Stereotypically, sequels to a movie can get a bad rap since the story line can change outside of the viewer’s expectations. However, “Murder Mystery” 2, the sequel to” Murder Mystery,” enriches the plotline and has many unexpected twists.
Starring Nick and Audrey Spitz, played by Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston, the married couple are thrown into another murder mystery where they have to work with each other and their friends to solve another high profile case, including a murder and kidnapping.
The movie opens with a narrator filling the viewers in on what has happened for the Spitzs in the past four years. “Murder Mystery” was released in 2019, and the four year gap makes up for lost time, as if this movie was happening in the real world. This sense of realism draws the viewers in and makes them feel connected to the characters, as if they are watching a reality TV show.
In the introduction, the narrator very briefly summarizes the ending of “Murder Mystery”: the two solved the highest profile murders of the century. Since then, they have quit their jobs; Nick a police officer and Audrey a hairdresser, to become private investigators. Now, their business isn’t doing well and they both agree that it is causing their marriage to lose the spark it once had.
At the perfect timing, they are invited to Nick’s billionaire friend Maharajah’s wedding- all expenses paid. Audrey is hesitant at first, reminding her husband that last time they went on an elaborate vacation, many were killed. Eventually, they happily agree to attend the lavish, Indian wedding on a private island in Oahu, Hawaii.
In Oahu, all wedding attendees join in the welcome dance, where the bride, Claudette (played by Melanie Laurent) and the groom, Maharajah (played by Adeel Akhtar) are introduced. During this ceremony, Maharajah is kidnapped, and the two kidnappers, one of whom is a board member, demand $70 million in ransom money.
Maharajah’s board consists of close friends and family members, including Claudette, his sister Saira (played by Kuhoo Verma) and Detective Miller (played by Mark Strong). The thought of someone so close to Maharajah being behind this puts everyone on their toes, not trusting anyone.
In the rest of the movie, Nick and Audrey Spitz try to figure out which of the board members are secretly behind the kidnapping and save Maharajah in time for the wedding, with many unexpected plot twists along the way.
The cast of main characters in the movie are very well-known, talented and recognized actors and actresses, and watching this movie is sure to be enjoyable because of the familiar faces.
Released exclusively on Netflix, “Murder Mystery 2” is even more popular than the first movie of the series, earning itself over 42 million views and 64 million hours watched the week it was released (March 27 to April 2). It currently stands as the second most watched comedy film opening weekend and is ranked Top 10 in 91 different countries on Netflix.
Though the film has been released relatively recently, Adam Sandler has already been recognized with many accolades including Best Comedic Performance at the 2023 MTV Movie and TV Awards.
The comedy aspect is sure to have contributed to the movie’s ongoing success and popularity; a good movie with both comedy and murder is a rare find. Though the dire situations the Spitzs and others are in are taken seriously, the character’s witty comebacks and amusing commentary is sure to make viewers smile.
Besides dialogue, the Spitz are an entirely relatable couple that just about any viewer can relate to. “Murder Mystery” is sure to be enjoyable for couples of any age; younger and older couples alike can laugh and joke as Nick and Audrey search for the spark they once had in their marriage. Even viewers that aren’t in a relationship can still enjoy the riveting plotline to the fullest.
Though the beginning of “Murder Mystery 2” starts with a summary of how the first ended and what has happened since the first, those who watched “Murder Mystery” can understand the sequel in more depth compared to those who have not watched the first. Viewers who have watched the first can understand why characters act and feel the way they do, and can observe how much they have changed.
The Spitz’s may have been put into a situation that is similar to the first, and that makes it easier to compare how much everyone has learned and changed, specifically, Nick and Audrey.
In the end, Murder Mystery 2 is overall a great watch for those who like comedy and a classic whodunit.
