northrup biopic12 Years a Slave.

Prisoners Movie Poster

Their late-mother’s decision to place a reverse mortgage on the property has left the brothers desperate.

At the same time, two Texas Rangers join the investigation and begin circling the brothers.

This trauma and unfulfilled rage is on full display inHell or High Water.

instar51951155.jpg

Lynne Ramsayis renowned for her emotive, sophisticated and understated work.

It isn’t every day that arthouse breaks through to the mainstream in such a spectacular fashion asDrive.

Bygone decades had simpler outlooks on crime and punishment.

instar53569532.jpg

Starting from scratch again, Jordan begins to bend the rules to secure his success.

Martin Scorsese’s duality and range as a filmmaker were on proud display in the 2010s.

He’s also a reckless gambler with a substantial debt to his name.

Rosamund Pike as Amy Dunne and Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne stand beside each other in ‘Gone Girl’.

Image via 20th Century Studios

The undeniable creative voice and vision of Josh and Benny Safdie solidifiedUncut Gemsas a modern crime classic.

Knives Outis a balancing act of contradictions that shouldn’t work.

These unconventional touches are a massive reason for the film’s success.

Gone Girl Movie Poster

As if these factors weren’t enough,Knives Outalso features one knockout performanceafter another.

instar53458338-1.jpg

instar53477152.jpg

Four women have a serious conversation while standing in a rundown warehouse

Image via 20th Century Fox

widows-official-movie-poster.jpg

instar52776809.jpg

instar52776767.jpg

Chris Pine and Ben Foster sitting on their porch and looking at a person offscreen in 2016’s Hell or High Water.

Image via Lionsgate

hell-or-high-water-poster.jpg

instar51444973.jpg

instar52237578.jpg

instar53745383.jpg

Cast Placeholder Image

A man with a beard stares sternly into the distance

Image via Amazon Studios

you-were-never-really-here-movie-poster.jpg

instar49362499.jpg

instar54198759.jpg

instar49886246.jpg

The Driver in a car, moonlighting as a getaway driver in Drive.

Image via FilmDistrict

drive-movie-poster.jpg

instar53673005.jpg

instar47705702.jpg

instar53533022-1.jpg

instar53556943.jpg

A female FBI agent, played by Emily Blunt, in tactical gear while looking concerned

Image via Lionsgate

01346993_poster_w780-1.jpg

instar49769918.jpg

instar54130144.jpg

Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill) in a floor tussle in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’

Image via Paramount Pictures

the-wolf-of-wall-street-official-poster.jpg

instar53337300.jpg

instar49799457.jpg

instar53643528.jpg

instar52163395.jpg

Howard Ratner is followed by Julia through the streets of New York City

Image via A24

uncut-gems-poster.jpg

instar49473990.jpg

Daniel Craig talking while Ana de Armas looks at him in the background in ‘Knives Out.'

Image via Lionsgate Films

Knives Out movie final poster

instar51799750.jpg

instar54013666.jpg

Movie

Prisoners