Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bug-centered murder mystery is predictable but fun; peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Inspector Sun
What's the Story?
INSPECTOR SUN starts off in 1934 Shanghai, where the titular spider detective (voiced by Ronny Chieng) -- who's clearly based on Agatha Christie's legendary Inspector Hercule Poirot -- gets fired after his bosses get annoyed by his involvement in a big case. The mustachioed gumshoe misses a flight to New York and ends up on a plane to San Francisco instead. On the plane, Sun discovers that a young fan of his work, Janey (Emily Kleimo), has stowed away to act as his assistant. Sun is approached by Bugsy Spindlethorp (Scott Geer), a newly married spider passenger who's received a written death threat. Sun dismisses the note, believing that the spider's black widow bride, Arabella (Jennifer Childs Greer), is a much more obvious danger. But when Bugsy winds up dead, Inspector Sun and Janey must work together to solve the mystery before the villain strikes again.
Is It Any Good?
Directed by Julio Soto Gúrpide, the animated thriller is a fun throwback to classic mystery movies and their quirky, memorable detectives. Inspector Sun is a goofy parody of Poirot, and Chieng's comedic delivery will keep young viewers laughing at the spider who lucks into discoveries more than he deduces them. The animation in Inspector Sun focuses on the various anthropomorphized insects, arachnids, and animals aboard the plane -- all of whom are dressed in 1930s fashions. Humans are occasionally featured, but this isn't the sort of talking-animal movie that's interested in human interactions (like Bee Movie), and that makes it even funnier when the humans do enter the picture.
Fans of bugs and spiders will enjoy pointing out the differences in the characters -- what they eat, how they act, whether they must obey a queen, and where they fit in the pecking order of the fictional society. The movie's violence might be a little too scary for early elementary schoolers, but tweens will laugh enough to gloss over the more forgettable parts of the movie -- like Inspector Sun's cringey dad jokes. Bottom line? This is a solid family pick for moviegoers craving kid-friendly mystery and adventure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the amount of peril in Inspector Sun. What amount of scariness and violence is OK for movies aimed at kids?
Why does Inspector Sun need to learn to accept help? Why are courage and teamwork important character strengths?
Do you prefer animal movies in which the creatures interact or communicate with people or those that solely focus on the animals?
What are your favorite bug-centered movies? Why do you like them? How does this one compare?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 27, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : November 17, 2023
- Cast : Ronny Chieng , Jennifer Childs Greer , Iain Batchelor
- Director : Julio Soto Gurpide
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Viva Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals ( Bugs )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : action and some suggestive material
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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