The Element of Crime (1984): cast, story & where to watch
1984 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1984, The Element of Crime is a thriller, drama, crime and mystery film directed by Lars von Trier, running about 104 minutes.
What it’s about. Fisher, an ex-detective, decides to take one final case when a mysterious serial killer claims the lives of several young girls. Fisher, unable to find the culprit, turns to Osbourne, a writer who was once respected for his contributions to the field of criminology. Fisher begins to use Osbourne's technique, which involves empathizing with serial killers; however, as the detective becomes increasingly engrossed in this method, things take a disturbing turn.
Who’s in it. The Element of Crime stars Michael Elphick as Fisher, Esmond Knight as Osborne, Me Me Lai as Kim and Jerold Wells as Kramer, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Element of Crime has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on MUBI and MUBI Amazon Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Element of Crime page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Element of Crime tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Element of Crime (1984)?
- In US, The Element of Crime is available to stream on MUBI and MUBI Amazon Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Element of Crime worth watching?
- The Element of Crime holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama, crime and mystery. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Element of Crime?
- The Element of Crime stars Michael Elphick, Esmond Knight, Me Me Lai, Jerold Wells and Ahmed El Shenawi.
- When was The Element of Crime released?
- The Element of Crime was released in 1984, with a runtime of about 104 minutes.