The Afterparty, a genre-hopping crime comedy on Apple TV+, returns for its second season, this time moving from a mansion to a country estate setting.
Retired detective Danner (Tiffany Haddish) is lured back into sleuthing by Aniq (Sam Richardson), a former murder suspect from the first season, to unravel the mysterious death of a tech mogul named Edgar (Zach Woods) at a wedding.
The narrative ingeniously weaves in each character’s perspective, narrated as Danner’s “mind movies” across a spectrum of cinematic styles, ranging from Bridgerton-esque period drama to film noir.
As the season unfolds, it carves a niche in the surge of comedic murder mysteries, by blending elements of a thrilling Only Murders In The Building and the wit of Knives Out.
With a medley of characters, each episode offers a unique backdrop and a distinct narrative style, delivering a quirky take on the murder mystery genre. The series weaves an anthology format, blending humor with a talented ensemble cast, thus offering a gratifying viewing experience.
Despite the lack of sophistication found in some mystery titles, the show compensates with humor and charm, replaying scenes in an array of genres, a formula that thrived in the first season. Yet, the second season appears to struggle with maintaining the cohesion and bite of the first, sometimes feeling stretched thin with its parodies.
However, it continues to showcase the star-studded cast, including notable performances from Paul Walter Hauser, John Cho, and Elizabeth Perkins, all of whom bring the characters to life in a convincing manner.
In season two, the compelling cast is employed in a fresh context – a wedding where the groom Edgar dies suspiciously. Yet, it prompts a question: if these stories lack uniqueness, are we merely killing time?
Despite these struggles to establish its identity and instances of unnecessary lingering, the series benefits from a weekly release format, making it digestible and offering hope for future seasons.
Even without a spectacular conclusion, The Afterparty successfully holds the viewers’ interest, delivering a worthwhile and engaging viewing experience.