Clue (1985): It’s About the Cheese, Not the Holes

Beth and Michelle revisit Clue, the 1985 murder mystery where six suspicious guests, one frantic butler, several conveniently placed weapons, and three contradictory endings transform political corruption into breathless farce. The plot may contain enough holes to resemble Swiss cheese, but Tim Curry’s manic energy and an extraordinary ensemble make the cheese far more important. They explore the secrets beneath each character’s carefully constructed identity: Miss Scarlet’s unapologetic sexuality, Mrs. White’s weaponized bitterness, Colonel Mustard’s bluster, Professor Plum’s abuse of power, Mrs. Peacock’s political privilege, and Mr. Green’s fear of being exposed for who he is rather than something he has done. The film’s 1954 setting brings McCarthyism, ideological paranoia, and compulsory conformity into every deception. Clue passes the Castellini Test, with its women essential to every possible resolution and speaking about far more than romance. Its racial diversity remains limited to minor roles, however, and its treatment of queerness carries the weight of its era. Even so, the pacing, performances, quotable dialogue, and gleeful absurdity keep it firmly within the comfort-movie rotation.