The Little Things

Main Plot

"The Little Things," directed by John Lee Hancock, is a psychological thriller set in the 1990s. The story follows Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon, who is sent to Los Angeles for a quick evidence-gathering assignment but becomes embroiled in the search for a serial killer terrorizing the city. Deke teams up with LASD Detective Jim Baxter, who is impressed by Deke's investigative skills. As they delve deeper into the case, Deke's past comes back to haunt him, revealing disturbing secrets and personal obsessions. The investigation leads them to a prime suspect, but the lines between guilt and innocence blur, raising questions about justice and morality. The film explores themes of redemption, obsession, and the psychological toll of police work.

Characters

• Denzel Washington plays Joe "Deke" Deacon, a Kern County deputy sheriff who teams up with a detective to solve a series of murders in Los Angeles.
• Rami Malek plays Detective Jim Baxter, a young, ambitious detective who partners with a veteran to solve a series of gruesome murders.
• Jared Leto plays Albert Sparma, a suspect in a series of murders. His character's eerie demeanor and cryptic behavior intensify the investigation's tension.

Ending Explained

In the movie "The Little Things," directed by John Lee Hancock, the ending reveals a complex and morally ambiguous conclusion. The film follows Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon and Detective Jim Baxter as they investigate a series of murders in Los Angeles. Their primary suspect, Albert Sparma, is a peculiar man with a suspicious past. In the climax, Baxter, desperate for answers, takes Sparma to a remote location where Sparma claims to have buried one of the victims. Sparma taunts Baxter, leading to a tense confrontation. In a moment of frustration and rage, Baxter accidentally kills Sparma with a shovel. Deke arrives and helps Baxter cover up the incident, advising him to forget about Sparma and move on. To ease Baxter's guilt, Deke sends him a red barrette, implying it belonged to one of the victims, suggesting Sparma was indeed the killer. However, a flashback reveals Deke bought the barrette, indicating Sparma's guilt remains uncertain. The film concludes with both men haunted by their actions and the unresolved case, emphasizing the moral complexities and psychological toll of their pursuit of justice.