User reviews

At first this movie had all the hallmarks of a decent little detective mystery movie in the style of Knives Out or Mourder on the Orient express. It has a decent set up, a coherent plot, it establishes its characters and starts to build on their motives.

Unfortunately, it then suffers from having a beginning, no middle and then ends. Why? Probably due to budget or talent or deadline. Who knows. But right until it had me hooked about an hour in, it started to move toward a conclusion and finished.

It's a shame. Micha Barton was a surprise and the set up was good, so, half a film. Still, better than no film at all.

So the acting in this flick is absolutely terrible but it certainly did not get any help from the writing. I am a life long fan of Agatha Christie and other mystery authors, as well as some film noir and I'm a little crazy about giallos. I also love a good mystery-comedy like the 1985 classic, Clue: The Movie with Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn. I would go as far as to say that Clue is one of my top five favorite films of all time. I thought more recent films like Knives Out and See How They Run were both fun and entertaining, while not being up to my highest standards. BUT THIS....did a teenager write this screenplay as fan fiction or what?

Casting a middle aged woman as the obnoxious but lovable, brilliant Hercule Poirot in a skirt could have worked. Could have. An older, curvier Mischa Barton can't plod through movies on her youthful glamorous looks anymore - she's borderline unrecognizable as an average, curvy blonde of about 40 - but that's not the problem: she can't act.

At bottom it is the writing that is terrible, though, that much is clear by the multiple caricatures which should be delightful and funny but just end up coming across as wooden and ridiculous.

There is a enormous dark house with chandeliers, and I do love a nice pair of vintage curtains.

Miranda Green (Mischa Barton) is a florist in 30's England. She is skilled in observing and is obsessed with murder mystery books especially those of Agatha Christie. She receives a mysterious invitation from unknown textile tycoon Lord Findley. She joins five other guests on a passenger train to his island estate. There are three staff members but Lord Findley is apparently late in arriving. Soon, Miranda gets her murder mystery to solve.

I liked about two thirds of this movie. It has the Agatha Christie feel. Initially, the main problem is its artificial tone. It doesn't help that these people are going to this place for nothing more than curiosity. Miranda would do it, but only one other seems to have the motivation. It's a murder mystery whodunnit. It's fun. Then the last section tries to solve the mystery quickly and randomly. I don't like a lot of the last third. In the age of streaming, this needs more time and this could be two or three part series. In an aside, I did not recognize Mischa Barton. I assumed that she's some random English actress.

Set in England (or a small island just off the coast) however none of this movie feels like England, which isn't surprising considering it was filmed in the U. S. Even lacking English accents (accurate ones, anyway), and awkwardly including American idioms throughout (e.g. English police do not carry guns). An uninteresting mystery with an unlikable protagonist and a rather boring conclusion. It sets itself up as the potential first in a series of movies starring the same amateur sleuth, but I will not be interested in anything that follows. It is nothing like the Agatha Christie mysteries it is trying to emulate, and it leaves a rather unpleasant taste, so I'm off to watch something starring David Suchet to cleanse my palate.

A bit slow and plodding with some questionable acting and some atrocious attempts at acents. The script writing is somewhat lacking and the there's not much of a plot. By the time the titles roll at the ninety minute mark it feels like it's been half an hour too long. The characters are all a bit wooden and the actors seemed to be simply going through the motions. None of them seemed to engage with their character and I couldn't engage with them either.

Has a made for TV feel to it and I would strongly suggest it's not worth going to the cinema to see.

It's not terrible but it's not good either. If you're really bored then maybe give it a whirl.

Six strangers receive invites to the home of Millionaire Lewis Findley, when they arrive their host is absent, they anxiously wait to learn their purpose for being there.

The first couple of minutes all seemed to point to one thing, a reworking of And then there were none, the ultimate Whodunnit, we had the strangers, the island, the invitations, that's where the similarities end.

Let's be honest, it's nonsense, but if you are fan of mysteries and whodunnits, you may just get some enjoyment out of it, there are some interesting moments, and the story has a few clever ideas.

For me, it had the look and feel of a stage play, entertaining enough, maybe a little rough around the edges at times.

The accents are a little hit and miss, and at no point does it feel as though it's England, I've not checked the production details, but I'm assuming The States or Canada.

Mischa Barton does a fine job, more Fletcher than Marple, but pleasing enough. Chris Browning stole the show for me, I enjoyed his performance.

6/10.

I am shocked this terrible movie was made. The plot, acting, writing, costumes were terrible and pedestrian. Some of the accents made my ears bleed. One accent was a very painful affectation and reminded me of Dick van Dyke in "Mary Poppins." (Yep, I do know MB is British.) I truly hope this movie doesn't become a made-for-television series.

The lead character was too clever for her own good without an ounce of humility or likability. Hercule Poirot she isn't. Heck, she isn't even Hetty Winthrop.

Do yourself a favor and skip this pile of rubbish. Turn to the original if you want to watch a program of intelligent detectives solving murders: Agatha Christie.

Prepare yourself for a delightful whodunit experience that pays homage to Agatha Christie and brings a little depth to the genre. Invitation to a Murder unfolds on a mysterious island with an ensemble cast that feels like a bag of culturally diverse characters, adding an extra layer of charm to the classic murder mystery.

Donald Walker, played by Chris Browning, steals the spotlight with his portrayal of an arrogant yet witty character. By the end, you'll find yourself unexpectedly showing compassion for this complex individual after hearing of his sorrowful upbringing. Bianca A. Santos as Carmen Blanco brings an alluring (my weakness) and captivating energy to the mix. And who can forget Marrisa Cooper form the O. C, I mean Misha Barton as Miranda, who plays the Sherlock Holmes type role, but is well- balanced and not ridiculously over the top, although, she does come across as quite condescending.

The assortment of characters, including the genius, the cowboy, the wealthy, the lower class, the doctor, the suspicious foreigner, and the oh-so-typical English butler, creates a dynamic that keeps you guessing. The suspicious servants and the predictable yet intriguing mystery contribute to the overall homely storytelling.

What I did like was the story didn't follow traditional paths, and while yes there was a shiny, large inheritance at the end, no character is really chasing it, and so it isn't the major catalyst of the story. Invitation to a murder explores a more linear family history and therein lies more richer, and deeper storytelling.

Cinematography and backdrops are solid, with an alluring manor setting that occasionally reminds me of navigating through a much-loved video game "The Council". However, this isn't an action-packed thriller; instead, it offers a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere that suits a more family-oriented PG-rated whodunit style.

Comparisons to "Crooked House" may arise, but Invitation to a Murder stands out with its upgraded pacing, avoiding slow burns and dragging plotlines. While it may lack heart-stopping twists every few minutes, it compensates with more engaging and charming characters.

Is it a bit bland? Perhaps, but it's a deliberate choice for a cosy mystery that embraces its predictable elements. This film won't revolutionize the genre, but it offers a warm and fuzzy feeling, making it perfect for a laid-back movie night.

In conclusion, Invitation to a Murder is not your typical blockbuster; it's a charming and light-hearted mystery that will keep you entertained. So, grab your detective hat, settle in, and let the unravelling of this whodunit charm you with its simplicity.

6/10.

The movie is probably inspired by "And then there were none" by Agatha Christie in its set up.

But from there it's all too predictable and the actors are terrible.

The plot is as weak as the cast. The loop holes in the story are legion.

I love the whodunnit kind of movies but this is so depressing bad ... so bad that I cried for the time spend watching this crap, minutes of my life that were lost and that I won't get back.

The most positive part of the movie was the single expression "the end".

Please save yourself the depression of watching this poor spectacle of what could have been a decent movie.

I rate this very obvious, grade A, mid-budget film 7.5-8, out of 10. In general, it's a good film. Come on, kids. This isn't hard to see. The sound, dubbing, sets, and props are all well done. Little to no computer enhancement. Wardrobe, hair, make-up are passible for the 1930's, as are the antique period cars and boat. Grade B, Low or mid- budget films never come close to reaching this basic quality level of production. Stephen Shimek does a good job directing, Mischa Barton adequately delivers in the lead role. All supporting cast give a solid performance. The movie is an homage to Agatha Christie mysteries, and it basically delivers that homage. It's a good, realistic starter mystery for over- 17 teens and young adults. Mature parents should be able to explain the plot, and motives. It's realistic, and better than 65% of the crap being produced in hollywood right now. Don't pick it apart, it's a mid-budget film.

This is a murder mystery in a setting similar to films like Murder on the Orient Express and Clue, sadly as much as this isn't a terrible movie, it isn't up there with those classics.

On the plus side, the story is quite compelling and doesn't go in the obvious direction. It's also not stuffed with too much filler.

Unfortunately there are some major criticisms i have with this, not least the atrocious accents that range from Traditional English to Pantomine Dame. However it's the main character where's i have most issues. First off, she looks like she's walked in right off the catwalk, not Mid 20th Century England, but worse than that, is how her character behaves. Are we really to believe a group of Adults, most older than her, are going to be bossed around like school Children by a Florist. She even gives orders to the Detective. Why on Earth would anyone let a normal civilian interrogate and order them around, even if she was good at selling murders. At least Jesscia Fletcher of Murder she wrote had the decency to speak to people with respect, this woman was a trumped up snob that in reality would be laughed at. This is a shame, because it's so distracting from the movie, it means it's quite hard to get into.

Still, if you have 90 mins free and there's no better options, it should prevent boredom.

The acting is decidedly absolutely awful in this boring mish mash of a ripped off Agatha Christie story. The script is boring and lacklustre, the dialogue overstated and precarious, but what makes this film even worse is the dreadful attempt at accents. Once again little to no character development. I find the blocking of the actors in some scenes really unimaginative, they just stand in a line and recite their lines almost robot like. It's a shame as they have some nice locations and sets, but nothing special enough to warrant sitting through what potentially could have been quite an exciting and thrilling movie had it been taken up by better screenwriters and a more skilled and imaginative director. Don't waste your time on this one.

Seems to be a remake of agatha christie's novel "and then there were none". They even mention christie by name in the first minute! Micha barton is miranda green. She notices little details. So when guests at an estate start dying, she's determined to figure it out before the police arrive. Alex hyde white (plays sean, the butler) is the son of wilfrid hyde white, who was in the 1965 version of ten little indians! And in some other pretty big films too. My fair lady, third man. It's mostly good. Never gets too suspenseful, but there are some twists and turns. The guests' stories near the end really slow down the story. They seem to drag on and on. And one demerit for some silly little mistakes that a solid christie fan probably would not make. Directed by stephen shimek.

I think this movie is a fun watch. It has a quick pace with great atmosphere. For those who like cozy mysteries this movie is ideal.

This movie reminded me of "Then There Were None". Not so much so that you think it is a rip off of the original film but more as a homage.

I look forward to more movies with the character Miranda Green. My only criticism of her character is she is a bit of a know it all and could be made more likeable. I like the idea that she is a fan of Agatha Christie and loves mysteries. She is easy to identify with. I think if future movies are to be made with this character it would be nice if she had a sidekick.

I enjoyed this movie. I would definitely recommend it to others.

I will say this film was very good overall. It is a mixture of the old school Clue film that came out in the 1980s and Death on the Nile, or something very similar to that type of work. So I will say I was impressed the film gets right to the point and the characters are all very interesting to be honest. I would say this film was great to view and possibly even purchase. I wont spoil the film because it is a very interesting murder mystery. I would recommend this if you enjoy a good whodunit. Good film to watch but it does have a adult type of content so would not recommend watching while the kids are around.

This movie was Agatha Christie on a budget but I still found it engaging. Fun to see Mischa Barton (The OC) again and she did an engaging job with her central character.

The plot was straightforward enough though certainly not original, it seemed to take from several other Agatha Christie stories and mash them together.

It seems like they are setting this up for a series starring Mischa Barton as the new female detective heroine and I would watch another one of these for sure. I'm a sucker for British murder mysteries and this was as good as many so why not?

Still 40 characters short, the review length criteria is too long on IMDB.

This is an odd film. It's not terrible but it's not particularly good either. It wants to be an Agatha Christie style murder mystery but it falls flat. The problem lay with the script. There's a lot of stiff dialogue for the actors to deliver, but it's an oddly constructed story. It starts off okay with a bunch of people being invited to an island, but once the characters arrive at the mysterious manor house, the story loses direction. Everyone is a suspect without much to back it up. There aren't any clues for the characters to follow. So the whole thing stalls after 20 minutes or so and it treads waters until the killer is revealed. Despite a lot of recognizable TV actors, it does come off as an amateur stage play production by the end of it.

I wanted to like this. I couldn't wait to see it. Now, I just wish I had watched something else. Disappointing to say the least. Have the writers ever seen a good who-dunnit? As for the characters, good grief! The lead was horrible, I'm not familiar with her so I'm hoping it was just this movie making her look bad, for her sake. Her character was annoying and I'm not sure why any of the other characters even listened to her. I didn't care about any of them so it was pretty useless. The confession at the end was ridiculous. I really hope they don't make a sequel. They should apologize to Agatha Christie.