“Helen Mirren at her wicked best in a stylish game of cat and mouse from the world of The Talented Mr Ripley.”
Helen Mirren takes centre stage in A Talent for Murder, a deliciously dark psychological thriller inspired by the extraordinary world of acclaimed crime writer Patricia Highsmith, creator of The Talented Mr Ripley. Directed by Anton Corbijn, the film also stars Alden Ehrenreich, Olivia Cooke and Juliet Stevenson.
Reclusive, formidable and not remotely interested in pleasing anyone, Patricia Highsmith is living in Switzerland when a mysterious young man arrives from her New York publishing house. His mission sounds simple: persuade the celebrated author to write one final Tom Ripley novel. But what begins as an awkward battle of wills gradually develops into something far more sinister.
As the pair circle one another, fiction and reality begin to blur and their encounter turns into an intricate psychological game of manipulation, secrets and shifting identities. Helen Mirren appears to be having enormous fun as the fiercely caustic Highsmith, while Alden Ehrenreich proves a suitably enigmatic opponent.
Darkly funny, atmospheric and full of twists, A Talent for Murder has the flavour of a classic literary mystery with a decidedly wicked streak.
Critical Response
Following its premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, critics have particularly singled out Helen Mirren’s performance. Variety praised her“hawkish, caustically funny performance”, while describing the film as a sleek literary noir.
Rotten Tomatoes highlights reviews describing the film as“darkly funny, freshly thrilling, and unrepentantly seductive”, with other critics praising its psychological tension and performances.
For anyone who loves Helen Mirren, Patricia Highsmith, The Talented Mr Ripley or an intelligent old-fashioned psychological thriller, this looks like a very tempting night at the cinema.
Director: Anton Corbijn
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Helen Mirren, Alden Ehrenreich, Juliet Stevenson, James Faulkner
Film Length: 180mins
Format: 2D
Cert: TBC
Screenings