User reviews

What if a series of murders followed the sequence of a deck of cards, and every victim was tied to someone close to Conan? The Fourteenth Target delivers a gripping mystery that blends personal stakes with methodical deduction.

The film begins with a chilling premise: a mysterious assailant targets individuals connected to Detective Kogoro Mouri, each attack symbolized by a playing card number. This clever narrative device creates both a countdown structure and a psychological tension, as Conan must protect people he knows while racing to predict the killer's next move. Unlike the explosive action-driven debut film, The Fourteenth Target leans more heavily into the detective tradition, weaving red herrings, emotional backstories, and character relationships into the unfolding puzzle.

Analytically, the strength of the film lies in its layered storytelling. Each victim's connection to Kogoro reveals fragments of his past, offering viewers insight into his flawed yet sympathetic character. Thematically, the film explores guilt, resentment, and the long shadow of personal choices, elevating the mystery beyond a mere whodunit. However, the pacing occasionally slows with extended dialogue scenes, and the final reveal, while thematically satisfying, may feel somewhat predictable to seasoned mystery fans.

Still, the balance of suspense, character depth, and symbolic storytelling makes this installment memorable. The card motif cleverly ties the plot together, culminating in a high-stakes resolution aboard a glass-enclosed setting that amplifies both tension and spectacle.

Rating: 7/10 - a thoughtful, emotionally resonant mystery that deepens Conan's world while keeping viewers guessing until the final draw.