Tom Hanks, a renowned actor in Hollywood, has delivered remarkable performances across different genres, including comedy in ‘Forrest Gump’ and war in ‘Saving Private Ryan.’ Among his roles in mystery thrillers, ‘The Da Vinci Code’ stands out as arguably his greatest.
“The Da Vinci Code” is a 2006 drama that tells the story of Robert Langdon, a religious symbol specialist from Harvard University who embarks on an adventure that ultimately leads to the search for the truth about the Holy Grail. Although the film was condemned by the Catholic Church, it remains a classic.
‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ (2011)
This film tells the story of journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who begins investigating the disappearance of a 16-year-old girl who disappeared 40 years ago. He is looking for evidence to accuse a businessman who has sued him for defamation. Another businessman offers Blomkvist evidence if he agrees to investigate the disappearance and alleged murder of his niece. Like the characters in The Da Vinci Code, Blomkvist embarks on a dangerous adventure in search of evidence to clear his name.
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” also has a stellar cast, including Daniel Craig, known from the James Bond films, and Rooney Mara, who plays young computer genius Lisbeth Salander. Like The Da Vinci Code, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has mystery storylines and a desire to solve the mystery using clues.
There is a similar amount of action in both films, but there are some differences, especially in the violence of the storylines. While Blomkvist’s motives are less serious than Langton’s, his journey is darker and more disturbing, making the investigation all the more exciting.
‘As Above, So Below’ (2014)
Perhaps the first thing some will notice about this film is the lack of familiar names in the cast. However, as the wise man says, never judge a book by its cover, and this film proves just that. Despite the lack of familiar actors, the actors have played superbly and convincingly.
The storyline also helps to bring the film to life, providing exciting twists and turns of events. Although the film deviates slightly from The Da Vinci Code, using horror elements, it is still a brilliant investigative journalism and exploration of religious themes and theories.
The film follows the adventures of a group of people recruited by young scientist Scarlett Marlowe as they attempt to continue their search for their dead father’s Philosopher’s Stone (no, it’s not just in the Harry Potter films). The group travels to forbidden areas of Paris, where they experience horrific but exciting adventures.
‘The Crimson Rivers’ (2000)
Before Spanish-French actor Jean Reno played the Captain of the police, Bezu Fache, in “The Da Vinci Code,” he had portrayed Pierre Niemans, a Paris police Detective Superintendent and the lead character of this French psychological thriller. So if fans enjoyed his performance in pursuit of Hanks, they get a whole of him in this film.
The movie is about two detectives, the other being Detective Inspector Max Kerkerian, played by Vincent Cassel, who investigate murders in a small university town in the French Alps. What begins as an investigation of one murder leads to a chain reaction where they find a link between the dreadful acts.
The story is told through parallel viewpoints as the two detectives begin with different cases in separate locations and only meet an hour into the film, a reflection of Langdon and Silas in “The Da Vinci Code.” They realize that the killer may be leaving clues, and the hard-nosed investigating team goes on a hot pursuit of the murderer.
‘Memento’ (2000)
Again from the year 2000, this film, written and directed by the brilliant Christopher Nolan, leads fans on the path of an enthralling investigation. Guy Pearce plays Leonard Shelby, who suffers from short-term memory loss and cannot form new memories.
Despite his seemingly precarious situation, Shelby is determined to find out who attacked him and his wife, raping and killing her during the act. He uses photographs, notes, and tattoos to register information he won’t remember.
This murder mystery story is told in a unique backward chronology that leaves clues hidden in front of the audience throughout the film. That makes the film more fascinating as fans can feel the answer is right there at their fingertips, but they cannot fully grasp it.
‘National Treasure’ (2004)
Audiences who enjoyed the puzzle and riddle parts of “The Da Vinci Code” but were not fans of the dark and serious tone of the film will appreciate this action-packed adventure heist and a display of the charm of the lead actor, Nicholas Case.
Cage’s character is historian Benjamin Franklin Gates who is inspired by a treasure story his grandfather told him when he was young. Gates grew up to be a treasure hunter and cryptographer. He goes on a mission to recover the riches based on the clues from his grandfather’s story.
The adventure leads him to many locations, including a ship lost in the Arctic and engaging in the unthinkable crime of stealing the Declaration of Independence. Like in “The Da Vinci Code,” those in the pursuit are also being pursued, thereby creating an exciting cat-and-mouse chase.
Although it includes puzzles and clues, “National Treasure” employs a less complex chain of events that even the least invested minds can still enjoy. Its touch on various aspects of US history, albeit without complete accuracy, gives a close-to-home feeling.
