See How They Run

See How They Run

movie

2022, Mystery, Comedy

WISE
58%

WISE Score

75

Avg. Tomatometer

A 1950s London theater murder mystery that's more Clue than CSI—charming period piece, but will your teen actually stay awake?

IMDb6.5
RT Critics75%
MC60
TMDB6.3
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a perfectly fine murder mystery with a comedic twist set in 1950s London theater land. It's got decent reviews, a fun premise, and won't traumatize anyone.

But let's be real: is your teen actually going to want to watch this? The 1950s setting, the theatrical backdrop, the deliberate pacing—it's all very charming if you're into that vibe, but most modern teens are going to compare it to Knives Out or Glass Onion and find it lacking. The 6.5 IMDb rating tells the story: it's fine, it's watchable, but it's not must-see.

If you've got a teen who genuinely loves old-school whodunits, Agatha Christie vibes, or period pieces, this could be a fun family movie night. But if you're hoping to introduce mystery-solving and critical thinking, there are probably more engaging options that won't have them checking their phone every ten minutes.

The murder element means it's definitely 13+, but honestly, the bigger barrier isn't the content—it's whether they'll actually care.

Age Fit

Best for teens 13+ who genuinely enjoy classic mystery formats and period pieces. Younger teens might find it slow; older teens might find it too lightweight compared to grittier crime dramas they're watching.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
68

A murder mystery with a generally light comedic tone set in 1950s London theater world. Models detective work and partnership between the world-weary inspector and eager rookie. The murder premise and some darker elements keep it from being fully wholesome, but the overall tone is more playful whodunit than grim crime drama. Pacing is deliberate rather than chaotic.

Imaginative
72

Meta-theatrical mystery set within the glamorous 1950s West End theater scene offers creative framing—a movie about making a movie of a play where murder occurs. The whodunit structure invites puzzle-solving and deduction. The period setting and theatrical backdrop provide visual and narrative creativity, though it's more clever pastiche than groundbreaking originality.

Safe
62

Common Sense Media rates it 13+. Contains a murder (the central plot), some violence inherent to the crime investigation, and likely period-appropriate mild language and adult themes given the theater underground setting. The 'glamorously sordid' descriptor suggests some mature content. Not graphic or gratuitous based on the comedic mystery genre, but the murder element and 'investigating at their own peril' means some tension and potentially disturbing content for younger viewers.

Enriching
64

Introduces viewers to 1950s London theater culture and the classic whodunit structure. Encourages critical thinking through mystery-solving and deduction. The partnership dynamic between experienced and rookie detectives offers some insight into mentorship and different approaches to problem-solving. However, it's primarily entertainment-focused rather than deeply educational. Mixed critical reception (60 Metacritic, 6.5 IMDb) suggests it's competent but not particularly memorable or impactful.

Parent Info

Why It Might Be Great

  • Classic whodunit structure encourages deductive reasoning and puzzle-solving—good for teens who like Knives Out-style mysteries
  • Period setting offers a window into 1950s London theater culture without being a heavy history lesson
  • Comedic tone keeps the murder mystery light rather than dark and disturbing
  • Partnership between seasoned detective and eager rookie models different problem-solving approaches and mentorship

What to Watch For

  • Central murder plot and investigation themes—definitely not for younger kids despite the comedic framing
  • 1950s period setting and theatrical world may feel slow or dated to teens used to faster-paced modern mysteries
  • Mixed reviews suggest it's fine but not particularly gripping—might lose attention halfway through

Conversation Starters

  • "If you had to solve a mystery, would you rather be the experienced detective who's seen it all or the eager rookie with fresh eyes?"
  • "What clues did you pick up on early? Did you guess who did it?"
  • "How is this different from modern detective shows you've seen? What makes a good mystery?"
Stills
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