Quartile rating: 5.5/10 · 1 rating
When Addison investigates the murder of his friend Kevin with the help of Phoebe, they discover that the truth is darker than they had ever imagined.
November Criminals is a middling YA-adapted thriller that struggles to distinguish itself in a crowded genre. The plot follows a familiar teen-investigates-unsolved-murder template without adding meaningful twists or thematic depth — the 'darker truth' premise never fully delivers on its promise. Ansel Elgort and Chloë Grace Moretz are capable performers but their chemistry feels flat here, and the script gives them little to work with beyond brooding introspection. Visually, the film is competent and Washington D.C. provides some atmospheric framing, slightly elevating the cinematography above the material. Novelty is low — the film is a largely by-the-numbers YA mystery with no distinctive voice or memorable formal choices. The ending is unsatisfying, failing to land the emotional or narrative payoff the investigation builds toward, which is a significant structural weakness in a thriller. Overall a forgettable entry in the genre that underserves both its source material and its cast.