Agatha Christine: Next Door Spy, also known as Agathe-Christine: Next Door Spy, simply Next Door Spy, and Nabospionen in its native Dutch, is an animated mystery aimed squarely at children. No, the Karla von Bengston penned and helmed movie is not some kid-friendly version of the similarly named famous mystery author. Heck, Agatha Christie is not even mentioned, much to the chagrin of everyone who must endure this film; thankfully, it lasts less than 90-minutes.
Agatha Christine, who goes by AC (Simone Edemann Møgelbjerg), moves to a new town. She dresses like a proto-typical gumshoe, invents flying drones for spying, and finds a mystery in everything. Though her mom bought these items for AC, she does not approve of or understands her child’s behavior. The fact that she does not even try to makes her one of the worst, most unsympathetic parents in any movie who does not actively abuse or neglect their offspring.
“…shopkeep informs AC that he is being robbed, and she offers to install a security system to catch the thief.”
While exploring, AC gets friendly with the corner store owner (Tommy Kenter), though less so towards the neighbor across the street her age. The shopkeep informs AC that he is being robbed, and she offers to install a security system to catch the thief. He accepts, but she’ll only be paid if she finds the thief in one week.
Now, AC, along with her talking lizard (who may be imaginary) surveil, gather clues, and piss off her family as well as her prime suspect – her neighbor. What secret is that child hiding? Why does AC’s mom never try to understand her hobbies or listen to her?
The biggest problem and there are plenty, so that is saying a lot, with Next Door Spy is, surprisingly, not its barely suited for Saturday morning cartoon animation. The film is garish looking, movements are stiff, the coloring is patchy, and character designs are ugly. Whoever involved in the production saw these and thought, “Hmm, looks good,” desperately needs to see an optometrist as soon as possible.
"…is DOA almost as soon as it starts."
