The Happytime Murders Apr 2026

: Many reviewers felt the novelty of raunchy, foul-mouthed puppets wore off within the first 20 minutes.

(2018) is a polarizing R-rated comedy that blends film noir tropes with a world where puppets and humans coexist. Directed by Brian Henson , the film follows puppet private investigator Phil Phillips (Bill Barretta) and his former human partner, Detective Connie Edwards (Melissa McCarthy), as they track a serial killer targeting the cast of an 80s sitcom. Critical Consensus The Happytime Murders

Despite the negative reviews, some elements were consistently praised: : Many reviewers felt the novelty of raunchy,

: Critics from RogerEbert.com and Variety noted that the world-building and metaphors for discrimination were thin and poorly executed compared to similar films like Who Framed Roger Rabbit . Common criticisms include:

: The film relies heavily on shock value, including graphic puppet sex scenes and drug-addicted puppets snorting sugar, which many found more crass than clever. Strengths and Highlights

The film was largely panned by critics, holding a . Common criticisms include: