Murder mysteries never grow old. The movie See How They Run (2022) brings the audience back to the classic joys of whodunits, a genre of murder mystery, featuring Agatha Christie’s well-known play The Mousetrap. The film is a full directorial debut for Tom George and unpacks a mysterious murder case that takes place in 1950s London. While complying with the conventional prototype of murder mysteries, See How They Run presents a witty, light-hearted adaptation with its aesthetics and humor.

See How They Run is based on a fictional story that revolves around the murder of an American film director in London’s West End Theatre in 1953, on the night of the 100th performance of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. The Mousetrap is a classic whodunit play, also famously known as the world’s longest running play since its release in 1952. The main plot of the film parallels that of the play, both sharing similar aspects in their main objectives and journey in solving a murder case. This comical connection creates a meticulous narrative in the film that tells two different stories that closely resemble each other. Moreover, See How They Run is a pleasant divergence from popular flashy blockbusters full of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and glamorous movie sets, going back to classical mysteries sprinkled with a tinge of wit and humor.

The Murder

The movie begins with a joyful night at the West End Theatre in London, where people have gathered to celebrate the 100th performance of the hugely successful play, The Mousetrap. A Hollywood director Leo Köpernick, played by Adrien Brody, who plans to make a film adaptation of the play, has also attended the ceremony. But a few hours later, he is found brutally murdered. Soon after, Inspector Stoppard, played by Sam Rockwell, and Constable Stalker, played by Saoirse Ronan, are assigned to investigate the case and find the unknown assailant. The rather chaotic but compatible pair show surprisingly pleasant chemistry as they unravel the mystery.

Although the story starts off with a violent murder, the overall tone of the film is relatively light and funny. This juxtaposition creates a unique experience for viewers as they can follow the unpacking of a murder case with a good laugh here and there. There is always an unexpected joke at the most random moments along with ridiculous but hilarious characters that make it hard to keep a straight face. See How They Run breaks through the common archetype of whodunits, showing that a murder mystery can still be good without being excessively serious or intimidating.

The Mystery

The audience can fully engage with the journey of the two police officers, becoming equally eager and puzzled as they try to figure out the case. The movie succeeds in maintaining a well-balanced tension throughout so that viewers can find clues and come up with their own answers. Before the murderer is revealed, everyone related to the case is a possible suspect. Stoppard and Stalker continuously come up with new assumptions, unable to settle on a solid conclusion until the very end. Instead of directly revealing impossibly hidden clues as Sherlock Holmes might have done, the movie allows the audience to do it themselves. Utilizing red herrings and planting clues, the film effectively shows how a good mystery is crafted on screen.

Recently, the murder mystery genre experienced a resurgence in movie theaters. Knives Out (2019) successfully drew attention back to the seemingly outdated genre of mystery, with its sequel, Glass Onion released in 2022. Following this trend, the American mystery thriller Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) once more marked the successful return of whodunnits. Murder mysteries had their golden age in the 20th century during the 1920s and 1930s, but had lately been considered old-fashioned and predictable. However, modern adaptations of whodunnits have started to revitalize the genre, increasingly gaining popularity with audiences. See How They Run has again shed light upon the infinite potential of the murder mystery genre, suggesting its second golden age.

The Movie

See How They Run can easily be mistaken for one of Wes Anderson’s films, sharing surprisingly similar characteristics in the cinematics with its symmetry and vibrant colors. The whole movie is aesthetically pleasing to watch with its vintage sets, costumes, and music that accurately encapsulate the Post-World War II 1950s vibe of London. Elegant hotels, glamorous parties, and luxurious theatres add to the authentic aesthetics of the film as the audience becomes fully immersed in the setting of the story.

Another defining aspect of the movie is how it provides meta-commentary on whodunit stories and films. One example of this is a playwright expressing his discontent with using flashbacks in his plays directly followed by a flashback in the real movie to show what he was doing a few weeks ago. Similarly, a scene showing the same playwright dissatisfied with using the conventional transition “three weeks later” is instantly followed by a “three weeks later” on the screen. Such brief moments of witty twists show how the movie is both conventional but unorthodox at the same time. The director also incorporates a variety of film techniques within the movie, such as breaking the fourth wall, surprising the audience with unexpected moments. Overall, the movie is quite colorful, both in its mise-en-scène and storyline.

For those who are tired of watching full-scale blockbusters or want to take a break from epic dramas, See How They Run is the perfect choice to have a good laugh. Lighthearted, witty, and funny, the movie presents the audience with a pleasant experience where they can wholeheartedly enjoy themselves. Whodunnits are no longer old or outdated. While going back to the classics, See How They Run suggests a new phase of murder mysteries. The movie opens the door for 21st century Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, readying modern audiences for more classic murder mysteries.

Film Information

Release date: September 9, 2022

Genre: Comedy mystery

Director: Tom George

Starring: Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Ruth Wilson, Reece Shearsmith

Running time: 98 minutes