The Spoils Before Dying
The Spoils Before Dying

TV Show spotlight

The Spoils Before Dying

2015
TV Show
Ended
1 Season
English

Fictional author-filmmaker, Eric Jonrosh, adapts his epic tale of a pianist-turned-detective investigating a murder in the 1950s underground jazz scene.

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes80%
Metacritic60/100
Google Users85%
Director: Eric AppelGenres: Comedy, Mystery, Musical

Plot Summary

Set in 1950s Los Angeles, this musical noir comedy follows jazz pianist and hired killer Desmond Newlin as he gets entangled in a murder investigation. When his friend is found dead, Desmond must solve the crime while navigating a complex web of relationships and hidden motives among the city's vibrant jazz scene. The miniseries features original songs and a star-studded cast in a stylish and darkly humorous take on classic detective tropes.

Critical Reception

The Spoils Before Dying was met with a generally positive reception, praised for its unique blend of musical numbers, noir atmosphere, and comedic performances. Critics lauded the cast's commitment to the stylized premise and the clever writing, though some found the pacing inconsistent.

What Reviewers Say

  • Applauded for its ambitious fusion of musical theater, noir, and comedy.

  • Michael Sheen's performance as Desmond Newlin was frequently highlighted.

  • The original songs and witty dialogue were considered a strong point.

Google audience: Google users largely enjoyed the show's quirky humor, inventive musical numbers, and strong cast performances, particularly Michael Sheen's. Many found it a refreshing and original take on the mystery genre.

Fun Fact

The miniseries is a follow-up to 'The Spoils of Babylon', featuring many of the same cast and crew members, and continues its meta-commentary on television production and storytelling.

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