Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent, gory whodunnit has drugs, language, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Murderer
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE MURDERER, a family takes shelter in a farmhouse to wait out an incoming storm. But before the storm hits, things go horribly wrong, and many people end up dead. A lot of fingers start pointing at the one White person in the group, but is all that it seems?
Is It Any Good?
On paper, it seems like there would be plenty to like: a decent setup, a clever mystery, and a playful storytelling structure. Unfortunately, however, the delivery of these things in The Murderer doesn't quite match up to their descriptions. Most of all, the goofy tone feels too silly when paired with the film's violence, and the musical choices and accompaniments only add to this issue. And while there are some redeeming qualities to the main couple, other characters feel inconsistent, mismatched, or random in the way they are played, as some are woefully over-the-top.
Because of the tonal problems and character inconsistencies, it's hard to not wonder what this film could have looked like if it had simply gone for pure horror, removing all the goofy and ridiculous elements. While the comedy might hit more for some audiences, the film's silly tone still takes away from the horror and violence so much that it starts to feel like one goofy and improbable thing after another. The problem with this effect is that it kills any sense of tension and drama. Sadly, all these problems end up taking away from a decent core, story, and plot, which is a shame, because there's a satisfying twist at the end almost worth staying for.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in horror comedies. Did the representation of violence help make The Murderer more or less entertaining? If more, how so? If less, what could the film have done differently?
Do you think the violence helped make the movie funnier? Why or why not?
Discuss the drug misuse by some of the characters. Were drugs portrayed realistically? Did any of the situations seem unrealistic?
Why do you think the grandparents acted the way they did and did what they did?
Did you find the final explanation satisfying? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 27, 2023
- Cast : Phetthai Vongkumlao , Eisaya Hosuwan , James Laver , Chananticha Chaipa
- Director : Wisit Sasanatieng
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 120 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : July 28, 2023
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