Mystery Island (2023 TV Movie) User Reviews

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[d-robold · 4/10 · 8 October 2023]

I usually enjoy watching Elizabeth Henstridge. Agents of Shield was good. Her Christmas movie, Christmas at the Ritz on Hallmark, was lovely. This movie was a mess. Boring, no tension, no real character development, and the giggling by the two female leads was like nails on a chalkboard. Appropriate for teens and 20 something's but not grown women. Ridiculous chases, unbelievable switches in "who did it", weak plot, lack of real connection to anyone. Frankly, this movie put me to sleep. A lovely deep sleep. Beautiful scenery and the house was wonderful. I slept through the middle but watched the end and do not feel that I missed anything. I went back and ran it again just to be certain, but sleeping was a better idea. Hallmark clunker.

set up for a sequel; do we really want one?

[sarajimi · 4/10 · 29 October 2023]

A decent attempt at something different for hallmark but the way it comes off feels patronizing. Would anyone really pay $10,000 a day to go to an island mansion that seemingly has no special ammenities? It might be all-inclusive but doesn't seem to include anything to do other than eat and drink. The characters, minus one or two of the male guests, are completely static; there is no growth or development and they leave the island the same as they arrived. Which i suppose isn't unlike reality but makes for an empty feeling movie. There is a scene where the two friends are sitting on a bed in a darkened room talking while wearing long dresses with empire waistlines that feels like something out of Sense and Sensibility and that kind of says it all about them. Elizabeth's concerned face looks like she's about to cry, otherwise she just looks smug. They try to make her character more empathetic by giving her a two lines about her father's recent death but that is more to check off the hallmark list of requisites (a dead parent or two). Kezia's character is more likeable, if rather silly, but does not carry herself like someone born to nobility. The women all try to sneak around the mansion in high heels on bare floors. In fact, they wear heels ALL the time. If hallmark is so worried about trying to make their actresses appear tall, hire some tall actresses. Either that or acknowledge that they aren't and let the ladies wear flats/sneakers. The common detective orders the police chief to collect evidence, and she does! Not to mention the evidence they use to solve the case, half of which is kept from the audience until the grand reveal, is so highly improbable as to not establish reasonable doubt.

mystery island not such a mystery

[akiwigirl · 5/10 · 30 September 2023]

Hmm did I like this... I'm not sure.

Negatives: It felt a bargain basement Knives Out II. And as with most Hallmark fodder the story wasn't fleshed out enough as such I didn't care enough about any of the suspects to want to know who the murderer was; could have done with being a bit longer if it meant better characterisation.

Positives: I really like the female lead. She brought an innocence to her role that made her endearing. So often Hallmark female sleuths are written as know it all/nosey characters.

I like seeing Kezia Burrows. I remember her from Apple Tree Yard and Dr. Foster. She brought the zany which you need when you have a mystery to solve. And major plus for me was the decor I love the doors in the mansion - the lattice work was divine.

What were they thinking?

[LJEANH · 2/10 · 1 October 2023]

It isn't that hard to write a decent mystery. So, why did they give us this mess? Picking up evidence without gloves...Running around a jungle in high heels... "Stealthily" following a suspect wearing bright colors...sneaking around the open floor plan mansion in an over the top way.

The acting was over the top, the clothes were ugly and what little affinity you felt for some of the characters was wasted with the poor script.

While the idea had much promise...we can only hope there isn't a sequel. Or, maybe they scrap this mess and start over fresh with new writers, actors, set...new everything!

Very very bad

[tempestulis-84676 · 1/10 · 2 October 2023]

So disappointing. I was really looking forward to this one based on the advertisements... Seemed like it could be a Knives Out, Clue, 1980s Fantasy Island mashup. Instead, it was just very bad. The acting is terrible - stilted and forced all around. The female lead has no range at all, maintaining the same stupid and usually inappropriate smirk throughout the entire film. The male lead is better by a hair and could possibly be decent with a different actress but I don't know that I'd count on it. The rest of the cast is only marginally better but the movie doesn't really give anyone a chance to shine. The story was choppy and disjointed, downright ridiculous at points, and dull, dull, dull. It's truly a shame because, while you know you're not getting world renowned writing or acting with Hallmark originals, the story did have potential to be an enjoyable mystery. The one that premiered the week prior, Mystery in G Major with Tamara Mowry, was super amazingly good. I'm hoping that series gets picked up and this one does not, at least not without a complete cast overhaul and different writing team.

Murder mystery weekend turned actual murder mystery.

[cgvsluis · 5/10 · 8 October 2023]

Consulting Psychologist for Scotland Yard, Dr. Emilia takes a much needed vacation with her friend, Baroness Jane Alcott, at an exclusive resort known as mystery island. Emilia is there to not only participate in this week's mystery (the murder mystery premise of Mystery Island), but to contemplate about her job with Scotland Yard.

Their week is interrupted when the show runner and head of the island ends up dead. Now with a real murder mystery to solve, the two girls meet detective Jason Trent. Emilia gets to show off her observation and profiling skills as she helps Jason get to the bottom of this very real mystery.

I think some of the acting was a bit rough in this film...especially at the beginning when there was some "campiness" to the delivery of lines. I did like the end which sets up a new consulting partnership to build future mysteries. I am not sure how that would work in terms of a series...also, if people do keep dying on the island...why would anyone go there?

The two leads were attractive, but there was little to no romance between the two. Also, if this series is going to continue the tropical background is decent as is the resort itself...but the wardrobe/costuming could use a little help.

A total snooze fest!

[emj19 · 1/10 · 30 September 2023]

This movie was a perfect way to catch up on my sleep; 2 hours of total boredom! The whole premise was overwhelmingly ridiculous, and the acting was terrible, and totally unbelievable. I certainly hope that The Hallmark Channel doesn't have any plans to turn it into a regular series, because there's no way that they could make anything worse than this was. The setting was the only thing that made this even remotely watchable, but it was exceedingly difficult to stay awake long enough to watch this. I'm usually a fan of the Hallmark Channel films, but this one might make me swear off of them for a while.

Hallmark's Mystery Island Is Fantastic: This Is Great For Agatha Christie fans, and Knives Out Fans

[turningpassionsintoprofits · 10/10 · 5 October 2023]

What could be more fun than going to an immersive mystery island. Here, the rich pay $10k a night to dress up in black tie, eat fab food, enjoyed bottomless tumblers of cocktails and try to solve a murder mystery. Dr. Emilia Priestly has arrived to this island with her pal Baroness Jane. Alcott. Emilia is a psychiatrist for the Metropolitan police in London. After a terrifying encounter with a subject, she takes some time off to pivot. Does she need to rethink her career?

Once they arrive to Mystery Island, they meet the other well-appointed guests, that is after Emilia bumps into and meets the dishy Detective Jason Trent. They are all the original investors of Mystery Island. (Although in the photo of the original investors there is also a fun cameo of two fan-favorites-I will not spoil!). However, the founder of Mystery Island, John Murtaugh, is a recluse and did not come out to the island.

This sets up this Hallmark movie for a very clever 123 minutes of fun, clues, and mystery. This is a wonderfully over the top movie. All the actors take their role and make it dramatic and memorable. More than that, the ending is a very VERY Christie-Like ending. Most of all, this movie does not take itself too seriously. There are plenty of jokes about mystery writers versus detective work. That was entertaining.

If you love mystery, this is great movie to watch. If you are weary of the baker/caterer/matchmaker sleuth who breaks into other people's homes etc then this is for you. This movie is luxurious, well-written and well-acted. There are enough suspects without it being too confusing. Yes, I figured out the whodunit early on--but I didn't have all the details put together.

I have already rewatched it and still found it fascinating.

Telegraphing Everything Ahead

[cmannin-71007 · 3/10 · 2 October 2023]

Gave 3 stars for the beautiful island atmosphere, the wonderful mansion and I liked the Eye Patch host actor very much. But it was annoying in so many ways such as the show off introductions "this is DOCTOR ........and I am LADY ......." Then you had to know they'd find a dead body going up the secret stairs.

Then being chased through the woods till DR heroine breathlessly makes thankful doe eyes at the island detective. Their Telegraphed ahead conversation where they BONDED over everything no matter how uninteresting.

Then the pitiful denouement with expectation of future romance and case solving together?

I love Agatha Christie so much and seeing the title I dared hope this would be a joy.

I love murder mysteries BUT.....

[gladtrue · 1/10 · 30 March 2024]

This is no Knives Out or Glass Onion, which is what I think Hallmark was sorta kinda maybe shooting for. Both of those movies were FUN and interesting and well written and well acted. But Hallmark's Mystery Island was none of that. Some of the actors ( Kezia Burrows was the worst ) were either bad actors or over acted so much that is was hard to watch. No chemistry between the leads at all, may not be their fault though since the writing is so bad. The sleuthing was laughable...for example ( no spoiler here) when 3 supposed smart and observant people are looking for clues and miss one sitting right on top of a rock, like it was deliberately left there to be found. If Hallmark does make this into a series, I do not see myself searching for it to watch. The 1 star I gave it was because it had potential.....if the directing, producing, writing and acting had been any good.

A Hallmark production - enough said.

[thathu181-523-789269 · 2/10 · 5 October 2023]

Terrible acting, terrible plot to what could've been a really interesting story, and absolutely no thrill of a murder mystery. There's no backstory or developing scenes where you get to understand the personalities or how some of the characters are even related, you don't form any meaningful connections with any of the characters , and the story is just not made well enough to really get your interest - often times I felt bored and saw myself reaching for my phone. Honestly should've just turned the movie off and played another one.

It even lacked a real developing romance / tension that is a staple of a classic Hallmark movie - and which is the ONLY thing they are really good for anyway. Avoid this movie big time!

If you want a really good murder mystery - do check out the Glass Onion movies or any of the Hercule Poirot ones (A Haunting in Venice / Death on the Nile / Murder on the Orient Express)

Scooby Doo goes to Mystery island

[sjr-01713 · 1/10 · 29 February 2024]

This movie is way too much like Scooby Doo. I kept hearing Rut Rho in my head the entire time. I figured out the mystery within the first 15 minutes, the characters were terribly boring, and I like these actors and actresses very much in other things. From the very beginning, I wasn't sure if I could sit through the whole thing, but I did so that I could write a review. The characters were stand up cardboard. I was utterly disappointed! If there is another one I will not even download it. I will not even stream it, but that's been happening a lot lately with Hallmark and I'm very disappointed with their mysteries. Once they didn't finish Mystery 101 with Palaha, Wagner and Thomas, they just lost their edge. That chemistry was just crackling with enthusiasm. It was just brilliant!! Sorry hallmark TTFN Winston T Pooh.

I fell asleep twice then gave up.

[kmarsha-43002 · 3/10 · 18 January 2024]

Simply put, this movie is nowhere near the caliber of murder mystery we've come to enjoy and expect from Hallmark. I'm fact, it's not a murder mystery at all. The writing is amateurish with too many plot holes to count. Even the acting was unconvincing - the female lead seemed as bored as I was. I truly did fall asleep twice and my husband watched it to the end to see whodunit. To say the conclusion was anti-climactic is an understatement.

One bright spot would be that the idea behind the movie, though not original, could be reworked and in some cases, recast to continue the series. However, this one should be pulled from viewing.