Singapore, a city known for its blend of cultures, modernity, and tradition, serves as the perfect backdrop for thrilling detective stories. This curated list of 10 films not only showcases the city's unique atmosphere but also delves into its underbelly of crime and mystery. Whether you're a fan of classic whodunits or modern crime dramas, these films provide a captivating journey through Singapore's enigmatic streets and hidden secrets.
Sandcastle (2010)
Description: This film tells the story of a young boy who uncovers a family secret, involving elements of mystery and crime, set in the backdrop of Singapore's changing landscape.
Fact: It was Singapore's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 83rd Academy Awards.
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Ilo Ilo (2013)
Description: While not a detective film, it includes a subplot where a Filipino maid and her employer's son solve a small mystery, reflecting on Singapore's economic and social changes.
Fact: It won the Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for best first feature film.
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The Maid (2005)
Description: This film follows a maid who becomes entangled in a murder mystery in her employer's home, offering a unique perspective on Singapore's social hierarchy and the lives of domestic workers.
Fact: The film was Singapore's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in
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12 Storeys (1997)
Description: While not strictly a detective film, this drama involves a series of interconnected stories in a Singaporean HDB block, one of which includes a crime, providing a gritty look at life in Singapore.
Fact: It was the first Singaporean film to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival.
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The Blue Mansion (2009)
Description: Set in the 1940s, this film explores the life of a wealthy Chinese family in Singapore, with a subplot involving a detective investigating a series of mysterious deaths.
Fact: The film was shot in the actual Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Apprentice (2016)
Description: Although more of a drama, it involves a prison officer who becomes an apprentice to the executioner, uncovering dark secrets and moral dilemmas, set against Singapore's backdrop.
Fact: It was Singapore's submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards.
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The Teenage Textbook Movie (1998)
Description: This film, while primarily a teen comedy, includes a subplot where the characters solve a school mystery, giving a light-hearted take on detective work in Singapore.
Fact: It was one of the first Singaporean films to achieve commercial success.
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881 (2007)
Description: A musical drama with elements of mystery, where two getai performers solve the mystery of a missing singer, showcasing Singapore's unique cultural performances.
Fact: The film was a major box office success in Singapore, becoming the highest-grossing local film at the time.
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The Maid (2005)
Description: This film follows a maid who becomes entangled in a murder mystery in her employer's home, offering a unique perspective on Singapore's social hierarchy and the lives of domestic workers.
Fact: The film was Singapore's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in
30 Days Free
The Blue Mansion (2009)
Description: Set in the 1940s, this film explores the life of a wealthy Chinese family in Singapore, with a subplot involving a detective investigating a series of mysterious deaths.
Fact: The film was shot in the actual Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
30 Days Free
