Murder Made Easy (2019) by Dave Palamaro

Director: Dave Palamaro
Year: 2019
Country: USA
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Suspense/Thriller

Plot:
Hosting a special dinner get-together, a couple is thrown for a loop when their guest of honor dies in the middle of the meal, starting off a chain reaction of similar behavior that erupts when more guests arrive and their sinister agenda is soon revealed to all.

Review:
Overall, this was quite a fun and somewhat surprising thriller. Among it's better features is the fact that this one gets going rather quickly with the opening surprise murder occurring in the middle of a conversation just barely after it starts. Likewise, with the later guests showing up one after another here in an anthology format of dealing with each one individually resulting in a graphic murder afterward this format gives off a wholly enjoyable and fresh feel that unfolds with every new guest that arrives. As the final half is a truly ingenious and comes as a total surprise with the way it twists and turns in the storyline, there’s a lot to like with the reveals and motivations given here that makes for a wholly fun time all-around.

There are a few minor factors against this one. The main issue to be had here is an individual choice in that by cycling through the characters as often as it does, this one seems reliant on the audience identifying and connecting with each of the visitors when they arrive for their celebration. That changes when the guests' idiosyncrasies are incredibly annoying or irritating, especially with the hippie chick who constantly asks for her vegan ideals to be met or the douchebag film director who thinks his career makes him the greatest thing on Earth which are just part of the problems with the guests who arrive. Since the entire purpose of this one is for the hosts to kill off their unwanted friends that makes sense, but basing the entire premise around that factor could be somewhat limiting to some.

Overview: ***1/2/5
With some truly enjoyable twists and turns and only a few minor individualistic issues than anything to do with the film itself, this is a rather enjoyable and clever thriller that has plenty to like about it. It’s highly recommended to fans of these minimalist style efforts or those curious about it, while those looking for something a little harder edged should heed caution.

Murder Made Easy TRAILER from David Palamaro on Vimeo.