Year: 2017
Runtime: 115 min
Language: English
Director: Gilles Paquet-Brenner
When a wealthy and influential man dies suddenly, private detective Charles Hayward, a former spy, is called in to investigate. He finds himself embroiled in a complex case involving the Leonides family, a group with many secrets and potential motives. Hayward must carefully examine the relationships and uncover the truth behind the suspicious death, navigating a web of deceit and hidden agendas within the eccentric and dysfunctional household.
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At the end of Crooked House, the mystery of Aristide’s real murderer is finally unraveled. It turns out that his youngest granddaughter, Josephine, was the one responsible for his death. She held a twisted fascination with murder mysteries and saw herself as a detective like Sherlock Holmes. Driven by her hatred for her grandfather, whom she believed hypocritically limited her dreams of ballet, Josephine poisoned Aristide with cyanide, which she also used to kill her nanny. The motive was rooted in her deep resentment and her desire to get rid of the family figure she despised.
However, Edith, the family’s loyal aunt, discovered Josephine’s involvement and was distressed by the child’s dark obsession. To protect Josephine from the consequences of her actions and shield her from mental suffering, Edith chose to take the blame herself and planned to die with Josephine. Tragically, Edith and Josephine drove their car off a cliff to conceal the secret, dying together as their sacrifice.
In the end, Charles and Sophia are left to grapple with the truth: that the murderous child was responsible for Aristide’s death, and Edith took the ultimate sacrifice to save her. The film concludes with a poignant reminder of the dark complexities beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic families, and the cost of silent loyalty in the face of brutal crimes. Crooked House leaves viewers pondering the twisted morality of a house built on secrets, lies, and sacrifice.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:00
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