Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans swan‑dives into the medieval theme wearing a thrift‑store crown and a cape that smells faintly of dry‑ice fog. It’s fun and festive and knows exactly what it is doing when a murder most foul ruins the occasion.
Nikki DeLoach and Andrew Walker play off each other with an ease that feels lived‑in, the kind of chemistry that doesn’t need grand gestures because the micro‑expressions do all the heavy lifting. Their banter has that lightly teasing, “we’re solving a murder but also low‑key flirting” rhythm that keeps the tone buoyant even when bodies inconveniently appear. What makes them especially fun is the contrast: Goldy’s warm, practical competence bumping up against Tom’s steady, slightly exasperated detective energy. Together, they feel like two people who genuinely enjoy being in each other’s orbit—even when the universe insists on throwing them into yet another crime scene in questionable outfits.
In Foiled Plans, Goldy Berry (DeLoach) shows up expecting a fundraiser with light cosplay energy, only to find herself trapped in a castle with a murderer, a snowstorm, and more faux‑nobility than a Renaissance Faire on discount‑ticket day. It’s Hallmark doing a bottle episode, and honestly, it’s weirdly delightful.
Goldy, as always, is the franchise’s emotional thermostat—warm, steady, and perpetually two steps away from muttering “I cannot believe this is my life” into a tray of roasted vegetables. DeLoach plays her with that perfect blend of competence and “I’m too tired for this nonsense,” which becomes even funnier when she’s surrounded by adults in chainmail arguing about fundraising tiers.
Meanwhile, Andrew Walker’s Tom Schultz spends half the movie trying to look authoritative while standing next to a guy dressed like a court jester. It’s a vibe, and it’s absolutely hilarious.
The suspects are a buffet of petty grudges, hidden motives, and people who take themed events way too seriously. The film sprinkles in twists at just the right intervals, and the banter between Goldy and Tom has that slightly chaotic, “we’re solving a murder but also flirting, please keep up” rhythm that makes the series tick. Reviewers calling this one of the strongest entries aren’t exaggerating—it’s the rare Hallmark mystery that feels both tightly constructed and gleefully odd.
Director Paul Ziller clearly decided that if Hallmark was going to rent a castle, they were going to use the castle. Every stone hallway, every torch sconce, every suspiciously convenient secret nook gets its moment. The snowed‑in setup gives the mystery a classic locked‑room flavor, but with the added bonus of everyone being stuck in costumes they definitely regret by hour three. The tone walks a tightrope between suspense and “we’re all in on the joke,” and it works.
By the time the final reveal hits, Foiled Plans has delivered a cozy mystery that’s atmospheric, funny, and just self‑aware enough to be charming. It’s the kind of movie where you can enjoy the tension, appreciate the chemistry, and still laugh at the fact that half the cast is wearing tunics while discussing alibis. Oddly fun is exactly the right phrase.
For streaming, Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans is available on Hallmark Movies Now, with rental and purchase options on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. If you want to watch adults solve crimes in medieval cosplay, this is your moment.
MPAA Rating: TV-G.
Runtime: 83 mins
Director: Paul Ziller
Writer: Diane Mott Davidson; Julie Kim; Kariné Marwood
Cast: Nikki DeLoach; Andrew W. Walker; Jaycie Dotin
Genre: Drama | Crime
Tagline: Save Room For Mystery
Memorable Movie Quote: "It's Emma. I couldn't very well ask her to draw her own picture."
Distributor: Hallmark +
Official Site:
Release Date: April 26, 2024
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Goldy Berry's Medieval feast at Hyde Castle gets interrupted by a murder. She teams up with Detective Shultz to solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again.
