Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sequel boosts laughs, repeats violence, language, innuendo.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Murder Mystery 2
What's the Story?
Nick and Audrey Spitz (Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston), the former beat cop and hairdresser from New York, have gone into business as private investigators in MURDER MYSTERY 2. But business isn't great, mostly due to the couple's ineptitude. And working together is negatively impacting their marriage. When Nick gets a call from billionaire buddy Vik (known as "The Maharajah") (Adeel Akhtar) inviting them to his private island for his wedding to French shopgirl Claudette (Mélanie Laurent), the two decide they could use the vacation. Of course, a vacation abroad for the Spitzes is bound to lead to murder and mystery. Colonel Ulenga (John Kani) and Inspector Delacroix (Dany Boon) are back, and the new cast of suspects includes Countess Sekou (Jodie Turner-Smith), her sidekick Imani (Zurin Villanueva), Vik's sister Saira (Kuhoo Verma), former footballer Francisco (Enrique Arce), and detective Miller (Mark Strong).
Is It Any Good?
Whodunits are in vogue, and this follow-up spoof plucks generously from genre standards while boosting the better aspects of its prequel. Murder Mystery 2 puts Aniston and Sandler in yet more awkward situations where their general incompetence, marital bickering, and unexpected good fortune bring the laughs. Sure, discerning viewers might pooh-pooh the predictable plot and tire of the insincere delivery of leads Sandler and Aniston (who are perfectly matched in this way). But fans of the first film and/or the ensemble cast will enjoy this sequel, which keeps a brisk pace and successfully hits more comedic beats than its predecessor.
Some gags are funnier than others. The one-eyed, one-armed bodyguard; pompous former M16 agent; and countess-with-cackling-sidekick are all pleasantly silly characters. Sandler fans may expect juvenile innuendo in his movies, but the humor feels musty here in two horny middle-aged men played by Boon (Welcome to the Sticks) and Arce (Money Heist), both actors deserving better. A more novel trope might be the way international, cosmopolitan characters look down on the unsophisticated Americans. The Spitzes are more than happy to oblige.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how working together is portrayed as impacting the Spitzes personally in Murder Mystery 2. How does the latest case remind them of what they appreciate about each other? Does this portrayal of marriage feel realistic? Why, or why not?
This film, like its predecessor, plays on comic stereotypes of different nationalities. Which can you point to? Though they are meant to be funny, do any of the characterizations feel offensive? How so?
How does this film compare with and build on the prior movie? Which did you like better, and why?
The violence in this movie is extensive but meant to be funny. Did you find the violence disturbing at any point? When and why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 31, 2023
- Cast : Jennifer Aniston , Adam Sandler , Mark Strong
- Director : Jeremy Garelick
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, bloody images, strong language, suggestive material and smoking
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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