Adam Sandler’s latest film on Netflix is quite different from the usual comedies he is known for. This time, it’s a mix of comedy and thriller, directed by Kyle Newacheck, centered around, as the name suggests, a murder mystery.
The story follows Nick Spitz (played by Sandler), a policeman with dreams of becoming a detective, and his wife Audrey (played by Jennifer Aniston), who are on their honeymoon when they get caught up in the investigation of a billionaire’s murder.
Solving crimes with humor and detective instincts (Photo: Murder Mystery/American High)The victim, Malcolm Quince (played by Terence Stamp), is killed under mysterious circumstances, and the Spitzes quickly find themselves at the center of suspicion. With no other choice, they must put their skills—Nick’s police training and Audrey’s deep knowledge of mystery novels—to the test to clear their names.
The film plays out like a real-life version of Clue, with Sandler’s usual comedic touch. The supporting cast features characters who are exaggerated stereotypes, including a wealthy maharaja and a famous Hollywood actress, each with a possible motive for wanting Quince dead.
Despite the chaotic humor and absurd moments, Nick and Audrey manage to piece together the puzzle before they end up behind bars.
Who Are the Actual Killers?
Through a combination of instinct and detective work, Nick and Audrey uncover the truth about one suspect—Grace (played by Gemma Arterton). Initially, it seems that she was simply benefiting from being around Quince, as his wealth and status helped boost her career.
However, it turns out she had a much deeper connection to the victim. She was his daughter from a previous relationship, a child he had abandoned at birth because he had always wanted a son.
Angry over her father’s decision to leave her out of his life—and now out of his will—Grace teamed up with someone to get rid of him before he could hand over his fortune to his fiancée, Suzi (played by Shioli Kutsuna). Once Grace’s involvement is revealed, she is promptly arrested.
But just when it seems the case is closed, the group realizes that Grace had a partner, and the real twist is uncovered. The second killer is Juan Carlos Rivera (played by Luis Gerardo Méndez), a professional race-car driver who had been pretending not to understand English to avoid drawing attention to himself.
His arrest doesn’t come easy, as Rivera tries to make a run for it, leading to a fast-paced car chase. Eventually, the situation comes to a head when he holds Nick and Audrey at gunpoint. Just when it seems like they are in real danger, fate steps in—Rivera is hit by a bus.
The irony? It’s the same tour bus the couple had booked before getting entangled in the murder investigation. With the mystery finally solved, Nick and Audrey are free to enjoy the rest of their trip, though it has certainly been a honeymoon they’ll never forget.
How Were Grace and Malcolm Connected?
While Murder Mystery leans heavily on humor, the film does provide some depth in its backstory. One such moment comes when Sergei, the silent bodyguard of Colonel Ulenga (played by John Kani), takes Nick and Audrey aside while they are in Monte Carlo.
Luxury, deception, and a billionaire’s final secret (Photo: Murder Mystery/American High)He reveals a long-hidden truth about the relationship between Ulenga and Malcolm Quince. Years ago, Ulenga had taken a bullet meant for Quince and slipped into a coma. During that time, Quince had an affair with Ulenga’s partner, which resulted in the birth of a child.
That child was Grace, the same woman now accused of killing Quince. However, instead of acknowledging her, Quince chose to erase her from his life simply because she wasn’t the son he had wished for.
Grace grew up without the father she longed for, instead having to work her way into his world by becoming a famous actress. Watching her father prepare to hand over his wealth to a much younger woman was the final straw, pushing her to take matters into her own hands.
What Happened to Charles Cavendish and the Fortune?
The man who brought Nick and Audrey into this whole mess, Charles Cavendish (played by Luke Evans), turns out to have no involvement in the murder at all. Malcolm Quince’s nephew, Cavendish, was mostly bitter that Suzi had left him for his uncle.
While he resented the wealth-driven, shallow life that surrounded him, he had no part in the crime. Unfortunately, that world caught up with him anyway. Before Nick and Audrey can prove that Cavendish and Grace are secret lovers and could have plotted the murder together, someone else takes action.
Cavendish is poisoned, eliminating any chance of him being wrongfully accused. Even though he despised both his uncle and most of the people around him, he wasn’t as terrible as others believed—at least, not from the Spitzes’ perspective.
As for Quince’s fortune, the film leaves it unresolved. With both Grace and Cavendish gone and no other rightful heirs in the picture, the money’s fate remains unknown. But in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter.
Nick and Audrey may not have riches, but they have something even more valuable—a strong marriage filled with love and adventure. That’s more than can be said for the wealthy people they encountered on their journey.
To wrap up their whirlwind experience, the couple receives a special reward: a free trip on the Orient Express, a nod to the classic Agatha Christie novel Murder on the Orient Express. Who knows? They might just find themselves solving another case before their vacation is over.
