*Our screening on Saturday 17th of June will be followed by a Q&A with director Thomas Hardiman.

The audaciously original debut from writer-director Thomas Hardiman, Medusa Deluxe is a bold, camp and unique take on the murder mystery. Shining a light on the obsessive world of hairdressing, this extravagant whodunnit features an array of electric performances from its dynamic cast.

After a stylist is found dead at a hairdressing competition, the remaining competitors try to uncover the murderer over the course of an evening. Rivalry and mistrust build as the remaining group of determined contestants continue to construct their elaborate hairstyles, and secrets begin to unravel as they suspect that someone may be trying to rig the competition by gruesomely picking off its entrants.

With stunning cinematography by Academy Award nominee Robbie Ryan (The Favourite, American Honey), as well as dazzling and cutting edge hair designs from renowned stylist Eugene Souleiman, and an electronic score by Koreless, Hardiman’s vivacious and absurdly comic ensemble drama will keep audiences in suspense until the end.

The Garden Cinema View:

This one-take, labyrinthine whodunnit could be easily pigeonholed as another technical marvel. Oscar-nominated cinematographer Robbie Ryan (Fish Tank, The Favourite) surpasses expectations, blending pop grittiness with a snake-like camera movement that slyly progresses from conversation to conversation, room to room, suspect to suspect. Yet, Medusa Deluxe never ceases to be a gripping murder mystery that keeps us at the edge of our seats.

The film's real appeal though is its hydridic tone, a unique osmosis of campness and pub talk, comedy and thriller. The seamless result is also due to outstanding performances, which give it character and depth. To say that emerging director Thomas Hardiman shows promise with this bold debut is an understatement.

Cast:
Clare Perkins, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser, Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Kae Alexander