The Kid Detective

Abe Applebaum (Adam Brody) is a world-weary 32 year old private detective working his small cases. He is pitied. Twenty years earlier, he solved a big case at school and became adorably known as The Kid Detective. He solved all kinds of fun kiddie cases. It all came crashing down when his kiddie secretary Gracie Gulliver gets kidnapped and he failed to find her. Her disappearance haunts him to this day. Caroline (Sophie Nélisse) walks in with a big case. Her boyfriend was brutally murdered.

This is a lot better than I expected. Mostly, I found the mystery to be very compelling and the shocking reveal only tops it. The issue is the movie's lighter tone and comedic touches. It works but it does clash with the story's dark material. It's a brutal depressing story. I do wonder if the movie should try for a dark neo-noir tone instead. Nevertheless, this is a very good indie.