This Amazon Original opens with a tragic plane hijacking that does not end well, and then fast forwards eight years to the re-opening of the case and a potential CIA mole being investigated, pitching Chris Pine against ex-agent - and his former lover - Thandiwe Newton. The film then effectively becomes a two-hander over dinner in a restaurant as Pine tries to ascertain Newton's role in the whole affair, accompanied by extensive flashbacks. It is slick, stylish and beautifully shot, if all a little careful and restrained. Thankfully, Pine and Newton are well-matched and play their verbal games with nuance and careful consideration as plot details unfold slowly and the narrative puzzle-pieces slot neatly into place. All The Old Knives is a talky, dialogue-heavy and satisfactory thriller, held together by its solid central performances and its stylish presentation.
