Murder Mystery Ending Explained: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston Movie - Netflix Tudum

  • Previously On

    How Did the First ‘Murder Mystery’ End? Reopen the Case Ahead of the Sequel

    Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston’s European honeymoon takes a deadly turn.

    Jan. 31, 2023

It’s been four years since Nick and Audrey Spitz’s (Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston) long-awaited honeymoon trip to Europe turned into an Interpol manhunt in Murder Mystery.

With the couple about to embark on another lavish getaway turned high-stakes adventure in Murder Mystery 2 on March 31, it’s time to reopen the case: How did the Spitzes unmask billionaire Malcolm Quince’s (Terence Stamp) killer? 

🤐 SPOILER ALERT 🤐

First things first: What is Murder Mystery about?

Murder Mystery begins with New York City cop Nick Spitz booking a last-minute trip to Europe for his wife, Audrey, after she confronts him about breaking the promise he made 15 years ago on their wedding day. On the plane over, a sneaky trip into the first-class lounge to steal some earplugs leads to a chance encounter with dashing British gentleman Charles Cavendish (Luke Evans), who invites the couple aboard his uncle’s yacht touring the Riviera. Oh, and by the way, said uncle is none other than billionaire Malcolm Quince, who happens to have just tied the knot with Cavendish’s former fiancée, Suzi Nakamura (Shioli Kutsuna). Messy, you say? We’re just getting started.

Terence Stamp as Malcolm Quince in 'Murder Mystery.'
Credit: Philippe Bosse/Netflix
Terence Stamp as Malcolm Quince in 'Murder Mystery.'

Who dies in Murder Mystery

Malcolm has gathered his nearest and dearest — in this case, son Tobey (David Walliams), actor Grace Ballard (Gemma Arterton), best friend Colonel Ulenga (John Kani) and his bodyguard Sergei (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), business associate and maharajah Vikram (Adeel Akhtar) and race car driver Juan Carlos (Luis Gerardo Méndez) — to tell them that he’s cutting them out of his will. They’re getting zilch from that $70 billion payload. Instead, new wife Suzi will stand to inherit the lot. But before he can sign the new document, the lights go out. When they turn back on, Malcolm is — you guessed it — dead, stabbed with his own ceremonial dagger. 

So, who did it? That’s the question Nick and Audrey attempt to answer as the bodies start to pile up around them. (Malcolm’s murder is soon followed by Tobey’s, then Sergei’s, Suzi’s and finally, Charles’.) The problem is, they’re Interpol Inspector de la Croix’s (Dany Boon) prime suspects. 

Gemma Arterton as Grace Butler wears an evening gown at a banquet. 
Credit: Philippe Bosse/Netflix
Gemma Arterton as Grace Butler in 'Murder Mystery.'

Who is the killer in Murder Mystery?

The quest to prove their innocence leads the Spitzes from Monaco to an opulent villa overlooking Lake Como where everything finally comes to a head. With no other leads to go on, de la Croix steps in to make his arrest, asserting that because the first murder occurred in French territorial waters, the Spitzes will be taken to Paris for prosecution. (“You always wanted to go to Paris,” Nick tells Audrey, a wink to the sequel, which finally takes the couple to the City of Love.) 

Audrey shares that under French inheritance law, each of Malcolm’s children would’ve received an equal share of his money, regardless of any provision in his new will. “But both of Malcolm’s children are dead,” she says. Wait, both? (See — messy.) You see, Sergei confided in the Spitzes before he died: Suzi isn’t the first fiancée Malcolm has stolen for a bride. Long ago, he married Colonel Ulenga’s intended, Madeleine LeBoutillier, while the former was in a coma, and she reportedly died giving birth to a son, who also died at birth. 

But what if the son was a daughter? And what if that daughter hadn’t died at all, but rather simply changed her name? An actor, perhaps? Like… Grace Ballard? 

Turns out, she was actually born Grace Butler — an anglicized version of her mother’s name, LeBoutillier. Determined to get back at the father who gave her away, she partnered with her half-brother, Tobey, to kill Malcolm and get the inheritance while on French territory, and then murdered the former to get the full amount. Ballard denies everything, but as Legally Blonde teaches us, to catch a killer, simply look at their hair. Why would Grace wear a hat over a freshly styled ’do? And hey, didn’t Nick hit the killer in the head with a plate? Said chapeau is lifted to reveal an angry cut, and after an altercation, Grace is taken into custody. 

Gemma Arterton wearing a black hat stands next to Luis Gerardo Méndez.
Credit: Scott Yamano/Netflix
Arterton as Grace Butler and Luis Gerardo Méndez as Juan Carlos in 'Murder Mystery.'

What’s the twist in Murder Mystery

Nick and Audrey’s celebration after solving the case is interrupted when Vikram realizes that Grace couldn’t have killed Sergei. That means she wasn’t working alone. And indeed, Juan Carlos is the one who masterminded the whole thing, convincing Grace to murder Tobey and carrying out the others himself. Why? To avenge his father, who lost both his legs after a racing accident he believes was caused by Quince. Cornered, Juan Carlos takes de la Croix hostage and speeds off, with Nick and Audrey in hot pursuit in a Ferrari. Employing a little creative driving, Audrey manages to make him crash, saving de la Croix. Juan Carlos pulls a gun, but is flattened by an oncoming tour bus — the very one Nick and Audrey were supposed to have been on this whole time. 

Where do we leave off with Nick and Audrey?

Riding high off their success as amateur detectives, Nick and Audrey finally resume their dream honeymoon trip — on Interpol’s dime — stepping onto the fabled Orient Express in a nod to the patron saint of murder mysteries: Agatha Christie. And where do they go from here? Find out when Murder Mystery 2 comes to Netflix on March 31. 

In the meantime, watch Aniston and Sandler in their cheesiest interview yet as the stars two minutes with Tudum below:

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston Spend Two Minutes with TudumThe stars give us the lowdown on their favorite murder mysteries, who's the best dancer, and what's their favorite cheese.

Shop Murder Mystery

GO TO NETFLIX SHOP

Discover More Previously On

  • Previously On
    Of sisters, scandals, and stings.
    By Stephan Lee and Ariana Romero
    Feb. 26
  • Previously On
    Return to 1813 as Daphne and the Duke burn for each other.
    By Stephan Lee and Ariana Romero
    Feb. 26
  • Previously On
    The cast and creators on the political thriller’s latest season.
    By Tudum Staff
    Jan. 5
  • Previously On
    A surprise visit from the vice president sends everyone into a tizzy.
    By Rachel Chang
    Nov. 12, 2024
  • Previously On
    A Scottish summit brings forth major revelations.
    By Rachel Chang
    Nov. 12, 2024
  • Previously On
    It’s a party for the USA in the UK. 
    By Rachel Chang
    Nov. 12, 2024
  • Previously On
    Chess or checkers? That is the question. 
    By Rachel Chang
    Nov. 1, 2024
  • Previously On
    When trusted allies become suspects, the world order turns on its head.
    By Rachel Chang
    Nov. 1, 2024

Related Videos

  • Behind the Scenes
    "I thought Tom Cruise would do this."
    April 9, 2023
    0:45
  • Behind the Scenes
    "We could've died that whole time on the fake Eiffel Tower."
    April 4, 2023
    1:31
  • Up Close
    The stars clue us in on their favorite murder mysteries & their favorite cheese.
    March 31, 2023
    3:55
  • Sneak Peek
    Ordinary couple, extraordinary adventure.
    March 8, 2023
    1:10
  • Previously On
    Time to sharpen your detective skills.
    Feb. 24, 2023
    3:47

Latest News

  • First Look
    Greta Lee and Wagner Moura Are Stuck Inside The Last House
    5:26 am
    Four people stand closely together indoors, looking anxiously out a rainy window of a house with pale siding, surrounded by green shrubs, under soft indoor lighting.

Popular Now

  • News
    Here’s how the Oscar winner trained for her rigorous new action role.
    By John DiLillo
    April 24
  • New on Netflix
    Stream Apex, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, plus new seasons of BEEF, Running Point, and more.
    By Ashley Lee
    March 31
  • Casting Call
    Kate Hudson leads another all-star team, including some appearances from real-life LA legends. 
    By Brookie McIlvaine
    April 23