Time After Time

Christopher Nolan's new espionage thriller is an ambitious and circuitous affair that will feel right at home with fans, but may repel newcomers

Audiences should have seen this one coming a mile away. Knowing the future isn't a requirement if you've been paying close attention to the British auteur's filmography. Christopher Nolan has loved playing with time since his first full-length feature. From non-linear storytelling to time manipulation, his notable fixation has leaked its way into nearly every film he's helmed. "Tenet" feels like a director at the peak of his powers who's reached his final form. Nolan's affinity for the spy genre and his unique sensibilities as a visionary have aligned to create this often enjoyable, occasionally pretentious and decidedly abstruse blockbuster. So abstruse, those unfamiliar with his style might find it inaccessible.

John David Washington stars as a CIA operative tasked with saving the world as we know it. He's recruited to infiltrate an operation with the word, "Tenet", given to him as the only major detail to aid in his quest. He soon discovers the concept of "inversion", which allows objects to move backward through time. Helping him along the way is Neil (Robert Pattinson), as his mission leads him to Kat (Elizabeth Debicki) and her husband, the cartoonishly evil Andrei Sator (Kenneth Branagh). Sator appears to be the key to inversion's use in the present day and if not stopped, his actions could prove to be cataclysmic.

On a technical level, "Tenet" is everything great about blockbuster filming. Based on an original concept Nolan has developed for years, it features lavish backdrops that were shot on location, thrilling action setpieces and mind-blowing visuals. However, the film very much feels like an exercise in concepts. Nolan is a brilliant writer-director and he knows it. This is the ultimate showcase for his cerebral filmmaking style and the movie isn't necessarily better for it. Due to some sound mixing on the dialogue and the overall complex nature of the narrative, even the most attentive viewers may find themselves lost in the shuffle at different moments. Its actors are brilliantly cast, particularly the trio of Debicki, Pattinson and Washington, but aren't afforded any soul due to the film's clinical execution. Debicki's character has the best arc, but even then, the emotional depth isn't nearly as satisfying as the cool callback surrounding it. With that said, the movie still proves itself worthy as a big screen adventure. Fantastically scored by Ludwig Goransson, "Tenet" is a fascinating big-budget offering filled with enough movie magic (especially in its second half) to perhaps distract viewers from its underdeveloped characters and perplexing plot points long enough to appreciate its aspirations. B+