In “Secret in Their Eyes”, Julia Roberts plays Jess, a police investigator who discovers an unidentified female found dead in a parking garage, is her own 18-year-old daughter. Her close colleague and friend Ray, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, along with help from the district attorney Claire, played by Nicole Kidman, aim to track down the elusive killer, but fail. Thirteen years after the last traces of the killer have gone cold, Ray comes back to Jess with a new lead and new hope, but it appears the killer may have slipped away again.

“Secret in Their Eyes”, rated PG-13 and directed by Billy Ray is a remake of the popular 2009 foreign movie, “El Secreto de sus Ojos”, based in Argentina. “Secret in Their Eyes” includes many current Hollywood A-list stars along with other rising names in the film industry like Dean Norris and Joe Cole, who play Bumpy and Reg respectively. The movie revolves around the three main characters who pursue the murderer, Jess, Ray and Claire offering distinct insights into eaches personal life.

The first attempt to catch the killer, in 2002, led mainly by Eijofor, proves tricky as the main suspect turns out to be an informant for the FBI at a local mosque. Taking place just two years after 9/11, information that may stop another attack is valued over almost anything. While Eijofor with help from Kidman continues to pursue the killer, the government –  to keep the informant with the FBI – destroys evidence against their informant

After multiple confrontations with the suspected killer, Eiljofor is unable to get a conviction due to uncooperative government employees and lack of hard evidence. The trail begins to run cold and eventually the trio is split up and move on with their lives. Kidman stays as a district attorney while Eijofor moves into the private sector with security and Roberts moves to the countryside becoming ever more anti-social.

Thirteen years later Eijofor believes he has found the killer and re-unites the trio in a another struggle to find justice. The second attempt proves just as difficult as the first and new evidence is scarce. But with help from Kidman and her new high ranking position, Eijofor gets closer to the suspect than ever before. Just at the moment when it seems like the search will come to an end and justice will be served, a plot twist changes the essence of the movie.

“Secret in Their Eyes” differs from the average murder mystery. Its overall intriguing plot is covered by a tone of sadness and a constant reminder of the dead girl. The time shifts between the 13 years are at first a little confusing and take away from the momentum of the story. As the movie develops, the flashbacks help keep the plot interesting. While it may be rated only PG-13, the ideas target a much more mature audience as the mystery theme at times overlaps with a very dark mood that  questions human nature.

I recommend waiting for this movie when it is available to watch at home, then when you are in the mood to be captivated by a movie, but also a little frightened.