So I Married an Axe Murderer

1993

So I Married an Axe Murderer

Critics Consensus

So I Married an Axe Murderer is a unique rom-com with moments of heart and hilarity -- even if they're all too scattered to cohere into a consistent whole.

54%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 37

68%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 203,176
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Movie Info

Comic actor and former Saturday Night Live stock player Mike Myers attempted to transform himself from the goofy title character in Wayne's World (1992) (and its sequel) into a romantic leading man with this box office disappointment. Myers stars as Charlie Mackenzie, a San Francisco poet who meets the girl of his dreams, Harriet Michaels (Nancy Travis) when he stops to pick up some haggis for his parents at Meats of the World, a butcher shop where Harriet works. Although he's been neurotically commitment-phobic in the past (dumping one girlfriend because she "smelled like soup"), Charlie thinks Harriet could be the one. That is, until his mother May (Brenda Fricker) and cop best friend Tony (Anthony LaPaglia) begin to suspect that Harriet could be an axe-wielding serial killer who has butchered several husbands. Harriet's wacky sister Rose (Amanda Plummer) and her connection to several of the slayings make Charlie nervous, but he nevertheless pops the question, leading to an eventful honeymoon where all is revealed. Although So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993) earned less than $12 million at the U.S. box office, Myers hit upon the Peter Sellers-inspired formula of playing various supporting characters with this film, portraying Charlie's amusingly paranoid father Stuart. The actor repeated the trick with greater success in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) and its sequel. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Cast

Mike Myers
as Charlie/Stuart Mackenzie
Nancy Travis
as Harriet Michaels
Anthony LaPaglia
as Tony Giardino
Amanda Plummer
as Rose Michaels
Brenda Fricker
as May Mackenzie
Matt Doherty
as Heed
Charles Grodin
as Car Driver
Phil Hartman
as Park Ranger
Debi Mazar
as Susan
Steven Wright
as Pilot
Patrick Bristow
as Cafe Roads Performer
Cintra Wilson
as Cafe Roads Emcee
Mindy Marin
Luenell
as Police Records Officer
Alan Arkin
as Police Captain
Jessie Nelson
as Ralph
Chris Rock
Maureen O'Boyle
as `A Current Affair' Anchorwoman
Steve Dunleavy
as `A Current Affair' Reporter
Al Nalbandian
as Butchershop Customer
Mike Hagerty
as Obituary Employee
Michael Richards
as Obituary Employee
Glen Vernon
as Uncle Angus
Paul Sanchez
as Serenade Musician
Wanda McCaddon
as Auntie Molly
Keith Selvin
as Young Stuart
Glenn Vernon
as Uncle Angus
Maggy Myers Davidson
as Tony's Dance Partner
Robert Nichols
as Scottish Minister
Robert Black
as Wedding Reception Accordionist
John Taylor
as Wedding Reception Fiddler
Ken Johnson
as Walter the Plumber
Kelvin Han Yee
as Master Cho
Joe Bellan
as Man with Bimbo
Greg Germann
as Desk Clerk
Ken Grantham
as Maitre D'
Bob Sarlatte
as M.C.
Cynthia Frost
as Mrs. Levenstein
Fred Ornstein
as Mr. Levenstein
John X. Heart
as Waiter
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Critic Reviews for So I Married an Axe Murderer

All Critics (37) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (17)

  • The relationship between Travis and Myers is boring; too bad the whole film wasn't about the Scottish family. They deserve their own picture.

    Dec 6, 2018 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Gene Siskel

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • A tres hip slice of life about the dilemma of marital commitment with just a pinch of Hitchcock providing the cutting edge.

    Feb 2, 2009

    Leonard Klady

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Myers pumps out a river of inventive shtick, but it doesn't cohere or connect; he seems less a character than a comedian doing couch time on a late-night talk show.

    Feb 2, 2009 | Full Review…

    J. R. Jones

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Like an exploding haggis, funny but extremely messy.

    Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • The look of So I Married an Axe Murderer is crisply professional, and John Graysmark's production design provides an element of visual surprise.

    Aug 30, 2004 | Rating: 3/5

    Janet Maslin

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • Juggling mirth, romance and murder requires a deft touch -- think of Hitchcock's Trouble With Harry. Axe is a blunt instrument.

    May 12, 2001

    Peter Travers

    Rolling Stone
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (37)

Audience Reviews for So I Married an Axe Murderer

  • 2d ago
    Great cast and a film that is not as bad as memory would serve. This is a harmless romantic comedy that is Myers dialled up to 11. The two part role for Myers is perfect and would pave the way for the Austin Powers roles later in his career. The is not perfect, but as a 90s film that could never exist today, it's quite good. It's interesting to see all the supporting cast joining the film to work with Myers, times were so different. The film is flawed, but overall it serves its fun purpose. 14/10/2019
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Jul 01, 2012
    Not typically funny, storyline was ultra unoriginal, totally expected what's going to happen in the first 30 minutes. It was just not funny at all, the jokes are stupid and dry, transitions was great, if only the film could be developed a bit more instead of having a bunch of unlike-able characters
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Apr 14, 2009
    One of my all time favorite movies. You have Charlie (played by Mike Myers) and he is a commit-a-phobe. He alwas finds reasons to get rid of women. This is a typical sarcastic tongue in cheek style humor that made Mike famous. It's down home appeal mixed with its funny off the cuff remarks makes it extremely memorable with scenes well punctuated by a great alternative soundtrack.
    Aurelius D Super Reviewer
  • Aug 08, 2008
    Mike Myers at his best
    Greg Super Reviewer
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