The Kid Detective Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A washed-up former child genius still solves petty crimes until a murder case forces him to confront his past failures and the dark secrets of his hometown, proving that growing up can be a real killer.

🍿 The Kid Detective: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Abe’s Troubled Present

Abe Applebaum, once a celebrated kid detective, is now a 32-year-old man grappling with a stalled career and a tarnished reputation. He spends his days solving trivial cases, battling self-doubt, and struggling with substance abuse. His glory days are long behind him, and the unsolved disappearance of his childhood friend, Gracie Gulliver, haunts him.

A Murder Case Arrives

Caroline, a high school student, seeks Abe’s help to investigate the brutal murder of her boyfriend, Patrick Chang. Seeing this as an opportunity for redemption, Abe reluctantly accepts the case, despite his lack of experience with serious crimes. This case quickly pulls him into a dark and twisted world far removed from the petty mysteries of his youth.

Unraveling Secrets and Confronting the Past

As Abe investigates, he uncovers a web of secrets surrounding Patrick’s life, including drug dealing and infidelity. He also begins to see connections between Patrick’s murder and Gracie’s disappearance, blurring the lines between past and present. His investigation is clumsy and often misguided, highlighting his lack of maturity and professional skills.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Abe Applebaum (Adam Brody): A former child detective, now a disillusioned and struggling adult, seeks redemption by solving a real murder case.
• Gracie Gulliver (Kaitlyn Chalmers-Rizzato): Abe’s childhood friend whose disappearance as a teenager haunts him and becomes intertwined with the current murder investigation.
• Caroline (Sophie Nélisse): A high school student who hires Abe to investigate the murder of her boyfriend, setting the plot in motion.
• Principal Erwin (Jonathan Whittaker): The high school principal who is secretly responsible for the crimes.
• Mrs. Applebaum (Wendy Crewson): Abe’s mother, who worries about his well-being and stagnation in life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Abe Applebaum: “It’s difficult to accept the difference between who you are in your head and who you are in the world.” – Abe reflects on his inability to live up to his past successes and his idealized self-image.
• Abe Applebaum: “I used to be somebody around here.” – Abe laments his diminished status in the town after failing to solve Gracie’s disappearance.
• Abe Applebaum: “I’m a detective, that’s what I do.” – Abe asserts his identity, clinging to his detective persona despite his failures and current circumstances.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $364,138
• Worldwide Gross: $367,890

💥 The Kid Detective Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely blown away by this movie! It starts off quirky and funny, but it quickly takes a dark turn that I wasn’t expecting. Adam Brody is amazing as Abe, and you really feel his struggle to move on from his past. The ending is a real gut-punch, and I was left thinking about it for days. Definitely one of the most unique and memorable movies I’ve seen in a long time. The origami roses scene gave me chills.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in mystery thrillers with a twist”
  • “Audiences who appreciate indie films with strong performances”
  • “Those who enjoy character-driven stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Alcohol abuse”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Some disturbing content”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Adam Brody delivers a career-best performance in this darkly comedic and surprisingly poignant mystery. The film expertly balances humor with genuine emotional depth, making for a unique and memorable viewing experience. A clever subversion of the child detective trope.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Evan Morgan’s ‘The Kid Detective’ offers a fresh take on the detective genre, blending humor with a surprisingly dark and disturbing narrative. Brody shines as the flawed protagonist, navigating a world of small-town secrets and personal demons. The film is a worthwhile watch for fans of neo-noir.

Audience Reactions

Unexpectedly dark and thought-provoking, this movie will stay with you.: Adam Brody’s performance is a standout, perfectly capturing the character’s cynicism and vulnerability.

The unique blend of humor and mystery creates a refreshing and engaging viewing experience.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s clever plot twists and satisfying resolution.

Overall Consensus: A darkly comedic and surprisingly poignant mystery with a standout performance by Adam Brody, offering a unique and thought-provoking take on the detective genre.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2020.”
• “Director Evan Morgan wrote the script with Adam Brody in mind for the lead role.”
• “The film balances dark humor and serious themes, creating a unique tone that sets it apart from typical detective movies.”
• “Filming took place in North Bay, Ontario, Canada, contributing to the film’s small-town atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Kid Detective?

The Kid Detective is available for streaming purchase or rental on platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video. Check local listings for availability on other streaming services and on-demand platforms. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) are also often available for purchase online and in retail stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Kid Detective, you might like these similar films:

• Brick (2005): Both films blend noir detective elements with a high school setting, featuring stylized dialogue and a unique atmosphere.
• Knives Out (2019): Features a quirky detective investigating a murder mystery with dark humor and surprising twists.
• Veronica Mars (2014): A former high school detective returns to solve a serious crime, grappling with the complexities of adulthood and their past.
• Inherent Vice (2014): A neo-noir detective story with a comedic edge, featuring a flawed protagonist navigating a complex and often absurd case.

🛒 The Kid Detective Related Products

• The Hardy Boys Starter Set (Books 1-5): The Tower Treasure, The House on the Cliff, The Secret of the Old Mill, The Missing Chums, Hunting for Hidden Gold: Relive the nostalgia with the original kid detective series that inspired ‘The Kid Detective’. Perfect for those who enjoy classic mysteries and want to revisit the charm of young sleuths.
• Detective Pikachu Returns – Nintendo Switch: Step into the shoes of a detective with Pikachu as you solve mysteries in this immersive Nintendo Switch game. This action-adventure is a delightful blend of mystery-solving and Pokemon fun!
• Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Collection: Dive into the world of the ultimate detective with the complete Sherlock Holmes collection. This box set includes every novel and story featuring the world’s most famous sleuth, offering hours of engaging mysteries.
• Clue Game: Sharpen your deduction skills with the classic board game Clue. Uncover the murderer, the weapon, and the location in this engaging and timeless mystery game.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Kid Detective features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sugar Town” – performed by Nancy Sinatra

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Quickie: The Kid Detective, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

Curious what others thought of The Kid Detective? YMS gives a pretty insightful quick review, and I personally found his points about the film’s tone really interesting – give it a watch!

Comedy Bang Bang – Kid Detectives JJ and Murphy, Part I

Ever wondered what a truly absurd kid detective case would look like? This Comedy Bang Bang sketch is hilarious and definitely captures the essence of the trope in a ridiculous way. Check it out, you won’t regret it!

✨ Rate