"Once Upon A Crime" (2023) - Movie on Netflix. Review: A Fun Parody, not Hilarious, with a lot of Romance

Once Upon A Crime is a Japanese movie directed by Yûichi Fukuda, based on the book by Aito Aoyagi. It stars Kanna Hashimoto, Yuko Araki, and Takanori Iwata.

Based on a tale by Charles Perrault (Little Red Riding Hood) meeting another one by Giambattista Basile (Cinderella). But Little Red Riding Hood has extrasensory powers and Cinderella lives in a fun version of The Devil Wears Prada. If we add a witch who could be taken from Roald Dahl and a crime in the style of Agatha Christie, and turn Little Red Riding Hood into Miss Marple. . we get this entertaining Japanese film titled “Once Upon A Crime”.

Synopsis

In the midst of the grand royal ball, Little Red Riding Hood discovers herself embroiled in a perplexing mystery. With Cinderella by her side, she is determined to unravel the enigma before the clock strikes midnight. Will she succeed in solving the case in time?

Review of “Once Upon A Crime”

Various European tales, mixed with a Japanese touch, deliver exactly what they intend: a rather TV-like entertainment that, without going further, makes for a pleasant two-hour experience filled with lighthearted jokes. If you’re looking for deep metaphysical allegories, stay away. “Once Upon A Crime” is a TV product that doesn’t aim to be another Harry Potter or anything similar. It simply wants to entertain and be a fun parody of the internationally known tales we all grew up with.

The film has a clear “teen” vibe: love, princes, and all that in a comedy that relies on the humor of being a satire, never pretending to be anything other than a funny, anecdotal take on European classics with an American twist, and now a Japanese flavor.

It’s a pleasant production, one that doesn’t harm anyone but also doesn’t leave us with the satisfaction of having tasted an original dish.
The performances stick to being comedic parodies. The characters and the film’s own style don’t allow for much room for showcase acting, and only the supporting actors (the stepmother and her flirtatious daughters) have the luxury of shining, even if only in a comedic aspect.

The film works at times, but its brilliance only remains at the beginning, in its amusing premise. Beyond that, the lack of substance causes the interest to decline partially.

It doesn’t fully commit to being a comedy because, deep down, it’s a movie for teenagers that, when well-executed with a TV-like flair and charm, entertains without going much further.