Tenet

The closure of cinemas has delayed the release of this film, but has also hyped up expectations. After films such as Inception, Interstellar and Dunkirk, the film community is excited every time director Christopher Nolan is sharing one of his visions with the world. This was no different for the thriller Tenet, which has now been released in some countries and is one of the first big films to be widely played since the cinema lockdown. In this spoiler-free review, find out why you should also go see it on the big screen.

Tenet has everything a blockbuster needs: a renowned director, amazing cast and crew, an intriguing premise shown in the trailer, which make the audience wonder what kind of unusual thing might happen in this film. The film keeps all the promises of the hype, and more. While some extreme Nolan fans and cinema fans thought compared it to some other of his films and expressed mild disappointment, I cannot share that view. On its own, as a feature film, it is extraordinary on many levels. 

The plot (as far as is already outlined in the trailer, without revealing more) is centred on a nameless protagonist, who is on a dangerous mission. He is given the word "Tenet" as a way of establishing contact with allies, in order to - as in many films - save the world from some form of threat. There is definitely a parallel to Bond films in some plot elements as well as settings, and other films of the secret agent genre. (Especially The Night Manager based on John Le Carré's novel comes to mind, not only because actress Elizabeth Debicki stars in both). But within that genre, Tenet is unusual because it also adds a very different dimension.

As is visible already in the trailer, there is an unusual concept of time in the world of Tenet. Comparisons to Inception are of course being made, even if the concept is very different. In my opinion, it is equally amazing and very well carried out. The visuals and attention to detail are stunning, and often leave the audience speechless. The premise of the film is so unique, that it will give movie goers plenty to see and think, and many will doubtlessly watch it several times to be able to appreciate all the details.

Besides just the main concept and writing of the film, there are several other aspects worth noting. The music was written by composer Ludwig Göransson, who is known for his Oscar-winning score of Black Panther, and several other collaborations with director Ryan Coogler. He replaced composer Hans Zimmer who has often worked with Nolan (because Zimmer was occupied with another highly anticipated film, Dune), and created a fantastic score which leaves you on the edge of your seat (in a way that reminded me of Sicario). In addition, the performances are just stunning, with John David Washington leading the cast, proving for the second time since BlacKkKlansman that he can carry a big production. The rest of the main roles are filled with Robert Pattinson, Kenneth Branagh and Elizabeth Debicki, all delivering convincing performances with some exceptional moments; in the supporting cast, Michael Caine is present as usual with Nolan, as well as Aaron Taylor Johnson, Himesh Patel, Clémence Poésy and Dimple Kapadia.

Overall, this is certainly a film you should go see in cinemas as soon as possible. Besides just being a great piece of cinema, it is worth watching early to avoid spoilers which are inevitable, and to be able to see it with a large screen and a great audio system. On top of that, cinemas have suffered during the pandemic like most other businesses, and are glad to receive audiences again - obviously following all necessary safety guidelines.

(Images: IMDB)