Murder Mystery 2 (2025)

When Nick and Audrey Spitz (Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston) first chased clues across Europe in 2019’s Murder Mystery, few expected the sequel to double down on globe-trotting comedy—and yet, here it is. Murder Mystery 2 ups the ante: more exotic locations, more peculiar suspects, and more of the charming, cozy-caper humor that made the first film a streaming smash.

Under the seasoned direction of Jeremy Garelick, this sequel hits all the familiar notes—fish-out-of-water moments, near-misses, and bumbling detective work—but with tighter pacing and richer character moments. It's a breezy, fun romp that proves these unlikely sleuths still have plenty of mileage left in them.

Fresh off their whirlwind wedding and honeymoon recovery in the last film, Nick and Audrey have settled into a predictable life in New York. Except, of course, for the bizarre twist that nothing is ever predictable for them. When Nicholas Storm, a legendary (and recently deceased) billionaire philanthropist, did through a freak accident during Nick’s best man speech, our couple inherits the responsibility to deliver Storm’s final, hidden gift: a priceless artifact that had been smuggled out of a war-torn country.

With only a cryptic letter and an unwilling target to approach, the Spitzes board a private jet to Morocco—and promptly stumble into a conspiracy involving black-market antiquities and a mysterious criminal organization known as “The Crescent.”

• Adam Sandler’s Nick is the everyman again—his bravado intact but his resourcefulness tested more than ever. Sandler leans into Nick’s anxious detective side, eliciting laughs when doesn’t immediately connect dots, yet surprises us when he does.

• Jennifer Aniston’s Audrey is sharper and more confident this time, stepping into her fictional sister’s amateur detective shoes with flair. She’s no longer just along for the ride—she’s often leading it.

• Mark Strong as a suave international smuggler named Laurent introduces stylish menace—but often with a wry sense of humor. He’s the “I’d be miles ahead of you… if you weren’t talking so much” type, and he fits right into the tongue-in-cheek world of the Spitzes.

• Paapa Essiedu plays Adewale, a local guide turned reluctant ally. He shares a genuinely funny and heartfelt dynamic with the Spitzes, bringing cultural insight and increasing the stakes when his own past gets entangled in the artifact’s curse.

• Returning favorites—like Timothy T. Reynolds as reluctant secret agent Fitzgerald—add additional comedic subplots along the way.

One of the film’s triumphs is its use of place. The bustling souks of Marrakesh aren’t just backdrops—they’re labyrinthine puzzles themselves. Cobblestone streets, rooftop chases, and midnight hideouts give the film texture, grounding the comedy in believable world-weariness and accidental danger.

The grand estate of the Storm family, perched in the Atlas foothills, contrasts sharply with the claustrophobic feel of Nick and Audrey’s tiny hotel room—mirroring their journey from fish-out-of-water to key players in a multi-million dollar drama.

Unlike the first film, in which the mystery felt like a garnish, Murder Mystery 2 doubles down on procedural beats and clever red herrings. Clues are planted more intentionally (a priceless statuette in a market stall, a coded letter hidden under a rug), and the reveal unspools during a multi-party reveal scene in a palace courtyard—storm, disguised witnesses, double-dealings, and all.

One clever twist: the artifact is a forged copy, forcing Nick and Audrey to chase not just who killed, but who lied about who they are. It adds a more personal element—one that resonates as their marriage is tested and reaffirmed in subtle moments.

The film retains the first's easy chemistry—Sandler’s self-deprecating obliviousness paired with Aniston’s quick, knowing retorts. But while early jokes rely on slapstick and pratfalls (flaming candles, sand-dusted suits), later humor is more layered: awkward confessions, culture-clash dinner table dilemmas, and Nick’s nervous attempts at smooth undercover dialogue.

Garelick ensures the comedy never undercuts the stakes—or vice versa. A chase through a spice-scented alley ends with near-kiss tension, then whiplash foul-tempered remarks. It's balanced, breezy—just right for Sunday night streaming.

Operating beneath the comedy is a soft theme of identity crisis. Nick and Audrey are still learning who they are as a married couple—and each wilderness they navigate is a test of that bond. When they succeed, it’s because they blend their strengths: Nick’s stubborn loyalty and Audrey’s clear-eyed logic.

Morocco becomes a metaphor: ancient landscapes, hidden histories, and travelers with hidden motives. When the couple emerges with a forged artifact, they learn that the value of truth isn’t in its price tag—it’s in their unshakeable trust in each other.

Murder Mystery 2 isn’t reinventing the detective genre—but it doesn’t have to. Its strength lies in familiarity turned fresh: Nick and Audrey feel like old friends in a grand travelogue gone sideways. With engaging new characters, sharp visual design, and paced mystery, fans of the first installment will feel both comfort and surprise.

For those craving cozy intrigue with comedic sparks and a dash of international flair, this film hits its beats. As the credits roll, we’re left hoping the Spitzes have enough stamps on their passports for a Murder Mystery 3.