We may have Rian Johnson to thank for the kinetic resurgence of the murder mystery genre, given the success he’s found with Knives Out, Glass Onion, and Poker Face, but credit also needs to be given to those who have jumped on this train to delightful effect; and no, we’re not talking about See How They Run or Amsterdam.
We’re talking about known cinema bolsterers A24, whose contribution to the murder mystery genre in Bodies Bodies Bodies was more than enough to grant them sizable amount of respect in this department, but it looks like they’re taking things a step further by distributing Medusa Deluxe, whose new trailer promises morbid hilarity to the highest degree.
Of course, the fact that it’s a British murder mystery set against the backdrop of a cutthroat (take that as you will) hairdressing contest should have screamed “A24” right from the get-go; indeed, as a melting pot of big personalities collide aggressively in the illustrious world of competitive hairstyling, the death of one of the show’s contestants tosses a wrench into the tension while simultaneously dialing it up to 11.
Masterminded by Thomas Hardiman as both the scribe and director, the film stars Anita-Joy Uwajeh (Vampire Academy), Clare Perkins (EastEnders), Darrell D’Silva, Kae Alexander (The Wheel of Time), and Luke Pasqualino (Shadow & Bone). Debris Stevenson, Harriet Webb, Heider Ali, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser, and Nicholas Karimi also feature.
Medusa Deluxe will release to theaters in the United States on August 11, and with a 93 percent Rotten Tomatoes approval rating, this is one hairdressing murder mystery that will be worth checking out.