Murder Mystery 2 Review: Unraveling the Mystery

The simulation sometimes surprises us with unexpected twists. Murder Mystery 2, the sequel to the forgettable 2019 comedy Murder Mystery starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, initially seems like it won't be worth watching. In the previous film, Nick and Audrey Spitz (played by Sandler and Aniston) stumbled into the middle of a wealthy European family's murderous inheritance intrigue and tried to solve the case. Now they're broke and running their own unsuccessful private investigation firm. When they receive an invitation to the wedding of their wealthy friend Vikram (Adeel Akhtar), they eagerly accept.

Considering the lackluster quality of the first movie, expectations are understandably low for the follow-up. Sandler isn't known for doing live-action sequels; Grown Ups 2, which was widely regarded as one of the worst movies of recent times, was his only other attempt. Judging by the early signs, Murder Mystery 2 appears to be another one of Sandler's efforts to enjoy a free vacation with his friends on a studio's dime. The film's first half takes place on a beautiful but unremarkable island (it was filmed in Hawaii), while the second half is set in Paris. However, in an era where even big-budget films have to rely on LED screens or parking lots to create exotic locations, the idea of Sandler and his pals traveling to a different part of the world feels refreshing.

It's also refreshing to see movie stars being just that. With Sandler sporting an untucked beard and Aniston looking like she hasn't aged since the late 90s, both actors embody a particular type of stardom. You can easily imagine backstories for their characters, who know each other's quirks and are protective, sweet, and trusting. While they constantly bicker, their arguments are good-natured and they respect each other's boundaries. In other words, they feel like a real married couple - more so than they did in the first film.

The new movie is more about vibes than plot. The murder and mystery at the heart of Murder Mystery 2 are forgettable, but the film succeeds in other ways. The throwaway comedy bits work this time around. Many of the movie's silly gags - like Nick's obsession with a particular type of cheese served at the wedding ("The cheese has a hold on me!"), one character's constant boasting about his sexual prowess, and some gory humor involving an axe stuck in a goon's head - are genuinely funny. Director Jeremy Garelick, who brings a visual flair that the first film lacked, clearly has an eye for physical comedy and pacing.

Garelick also excels in handling action sequences. Once the Spitzes arrive in Paris, the film kicks into high gear, complete with intense and hilarious fight scenes and car chases (in contrast, the car chase in the first film was a low point). In recent years, Netflix France has produced a string of action films with impressive stunts, and it's possible that some of that expertise has rubbed off on this movie. Alternatively, perhaps Sandler wanted to give the action-comedy genre one last shot before he grew too old for it.

There's no reason why this movie should be entertaining; the Netflix algorithm might recommend it to you even if you never asked for it. Perhaps that's the key to its appeal. Murder Mystery 2 knows its place. It's not asking you to leave your home or spend your money. It's a Netflix movie through and through, designed to be watched while you're doing household chores or counting coins. It's a simple pleasure - but it's a pleasure nonetheless.