Murder Mystery 2 review: This case should have remained unsolved | Films | Entertainment

The first Murder Mystery movie on Netflix was, actually, pretty funny. The sweet combination of Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston made for enough of a compelling story to get you through to the end of the picture, but there was a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, Murder Mystery 2 is a step backwards for the franchise.

Following the events of the first movie, Nick and Audrey Spitz are now private detectives after their amazing case “solve” in the first movie – but things aren’t as easy as they expected. Instead of thriving as investigators, they’ve struggled to find their feet in the world of organised crime.

Thankfully, when a glitzy wedding they’re attending goes awry, they’re forced to jump into action and prove they have what it takes. Their egos are tested, as well, when a world-famous detective turns up to take over their investigation (Mark Strong plays the PI with a brooding performance that packs as much punch as the script).

The plot of Murder Mystery 2 is like a jigsaw without a reference picture. Twists and turns feel obscure, unearned and groan-worthy, rather than surprising. Agatha Christie, it is not.

But while the first Murder Mystery movie lived and died for its characters, its sequel seems to drop all nuance and precision for glamorous locations.

Murder Mystery 2 takes place across steaming hot beaches and the streets of Paris, along with the roof of the Eiffel Tower. It is clear the production design (or, at least, the budget) has had a major boost, as well, with cars flying through walls and choreographed fight scenes aplenty. Sandler even has his own John Wick moment, where he pulls off some gun-fu moves. Is it funny to watch? Sure. Is it actually good though? Nah.

Unfortunately… it’s just plain boring. And, frankly, there isn’t a whole bunch of “murder” in this mystery.

When half the fun of a whodunit ought to be audiences attempting to suss out where the cracks in the suspects’ stories are, Murder Mystery 2 simply bolts into pointlessness when it writes itself into a corner.

There is even an 11th-hour twist that feels like it was written in as a cherry-on-top moment, but instead, it comes off as baffling, forcing Sandler to tell the audience: “This is why they did it.” Even as Netflix B-movies go, this is one of the bad ones.

The only shining lights of Murder Mystery 2 are Sandler and Aniston. If you like the former’s brand of humour you’ll no doubt laugh a few times. And Aniston’s chemistry with the cast – coupled with her own nuanced acting style – is endlessly charming (even though, oftentimes, she feels underused, delegated instead to being a damsel in distress).

If you loved the first Murder Mystery, you’ll likely chuckle your way through this tasteless sequel, all thanks to Sandler and his absurd quips, but otherwise, you can give this one a miss.

Murder Mystery 2 is on Netflix now.