A Perfect Murder

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A Perfect Murder

R

Released Jun 5, 1998

1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

56 Reviews

51%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Wall Street baron Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas) discovers that his pretty young wife, Emily (Gwyneth Paltrow), is cheating on him. But what concerns him more than her infidelity is the hope of profiting from her untimely death. Emily has millions, and Steve's own financial empire is collapsing before his eyes. He hires her lover, David (Viggo Mortensen), to murder her. The plan -- to stage a break-in that will look like a random murder -- turns out to be far from perfect.

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Critics Consensus

A slick little thriller that relies a bit too much on surprise events to generate suspense.

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Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

...a fast-paced thriller that probably will leave Alfred Hitchcock aficionados mourning its shallowness -- but not until after they've enjoyed an adrenaline rush.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 6, 2002

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Liam Lacey

Globe and Mail

None of the amusement gained in watching the performances, unfortunately, amounts to much, as the script, in a desperate attempt to lend action interest to the original, static, puzzle plot, compounds surprise turn after surprise turn.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 12, 2002

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Peter Travers

Rolling Stone

What the film lacks is suspense, surprise (the new ending is a dud) and passion.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 5, 2001

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Quentin Falk

Sunday Mirror (UK)

This loose reworking of Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder over-complicate that simple but chilling classic.

Dec 19, 2024

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Elissa Suh

Moviepudding (Substack)

Efficient in plot but drab in tone, the real travesty of this remake of Hitchcock’s Dial M. for Murder lies in the severe lack of screen time dedicated to Gwyneth’s outfits.

Feb 16, 2023

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

The movie falls into the predictable pattern of who’s-plotting-against-who, with everyone’s motivations reduced to cardboard.

Rated: C-

Sep 2, 2022

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Audience Member

This movie is 4 stars- both audiences and critics got it wrong. Michael Douglas is as fun to watch as ever and throw in Vigo and Gwyneth and a really crazy series of events and it was great to watch. The begining is a bit clunky- they didn't establish who had money in their relationship and how much until midway through the film? But barring that it was still great. A keeper for your collection.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/01/25

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Jonah Sage D

Surprised at the bad reviews. Plot is tight, lots of surprises, and overall great film in the style of The Last Seduction. 90s psych thriller classic.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

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Audience Member

I enjoyed the movie. Douglas killed it in this movie. But, why is everyone after Michael Douglas in every movie, lol...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/25

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Avalon T

I'm really shocked at the ratings for this excellent, yes, excellent thriller. There are so few films around that aren't literally drenched in blood and gore. This is well written with an excellent plot and not the typical predictable thriller. And no gore! How can you go wrong with a cast like Vigor Morgenson, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Michael Douglas. Definitely recommend this great movie. It's a must watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

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Audience Member

Sakto lang. Mabilis ang phasing ng kwento kaya halos walang bored moments kahit alam mo na predictable thriller ang pinapanuod mo. Halos alam mo na ang mga susunod na mangyayari pero dahil sa bilis & effective na kwento ay maaaliw ka at magiging kaabang abang ang mga susunod na mangyayari. Sana lang e nagkaraoon ng flashback man lang kung paano nagkakilala sila Emily & David.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/25

Full Review

Jelisije J

Michael Douglas is having martial problems with his cheating wife so he decides to hire his wife lover to kill her for him. A good movie with a couple of nice twists and turns, but sad to say the ending doesn't quite hit it for me.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/25

Full Review

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Andrew Davis

Director

Michael Douglas

Steven Taylor

Gwyneth Paltrow

Emily Bradford Taylor

Viggo Mortensen

David Shaw

David Suchet

Mohamed Karaman

Sarita Choudhury

Raquel Martinez

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Synopsis

Wall Street baron Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas) discovers that his pretty young wife, Emily (Gwyneth Paltrow), is cheating on him. But what concerns him more than her infidelity is the hope of profiting from her untimely death. Emily has millions, and Steve's own financial empire is collapsing before his eyes. He hires her lover, David (Viggo Mortensen), to murder her. The plan -- to stage a break-in that will look like a random murder -- turns out to be far from perfect.

Director: Andrew Davis
Producer: Arnold Kopelson, Anne Kopelson, Christopher Mankiewicz, Peter Macgregor-Scott
Screenwriter: Patrick Smith Kelly
Production Co: Kopelson Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 5, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 28, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $67.5M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Surround

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