The Little Things (2021) – Cast
The Little Things is a neo-noir psychological crime thriller directed by John Lee Hancock. Set in 1990s Los Angeles, it tells the story of two detectives who try to track down a serial killer while facing personal demons and moral ambiguity. The film boasts a stellar cast, with three Academy Award-winning actors in pivotal roles.
Main Cast:
1. Denzel Washington as Joe "Deke" Deacon
Q: Who is Denzel Washington in The Little Things?
A: Denzel Washington plays Joe “Deke” Deacon, a former detective turned Kern County deputy sheriff who is drawn back to Los Angeles to collect evidence. He becomes involved in a new murder case that bears similarities to an unsolved case from his past.
Q: What makes his character unique?
A: Deke is haunted by past failures and is a deeply flawed but brilliant investigator. His obsessive nature and personal guilt play a significant role in the film’s tone, blurring the line between justice and obsession.
Q: What is Denzel known for?
A: Denzel Washington is one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation. Known for films like Training Day, Malcolm X, Fences, and The Equalizer, he brings gravitas and emotional depth to every role.
2. Rami Malek as Detective Jim Baxter
Q: What role does Rami Malek play?
A: Rami Malek plays Jim Baxter, a young, ambitious, and by-the-book detective with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. He becomes Deke’s partner in the investigation.
Q: How does his character contrast with Deke?
A: Baxter is the moral and logical opposite of Deke. While Deke is jaded and driven by instinct, Baxter starts off idealistic and by-the-book. Over time, however, the pressure of the case begins to chip away at Baxter’s ethical foundation.
Q: Where have I seen Rami Malek before?
A: Rami Malek is best known for his Oscar-winning role as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody and for playing Elliot in the TV series Mr. Robot. His intense and introspective acting style fits perfectly with Baxter’s descent into moral ambiguity.
3. Jared Leto as Albert Sparma
Q: Who is Albert Sparma?
A: Albert Sparma, portrayed by Jared Leto, is the primary suspect in the serial killings. He’s a loner who works at an appliance repair shop and has a disturbing fascination with crime.
Q: Is Sparma the killer?
A: The film intentionally leaves this ambiguous. Sparma toys with the detectives and enjoys the psychological games, but there is never concrete evidence proving his guilt. His eerie demeanor and unsettling behavior keep both the characters and the audience on edge.
Q: What’s notable about Jared Leto’s performance?
A: Jared Leto delivers a chilling, enigmatic performance that earned him a Golden Globe and SAG nomination. Known for method acting, Leto disappears into the character, making Sparma unpredictable and disturbing.
Supporting Cast:
4. Chris Bauer as Detective Sal Rizoli
Q: What does Sal Rizoli contribute to the story?
A: Sal Rizoli is a colleague of Baxter who helps in the investigation. While not central to the plot, his role grounds the procedural aspects of the case and shows how other officers interact with Deke and Baxter.
5. Michael Hyatt as Flo Dunigan
Q: Who is Flo Dunigan in the story?
A: Flo Dunigan, played by Michael Hyatt, is one of the few people who knows Deke's backstory. She offers context to Deke’s past and adds emotional depth to his journey. Her character acts as a voice of reason and a reminder of Deke’s lost potential.
6. Terry Kinney as Captain Carl Farris
Q: What’s his role in the narrative?
A: Captain Farris is Baxter’s superior who authorizes the investigation and tries to manage the fallout. His role reflects the bureaucracy and pressure within law enforcement, often clashing with Deke’s off-the-books approach.
Key Questions and Answers
Q: What is the dynamic between the three main characters?
A: The film thrives on the tense dynamic between Deke, Baxter, and Sparma. Deke and Baxter form an uneasy alliance, with Deke acting as a mentor figure. Sparma, on the other hand, introduces chaos and psychological warfare, pulling the detectives into a web of uncertainty. Each actor’s performance complements the others, creating a triangle of suspicion, guilt, and obsession.
Q: How does the cast impact the tone of the film?
A: With three Oscar winners leading the cast, the performances elevate the film’s brooding atmosphere. Denzel Washington's world-weariness, Rami Malek's growing anxiety, and Jared Leto’s eerie unpredictability create a psychological depth that compensates for the film’s intentionally ambiguous plot.
Q: What themes does the cast help convey?
A: The cast explores themes like obsession, guilt, morality, and the gray areas of justice. Deke’s tortured past, Baxter’s moral crisis, and Sparma’s ambiguity force viewers to confront uncomfortable questions: Is justice always black and white? How far should one go for the truth? Can guilt consume a person even if they’re not guilty?
Q: Why was the casting so crucial for this film?
A: The story relies heavily on mood, character interaction, and psychological nuance rather than action or plot twists. Casting strong, emotionally expressive actors was essential to creating the slow-burn tension and moral complexity the film is known for.
Q: Did the cast receive any awards or nominations?
A: Yes. Jared Leto received several nominations for Best Supporting Actor, including at the Golden Globe Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. While the film itself had mixed reviews, the performances were widely praised for their depth and intensity.
Q: How does the casting reflect the director’s vision?
A: Director John Lee Hancock reportedly wrote the script in the early 1990s, and waited for the right cast to bring it to life. Choosing actors who are known for intense, layered performances reflects his vision of a morally ambiguous thriller rather than a standard detective story.
Conclusion
The cast of The Little Things is one of its most compelling features. Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto each bring their A-game, embodying complex characters that reflect the movie’s themes of guilt, justice, and obsession. Whether it's Deke's haunted conscience, Baxter’s moral decline, or Sparma’s eerie unpredictability, the performances anchor the film and keep audiences guessing until the very end.
Even if the mystery remains unsolved, the psychological drama between these characters ensures that The Little Things lingers long after the credits roll.