Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Passable comic mystery has violence, swearing, sexual jokes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
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Murder Mystery
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Based on 67 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a hilarious mix of murder and comedy, featuring a great cast, particularly the chemistry between its lead actors, which keeps audiences entertained with its light-hearted tone. While many appreciate the humor and twists of the plot, some viewers find the movie predictable or overly reliant on inappropriate jokes and themes, suggesting it may not be suitable for younger children.
- great cast
- mix of humor
- some inappropriate content
- predictable plot
- entertaining twists
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Nick Spitz (Adam Sandler), a beat cop, and his wife, Audrey (Jennifer Aniston), a hairdresser, are celebrating their 15th anniversary in MURDER MYSTERY. On a whim, Nick (forlorn because he's failed his detective exam for the third time and has lied to Audrey) "surprises" his wife with a long-promised but belated honeymoon trip to Europe. When an encounter on the plane with a wealthy viscount (Luke Evans) unexpectedly leads the two Brooklynites to a stay on a luxury yacht owned by super-wealthy octogenarian Malcom Quince (Terence Stamp), everything becomes suspicious. On their very first evening aboard, Quince is quickly dispatched by an antique dagger. Nick and Audrey (feeling well-prepared because of her addiction to murder mysteries) set out to identify the killer. Unfortunately, all clues point to the Spitzes themselves ... and the mayhem begins.
Is It Any Good?
A step up from earlier Netflix-Sandler collaborations that celebrated raunchy, gross-out humor, this mildly entertaining film is an attempt to spoof old-fashioned murder mysteries. It showcases its two stars' comic strengths: Aniston is particularly funny in a very earnest way, while Sandler prefers the bonehead approach, but both work. Led by director Kyle Newacheck, Murder Mystery presents lots of familiar situations common to the genre—suspects gathered together and eliminated one by one, extended chase sequences, a scramble to safety on a high window ledge—and they're effective, if routine. Though characterizations often lean into stereotypes, everyone seems to be having a great time as the prime suspects (and all of the cast and crew) get to make their magic in some of the most beautiful places on the Mediterranean Sea.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Murder Mystery. How much of it is intended to be taken seriously? Is comic violence less disturbing than dramatic violence? Why, or why not? At what age do you think kids can tell the difference?
The movie is filled with comic stereotypes. In some instances, stereotypes can simply be funny and not offensive. Do you agree? Why, or why not? Use the characters in this film to support your answer.
Adam Sandler, a box office record-setter, appears in an assortment of film genres (gross-out comedies, parodies, high-brow comedies, and dramas). If you're a fan, in what roles do you like him best? Why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : June 14, 2019
- Cast : Adam Sandler , Jennifer Aniston , Luke Evans
- Director : Kyle Newacheck
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, bloody images, crude sexual content, and language
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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