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All the Old Knives
2022 102 min United States of America R 18+
★6.1
Thriller, Mystery
Director: Janus Metz
📖 Based on the novel
«All the Old Knives»
byOlen Steinhauer
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
When the CIA discovers one of its agents leaked information that cost more than 100 people their lives, veteran operative Henry Pelham is assigned to root out the mole with his former lover and colleague Celia Harrison.
Starring
Goksin Erdemli
Actor
Kasia Madera
Actor
Chris Pine
Actor
Awards
1 win total
Key opinion
All the Old Knives is a slow-burning, dialogue-heavy spy thriller that relies almost entirely on the central performances of Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton. While the film attempts to capture a cerebral, literary tone, it is ultimately hampered by a fragmented narrative structure and a lack of momentum that divides audiences.
| Acting | Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton carry the film with committed, grounded performances. | |
| Originality | The film eschews high-octane action tropes in favor of a quiet, dialogue-driven focus on moral ambiguity. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure is hindered by confusing timelines and flashbacks that disrupt the flow of the mystery. | |
| Acting | Veteran supporting actors like Laurence Fishburne and Jonathan Pryce are significantly underused in their respective roles. | |
| Pacing | The slow, contemplative pace rewards those looking for a grounded character study, but is perceived as tedious and static by others. | |
| Acting | While some viewers find the chemistry between the leads to be the film's strongest asset, others feel their connection is cold and lacking in emotional depth. |