Movie Review: ‘Murder Mystery 2’

Sandler and Aniston are still hilarious on-screen together, but this time get their hands dirty with more stunts in this bigger and bolder sequel.

Jennifer Aniston as Audrey Spitz and Adam Sandler as Nick Spitz in 'Murder Mystery 2.'

Set to premiere on Netflix March 31st, ‘Murdery Mystery 2’ is an action comedy mystery film and is the sequel to 2019’s ‘Murder Mystery’ once again stars Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, is directed by Jeremy Garelick (‘The Break-Up’) and is written by James Vanderbilt (‘Zodiac’ ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’).

What happens in ‘Murder Mystery 2?’

Four years after solving their first murder mystery, husband and wife duo Nick Spitz (Sandler) and Audrey Spitz (Aniston) are now full-time detectives and are invited to celebrate the wedding of their dear friend, the Maharajah (Adeel Akhtar) on his private island. However, trouble follows the Spitzes again when the groom is kidnapped for ransom and, subsequently, makes each guest, family member and the bride herself a suspect.

Murder Mystery 2

"This mystery is deux or die."

PG-131 hr 31 minMar 31st, 2023

Watch Murder Mystery 2 Online

Who is in the cast of ‘Murder Mystery 2?’

‘Murder Mystery 2’ stars Adam Sandler as Nick Spitz, Jennifer Aniston as Audrey Spitz, Mark Strong as Miller, Mélanie Laurent as Claudette, Jodie Turner-Smith as Countess Sekou, John Kani as Colonel Ulenga, Kuhoo Verma as Saira, Danny Boon as Inspector Delacroix, Enrique Arce as Francisco, and Adeel Akhtar as the Maharajah.

Initial Thoughts

‘Murder Mystery 2’ is exactly the type of blockbuster comedy Netflix, and all other streaming platforms for that matter, are in need of. Sure, crime documentaries are all the rage and reality shows are still our guilty pleasures and dirty little secrets, but sometimes we come home from a long day and just need to have some escapism from our daily realities. That is exactly what this film provides – a trip to an exotic private island with crystal blue waters followed by a stunning and thrilling escapade through the city of love.

‘Murder Mystery 2’ is bigger and more action-packed than its predecessor

The original ‘Murder Mystery’ reunited Sandler and Aniston for a lightweight comedy that may not have gotten the most stellar reviews, but for many viewers at home, it was exactly what they were looking for and needed – an easy-to-watch and fun comedy-suspense film for the weekend.

If you enjoyed the first film, you’ll be happy to know that the sequel is bigger, bolder and even more thrilling.

In fact, the climactic stunt in the final act of ‘Murder Mystery 2’ takes place on the famed Eiffel Tower and is the first of its kind to ever be filmed. While other stunts have taken place on the tower’s observation decks, this is the first time a stunt has ever been performed at the very top, 1000 feet from ground level. As for getting to make history, director Jeremy Garelick told Moviefone that it, surprisingly, wasn’t that difficult gaining access to film on the Eiffel Tower once he name dropped Sandler and Aniston.

However, it was actually a scene in which the two are in a blazing room of fire that Aniston told Moviefone was the most physically challenging for her, and it was cool to see the actress in more of an action role than we are used to seeing from her.

Where does ‘Murder Mystery 2’ take place?

With Nick and Audrey Spitz back on the crime-scene, this high-stakes case finally takes them to the city of their dreams – Paris. Several of Paris’s most beloved landmarks make key appearances in the film, including the Arc de Triomphe, the Opera House, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Love Locks Bridge and, of course, the Eiffel Tower, which serves as the location for the film’s epic finale.

This is where that escapism kicks in. Even though the scenes are sometimes stressful because of the situations the Spitzes find themselves in, watching the characters zoom around some of Paris’s best and most stunning landmarks truly makes you feel like you’re transported there. Maybe it’s not a sweet romance-drama, but chances are, if you chose to watch this film, you were looking for some excitement.

Enrique Arce, John Kani, Jodie Turner-Smith, Mélanie Laurent, and Kuhoo Verma in Netflix's 'Murder Mystery 2.'

The Supporting Cast aka the Suspects

Mélanie Laurent plays Claudette Joubert, the bride-to-be is a Parisian shopgirl who won the Maharajah’s heart. Seen as a gold digger by others, the character is naive and is supposed to not fit into the world of billionaires.

Meanwhile, the Maid of Honor, Countess Helene Sekou, played by Jodie Turner-Smith, who also happens to be the ex-fiancée of the Maharajah fits very well into the billionaire world, and actually has some fun moments in the film while bullying and bossing around her mini-me assistant, Imani.

Enrique Arce plays Francisco Perez, a womanizer who attempts to flirt with any female character in the film he comes into contact with. He’s sort of the comedic relief within the comedy film, but can sometimes go a little too far and would most definitely be canceled if he were a person in real life.

The Maharajah’s sister Saira is portrayed by Kuhoo Verma, who seems to be the most innocent, but we later find that she may be the worst of them all.

Finally, we have former MI6 hostage negotiator Connor Miller (Mark Strong) and the return of Inspector Laurent Delacroix (Dany Boon), who serve as the mediators between the Spitzes and the suspects.

Jennifer Aniston, Mark Strong, and Adam Sandler in 'Murder Mystery 2.'

Final Thoughts

If it seems like I barely went into detail on the cast, it’s because, after watching the film, brief character descriptions are really the only thing memorable about them.

Just as you’d expect, Sandler and Aniston are clearly the two leads of the film. That’s just fine because, once again, the two kill it with their on-screen chemistry. Following 2011’s ‘Just Go With It’ and 2019’s ‘Murder Mystery,’ these two are as funny as ever. Director Garelick said that it was easy directing these two professionals, since they don’t need that much direction, and that level of prestige doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s easy to see the duo’s presence on set elevates the rest of the cast’s performances and, ultimately, the overall film.

However, while there is a fun cameo by a popular comedienne at the end of the film, the movie may have benefited by having a few more familiar and memorable faces to make up the ensemble cast.

Still, expectations for movies released exclusively on streaming platforms tend to be slightly lower and, compared to the first film that primarily took place on a yacht, the sequel is easily bigger, bolder and more epic as our two leads are thrust into numerous action-packed scenes all around Paris. There’s also something about murder mysteries that, despite the quality of the film, you still need to finish the movie to find out – WHODUNNIT?!

There’s no doubt ‘Murder Mystery 2’ will capture the number one spot on Netflix following its release.

‘Murder Mystery 2’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Murder Mystery 2:’

'Deathtrap' (1982)
'Clue' (1985)
'Just Go with It' (2011)
'Murder Mystery' (2019)
'Knives Out' (2019)
'Murder on the Orient Express' (2017)
'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' (2022)
'Death on the Nile' (2022)

Where to Stream and Watch: 'Murder Mystery 2'

Buy Adam Sandler Movies On Amazon

'Murder Mystery 2' is produced by Happy Madison Productions, Endgame Entertainment, Echo Films, and Vinson Films, and scheduled for release on Netflix March 31st.