Murder Mystery
When an NYC cop (Adam Sandler) finally takes his wife (Jennifer Aniston) on a long promised European trip, a chance meeting on the flight gets them invited to an intimate family gathering on the Super Yacht of elderly billionaire Malcolm Quince. When Quince is murdered, they become the prime suspects in a modern day whodunit.
Produced on a mid-range budget of $24.0M, the film represents a studio production.
1 win & 6 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Murder Mystery (2019) showcases meticulously timed plot construction, characteristic of Kyle Newacheck's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Nick Spitz works as a hairdresser-turned-cop in New York, stuck in a boring routine. His wife Audrey reads murder mystery novels and dreams of adventure. Their marriage has become stale and unfulfilled after 15 years.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when On the plane to Europe, Audrey meets the charming billionaire Charles Cavendish in first class (Nick is in coach). Charles invites them to a family yacht gathering on the Mediterranean, offering the glamorous adventure Audrey has always wanted.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Malcolm Quince, the billionaire patriarch, is murdered during a lights-out moment on the yacht. Nick and Audrey actively choose to investigate the murder, entering a dangerous world of intrigue. They cannot leave as all guests become suspects., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat False defeat: Tobey the young heir is murdered, raising the stakes dramatically. Nick and Audrey are formally framed as the primary suspects by Inspector de la Croix. The playful investigation becomes deadly serious as they realize they could go to prison for life., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Charles Cavendish, who brought them into this world, appears to be the killer and dies (seemingly) in an explosion. Nick and Audrey are arrested and separated. Their adventure has led to disaster, they face prison, and their marriage seems beyond repair., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 77 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Nick and Audrey realize Charles faked his death and is the real killer. They synthesize Audrey's mystery book knowledge with Nick's cop instincts. Working as true partners, they figure out his plan to ransom the family fortune and escape., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Murder Mystery's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Murder Mystery against these established plot points, we can identify how Kyle Newacheck utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Murder Mystery within the crime genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Nick Spitz works as a hairdresser-turned-cop in New York, stuck in a boring routine. His wife Audrey reads murder mystery novels and dreams of adventure. Their marriage has become stale and unfulfilled after 15 years.
Theme
Audrey tells Nick that "life is about taking chances" and reminds him of his broken promise to take her to Europe for their honeymoon. The theme explores reinvention, adventure, and rekindling passion in a stagnant relationship.
Worldbuilding
Establish Nick and Audrey's mundane married life in New York. Nick is a cop who failed his detective exam multiple times. Audrey is a hairdresser obsessed with mystery novels. Their 15th anniversary is approaching and Nick finally books a budget European trip to fulfill his long-broken promise.
Disruption
On the plane to Europe, Audrey meets the charming billionaire Charles Cavendish in first class (Nick is in coach). Charles invites them to a family yacht gathering on the Mediterranean, offering the glamorous adventure Audrey has always wanted.
Resistance
Nick is suspicious and reluctant to accept Charles' invitation, but Audrey insists they go. They debate whether to join the yacht party. Nick lies about being a detective to impress the wealthy guests. They board the yacht and meet the eccentric family and guests.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Malcolm Quince, the billionaire patriarch, is murdered during a lights-out moment on the yacht. Nick and Audrey actively choose to investigate the murder, entering a dangerous world of intrigue. They cannot leave as all guests become suspects.
Mirror World
Nick and Audrey must work together as a team in ways they haven't in years. Their partnership mirrors the adventure and excitement missing from their marriage. Inspector de la Croix represents official authority and initially suspects them.
Premise
The fun amateur detective couple exploring the mystery. Nick and Audrey interrogate suspects, uncover secrets, and navigate the world of the ultra-rich. Each family member has motives and secrets. The couple uses Audrey's mystery novel knowledge and Nick's street cop instincts.
Midpoint
False defeat: Tobey the young heir is murdered, raising the stakes dramatically. Nick and Audrey are formally framed as the primary suspects by Inspector de la Croix. The playful investigation becomes deadly serious as they realize they could go to prison for life.
Opposition
The Spitzes go on the run from the police while trying to solve the murders. More people die. Everyone lies to them. The real killer stays ahead of them. Their marriage tensions resurface under pressure as they argue about Nick's lies and broken promises.
Collapse
Charles Cavendish, who brought them into this world, appears to be the killer and dies (seemingly) in an explosion. Nick and Audrey are arrested and separated. Their adventure has led to disaster, they face prison, and their marriage seems beyond repair.
Crisis
In custody, Nick and Audrey have their dark night. They confront their failures - Nick's lies about being a detective, Audrey's fantasy of escape from real life. They must decide if they're a real team or have been living a lie.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Nick and Audrey realize Charles faked his death and is the real killer. They synthesize Audrey's mystery book knowledge with Nick's cop instincts. Working as true partners, they figure out his plan to ransom the family fortune and escape.
Synthesis
Nick and Audrey escape custody and race to stop Charles. They work in perfect sync, using their complementary skills. Action-packed finale on a plane where they outwit and defeat Charles. They clear their names and save the remaining family members.
Transformation
Back in New York, Nick and Audrey are closer than ever. Nick finally passes his detective exam. They've rekindled their partnership and passion. They receive another mystery invitation - this time they eagerly accept together as a team, transformed from the stale couple at the start.