In for a Murder

In for a Murder, known as "W jak morderstwo" in its original Polish, is a 2021 comedy-crime film that combines elements of mystery, suspense, and humor. Directed by Piotr Mularuk, the movie presents a playful take on the oftentimes dark and gritty murder mystery genre, bringing to the fold a light-hearted tone and an engaging plot that keeps viewers guessing and entertained throughout its runtime.

The story revolves around Magda (played by Anna Smolowik), a typical housewife whose life seems to be quite ordinary and uneventful. Living in a quiet suburb with her family, Magda finds solace in her passion for crime novels, which provide her with a respite from the monotony of daily routines and domestic responsibilities. It’s through this passion for fictional detective stories that she’s honed a sharp mind for details and a curious nature, traits that will soon serve her well in an unexpected turn of events.

Magda’s life takes a thrilling twist when she inadvertently becomes embroiled in a real-life mystery. What begins as amateur sleuthing, grounded in her fascination with the literary world of crime and detective work, quickly escalates into something much more serious when a murder takes place in her peaceful community. It’s a shocking incident that disrupts the ordinary facade of her neighborhood, breathing life into Magda's secret ambition of being a detective - a dream about to be realized in the most extraordinary way.

Enter Paweł Domagała’s character, Jacek Sikora, an easy-going and somewhat disheveled local police detective who is initially tasked with solving the case. However, as Magda becomes more deeply involved in the investigation, due to her attention to detail and natural intuition, she and Jacek form an unlikely alliance. Together, they set out to unravel the web of secrets and lies that surround the victim and the suspects that begin to emerge from the woodwork.

What follows is a journey through a series of comedic yet suspenseful set pieces that put both Magda and Jacek to the test. Throughout the movie, Magda's knowledge from her beloved detective novels comes to play, shedding light on clues that might otherwise have been overlooked. Meanwhile, Jacek, often finding himself on the back foot, benefits from Magda's unorthodox approaches and out-of-the-box thinking, though not without some degree of skepticism and the occasional clash of methodologies.

Furthermore, the film introduces a range of quirky and intriguing secondary characters, each with their potential motives for murder and peculiarities that add to the film's charm and complexity. There's Szymon Bobrowski’s character, who, like the others in the movie, is intricately involved in the community's dynamics and therefore not exempt from suspicion. The tight-knit community means that relationships, both past and present, are key to understanding the motive and opportunity behind the killing.

As the narrative weaves between potential leads and red herrings, Magda's character shines through. She is portrayed not just as an enthusiast for detective work but as a strong and clever woman who can balance her family life with her newfound role as Jacek’s unofficial partner in crime-solving. Her evolution from a passive consumer of mystery stories to an active participant in a real investigation is one of the movie's most rewarding aspects.

In for a Murder also does well in showcasing a small-town Polish setting, which adds an authentic cultural backdrop to the story. The film’s visuals complement the narrative well, creating an atmosphere that straddles typical Polish domestic life and the eerie tension of detective fiction.

Tonally, the film maintains a balance between being a cozy mystery and a satirical tribute to the genre. With witty writing and comedic moments, it is deliberately light-hearted in its approach to the murder mystery, a choice that allows it to appeal to a broad audience including those who may not typically enjoy darker crime dramas.

In for a Murder is a delightfully engaging film that offers a refreshing Eastern European take on a genre that is often dominated by British and American perspectives. It combines a small-town murder mystery with playful humor and a cast of memorable characters, providing entertainment that has both suspense and laughs, without resorting to excessive darkness or cynicism. It celebrates the ordinary individual’s fascination with the extraordinary, crafting a story where the underdog can become the hero in a most unexpected whodunit.