Ladies Love Danger: A messy, charming relic from another era

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for 1930s B-movie fluff where people talk fast and wear suits even when they’re committing felonies, you’ll probably get a kick out of Ladies Love Danger. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s got that specific, snappy energy that makes you want to pour a drink and just watch the chaos unfold. If you’re looking for a serious whodunit that actually makes sense, you should probably look elsewhere. You will likely hate it if you need your plots to be airtight or if you get annoyed by characters who make decisions exclusively based on being dramatic.

The whole thing kicks off with Rita Witherspoon walking into the wrong apartment. It’s the kind of mistake you’d only see in a movie, but the way she just strolls in makes me laugh every time. Naturally, the guy living there, Ricardo Souchet, decides she’s the perfect suspect for the murder that just happened next door. It’s a bit of a reach, honestly. But hey, in this movie, logic is more of a suggestion than a rule.

The vibe is... frantic?

There’s a lot of running around. People popping into penthouses, people hiding behind curtains, and people dropping dead for no reason. It’s a bit like watching a frantic game of musical chairs where the prize is a trip to the police station. The chemistry between the leads is actually pretty decent, though. They argue with that classic, punchy rhythm you don’t really hear anymore.

• The lighting in the penthouse is weirdly moody. It makes everything feel like a secret, even when they’re just talking about breakfast.
• The way the bodies just keep showing up? It’s almost impressive.
• I’m not entirely sure I understood who killed who by the end, but I didn't really care.

It’s weirdly fun to compare this to something like The Champ, where everything feels so heavy and grounded. Here, everything is light as a feather. It’s not trying to be a deep dive into the human condition. It’s just trying to fill an hour with enough plot to keep you awake. The set pieces are basic, but they work. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in She Wanted a Millionaire, just with more dead bodies and fewer bank accounts.

Honestly, the best part is just watching the supporting cast pop in and out. They look like they’re having a grand old time being suspicious. You can tell they knew the script was silly and just leaned into it. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need. A movie that doesn't demand you think too hard. 🕵️‍♂️

Is it perfect? No. Does it matter? Not really. It’s a fun, slightly messy little mystery that does exactly what it says on the tin. Just don't ask too many questions about how they find these apartments or why no one ever calls the police properly. It’s better that way.