By Mira Nayak
When I first watched Clue, my teacher had me write a bingo card of murder mystery cliches, anticipating the watch. I thought, Why would I watch a movie full of tropes? After 94 minutes of laughs, I knew why: Clue was the mastermind behind the murder mystery formula we all know and spend money on today.
To clear the air: it goes board game (1949), movie (1985), and theatrical production (1997). To save you time, the movie is the best part. Similar to the funky bunch of characters, there’s a part in it for everybody; that’s whether you’re here for the 1950s aesthetic, joining for laughs, or playing the detective to the flawless mystery. The writers create an enigmatic conflict amongst the characters, riddled with clues that pertain to its New England 1950s backdrop.
But what makes the film truly special is its three distinct endings. Back in 1985, three different endings were aired, all with different murders. These endings were crafted to mimic the board game while producing a satisfactory ending. The version of Clue currently on streaming plays all three. Now, if you haven’t seen Clue, first, what are you waiting for! To all fans of classic murder mysteries, dinner party who-dunnits, and a good laugh, Clue (1985) is simply a must-watch.
However, if you have–here’s my ranking of all three endings:
3. Mrs. Peacock
In this ending, Mrs. Peacock was simply the murder, and the blackmailer. Though a bit unexpected, it was fine. If I had seen this in theatres, I’d walk out a little unsatisfied, but the rest of the movie makes up for it.
2. Miss Scarlet
Now this ending was worth it. Having two killers sets up for not just the genre of murder mystery, but the ultimate horror trope. Simply, this ending made sense and would leave the viewer satisfied. But what remains in my memory is Miss Scarlet’s improvised monologue, which, if you know you know. Arguably the funniest moment in the film, and arguably, second place.
1. The Real Ending
WOW. What a payoff! Everything falls into place very well, and after those other two endings, entirely unexpected. This ending also serves us one of the greatest lines of television history, concluding the movie and leaving you struck as you watch the Clue-card credits.