Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- breezy
- suspenseful
- lazy sunday
- retro movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film charming, fast-paced, and entertaining, especially when driven by Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase, though its mystery mechanics and tonal shifts were considered uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Gloria and Tony's relationship develops amid assassination threats, pursuit sequences, and comic misunderstandings.
The film uses pursuit, mistaken danger, conspiracy, and escalating suspense as playful homage to classic thrillers.
The microfilm cassette unknowingly left with Gloria draws her into the plot and makes her a target.
Gloria's flight from pursuers and collaboration with Tony unfold through a heightened comic version of San Francisco.
Films like Foul Play, and why
Silver Streak
Shared comedy thriller structure, romantic chemistry, escalating conspiracy, and playful suspense.
The Cheap Detective
Shared 1970s mystery parody, fast pacing, mistaken identities, and charismatic comic leads.
The Man Who Knew Too Little
Shared suspense-comedy blend, San Francisco setting, romance, and lighthearted danger.
Movie Details
- Director
- Colin Higgins
- Release Date
- 1978-07-14
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (275)
Cast
- Goldie Hawn
- Chevy Chase
- Burgess Meredith
- Eugene Roche
- Dudley Moore
- Marilyn Sokol
- Brian Dennehy
- Marc Lawrence
- Rachel Roberts
- Frances Bay
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Foul Play about?
- A resourceful San Francisco librarian and a wisecracking detective stumble into a comic assassination conspiracy involving a stolen microfilm cassette and a papal visit.
- What is Foul Play like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Foul Play as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Foul Play violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Foul Play as mild.
- What did critics think of Foul Play?
- Critics broadly found the film charming, fast-paced, and entertaining, especially when driven by Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase, though its mystery mechanics and tonal shifts were considered uneven.
- Which films are like Foul Play?
- Films with a similar feel include Silver Streak, The Cheap Detective, and The Man Who Knew Too Little.
- How long is Foul Play?
- Foul Play runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch Foul Play?
- In United States, Foul Play streams on fuboTV.
