Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears (2020)

Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears is the kind of lavish, cheerfully romantic escapism that remembers movies can be glamorous, clever, and simply fun to be in. Essie Davis returns as Phryne Fisher with a sparkle that could power a biplane, and the film gives her room to flirt, fence with danger, and glide through international intrigue while Nathan Page’s Jack Robinson grounds the adventure with a steady heartbeat of longing and loyalty. The vibe is old-school swashbuckling mystery—curses, emeralds, desert winds, and drawing-room secrets—shot with enough polish to feel like a treat without taking itself too seriously. If you want gritty realism, this isn’t your ticket, but if you’re on the fence and craving a charming, buoyant caper with a warm pulse and a playful wink, it’s an easy yes.

Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears is clearly trying to give fans a bigger, globe-trotting “movie event” version of the series, mixing old-school romance, pulpy adventure, and a light mystery with exotic locations and glamorous swagger. The catch is that it often feels modest for what it’s reaching for: the action and spectacle are more “TV special” than sweeping cinematic, and the story can lurch between set pieces with clunky transitions that blunt the momentum. If you’re coming for a tight, twisty whodunit or a genuinely epic adventure, you may find it a bit scattered and smaller than advertised. But if you mainly want Phryne’s charm, the chemistry with Jack, handsome period style, and a breezy caper vibe, it delivers enough to make the ride pleasant.