Foul Play

Play trailer

Foul Play

PG

1978

1h 56m

Mystery & Thriller

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Librarian Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) leads a relatively uneventful life. When she looks to shake things up, she somehow winds up in the middle of an assassination plot against the pope. Calling the police, Mundy meets the hapless detective Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase), who takes the case. During the course of the investigation, the two fall in love, but the assassin (Marc Lawrence) is still after Mundy -- and anyone with her -- to keep her from foiling the plot.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Entertaining and charming like its charismatic leads, Foul Play is a rollicking homage to the master of suspense for those who prefer mysteries with gags on top.

Read Critics Reviews

Gary Arnold

Washington Post

05/09/2017

One recognizes the romantic comedy impulse behind the sexual sparrings of Hawn and Chase. It's the execution that leaves everything to be desired.

Go to Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

10/30/2007

Writer Colin Higgins makes a good directorial bow.

Go to Full Review

Time Out

01/26/2006

Unsatisfactory as a whole, the film is hilarious and tense in bits.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Mar 11

4/5

a sub-Hitchockian thriller that doesn’t get too bogged down in reality. In a very 1978 anything-goes mode, it’s got pet snakes, dope-smoking cops, two songs from Barry Manilow, Dudley Moore dancing to the Bee Gees; it’s a time capsule of past times….

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

05/06/2025

3/4

This breezy picture was clearly inspired by the Alfred Hitchcock filmography.

Go to Full Review

Frank J. Avella

The Contending

04/28/2025

A-

Foul Play may not date as well as one would like but still prove to be charming, often-hilarious and a fabulous vehicle for one of the screen’s greatest female stars.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Horror fan 4

@Horrorfan4life Jun 7

Wow what a great Homage to Alfred Hitchcock. Hawn and Chase are great together. They should've been in more movies together. Seems like old times is the only other one I know of. I love the fact that this assassination plots evidence ends up somewhere unexpected. Dudley moores scene featuring the song staying alive is the funniest thing in the film. Tim Treakle

See more

Jason H

@RT50328122 May 11

Some of the humor in this comedy/mystery/thriller - especially in its third act - is too silly for its own good.

See more

Nick C.

@dmcrra35 Nov 7

Great chemistry with chase, moore and hawn. Loved it.

See more

Robin H

@RT03192037 Oct 23

The interview with Gloria near the beginning is still the funniest thing on film. As a whole it is delightful nonsense. Dudley Moore is great in it. I remember watching the bedroom section as a teenager when that stuff was still a bit shocking.

See more

Melinda W

@RT36270041 01/03/2025

My daughter and I love, love, love this movie, and we can quote it word for word. I grew up watching this movie in the 80s when the first house on our street got a VCR!

See more

S R

@ScottR 09/04/2023

Unlike anything I've ever seen. It was so bad it was good. Props for the Mikado, Hitchcock dwarves, Japanese Tourists and the not being able to decide between suspense and romantic comedy. It was on YouTube.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Colin Higgins

Director

Goldie Hawn

Gloria Mundy

Chevy Chase

Tony Carlson

Burgess Meredith

Mr. Hennessey

Rachel Roberts

Gerda Casswell

Eugene Roche

Archbishop Thorncrest

The Lady Vanishes

33%

43%

The Lady Vanishes

Watchlist

Fletch

79%

81%

Fletch

Watchlist

Pulp

77%

38%

Pulp

Watchlist

Nadine

55%

29%

Nadine

Watchlist

Citizens Band

100%

66%

Citizens Band

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rank Goldie Hawn’s 10 Best Movies

View more photos

Synopsis

Librarian Gloria Mundy (Goldie Hawn) leads a relatively uneventful life. When she looks to shake things up, she somehow winds up in the middle of an assassination plot against the pope. Calling the police, Mundy meets the hapless detective Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase), who takes the case. During the course of the investigation, the two fall in love, but the assassin (Marc Lawrence) is still after Mundy -- and anyone with her -- to keep her from foiling the plot.

Director: Colin Higgins
Producer: Thomas L. Miller, Edward K. Milkis
Screenwriter: Colin Higgins
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 14, 1978, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jan 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 56m