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Her Alibi

Her Alibi

Falling for a beautiful woman can be murder!

198994 minPGMidcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
Director
Bruce Beresford
Starring
Tom Selleck, Paulina Porizkova, William Daniels, James Farentino

A writer of BAD detective novels is in full writers' block. He pretends to be the alibi of a beautiful woman who was arrested for murder at first thinking her innocent, but as she shows more and more interesting abilities (such as knife throwing) he begins to doubt his first assessment.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Her Alibi?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Her Alibi streaming on The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Her Alibi?

Her Alibi earns 3 badges, led by Fun and Broadly Agreed.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Her Alibi worth watching?

Her Alibi's Midcredits score is the 29th percentile of all films, from 12K ratings across 5 sources. 36% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

29th percentile

Better received than 29% of films

32nd percentile among Comedy31st percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)28th
Approval (how many liked it)32nd

55 /100

28th percentile of all films

30th percentile among Comedy27th percentile among 1980s

Critics 24 · Audience 58

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.0 — solid but not unanimous.

36% liked it

32nd percentile of all films

34th percentile among Comedy34th percentile among 1980s
36% rated it 7–1064% rated it 1–6

Critics 17% · Audience 44%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

82nd percentile

12K ratings across platforms

80th percentile among Comedy79th percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 3% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$5M
Domestic gross$19M
Worldwide gross$19M

81st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A lightweight, silly romantic comedy that depends entirely on Tom Selleck's likability and Paulina Porizkova's looks.

Fans praised

  • Selleck's comedic timing and physical pratfalls
  • Charming, lighthearted romantic comedy spirit
  • Paulina Porizkova's striking beauty and mysterious presence

Detractors panned

  • Weak, illogical script with implausible premise
  • Porizkova's wooden, emotionless acting
  • Tonally inconsistent slapstick and unfunny gags

What stands out

ActingDivisive45

Selleck charming as goofy writer; Porizkova wooden but visually effective

PacingDivisive45

Brisk 90-minute runtime; drags in stretches

HumorDivisive35

Selleck's persona and voiceover humor land; slapstick often misfires

CharactersDivisive35

Selleck's bumbling novelist endearing; Porizkova's cipher lacks depth

DialogueDivisive30

Witty voiceover narration contrast praised; overall script clunky

Plot and storyDivisive20

Illogical premise, predictable twists, thin story

Tension20

No real doubt about Porizkova's innocence; suspense absent

Originality15

Derivative, formulaic 80s rom-com thriller

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 4 points apart

Watch experience

What is Her Alibi like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Romantic: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are in the mood for a love story.

It has a few laughs and leaves you entertained. Skip it when you want every question answered.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

A taste for open questions.

What it feels like

Romantic.

The answer rests on this: Moods
RomanticTenseAbsurd
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmRomantic · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its romantic comedy premise straight, with sincere affection for its characters while the danger is treated lightly.
The rideThe film likely balances romantic charm with mounting suspense as the protagonist becomes more uncertain, with the middle act carrying the peak of doubt and danger.
StructureThe story is told in a conventional chronological order, following the writer's perspective.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

FunBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you entertained by the playful romance and mild suspense, with a lingering hint of doubt about the relationship's foundation.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11% (this title): Romantic comedy 4% (this title) · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Romantic comedy: Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.

11% of films fit this archetype

with Mystery underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA blocked writer becomes entangled with a murder suspect he provides an alibi for, as his attraction battles growing suspicion about her true nature.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% (this title) · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsTruth · 4% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the destabilizing effect of romantic attraction when the beloved's true nature is uncertain, and the protagonist's struggle between desire and suspicion.
StanceThe film questions the trust at the heart of romance without settling whether the beloved is innocent or dangerous, keeping the viewer in doubt.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Georges Delerue
SettingA writer's apartment and the city around it, with glimpses of a suspect's dangerous milieu.
MusicDelerue's score likely underlines the romantic tension with a light, melodic touch.

Content guide

Is Her Alibi okay for kids?

PG

Her Alibi is rated PG. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (42/100), sexual content at moderate (50/100), language at mild (33/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (20/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 5 other countries
  • UKPG
  • Germany12
  • IrelandPG
  • FinlandK-7
  • Greece12
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-rated film
heavier than 94%
Profanity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (35 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Her Alibi have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Her Alibi?

Cast

Tom Selleck
as Phil Blackwood
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Paulina Porizkova
as Nina Ionescu
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
William Daniels
as Sam
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
James Farentino
as Frank Polito
Patrick Wayne
as Gary Blackwood
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Tess Harper
as Sally Blackwood
Ronald Guttman
as 'Lucy' Comanescu
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Victor Argo
as Avram
Hurd Hatfield
as Troppa
Bill Smitrovich
as Farrell

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Her Alibi?

Movies like Her Alibi include The Escort (2015), The Lost City (2022) and Three Men and a Little Lady (1990). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films written by Charlie Peters, and all are romantic comedies.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

4 of these 12 share its character type: writer. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Her Alibi?

1.9K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: whodunit. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.