Every murder has a motive. But not every mystery plays by the rules.
See How They Run (2022) is a witty, visually sharp murder mystery set in 1950s London’s West End, where the world of theater collides with a real-life killing. A film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is in pre-production — until the boorish director, Leo Köpernick (Adrien Brody), turns up dead, setting off a murder investigation as tangled as the play itself.
Enter Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell), a weary, dry-witted detective with more hangover than enthusiasm, and Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan), a bright-eyed, overeager rookie who writes everything down and jumps to every conclusion. Their odd-couple chemistry is the heart of the film, blending slapstick timing with genuine charm.
As the investigation unfolds, the cast and crew of The Mousetrap — all potential suspects — reveal rivalries, secrets, and theater-sized egos. The film gleefully pokes fun at the murder mystery genre while fully embracing it. Think Knives Out meets Wes Anderson, with a bit of Clue thrown in.
The production design is rich in vintage detail, the dialogue is sharp and self-referential, and the plot — while deliberately convoluted — keeps the audience guessing through misdirection, flashbacks, and playful narration.
But beneath the comedy and theatrical flair, See How They Run slyly comments on the commercialization of art, the ego behind creative control, and the strange intimacy between performers and their audience. It’s a mystery that respects the genre’s traditions while playfully rewriting its own ending.
The performances are universally delightful, but it’s Ronan who steals every scene — balancing naïveté with intelligence and unexpected emotional depth. Rockwell provides the perfect counterbalance, quietly anchoring the story even when everything around him is absurd.
Ultimately, See How They Run is more clever than chilling, more stylish than suspenseful — but that’s the point. It’s a love letter to the genre that never takes itself too seriously.
