• Release year: 2026
• Directors: Mike B. Anderson and Debbie Bruce Mahan.
• Producers: Richard Raynis, Richard Sakai, Denise Sirkot, Richard K. Chung, Alexander Duke, David Mirkin, and Mike Reiss.
• Screenplay by: Cesar Mazariegos.
• Music by: Kara Talve.

Shotgun Commentary: way better than the Netflix series it’s based on.

Review

Simpsley is The Simpsons’ version of Netflix’s version of Ripley, which is a modern take on the novel “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, by Patricia Highsmith. A novel that had already been brought to the big screen in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) by Anthony Minghella. I know, this is kinda like trying to locate a distant relative’s relationship to you, or following one of Luis’ stories in Ant-Man (2015).

Either way, the film follows Marge (Julie Kavner) as a hustler willing to do anything to climb the social ladder, murder included. She manipulates Mrs Skinner (Tress MacNeille) to hire her to find her son Seymour (Harry Shearer), who’s spending his fortune in Italy. She instead decides to get the most out of Seymour’s fortune by discreetly leeching off him. However, there is one big impediment: Homer (Dan Castellaneta). Homer is Seymour’s friend/primary leech, and he is obviously not happy about Marge getting all of Seymour’s attention. Crime ensues.

In with the new

There are a few key changes in this version as opposed to its immediate inspiration—Netflix’s Ripley, that is. Starting with the obvious, the protagonist is a woman. This seemingly meaningless change actually does offer a lot of play for the writers to concoct a more thrilling adaptation than Ripley.

Where the series fell short in terms of innovation, The Simpsons has had no problem bringing a new perspective. As a result, all the characters’ motivations and appearances are mixed up, which gives the audience an opportunity to be surprised even though the story has been told many times already. In this matter, The Simpsons has a pretty good track record. This latest special proves that its writers’ ability to reimagine the classics is far from running out.

Animation masterclass

Why do I say this is a retelling of Netflix’s Ripley and not the original book? Simple, the aesthetics. The most obvious being the black-and-white format. Interestingly enough, this monochrome palette works a lot better in Simpsley than it does in the Netflix series. While it made the live-action show become dull and positively soporific, it gives The Simpsons a new look that they don’t often rock but definitely should if this is the result. The episode works with the lights and shades beautifully and utilises the lack of colour to create the perfect thriller atmosphere.

The aesthetic change does not come alone. It brings with it an entirely new pace and mood that the animation show does not often go for. Worry not! You will still enjoy a lot of the simple humour that one might expect from an episode of this show, but you do get the rarer darkness that often stays in the background of its stories a lot more prominently. There is also a sobriety to the episode, brought by both the text and the visuals, that feels refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable for those of you who need a bit more substance with your humour.

All in all, Simpsley is bound to be liked by both fans of the show and casual viewers. Quite the treat from the decades-long series The Simpsons, a show that seems to run on endless imagination and an infinite number of things to say.

Advice to take from this movie:

• Never kill with someone you do not trust.
• Overthinking can lead to a stupid death.
• Black and white works great on screen if you know how to use it.

What’s your take? Have you watched Simpsley? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message on my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀