Friday Film Noir
So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993) is a romantic comedy thriller directed by Thomas Schlamme and written by Robbie Fox. The story follows Charlie MacKenzie (Mike Myers), a commitment-averse poet living in San Francisco who becomes romantically involved with Harriet Michaels (Nancy Travis), a reserved butcher with a mysterious past. As their relationship deepens, Charlie begins to suspect that Harriet may be connected to a series of murders attributed to a serial killer known as the “Honeymoon Killer.” His growing paranoia, fueled by gossip and coincidence, pulls friends and family into his investigation. The story unfolds as Charlie tries to determine whether his fears are justified or the result of his own inability to trust intimacy.
Filmed primarily in San Francisco, the production made extensive use of real locations, including neighborhoods, cafes, and waterfront areas, rather than relying on soundstages. Mike Myers performed the film during a transitional moment in his career, developing many of his performances and Scottish-accented family scenes through live rehearsal. Myers has said the famous poetry readings were shaped to feel intentionally awkward, with pauses and rhythms adjusted on set. Director Thomas Schlamme encouraged a loose atmosphere on set, allowing comedic beats to evolve through timing rather than rewriting dialogue. Nancy Travis approached Harriet with restraint, grounding the performance to balance the film’s heightened comedy. Myers has said the experience helped shape his approach with character development in later films.
