Janus Metz Pedersen’s “All The Old Knives”

All The Old Knives (2022)

Surprisingly effective, twisting spy yarn that plays out like a murder mystery and offers plenty of twists

Based on Olen Steinhauer’s novel of the same name and scripted by Steinhauer, this primarily takes place in flashback as Henry Pelham(Chris Pine) and Celia Harrison-Favreau(Thandiwe Newton) meet over dinner several years after a botched CIA operation to rescue passengers in a terrorist hijacking. What follows is a serpentine investigation as we’re presented with the suspects and clues which leads to a satisfying conclusion. The tone is suitably serious and it’s proto-realistic but that’s good enough for what is an accessible and enjoyable as a bit of popcorn pulp.

The performances are also solid. Thandiwe Newton is very good and Chris Pine puts in an uncharacteristically muted performance. Danish cinematographer Charlotte Bruus Christensen(“A Quiet Place”) infuses the film with a European sensibility that adds to the gravitas and Pedersen(also Danish) keeps the performances natural. Music from Jon Ekstrand and Rebekka Karijord round things out nicely.

It’s an enjoyable and satisfying watch that’s probably flown under the radar. Check it out.

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