What’s It About
Lil Rel Howery (GET OUT), Billy Magnussen (GAME NIGHT), and Jillian Bell (22 JUMP STREET) star in a wild ride of twists and turns where a high school reunion gets cut short by murder. Trapped in a snowbound mansion, they race to uncover which one of their old classmates is the killer before they’re all iced out for good. Also starring Jamie Chung (GROWN UPS), Michael Hitchcock (VEEP) with Nina Dobrev (SICK GIRL) and Chace Crawford (GOSSIP GIRL).
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
The movie “Reunion” struggles to engage its audience, presenting a cast of overacted and unfunny characters. The plot centers around a group of Ridgeview High School’s Class of 2001 graduates who gather at a remote mansion only to be confronted with the unsolved death of one of their own. This setup triggers a flurry of accusations and a search for the killer among them. The film aspires to be a comedic mystery but falls dramatically short, appearing more like an improvisational exercise than a tightly directed, suspenseful story. The humor is consistently flat, and the movie focuses too much on the eccentricities and anxieties of its troubled thirty-something characters, dealing with self-esteem issues and unresolved high school drama. This is at the expense of the murder mystery, which doesn’t take center stage until the film’s second half. Initially, the movie introduces the characters and their intricate relationships, creating a tense atmosphere filled with awkward small talk and interpersonal dynamics. Mathew, the wealthy and arrogant host, spares no expense for the evening, causing tension among his former classmates as they drink. Local cop Evan (Billy Magnussen) and his best friend Ray (Lil Rel Howery) arrive, uncertain what awaits them. As the night progresses and Mathew’s dead body is discovered, the guests realize the murderer is among them. Despite this setup, the film ends up being a poor imitation of “Clue” rather than resembling “Knives Out.” The film’s central premise is muddled with humor that misses the mark and detours into physical comedy. The story shifts abruptly from tentative reconnection to growing panic after the body is found, but the silliness often outweighs the suspense. Much of the film consists of the actors engaging in ad-libbed banter and searching for jokes, making it challenging to find genuine humor. The constant joking becomes tiresome, especially when it becomes clear that the humor takes precedence over resolving the plot. Overall, “Reunion” is disappointing, failing to emphasize the impact of a murder that few will care about.
OUR RATING – AN UNINSPIRED 3