Watch film programmer Erifili Missiou’s take on Medusa Deluxe, the audaciously original debut from writer-director Thomas Hardiman.

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.