Despite it being a sequel to one of his less well-received recent films, Murder Mystery 2 is actually a perfect fit for Adam Sandler's career. 2019's Murder Mystery starred Sandler and Jennifer Aniston at the head of an ensemble cast as part of Sandler's lucrative deal with Netflix. Despite receiving mixed reviews, Murder Mystery was something of a success for Netflix, drawing in millions of viewers in its first weekend alone.
It's this success that prompted Sandler, Aniston, and Netflix to work on a sequel. As the first film's story didn't necessarily leave things hanging for a sequel, exactly what to expect from Murder Mystery 2 isn't clear, but with Sandler and Aniston returning, at least the two can once more capitalize on their comedic on-screen chemistry. In fact, Sandler's penchant for repetitive collaborations has become something of a joke among his detractors, but it's actually one of the reasons that Murder Mystery 2 is a good fit for him.
By allowing Sandler to once more make a movie that allows him to shoot in exotic locales surrounded by his friends, he's leaning into the criticisms often leveled against him. However, considering Murder Mystery's viewership figures and Sandler's deal with Netflix, Murder Mystery 2 is actually a safe bet for the actor. While it may seem that Sandler is falling into an old career trap with Murder Mystery 2, it actually allows him to do what he does best - make an easy-to-watch comedy that will almost certainly achieve some success regardless of its critical reception.
Despite many of his movies being critically panned, Adam Sandler is worth an estimated whopping $420 million. The reason why is both complex and alarmingly simple: he sticks to a comforting formula that resonates with fans even in his less impressive movies. This formula consists of a combination of working with his real-life friends, falling back on low-brow humor, and not allowing critical analysis to dictate his career choices. And, while Sandler's genuinely well-received films might be heavily outnumbered by his less appreciated offerings, his success is impossible to deny.
In keeping with his formula, Murder Mystery 2 can use this formula to its advantage. Adam Sandler loves collaborating with his friends, and Murder Mystery's ensemble cast format makes it easy for him to achieve that with the sequel. If the first film is anything to go by, Murder Mystery 2 will also allow Sandler to visit more exotic locations while filming, which is another way in which the film perfectly fits his tried and tested formula.
Ultimately, while Adam Sandler has a great number of vocal detractors, his success speaks for itself. Despite garnering critical praise for his performance in Uncut Gems, Sandler is still usually regarded through the lens of his worst films, which leads audiences to regularly underestimate him. By making Murder Mystery 2, the actor sticks to that formula in order to make another film which will undoubtedly be something of a success for Adam Sandler and Netflix, even if it once again fails to impress critics.