All the Old Knives (2022), directed by Janus Metz, is a stylish and suspenseful spy thriller that weaves together themes of betrayal, love, and the complexities of memory. Based on the novel by Olen Steinhauer, the film delves into the morally ambiguous world of espionage, where no one is entirely trustworthy, and even those closest to us may be hiding secrets.
The film stars Chris Pine, Thandiwe Newton, and Laurence Fishburne in leading roles, bringing their characters to life with depth and emotional resonance. With a sharp script, an atmospheric setting, and intricate character dynamics, All the Old Knives offers a compelling exploration of the personal costs of espionage.
The plot of All the Old Knives centers on two former CIA operatives, Henry Pelham (Chris Pine) and Celia Harrison (Thandiwe Newton), who were once romantically involved while working in Vienna during a covert mission. Their relationship was intense and fraught with both professional and personal stakes.
The mission, however, ended in disaster when a terrorist attack on a plane killed hundreds of innocent lives. The fallout from that event continues to haunt both of them, as the incident remains shrouded in mystery and suspicion.
Five years after the tragedy, Henry, now working for the CIA in a different capacity, is tasked with reviewing the mission once again, as new information has surfaced about a possible mole within the agency.
Henry is assigned to question Celia, now working in a more mundane diplomatic post, about her role in the mission and the events that led to the deadly hijacking. Their meeting, initially professional, quickly devolves into a tense and emotionally charged confrontation as old wounds resurface.
