Get a Clue

Get a Clue

Year: 2002

Runtime: 83 mins

Language: English

Director: Maggie Greenwald

ComedyMysteryFamily

A fashion‑obsessed wealthy student joins her equally affluent friends and her rival who leads the school paper to investigate the sudden disappearance of their teacher, questioning everyone and piecing together clues to uncover the truth.

Light-hearted
Happy ending
Emotionally light
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Get a Clue yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Get a Clue (2002)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Get a Clue (2002). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 2000s

Set in contemporary New York, the story mirrors the era's fast-paced media culture and city life. The plot leans on school journalism and the pursuit of a sensational story, driving the tension between teen curiosity and adult consequences. The tone and setting reflect the style of an urban mystery thriller from the early 2000s.

Location

Manhattan, New York

The film unfolds within Manhattan's affluent circles, with scenes in private schools, stylish apartments, and a glamorous hotel that frame the investigation. Wealth and appearances govern social interactions as Lexy and her friends navigate the pressures of teen reputation. A clue tied to the East River anchors the danger beneath the city's polished surface.

🏙️ Urban setting 💼 Upper-class society 🕵️ Mystery atmosphere

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 10:24

Main Characters – Get a Clue (2002)

Meet the key characters of Get a Clue (2002), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lexy Gold – Lindsay Lohan

Lexy is a quick-witted, socially agile teen who writes for the school newspaper. She uses her keen sense of motive behind every smile to drive the investigation, balancing rivalry with Jack and loyalty to her friends. Her curiosity pushes her to question appearances and pursue the truth, even when danger looms.

🔎 Teen detective 💬 Sharp wit 🗞️ School journalist

Jack Downey – Bug Hall

Jack is an ambitious editor from a middle-class background who gradually steps into a leadership role within the group. He starts as a rival to Lexy but becomes a key partner as their investigation deepens. His practical instincts help keep the crew coordinated under pressure.

🧭 Ambitious 🕵️‍♂️ Resourceful 🎯 Leadership

Jennifer Hervey – Brenda Song

Jen is Lexy's best friend, known for practicality and hands-on problem-solving. She contributes steady, real-world know-how to the investigation and helps ground the group’s more impulsive moves. Her loyalty strengthens the team as they uncover clues.

🛠️ Practical 🤝 Loyal 🗺️ Investigative

Gabe – Al Mukaddam

Gabe is the tech-minded, curious classmate who loves gadgets and analysis. He provides technical know-how that helps decipher clues and understand Walker's life. His cool-headed approach balances the team's energy with a dash of humor.

💡 Tech-savvy 🧠 Curious 🤝 Team player

Miss Dawson – Amanda Plummer

Miss Dawson is the teacher linked to Walker through a past romance. The investigation uncovers hints about their relationship and the pressures they faced. Her role becomes pivotal as she becomes entangled in the hotel sequence and the broader plot.

💖 Complicated past 🧭 Gatekeeper 🗝️ Revered figure

Orlando Walker – Ian Gomez

Orlando Walker is the teacher whose disappearance sparks the inquiry. The group learns about his troubled past and his complex relationship with Miss Dawson, adding depth to the motive behind the crime.

🕵️‍♂️ Mysterious 🧭 Complex 📚 Educator

Detective Meany – Charles Shaughnessy

Detective Meany is the official gatekeeper of clues who is later revealed to be Falco Grandville, Walker's bank boss from Arizona. The revelation reframes the investigation, exposing corruption and the mechanism used to frame Walker. His dual role as investigator and mastermind underlines the theme of justice vs. manipulation.

🕴️ Corruption 🕵️‍♂️ Investigative 🗝️ Motive

Mrs. Petrossian – Sylvia Lennick

Mrs. Petrossian is Walker's mother, a source of truth about Walker's past. She reveals personal stakes in the case after discovering a Canary Diamond brooch and connects to the broader conspiracy. Her perspective adds a human dimension to the costs of the crime.

👩‍👧 Family 🗝️ Secrets 💎 Wealth and crime

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 10:24

Major Themes – Get a Clue (2002)

Explore the central themes of Get a Clue (2002), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔎 Mystery & Investigation

A tight-knit group of teens forms a makeshift investigation team, pooling their different skills to uncover Walker's disappearance. Lexy uses her social awareness to read motives, while Jen, Gabe, and Jack contribute practical know-how and leadership. Clues accumulate through misdirections and escalating stakes, demanding courage and teamwork. The pursuit of truth ultimately redefines their sense of responsibility and trust.

💎 Wealth & Status

The upper-class setting of Manhattan governs how characters interact, judge, and compete. Social prestige drives choices, from school life to the pursuit of a scandalous scoop. The Canary Diamond brooch and the backdrop of a high-stakes theft reveal how money and status can obscure guilt and motive. The mystery uses wealth as both lure and concealment, exposing cracks in appearances.

🧭 Truth & Justice

The teens uncover a web of deception surrounding Walker, a case that tests trust and due process. A revelation shows Miss Dawson's relationship to Walker and the corrupt detective Meany orchestrating the frame. The plan to exonerate Walker culminates in a dramatic sequence, leading to justice and renewal as the truth comes to light.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 10:24

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about teen sleuths like Get a Clue

Smart and stylish teens solve puzzling crimes while navigating high school drama.If you enjoyed the witty teen investigation in Get a Clue, explore other movies where sharp young minds crack the case. This collection features similar high school mysteries, lighthearted suspense, and clever problem-solving with a focus on friendship and fun.

youthfulsuspensefulwittyteam-drivencuriousenergeticclever

Narrative Summary

Stories typically begin with a disruptive event in a teen's world, prompting an unofficial investigation. The narrative unfolds methodically as the young sleuths follow leads, face red herrings, and outsmart adults, culminating in a satisfying revelation that often clears an innocent name and reinforces their bonds.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared focus on youthful agency, a lighthearted but suspenseful tone, and a puzzle-box mystery structure. They balance the high-stakes feeling of an investigation with the relatability of teen life, creating an exciting yet accessible experience.

Fun ensemble mystery movies like Get a Clue

A group of unlikely allies pieces together clues to uncover a surprising truth.Fans of Get a Clue will enjoy this selection of lighthearted mysteries featuring a team of characters solving a puzzle. These films share a steady pace, moderate complexity, and a focus on teamwork and redemption, perfect for viewers seeking engaging stories without heavy drama.

team-drivenwittyoptimisticcurioussuspensefulredemptiveenergetic

Narrative Summary

The plot typically brings together characters from different social circles who initially clash but unite over a common goal. As they pool their unique skills and perspectives, they methodically follow a trail of clues, encountering misdirection before the final twist reveals an unexpected villain, leading to redemption and celebration.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific blend of a team-driven investigation, a light and witty tone, and a moderately complex but ultimately solvable mystery. The joy comes from watching characters grow together while unraveling a puzzle in a low-stakes, high-fun environment.

Unlock the Full Story of Get a Clue

Don't stop at just watching — explore Get a Clue in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Get a Clue is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Get a Clue Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Get a Clue, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Get a Clue Summary

Get a Clue Timeline

Track the full timeline of Get a Clue with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Get a Clue Timeline

Get a Clue Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Get a Clue that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Get a Clue Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Get a Clue

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Get a Clue: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Get a Clue

Explore More About Movie Get a Clue

Get a Clue (2002) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Get a Clue (2002) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Get a Clue (2002) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow