A pastor preoccupied with writing the perfect sermon fails to realize that his wife is having an affair and his children are up to no good.
Acting
Maggie Smith's murderous serenity is oscar-worthy.
Writing
Every sermon clue you miss until rewatch.
Practical Effects
The tiny village feels authentically suffocating.
Director
Niall Johnson
Rowan Atkinson
Walter Goodfellow
Kristin Scott Thomas
Gloria Goodfellow
Maggie Smith
Grace Hawkins
Patrick Swayze
Lance
Tamsin Egerton
Holly Goodfellow
Toby Parkes
Petey Goodfellow
Liz Smith
Mrs. Parker
Emilia Fox
Rosie Jones
James Booth
Mr. Brown
Rowley Irlam
Ted - Pond Workman
Murray McArthur
Vicar's Convention Master of Ceremonies
Rupert Simonian
Billy Martin the Bully
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Patrick Swayze took the role specifically to parody his own romantic-lead image, reportedly loving every sleazy moment.
The film quietly inverts the 'cosy mystery' genre—instead of solving murders, the housekeeper commits them, and the village's moral rot enables her.
GB
