In the 2023 Japanese Netflix movie Once Upon a Crime, a twist is added to the classic tales of Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. Red Riding Hood, taking on the role of a detective instead of facing off with a wolf, teams up with Cinderella to solve a mysterious crime. In this article, we will dive into the ending of Once Upon a Crime and unravel the secrets behind the murder of the King’s favorite hair stylist, Mr. Hans.
1. The Unconventional Fairytale Mash-Up
2. Red Riding Hood’s Transformation
3. Cinderella’s Tragic Journey
Cinderella, played by Yuko Araki, faces the hardships of being bullied by her stepmother while dreaming of a happily ever after with the charming Prince Gilbert. Little does she know that her fairytale is about to take a dark turn with the murder of Mr. Hans.
3.1 Bullied by the Stepmother
Cinderella endures constant mistreatment from her stepmother, who fails to recognize her worth and beauty. This mistreatment fuels Cinderella’s desire for a better life, leading her down a treacherous path.
3.2 Dreaming of Prince Gilbert
Prince Gilbert, portrayed by Takanori Iwata, becomes the object of Cinderella’s daydreams. She hopes to catch his attention and live a fairytale romance, but her dreams are shattered when she becomes entangled in the murder mystery.
4. The Royal Ball and the Murder Revelation
5. The List of Suspects
Amidst the chaos, Red Riding Hood starts piecing together clues to uncover the identity of the killer. Several suspects come under scrutiny, including:
5.1 The Five Women
Mr. Hans deceived five women into believing that the prince preferred short hair. Although they had a motive, none of them took revenge on the hairdresser.
5.2 Prince Gilbert
The prince had a heated argument with Mr. Hans over his disturbing obsession with cutting off beautiful hair. However, his alibi proves that he couldn’t have committed the murder.
5.3 Margot, Cinderella’s Stepsister
Margot admits to the murder, but her confession is clouded by confusion and loss of memory. She woke up in Mr. Hans’ house with a bloody brick in her hand, suggesting her involvement. However, further discoveries reveal that Margot is not the true killer.
6. Cinderella’s Guilt Revealed
It is through a piece of glass found in Margot’s dress that Red Riding Hood uncovers the truth. The glass becomes the final clue needed to solve the crime, pointing towards Cinderella as the actual murderer.
6.1 Cinderella’s Desperation for Beauty
Mr. Hans offered Cinderella the chance to obtain the most valuable asset in the kingdom: beauty. Desperate for her own fairytale and desperate for beauty, she accepted. However, Mr. Hans had sinister intentions, seeking to steal her hair for his personal collection.
6.2 Cinderella’s Deceptive Actions
Cinderella, driven by a mixture of emotions, killed Mr. Hans and attempted to frame her stepsister Margot for the crime. She wrote a letter inviting Margot to Mr. Hans’ house, attacked her, and manipulated the scene to make it appear as though Margot was responsible.
6.2.1 The Glass Slipper Clue
While trying to cover her tracks, Cinderella makes a pivotal mistake. In her haste to incapacitate Margot once again, she kicks her using her glass slipper, leaving a piece of glass behind as evidence of her guilt.
7. Finding Definitive Evidence
Red Riding Hood devises a plan to obtain definitive evidence against Cinderella. Utilizing the knowledge that Cinderella possesses two pairs of glass slippers, she tricks Cinderella into believing that Prince Gilbert is going to her home to try out the lost slipper. This maneuver leads to Cinderella’s ultimate downfall.
8. Resolving the Crime and Lessons Learned
The resolution of the murder mystery brings closure to the kingdom. Cinderella’s guilt is exposed, and justice is served. Once Upon a Crime delivers not only a surprising ending but also an important life lesson on the consequences of desperate actions and the pursuit of external beauty.
Conclusion
The ending of Once Upon a Crime unveils the dark side of fairytale characters and showcases the unexpected twists and turns that can occur in familiar stories. The movie’s unique blend of mystery, fantasy, and lessons learned keeps viewers engaged until the very end. Through the resolution of the murder mystery, we are reminded of the importance of inner beauty and the dangers of succumbing to desperation. Once Upon a Crime is a film that challenges traditional fairytale narratives and leaves audiences pondering the complexities of human nature.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Is Once Upon a Crime a true story?
No, Once Upon a Crime is a fictional movie that combines elements from classic fairytales. The storyline and characters are inventions of the filmmakers.
2. What is the message behind Once Upon a Crime?
Once Upon a Crime conveys the message that true beauty comes from within and that desperate actions can have unforeseen consequences. The movie explores themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of one’s choices.
3. Are there any sequels or spin-offs planned for Once Upon a Crime?
As of now, there are no announced sequels or spin-offs for Once Upon a Crime. However, the movie’s popularity may lead to future projects expanding on the fairytale mash-up concept.
4. Who are the main actors in Once Upon a Crime?
Kanna Hashimoto portrays Red Riding Hood, Yuko Araki plays Cinderella, and Takanori Iwata takes on the role of Prince Gilbert. These talented actors bring the iconic fairytale characters to life on screen.
5. Where can I watch Once Upon a Crime?
Once Upon a Crime is a Japanese Netflix movie. It is available for streaming exclusively on the Netflix platform.
