6.4/10
Senior Film Conservator

A definitive 6.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. The Dragon Murder Case remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Look, if you like old-school detective mysteries where everyone is dressed in tuxedos and nobody actually does any real work, you’ll be fine. It’s for the folks who want a puzzle they can solve while half-asleep. If you need pacing or, you know, excitement, you will probably hate this.
The whole thing kicks off at the Stamm estate. It’s one of those movies where people stand around in grand rooms drinking cocktails and being mean to each other. Then, the groom, Monty, jumps into the swimming pool and just… doesn't come out. It’s supposed to be this big shocking moment, but the way it’s shot feels strangely muted.
Warren William plays Philo Vance. He has this way of looking at people like they’re minor inconveniences he’s forced to deal with. He’s not exactly charming, but he’s definitely the smartest guy in the room—or at least the movie really wants us to think so. He walks through these scenes like he’s floating on a cloud of his own ego.
I couldn't help but think about how different this is from something like The Fakers. While that one feels like it’s scrambling to keep the energy up, this movie is perfectly happy to just sit on its hands and let the dialogue do the heavy lifting. It’s a very 1930s way of doing things, I guess.
There isn’t a whole lot of depth here. It’s a closed-room mystery that doesn’t really try to break the mold. Sometimes that’s enough. Other times, it just feels like watching people play a game of chess where you don't really care who wins.
It’s not as gritty or weird as A Child of God, that’s for sure. It stays firmly in its lane, polite and stiff-collared. If you’re into the whole 'detective-as-a-genius' trope, you'll find plenty to like here. If not, it’s a bit of a snooze fest. 🏊♂️🕵️♂️

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