The Third Clue: An Old Dark House Mystery That Doesn't Quite Get There

Is this thing worth your Saturday?

Honestly, only if you have a massive soft spot for the 'Old Dark House' genre and don't mind a movie that feels like it’s running on fumes. If you want a tight, punchy thriller, look elsewhere. If you enjoy watching people walk into rooms and look surprised at curtains, you’re home.

The whole setup is standard issue for these types of movies. A dying guy in a study, a hidden treasure, and a family that clearly doesn't like each other much. It reminds me a bit of the atmosphere in The Terror, though without the same sense of dread.

The biggest problem is that the middle act just sort of drags. Characters spend an eternity standing around talking about clues instead of, you know, actually finding them. I found myself looking at the wallpaper in the background more than the actors.

Speaking of the actors, some of them seem like they’re in a completely different movie. There’s a moment where the brother is supposed to be grieving, but he looks like he’s just worried about missing his train. It’s a bit jarring. 🤷‍♂️

Small things I noticed:

• The shadow work in the hallway is actually pretty decent for the budget.
• The lead actor has this weird habit of clearing his throat every time he’s about to say a line of exposition. I started counting them.
• One of the doors in the study is clearly not even attached to the wall properly; it rattles every time someone closes it.

The pacing isn't just slow, it's uneven. We get ten minutes of people staring at maps, followed by a frantic dash that feels totally unearned. It doesn't have the emotional weight of something like Mad Love, which managed to keep things weird and interesting.

I don't hate it. It's just... fine. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a stale biscuit. You’ll eat it because it’s there, but you aren't going to tell your friends about it. The ending arrives so suddenly that I thought my player skipped a scene. Nope, that was just it.

If you’re a completionist for these old black-and-white mysteries, go for it. Everyone else might want to catch a nap instead.