Confess, Fletch (2022)

Confess, Fletch is a rare kind of modern caper: a murder mystery that actually wants you to have a good time, buoyed by Jon Hamm’s effortlessly sly charm and a script that treats every conversation like an opportunity for a fresh laugh. Greg Mottola keeps the vibe light and nimble—more cocktail-hour mischief than grim true-crime—so the twists land with a grin instead of a grimace, and the ensemble of eccentrics makes the whole world feel deliciously off-kilter. It’s the kind of movie where the investigation is constantly being derailed by personalities, bad timing, and Fletch’s talent for talking his way into (and out of) trouble. If you’re craving a serious, procedural whodunit, this may feel too breezy, but if you want a witty, playful throwback that moves like it’s having fun, it’s an easy yes.

Confess, Fletch is trying to revive the classic wisecracking amateur-sleuth vibe with a looser, hangout-y mystery where charm and improvisational energy matter as much as the case. The problem is the comedy often lands like mildly clever banter that never quite spikes into genuinely funny, and the pacing can feel oddly relaxed for a story built around being framed for murder. If you want a tight, twisty whodunit with big laughs and escalating stakes, this may feel like a string of eccentric encounters that add up to less than the premise promises. Still, Jon Hamm is an appealing lead and the movie has an easygoing, low-stress tone that can work if you’re happy to coast on vibe over punchlines.