How to Guess the Killer in a Mystery Movie or TV Show

One of the most popular genres in film and television is the mystery. Friends and family always pride themselves on being able to figure out “who done it” before the big reveal at the end. But instead of looking for clues like they are, use these few helpful tips to figure out the killer before they can (and maybe earn some money betting on the side).

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Obey the rules of supporting characters. In film and television, it is very expensive to give actors dialogue. Extras don’t get paid as much as speaking actors, so the only time characters are given lines is when they have information that the audience needs. If a character is speaking and he or she is not a main character, pay attention to their lines--they’re either the killer, or they know something important about them.
2. Watch out for the close-up. At some point in time during the film, a character who is not the investigator is going to get a close-up. DO NOT buy it; this is not your killer. This is the red herring, the character they created to try and fool you. Ignore this character, and keep an eye out for the one character who has lines, but doesn’t get his or her own close-up.
3. Consider the cliches. There is a small group of people who are always under suspicion simply because they are the cliché. If there is a police officer who was the detective’s mentor, he’s almost certainly involved. If the investigator has feelings for someone who they meet as a result of the case, they were probably involved. Conversely, there are people who are definitely NOT the killer. The prime suspect that the police are following didn’t have anything to do with it. The hot-headed boyfriend who was seen beating someone up earlier in the evening? Not him. And obviously (this is the case only for television) your main character/investigator definitely isn’t the killer.
4. Check the producer. This is a tricky one, because your clichés come mostly from major companies. The independent films try to gain attention by trying something different. So if the movie is from a major company, the clichés probably apply, but if the movie is from an indie label or you have never heard of it, then you might be surprised. Take that into consideration.
5. Listen to commercials and reviews. The final step is to read up on it. If the commercial says anything like "stay tuned to the end" or "you won’t believe it," then they think they’re going to fool you with a third-act twist. If the reviews say "a labyrinthine thriller" or "chock full of surprises," the same thing applies. But if you hear things like "brilliant noir performances" or "intense character study," it means that the story itself isn’t surprising. This could be your best indication.