Common Sense Media Review
Campy, slapstick movie based on game; innuendo, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Clue
What's the Story?
Based on the board game, CLUE is a campy, outrageous murder mystery that tries to explain how six unrelated, eccentric characters manage to become murder suspects while staying under one roof. The story is propelled and narrated by the butler (Tim Curry), who runs the show at a dinner to which the familiar characters of Miss Scarlet (Lesley Ann Warren), Colonel Mustard (Martin Mull), Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan), Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd), Mrs. White (Madeline Kahn), and Mr. Green (Michael McKean) have been invited. The guests find out that they've all been blackmailed by the same man, Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving), who joins the party halfway through dinner. After Mr. Boddy's inevitable death, the murders compound as the group stumbles upon several more corpses.
Is It Any Good?
The joy of this film lies in fast-paced, witty dialogue, slapstick humor, and a well-loved murder mystery concept. Hardly a bloodbath, though, Clue involves more talking and speculation than actual action, in which the likable, energetic Curry demonstrates moments of brilliance. Other actors show good comedic timing as well, though most of the jokes and sight gags skew ridiculous. The juvenile humor and sexual innuendo will probably be best appreciated by the junior high and high school crowds.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about board games and which ones besides Clue might be good candidates for being adapted into a movie. How would the movie be different from the game?
If you could make your own movie version of Clue, what would it be like?
Which of the three possible endings did you like best? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 25, 2000
- On DVD or streaming : June 27, 2000
- Cast : Christopher Lloyd , Madeline Kahn , Tim Curry
- Director : Jonathan Lynn
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild violence; mild sexual innuendo
- Last updated : November 10, 2026
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