A Perfect Murder Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A rich dude hires his wife’s side piece to off her so he can get her money, but everyone ends up double-crossing everyone else, and it turns into a real estate tour of fancy NYC apartments.

🍿 A Perfect Murder: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Steven’s Discovery and Plan

Steven Taylor, a wealthy financier, discovers his wife Emily is having an affair with struggling artist David Shaw. Faced with both marital infidelity and mounting financial troubles, Steven concocts a plan to murder Emily and inherit her substantial trust fund. He sees this as the perfect solution to his problems, a way to regain control over his life.

The Deal with David

Steven confronts David and reveals he knows about the affair and David’s criminal past. He blackmails David into killing Emily for $500,000. Steven meticulously lays out a plan designed to look like a burglary gone wrong, ensuring his own alibi is airtight. The plan involves a stolen key and a carefully timed phone call.

The Botched Attempt

On the night of the planned murder, Steven calls Emily as arranged. However, the intruder is not David, and Emily manages to fight him off, killing him in self-defense. Steven returns to find the botched scene and a dead stranger. The police, led by Detective Karaman, begin their investigation, unaware of the complex web of deceit.

Unraveling Secrets

Emily becomes suspicious of Steven’s actions. Meanwhile, David, believing Emily is dead, becomes fearful and decides to blackmail Steven for the full amount. Emily begins investigating and discovers Steven’s financial woes and the connection to the dead intruder. The missing key becomes a crucial piece of the puzzle.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas): A wealthy Wall Street financier who plots to murder his wife for her inheritance to cover his failing investments.
• Emily Bradford Taylor (Gwyneth Paltrow): A multilingual translator at the UN who is having an affair and becomes the target of her husband’s deadly plan.
• David Shaw (Viggo Mortensen): A struggling artist and ex-con who is blackmailed into participating in Steven’s scheme to kill Emily.
• Mohamed Karaman (David Suchet): A Turkish-American NYPD detective investigating the attempted murder, who uncovers the truth behind the elaborate plan.
• Raquel Martinez (Sarita Choudhury): Emily’s coworker and friend who provides insight into Steven’s potential motives.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Steven: “Artists are always appreciated more after they’re dead!” – Said mockingly after stabbing David, highlighting his cynical view of the art world and his own actions.
• Steven: “What if there were no tomorrow?” – Said during a tense moment with Emily, hinting at the precariousness of their relationship and his desperate situation.
• David: “Should I continue screwing your wife?” – A sarcastic remark made to Steven during their dealings, emphasizing the complex and twisted nature of their arrangement.
• Detective Karaman: “What else could you do?” – Said to Emily at the end of the film, acknowledging the impossible situation she was in and excusing her actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $67,638,368
• Worldwide Gross: $128,038,368

💥 A Perfect Murder Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this back in the day and being so into it. Michael Douglas is so good at playing the bad guy you love to hate. The plot twists kept me guessing, and the ending was like, totally unexpected! I still think about that meat thermometer scene sometimes, it was crazy! For me, ‘A Perfect Murder’ is pure guilty-pleasure movie watching, and it brings back so much nostalgia.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of thrillers and suspense movies”
  • “Viewers interested in films with plot twists and turns”
  • “Those who enjoy performances by Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow”
  • “People who like neo-noir films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Murder”
  • “Adultery”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A stylish update to Hitchcock’s classic, ‘A Perfect Murder’ boasts strong performances from Douglas and Paltrow. While it lacks the original’s suspense, its modern sensibilities and twisty plot provide a solid thriller experience.
• The New York Times: “Despite its glossy veneer and talented cast, ‘A Perfect Murder’ feels somewhat hollow. Douglas excels as the manipulative husband, but the film struggles to create genuine emotional investment or deliver truly shocking surprises.
• Empire Magazine: “‘A Perfect Murder’ offers a compelling crime drama, elevated by its performances and sleek direction. It may not reach the heights of Hitchcock, but it stands as a well-crafted and entertaining thriller.

Audience Reactions

The plot twists had viewers on the edge of their seats.: Michael Douglas’s performance as the ruthless and calculating husband was widely praised.

The film’s stylish direction and luxurious settings were visually appealing.: Many found the movie entertaining and a solid thriller, despite comparisons to Hitchcock’s original.

Overall Consensus: While not a perfect remake, ‘A Perfect Murder’ provides an engaging thriller experience with strong performances and stylish visuals.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Much of the artwork featured in David Shaw’s studio was created by Viggo Mortensen himself, showcasing his artistic talents beyond acting.”
• “The film is a loose remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Dial M for Murder” (1954), which was itself based on a play by Frederick Knott.”
• “Director Andrew Davis also directed “The Fugitive,” another suspenseful thriller known for its intricate plot.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Perfect Murder?

A Perfect Murder is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming options. Some cable providers may also offer it on demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Perfect Murder, you might like these similar films:

• Dial M for Murder (1954): The original Hitchcock thriller that “A Perfect Murder” is based on, offering a more stage-bound but equally suspenseful story.
• Fatal Attraction (1987): Explores the dangerous consequences of infidelity and obsession, with similar themes of betrayal and potential violence.
• The Game (1997): Features Michael Douglas in another role as a wealthy individual caught in a web of deceit and manipulation, with unexpected twists.
• Gone Girl (2014): A modern thriller with a complex and deceptive plot involving a troubled marriage, secrets, and unexpected turns.

🛒 A Perfect Murder Related Products

• Dial M for Murder (Blu-ray): Own the Alfred Hitchcock classic that inspired ‘A Perfect Murder’. Experience the suspense and brilliance of the original in stunning high definition.
• Michael Douglas: American Cinema Collection (DVD): A collection of Michael Douglas’s most iconic films. Features the actor at his finest.
• ‘A Perfect Murder’ Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. A great addition to any film enthusiast’s collection, capturing the essence of the movie’s thriller vibe.
• Key shaped keychain: Movie-inspired merchandise featuring the iconic key prop. It can be a perfect gift or a perfect souvenir.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Perfect Murder features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Velvet Night” – performed by Jeff Morrow
• “Main Title” – performed by James Newton Howard

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Kiss me Viggo

Want to see Viggo Mortensen in action? This compilation highlights some of his best (and steamiest!) movie moments, including scenes from ‘A Perfect Murder’. Honestly, it’s worth it just to see him looking so intense!

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