Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intense spy thriller mixes romance with political intrigue.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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All the Old Knives
What's the Story?
In this adaptation of author Olen Steinhauer's spy thriller ALL THE OLD KNIVES, a Vienna-based CIA station director (Laurence Fishburne) tasks veteran agent Henry Pelham (Chris Pine) with rooting out the mole who was responsible for a plane hijacking negotiation that ended in 100 deaths eight years earlier. Henry's top suspects include the office's now-retired second in command, Bill Compton (Jonathan Pryce), and former colleague/lover Celia Harrison (Thandiwe Newton), who ran away from Vienna immediately after the deadly incident. Most of the movie involves Henry's long dinner with Celia in California, where rehashing their time in Vienna includes not only the terrorist attack but also the end of their passionate affair.
Is It Any Good?
The palpable chemistry and truth-digging conversation between the two leads makes this spy thriller more about a central relationship than a typical whodunit. Pine and Newton are excellent as former lovers whose relationship didn't survive a deadly plane attack. Henry and Celia's long dinner reveals just how intense their romance was, a fact highlighted not only by the actors' smoldering expressions but the flashbacks to several love scenes interwoven with the political maneuvering of their CIA office. Although there are quick, harrowing scenes of the hijacking and the agents desperately interviewing informants, the movie focuses much more on the intimacy (emotional, intellectual, and physical) between the agents.
Spy films usually explore the moral ambiguity of government agents who act in reprehensible ways for the good of their countries, and All the Old Knives is no exception. The film's editing and cinematography keenly position each of the main characters as a suspect, with scenes that depict them in shadowy places. In the third act, there are some predictable moments, as well as unanswered questions and undeveloped issues about the mystery's big reveal. But it's easy to forgive any of the movie's more formulaic aspects because of the remarkable charm of its stars.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about All the Old Knives' violence. What's the impact of those scenes? Why are they necessary to the story?
Who did you think was the mole? Were you right?
Do you consider any of the characters role models? Which character's motivations and actions made the most sense to you?
How does the movie depict extremism and terrorist activity? How does the movie humanize one of the terrorist leaders?
Why do you think spy movies are so popular? What makes them compelling?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 8, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : April 8, 2022
- Cast : Chris Pine , Thandiwe Newton , Laurence Fishburne , Jonathan Pryce
- Director : Janus Metz
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Amazon Studios
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Book Characters , History
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexuality/nudity, violence and language
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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