A Kind of Murder explained (2024)

A Kind of Murder is a 2016 American mystery thriller film, directed by Andy Goddard from a screenplay by Susan Boyd. It is based upon the 1954 Patricia Highsmith novel The Blunderer. It stars Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel, Vincent Kartheiser, Haley Bennett, and Eddie Marsan. The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 17, 2016.^[1]

The film was released in the United States on December 16, 2016, by Magnolia Pictures.

Plot

Walter Stackhouse is an architect by day, and an aspiring writer by night. He writes short-story crime fiction and is fascinated by a recent murder of a local woman. He meets her husband by visiting the man's used bookstore. Stackhouse has a troubled marriage, and his wife turns up dead. The police detective investigating both deaths suspects each husband of killing his wife, and a possible connection between the two crimes.

Kimmel and Corby follow Stackhouse to a nightclub. There, Stackhouse runs. Corby, Kimmel, and the cops give chase. In catacombs beneath the nightclub, the showdown begins. In the end, Corby brutally murders one of his fellow cops, thinking he's Stackhouse. Kimmel corners Stackhouse, pins him, draws a knife, and struggles to stab Stackhouse. The cops arrive, and shoot Kimmel several times, to protect Stackhouse. Kimmel dies. Stackhouse has been wounded in the midriff, but he's covering up his wound and applying pressure. As he lies on the floors of the catacombs, Stackhouse gradually smiles.

In the movie's final shot, a typewriter types the phrase "THE END."

Cast

• Patrick Wilson as Walter Stackhouse
• Jessica Biel as Clara Stackhouse
• Vincent Kartheiser as Detective Lawrence Corby
• Haley Bennett as Ellie Briess
• Eddie Marsan as Mitchell "Marty" Kimmel
• Jon Osbeck as Jon Carr
• Radek Lord as Tony Ricco
• Christine Dye as Claudia
• Michael Douglas Hall as Mr. Devries

Production

In February 2013, it was revealed that Andy Goddard had been attached to direct the film, from a screenplay by Susan Boyd, with Ted Hope, Christine Vachon, and Kelly McCormick producing under their Killer Films and Sierra Pictures banner, respectively.^[2] In May 2014, it was announced that Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel, Imogen Poots and Toby Jones had been cast in the film.^[3] In November 2014, Haley Bennett joined the cast of the film, replacing Poots.^[4] That same month, Eddie Marsan joined the cast of the film, replacing Jones.^[5] In August 2015, the film was re-titled "A Kind of Murder".^[6]

Filming

Principal photography began on November 17, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio, under the title "The Blunderer".^{[7] [8] [9]} In December 2014, a casting call was put out for 1950 cars, and male extras.^{[10] [11]} Production concluded on December 16, 2014.^[12]

Post-production

In June 2015, it was reported that Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans had composed the score for the film.^[13]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 17, 2016.^{[14] [15]} Shortly after, Magnolia Pictures acquired distribution rights to the film.^[16] The film was released on December 16, 2016.^[17]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 35% based on reviews from 17 critics.^[18] On Metacritic the film has a score of 50% based on reviews from 7 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".^[19]

Nick Schager of Variety wrote: "While thrills are mitigated by convoluted plotting and suspect character behavior, the film's uniquely bleak twist on classic noir conventions is enlivening."^[20]

John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter called it "A handsome period piece that plays more like a scant-clues mystery than like the psychological thriller it intends to be."^[21]

See also

• Enough Rope (1963)

Notes and References

1. Web site: A Kind of Murder. TribecaFilm.com. March 29, 2016.
2. Web site: Andy Goddard To Helm ‘The Blunderer’. Deadline Hollywood. The Deadline. Team. February 22, 2013. March 29, 2016.
3. Web site: Cannes: Patricia Highsmith Novel ‘The Blunderer’ Lands Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel Atop Cast. Deadline Hollywood. Mike Jr.. Fleming. May 8, 2014. March 29, 2016.
4. Web site: Haley Bennett Joins Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel in Psychological Thriller (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Borys. Kit. November 18, 2014. March 29, 2016.
5. Web site: Broadway’s Lesli Margherita Joins ‘One Shot’; Eddie Marsan Cast In ‘The Blunderer’ Adaptation. Deadline Hollywood. Jen. Yamato. November 25, 2014. March 29, 2016.
6. Web site: Jessica Biel’s "The Blunderer" Becomes "A Kind of Murder". Jessica-Biel.com. August 8, 2015. March 29, 2016.
7. Web site: On the Set for 11/24/14: Natalie Portman Wraps Up Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Point Break Swims to Shore & More. Ssninsider.com. November 24, 2014. March 29, 2016.
8. Web site: Meet the stars of 'The Blunderer'. Cincinnati.com. John. Kiesewetter. November 18, 2014. March 29, 2016.
9. Web site: The Blunderer" becomes third Hollywood film shot in Cincinnati in 2014. Wcpo.com. Brian. Mains. October 29, 2014. March 29, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160513024732/http://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/the-blunderer-to-become-third-hollywood-film-shot-in-cincinnati-in-2014. May 13, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
10. Web site: 'The Blunderer' needs more 1950s cars. Cincinnati.com. John. Kiesewetter. December 8, 2014. March 29, 2016.
11. Web site: U da man? 'The Blunderer' needs male extras. Cincinnati.com. John. Kiesewetter. December 9, 2014. March 29, 2016.
12. Web site: On the Set for 12/19/14: Emilia Clarke Wraps Voice from the Stone, Idris Elba Finishes Up Bastille Day & More. Ssninsider.com. December 22, 2014. March 29, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052333/http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-121914-emilia-clarke-wraps-voice-from-the-stone-idris-elba-finishes-up-bastille-day-more/. 2016-03-04. dead.
13. Web site: Danny Bensi & Saunder Jurriaans to score The Blunderer. Filmmusicreporter.com. June 30, 2015. March 29, 2016.
14. Web site: A Kind of Murder. TribecaFilm.com. March 29, 2016.
15. Web site: TRIBECA 2016 ANNOUNCES LINEUPS FOR SPOTLIGHT, MIDNIGHT, SPECIAL SCREENINGS, AND TRIBECA/ESPN SPORTS FILM FESTIVAL. TribecaFilm.com. March 8, 2016. March 29, 2016.
16. Web site: A Kind of Murder. Magnolia Pictures. August 21, 2016.
17. Web site: A Kind of Murder. Movie Insider. August 14, 2016. August 21, 2016.
18. Web site: A Kind of Murder (2016) . . 2020-04-10 .
19. Web site: A Kind of Murder . . 2020-04-10 .
20. Web site: 22 April 2016 . Schager . Nick . Nick Schager . Film Review: ‘A Kind of Murder’ . .
21. April 18, 2016 . John. DeFore . 'A Kind of Murder': Tribeca Review . The Hollywood Reporter. Valence Media. Los Angeles, California .