An underseen and underrated murder mystery is getting a television remake at Hulu.
The private investigator subgenre is getting a bit of a boost on the small screen. NBC has The Rockford Files reboot coming up, led by David Boreanaz, in addition to the comedy Sunset PI from the Brooklyn Nine-Nine Team. ABC, for its part, has the already-renewed R.J. Decker. But while all of these series will focus on private investigators with varying levels of skill and success, Hulu will examine a sleuth who is past their prime.
Hulu is developing a television adaptation of The Kid Detective, the 2020 murder mystery film led by Nobody Wants This and The O.C. star Adam Brody. The news comes from Deadline, which notes that Rachel Kaplan (La Brea) is producing. There are no further details at this time, and it’s unclear whether Brody will reprise his role in any capacity.
Written and directed by Evan Morgan, The Kid Detective focuses on Abe Applebaum (played by Brody), something of a local celebrity in his small town thanks to the fact that he solved a bunch of minor mysteries when he was a child. Now in his early thirties, Abe is depressed and hanging onto his days of glory that are long gone. He’s also haunted by a case that he’s never been able to solve.
Things take a turn when he’s hired by Caroline (Sophie Nélisse), a high school student who wants to uncover the truth behind her boyfriend’s murder. Abe reluctantly takes on the responsibility, eager to prove that he’s still as good as he ever was. The movie was released in theaters in the U.S. in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and went underseen.
The Kid Detective Review: A Uniquely Entertaining Noir Style Dramedy
The Kid Detective is a unique coming of age story, using a high concept premise and noir style to explore the darker realities of growing up.
But for those who have seen the film, which blends comedy with darker moments, it holds a sterling reputation. The Kid Detective sits at 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 65 reviews, with a high audience score of 76%. It stands out as what might be Brody’s best performance, far removed from the charmers he’s played in his most famous TV roles, and showing a side of the actor that few have tapped into.
It all builds to an unforgettable Kid Detective ending that leaves a lingering impact after the credits roll. It’s a lot for Hulu‘s television adaptation to live up to. But perhaps it can get more murder mystery fans to check out a hidden gem from earlier in the decade.
