Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mild murder mystery has some violence, cigarette smoking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Invitation to a Murder
What's the Story?
In INVITATION TO A MURDER, Miranda (Mischa Barton) is a bookish London florist who dreams of solving murder mysteries like the kinds she reads in Agatha Christie novels. Little does she know that her wish is about to come true when she receives an invitation to spend the weekend in the remote island mansion of the reclusive billionaire Louis Findley. Upon arrival, she meets the staff and the other five guests who have arrived from around the world, including the cynical, hard-drinking American journalist Don Walker (Chris Browning). As they start to settle in to their stay, one of the visitors is found murdered in the nearby woods. As most of the other guests worry about who might be next, Miranda must draw on her sleuthing skills to determine who the murderer is, why they did it, and why all of them were invited to this mansion in the first place.
Is It Any Good?
This is a standard whodunit murder mystery, somewhat derivative but still reasonably entertaining. Invitation to a Murder definitely pushes the limits of suspension of disbelief, and some of the characters -- mystery archetypes all -- skirt dangerously close to clichés and stereotyping, though it doesn't quite cross over. Overall, the movie tries to place itself in the tradition of classic murder mysteries and novels, even if it doesn't distinguish itself from the classics that clearly inspired it.
It's fine, but there's not enough suspense, not enough wit. Most of the characters are forgettable, except for the bookish florist lead character and the cynical American journalist. Still, teens just getting into the mystery genre are likely to enjoy it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whodunit murder mysteries like Invitation to a Murder. How is this similar to and different from other mysteries you've seen?
The movie is set in England in the 1930s. How does the movie try to capture that time in the dress and behaviors of the characters?
Much of the violence is off-screen. Does that build more suspense, or would it be more suspenseful to see the murders that take place? Why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 25, 2023
- Cast : Mischa Barton , Chris Browning , Seamus Dever
- Director : Stephen Shimek
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate Home Entertainment
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Some violent content and smoking.
- Last updated : May 9, 2023
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