A star-studded comedy mystery film has been dubbed the whodunit of the year and is set to air on Film 4 tonight.

Set in the heart of London’s West End theatre district during the 1950s, See How They Run spins a tale of a hit play abruptly halted when a crucial crew member is mysteriously murdered, leaving everyone clueless about the culprit.

Enter Inspector Stoppard, portrayed by Sam Rockwell, a jaded police officer, and his eager-to-impress rookie partner, Constable Stalker, played by Irish actress Saoirse Ronan.

The ensuing narrative is a comedic dive into the theatre world’s underbelly as the unlikely duo team up to crack the seemingly unsolvable murder case, risking their own safety in the process.

Released in 2023, See How They Run was helmed by director Mark Chappell and boasts a stellar cast including Ruth Wilson, Adrien Brody, and David Oyelowo.

Filmed predominantly in London’s West End amidst the third Covid pandemic lockdown, the film unexpectedly became a box office sensation, grossing $22million upon release and earning widespread critical acclaim.

It currently holds a commendable 75 percent approval rating on the film review aggregator site, Rotten Tomatoes.

One reviewer wrote: “Whatever may not work about the film is redressed by Saoirse Ronan’s impeccable work here, and whatever does is only amplified by her presence. Without her, it’s a fun bit of Sunday afternoon fluff. With her, it’s a total must-see.”, reports <a href=”https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/period-drama-biggest-surprise-year-36467689″ rel=”Follow” target=”_self”>the Mirror</a>.

A second said: “See How They Run never portrays itself as a great film in a similar genre, it tells a fan fiction spoof story with conviction and never deviates from its common objective of providing wholesome entertainment.”

A third critic added: “See How They Run’s surprisingly sharp insights and pair of phenomenal leads render it more than just another whodunnit.”

Yet another said: “Saoirse Ronan shines in the most entertaining role of her career and her dynamic with the abated [Sam] Rockwell is the heart of this story.”

Audiences equally celebrated the stellar performances from both leading actors. One fan said: “Any movie with Adrien Brody or Sam Rockwell is good. Put them together with Saoirse Ronan and you know you have a hit. This is a great murder mystery comedy with a jazzy overtone set in 1950s England. Nicely stylised and beautifully textured and well edited with just the right timeline.”

Another added: “I loved this film! Classic murder mystery, great characters.”

A third viewer wrote: “My husband and I saw this just after directing a summer community theater production of “The Mousetrap.

“So, we loved this sendup, both where it includes lines from the script and where it mostly departs for great comic effect. The cast was wonderful. We especially enjoyed Ronan, but we always appreciate her whenever we are fortunate enough to see her on screen.”

See How They Run is being shown on Film 4 at 9pm on December 30.

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