Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources

The Detective (1968)
Police detective Joe Leland investigates the murder of a gay man.
Police detective Joe Leland investigates the murder of a gay man.
The film's left-leaning rating is primarily due to its central critique of police corruption, institutional homophobia, and the justice system's systemic failings, which align with progressive values.
The movie features a predominantly traditional cast without explicit recasting of traditionally white roles with minority actors. The narrative focuses on a traditional male protagonist and does not present a critical portrayal of traditional identities, nor does it center on explicit DEI themes.
The film portrays gay characters primarily as victims of a brutal murder and societal homophobia, living secretive and fearful lives. While the protagonist's evolving understanding offers a critique of prejudice, the overall narrative links queer identity to tragedy, marginalization, and negative stereotypes, resulting in a net problematic portrayal.
The film centers on the murder of Felix Tesla, a transsexual woman. While offering early visibility, the narrative frames trans identity within a context of tragedy, victimhood, and a marginalized 'seedy' underworld. The portrayal lacks affirming elements, associating transsexuality with danger and societal prejudice without significant critique or counterbalancing dignity.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The 1968 film "The Detective" is an adaptation of Roderick Thorp's 1966 novel. All major characters, including protagonist Joe Leland, retain their original genders from the source material in the film adaptation.
The film "The Detective" (1968) is an adaptation of Roderick Thorp's 1966 novel. There is no evidence that any character, canonically established as one race in the source material, was portrayed by an actor of a different race in the film.
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources























