The murder mystery has always been a popular genre no matter the format. Whether the stories are told via books, television shows, or movies, audiences can’t get enough of these twisty tales. With so many classics available to watch for years, it was hard to see a way to add any originality to the institution, but then came Rian Johnson’s Knives Out, which proved that there was plenty of potential left. Now UK audiences can witness a modern and fresh offering from our very own Isle in Thomas Hardiman’s Medusa Deluxe.
Set within the world of competitive hairdressing, Medusa Deluxe, begins in the aftermath of a murderous scalping. Slowly the story introduces all of the key players, the camera moving continuously from character to character, feeding the audience all the relevant information to solve the puzzle. Over the course of the evening the remaining competitors try to uncover the killer. Though presented as friends and colleagues, as with any good murder-mystery, rivalries and mistrust are quickly revealed. Conversations turn to ideas of sabotage and the remaining group of determined contestants suspect that someone may be trying to rig the competition, by gruesomely picking off its entrants.
One element that makes Medusa Deluxe standout from the crowd is that there are no dominant law enforcement characters. The viewer is instead placed into the role of detective. This approach spins the sub-genre on its head, generating maximum audience enjoyment by making them an active participant rather than mere fly on the wall.
Impressively shot to look like a one-shot story, Medusa Deluxe is writer and director Thomas Hardiman’s debut feature. The complexity of the project’s construction and script assert Hardiman as a filmmaker to keep a close eye on. With such an intricate first feature, THN were thrilled to get to pick Hardiman’s brain about his debut. Our chat covers the creation of the mystery, tricky cameraplay, and a lifelong fascination with hairdressing.
Medusa Deluxe arrives in UK cinemas on Friday 9th June.
