Murder Mystery: A generic but passable Adam Sandler movie

Adam Sandler has left his usual cringey and juvenile schtick behind with his new movie — a breezy murder mystery with Jennifer Aniston.

There are two types of Adam Sandler movies.

The first are the over-the-top, juvenile efforts that may also star someone like Rob Schneider or Kevin James, where there are fart “jokes” and of course screaming.

The second are the ones where Sandler has been hired as just the actor, with no involvement in the creative process behind the scenes — think P.T. Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love or Noah Baumbach’s The Meyerowitz Stories.

The latter are usually the only Sandler movies you could stomach, and the comedian has proven himself a surprisingly adept dramatic thespian.

If someone declares themselves a Sandler fan, they’re generally referring to the first kind of Sandler movie, and you should avoid speaking to them for the rest of your life — it’s better for everyone involved.

But now there’s a third kind of Adam Sandler movie: Murder Mystery, which dropped on Netflix this past Friday.

Famous co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler reunite for this lightweight comic tribute to Agatha Christie. Picture: Supplied.

Sandler has become a Netflix staple, churning out content for the streaming service as part of a multi-project deal. Most of them have been exactly the kind of thing you expect.

But Murder Mystery, while as generic as its title, is an easier, breezier kind of work. No loathing necessary.

Re-teaming with Jennifer Aniston, the pair are an average New York couple, Nick and Audrey Spitz — he’s a beat cop and she’s a hairdresser. Stuck in a rut, Nick finally takes Audrey on the European honeymoon he promised her 15 years earlier.

On the flight, they meet the rich and handsome Charles Cavendish (Luke Evans), who invites them onto his family’s yacht in Monaco for the weekend.

Faced with a stinky tour bus full of other American tourists or the glistening waters of the Mediterranean, the Spitzes take up Charles’ offer.

The yacht party attendees include not just Audrey and Nick, but a bevy of other faces. Picture: Supplied.

Murder Mystery is for those looking for something fun, silly and a little bit mysterious. Picture: Supplied.

On board, they meet a smorgasbord of weirdos, including billionaire patriarch Malcolm Quince (Terence Stamp), his son Tobias (David Walliams), his 24-year-old fiancee Suzi (Shioli Kutsuna), a famous actor (Gemma Atherton), a Maharajah (Adeel Akhtar), an African Colonel (John Kani), a Formula 1 race driver (Luis Gerardo Mendez) and a Russian bodyguard (Olafur Darri Olafsson).

They may as well be named Mrs White, Miss Scarlet and Professor Plum.

When the cruel Malcolm announces he’s cutting all of his nearest and dearest — ie. those gathered aboard — out of the will in favour of his fiancee, the lights flick out and when they come back on, he has a dagger sticking out of his chest.

The murderer has to be among them, and the Spitzes are on the case, even if they, as the outsiders, are Interpol’s prime suspects.

While it’s primarily a murder case, it’s also a comedy about romance and marriage, and about a couple who’s seeking adventure, trying to recapture a spark. Picture: Supplied.

Murder Mystery takes many of the genre conventions of golden age detective fiction, but dials up the ridiculousness by about 40 per cent. It’s inoffensive fun even if it’s not all that engaging or funny.

Sandler reins in his usual instincts to be loud and obnoxious, instead he complements Aniston’s energy. They work quite well together and are believable as a married couple who find themselves in an outlandish situation among the rich and famous in Monaco and Lake Como.

Its predictability and cliches are comforting — which has entertainment value if you’re not looking to be challenged for 90 minutes.

Murder Mystery isn’t some buzzy movie that you have to watch. It’s more of a something-to-pass-the-time if you like, well, murder mysteries and gazing at the glamorous surrounds of the Mediterranean.

Rating: 2.5/5

Murder Mystery is streaming now on Netflix

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