Hallmark Channel has churned out yet another formulaic small town mystery movie. At first glance, Crimetime: Freefall seems destined for the bottom of the must-see pile. But this surprisingly witty flick might just launch a new franchise fans can get behind.
We meet Hadley Warner, a Los Angeles actress whose long-running procedural Crimetime has just gotten the axe. With no roles on the horizon, Hadley packs up her citified kids and moves to her mom’s sleepy Colorado town to reboot. But faster than you can say “almond milk macchiato”, Hadley stumbles onto a real head-scratcher. Local man Sam Davis takes a bullet to the chest and lands via parachute in her backyard. When Sam’s grieving mother begs Hadley to sleuth out the crime, how can she refuse?
Leaning on detective skills she honed playing a TV cop, Hadley assembles a wacky Clue Crew, including her culture-shocked kids and Detective Hunk—er, Shawn Caden. Motives and suspects pile up quicker than the laughs as Hallmark’s formula gets a witty makeover. But can Hadley solve the mystery before her big city fam hightails it back to Lala Land?
With quirky characters, small-town laughs, and a soupçon of romance, Crimetime: Freefall brings the funny to tried and true. This new franchise shows real potential to become a Hallmark Channel fan favorite.
Mystery Lands in Hadley’s Backyard
When Crimetime gets cancelled, Hadley Warner trades Hollywood for her mom’s tiny Colorado town to write her memoir and give her kids a taste of small-town living. But soon after arriving, a real head-scratcher falls from the sky and into her backyard—the corpse of missing local man Sam Davis.
Sam took a bullet to the chest before his mysterious midair exit via parachute. His grieving mother begs Hadley to dig into Sam’s case, hoping her TV detective experience can help. Never one to shy from the spotlight, Hadley dives right in.
Teaming with her culture-shocked kids, eager realtor Jay, and hunky Detective Shawn Caden, Hadley pieces together clues like she did on Crimetime. Between screaming goats, no valet parking, and latte withdrawal, the fam still manages to identify some likely suspects.
Brash barfly Kirk seems to harbor a grudge against the deceased. Anson, Sam’s business partner, dodges questions about their finances and argues with Sam’s gal pal Mel. Even Dee, Hadley’s mom, spins a few odd lies. As secrets spill, alibis crumble and motives stack up.
In true whodunit fashion, suspicion swirls while Hadley eliminates suspects one by one. When the final clues click into place, she stages an elaborate reveal straight from primetime. Will Hadley name the real perp before her patience with small-town life cracks?
Quirky Crew Cracks the Case
At the helm of this zany investigation sits Hadley Warner herself. Evergreen actress Lyndie Greenwood oozes humor and heart as the tenacious TV detective-turned-small-town sleuth. Her urge to meddle Clearly channels Greenwood’s talent for physical comedy while nailing Hadley’s stakes as a mom determined to adapt to her new reality.
Backing Hadley’s play is Detective Shawn Caden, brought to life by a hunky Luke Macfarlane. As the case’s lead officer, Shawn initially dismisses Hadley’s intrusion with an eye roll but soon can’t resist her relentless charm. Their undeniable chemistry adds sizzle without overpowering the whodunit.
But the movie’s secret weapons are its parade of lovably odd supporting characters. Hadley’s woke teens Rain and Hendrix play fish out of water with snappy wit as they bemoan the town’s lack of both diversity and proper lattes. Quirky realtor Jay’s unbounded fandom lets comedic favorite Babak A. Motamed steal his short scenes. And banjo-twanging locksmith Dusty, played perfectly deadpan by David James Lewis, picks the soundtrack for Hadley’s backyard crime scene.
While suspects emerge left and right, the colorful cast creates a quaint backdrop Hadley can’t help but warm up to. Their kooky camaraderie binds trope with tongue-in-cheek for a playful tone that lets the mystery shine.
Fresh Take on Tired Tropes
While Crimetime: Freefall sticks close to the Hallmark mystery formula, its witty script and charismatic lead add just enough flair to charm both loyal fans and whodunit newcomers.
At the story’s core lies a solid, if unsurprising, central mystery. Eager viewers may peg the culprit early on, but a stack of likely suspects with plausible motives keeps things interesting. And the final clues wrap up loose ends for a tidy, crowd-pleasing conclusion.
What really revs this engine is Lyndie Greenwood sinking her teeth into playing TV detective Hadley Warner. Greenwood’s wacky physicality, exquisite comic timing, and palpable passion infuse Hadley with likable zeal. Her knowledge may be fictional, but the actress makes Hadley’s investigative journey feel enjoyably authentic.
Detective hunk Luke McFarlane brews a steamy chemistry with Greenwood that seasons the small-town story without overwhelming its homey vibe. And the movie spices its familiar ingredients with absurdist laughs, from screaming goats to guzzling almond milk lattes.
While the mystery itself breaks little new ground, Crimetime: Freefall one-ups Hallmark’s well-worn recipe to cook up an altogether satisfying viewing experience. It blends gentle laughs with harmless intrigue for the perfect background to a cozy night in. This winning combo promises enduring appeal for the franchise should Hallmark greenlight future installments.
A Fresh Franchise Worth Following
With Crimetime: Freefall, Hallmark takes a tired small-town mystery recipe and juices it up with heaping helpings of humor and heart. While the central whodunit won’t fool savvy murderino fans, its obligatory twists still entertain. And the script amplifies intrigue through an endearingly quirky cast of characters caught up in the case.
But the movie’s secret ingredients are its captivating lead duo. Lyndie Greenwood makes Hadley Warner a hilarious hot mess you can’t help but love. And her fizzy chemistry with hunky Luke Macfarlane’s Detective Caden supplies just enough romance to round out a charming viewing experience.
By blending gentle intrigue with plenty of laughs, Crimetime: Freefall puts a pleasantly fresh spin on the Hallmark formula. The winning result seems destined to launch a durable franchise for the network.
So next time you crave cozy entertainment, queue up Crimetime: Freefall. While far from high art, its lively spirit andeasy intrigue make for a fun night in with fast friends. Hadley Warner’s newest mystery delivers exactly what Hallmark fans hunger for—a tasty palate cleanser between heavier fare.
The Review
Crimetime: Freefall
Crimetime: Freefall puts a playful spin on the worn Hallmark formula thanks to Greenwood’s witty lead performance. While predictable at times, its plucky ensemble and gentle humor add up to lighthearted fun fit for a casual night in.
PROS
- Charming lead performance from Lyndie Greenwood
- Great chemistry between the main characters
- Funny supporting characters and quirky small-town vibe
- Lighthearted tone with gentle humor
- Entertaining even if mystery is predictable
CONS
- Mystery may be too predictable for some
- Relies on some tired Hallmark tropes and formulas
