Margherita Buy
Margherita
Overview
When the family patriarch is murdered, seven women find themselves trapped together in his mansion to solve the mystery.
Cast
10 people
Reviews
4 min readSeven Women, One Room, and the Weight of Secrets
I’ve always had a soft spot for locked-room mysteries—stories where the walls don’t just contain the characters, they press down on them, forcing out truths they’d rather keep buried. 7 Women and a Murder (2021) is one of those films, a remake of François Ozon’s 8 Women (2002), itself a theatrical whodunit where a family’s festering secrets unravel after a murder. But where Ozon’s film was a Technicolor fever dream of camp and melodrama, Alessandro Genovesi’s version feels like a more grounded, if no less combustible, Italian family gathering.
The premise is simple: seven women—mother, daughters, aunts, housekeepers—are trapped in a mansion after the patriarch is found dead. The killer is among them. The question isn’t just who, but why, and what that answer will do to the fragile ecosystem of their relationships.
Genovesi is known for his commercially successful Italian comedies, films that often revolve around family dynamics and social situations—think The First Beautiful Thing (2010) or If Life Gives You Lemons (2018). Here, he leans into that familiarity, but with a murderous twist. The film’s setting—a snowbound mansion, isolated and claustrophobic—is classic Agatha Christie, but the tone is pure Genovesi: a mix of sharp humor and simmering tension.
The comedy isn’t just there to lighten the mood; it’s a survival tactic, a way for these women to deflect from the horror of what’s happened. Laughter, after all, is often the last refuge when the world has just been upended.
What’s striking about 7 Women and a Murder is how it balances its genre elements. It’s a whodunit, yes, but it’s also a character study, a dark comedy, and, at times, a surprisingly poignant exploration of female relationships. The ensemble cast is a who’s who of Italian cinema—Margherita Buy, Sabrina Impacciatore, Micaela Ramazzotti, and the legendary Ornella Vanoni, among others—and each brings a distinct energy to the film.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.8/10
"A lively ensemble comedy-mystery that entertains despite its thin plot and uneven pacing."
The film’s strong cast and humorous moments make it an enjoyable watch, though some find the murder-mystery premise underdeveloped and the humor hit-or-miss. latestnetflix.com's take is that Viewers appreciate the chemistry among the seven leads but note the story struggles to balance comedy and crime elements effectively.
What viewers praise
- Strong ensemble cast The performances, particularly from Margherita Buy and Sabrina Impacciatore, are widely praised for their energy and comedic timing.
- Entertaining humor Several scenes and one-liners land well, providing lighthearted fun throughout the film.
- Engaging premise The setup of seven women entangled in a murder mystery is intriguing enough to hold attention.
Common complaints
- Thin plot The murder-mystery angle feels underdeveloped, with some viewers expecting more depth or twists.
- Uneven pacing The film’s rhythm fluctuates, with some scenes dragging while others rush through key moments.
- Mixed comedic success Not all jokes resonate, leaving some viewers feeling the humor is inconsistent.
Recommended for
Ensemble comedy fans Light mystery lovers Italian cinema enthusiasts Margherita Buy admirers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Laughs and Lies: The Making of 7 Women and a Murder
Alessandro Genovesi’s 7 Women and a Murder (2021) is a whodunit wrapped in a comedy, but the real mystery might be how this star-studded Italian ensemble pulled it off. With a cast that reads like a who’s-who of Italian cinema—Margherita Buy, Micaela Ramazzotti, and even music legend Ornella Vanoni—the film blends sharp humor with a classic murder-mystery plot. But what went on behind the scenes? latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what we know (and what’s still a guessing game).
A Director Playing Double Duty
Genovesi isn’t just the man behind the camera—he’s also part of the cast. The Milan-born director, known for his work in contemporary Italian comedy and drama 
, took on a supporting role in the film, adding another layer to an already crowded production. His dual role as director and actor suggests a hands-on approach, but whether that made the set more chaotic or cohesive is anyone’s guess. Rumor has it Genovesi thrives in collaborative environments, but with nine other actors vying for screen time, keeping the tone lighthearted yet suspenseful must have been a tightrope walk.
The Netflix Factor: A Global Push
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7 Women and a Murder wasn’t just another Italian indie—it was a Netflix original, which meant higher stakes and a broader audience. Trailers in multiple languages, including an official Hindi trailer , hinted at Netflix’s push to make the film a global hit. Reviews in Hindi and English suggest the streaming giant was banking on the film’s mix of humor and intrigue to appeal across markets. But did the pressure of a Netflix release change the film’s tone? Some critics noted the 82-minute runtime felt rushed, possibly a concession to streaming’s bite-sized preferences.
Critical Reception: A Divided Crowd
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The film’s reception was as mixed as its genre-blending premise. On SensCritique, it earned a middling 5/10 from over 300 voters , with some praising its comedic timing and others dismissing it as a lightweight whodunit. YouTube reactions were equally split—some called it a "must-watch" , while others found the humor hit-or-miss . The Rotten Tomatoes page lists the core cast but offers no aggregated score, leaving the film’s legacy in limbo. One thing’s clear: 7 Women and a Murder didn’t aim to reinvent the genre, but it didn’t bore audiences either.
The Unanswered Questions
For all its star power and streaming backing, the film’s behind-the-scenes details remain scarce. Was there on-set drama? Did Genovesi’s dual role create tension? How did the cast gel during filming? The evidence doesn’t say. What we do know is that the movie’s blend of comedy and mystery struck a chord with some viewers, even if it didn’t become a runaway hit. For now, the real mystery of 7 Women and a Murder might be why Netflix hasn’t greenlit a sequel.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.