Reunion 2024: Murder Mysteries becoming trendy

Murder mysteries are enjoying a resurgence, and Reunion 2024 aims to capitalize on the trend. Unfortunately, much of what it tries to achieve was executed better in projects like The Afterparty or movies like Murder Mystery. However, one area where Reunion 2024 excels is its impressive ensemble cast. Each actor contributes significantly to the balance of mystery and humor, with standout performances like Lil Rel Howery from Get Out. Despite some initial glimmers of playful fun, the film struggles to maintain momentum and fizzles out before its underwhelming conclusion.

The story of Reunion 2024 movie begins with Ridgeview High’s Class of 2001 gathering for their reunion, hosted by Matthew (Chace Crawford, The Boys), at his opulent mansion. Police officer Evan (Billy Magnussen, Aladdin) and his best friend, Ray (Howery), arrive with their own agendas Ray hoping for a romantic encounter, while Evan sets his sights on impressing his former crush, Jasmine (Jamie Chung, The Gifted). The reunion is lively until a blizzard cuts off power, and by morning, Matthew is found dead. Stranded without communication, the group is forced to solve the murder themselves.

The dynamics among the characters carry the film’s first act, with other notable performances from the reunion 2024 cast Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries) as the disciplined Amanda, and Jillian Bell (22 Jump Street) as the eccentric loner Vivian. While the setup is engaging, the script by Willie Block and Jake Emanuel loses steam midway, leaving the story to wander. Director Chris Nelson, known for The Perfect Date, fails to inject much-needed energy into the proceedings. Unlike The Afterparty, which cleverly revisits events through varying perspectives, Reunion 2024 movie resorts to simpler tactics, with the group searching for clues in a Scooby-Doo fashion. By the time the over-the-top reveal arrives, the mystery feels irrelevant.