October 23, 2026
FILM: A TALENT FOR MURDER
DIRECTED BY: ANTON CORBIJN
WRITTEN BY: JOANNA MURRAY-SMITH
STARRING: HELEN MIRREN, ALDEN EHRENREICH, OLIVIA COOKE
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Patricia Highsmith was one of the great mystery writers of the 20th Century. Her most famous novels included Strangers on a Train, which became an Alfred Hitchcock film, and The Talented Mr. Ripley which, when adapted in 1997, starred Matt Damon. There were other films and TV series made of the Ripley novels which starred a string of actors including Dennis Hopper, John Malkovich, and Andrew Scott. Now comes an entirely new take on the character.
Alden Ehrenreich stars as Edward Ridgely, a member of the staff that has published many of Highsmith’s novels. He is sent to her home in Switzerland in 1995 to get her to sign off on making one more Ripley book. Helen Mirren plays Highsmith at what is near the end of her life. Before arriving, Ridgely meets Clementine Balfour (Olivia Cooke) on the train. (Even they acknowledge that they are “strangers on a train” meeting for the first time!) It’s a clever way to begin the story. She’s heading off to meet her rich aunt who lives in Zurich while he’s meeting the reclusive Highsmith.
After a rough start getting her to do another Ripley, he begins helping her with the story by including a fictional version of Clementine and her referenced to aunt. Director Anton Corbijn then shows us these scenes with Ridgley playing a version of Ripley (note the similarity in names) making for an interestingly crafted conceit that he generally pulls off. Admittedly, I did have to go back and re-watch a scene or two to determine where Ridgely ends and Ripley begins.
It’s actually not as complicated as one might think though. Ehrenreich’s Ridgley comes across as young, innocent, and less sophisticated than Ripley. He also dresses differently and has a more boyish hairstyle. It’s actually a very good dual performance as he makes them distinctive characters in look and personality. This also goes along with Ripley’s propensity toward creating or stealing new identities for his own financial and social benefit.
Helen Mirren showcases her wide-ranging acting skills by inhabiting the role of Highsmith with a lack of make-up, a generally unfriendly attitude, and an aggressiveness in the woman who has no interest in connecting with other people. She’s almost always either smoking or drinking a glass of brown liquor and her clothes are simple. She also has some problems walking, suggesting she’s becoming more frail and sickly at her age. (Highsmith actually died in 1995.)
There is a character named Appleby that is referenced to throughout the film that has gone missing since arriving at Highsmith’s house prior to Ridgley’s arrival. It’s an underdeveloped plot point though that serves to add mystery to the story. Highsmith, who has lots of poison in her pantry, may or may not be a killer herself. It could be this is a “role” she likes to play, again keeping with the theme of changing identities, or maybe she did have something to do with Appleby’s disappearance.
This particular film is based on a stage play which explains why so much of the story takes place in Highsmith’s home. It is opened up though with many scenes featuring Clementine, her aunt, and Ridgely as Ripley in Zurich. Generally, the cinematography is quite beautiful making Switzerland look magnificent, with its mountains and endless train tracks. There’s no question the film makes it look like a very enticing country to visit.
I like that A Talent for Murder indulges in Highsmith’s themes, including the idea that everyone has a dark side. It’s nicely developed through the various created scenes. Identity swapping and questions about sexual orientation are also hallmarks of Highsmith and writer Joanna Murray-Smith does a nice job of incorporating them into the story.
A Talent for Murder opens in theaters this week.
FILM: A TALENT FOR MURDER
DIRECTED BY: ANTON CORBIJN
WRITTEN BY: JOANNA MURRAY-SMITH
STARRING: HELEN MIRREN, ALDEN EHRENREICH, OLIVIA COOKE
RATING: 3 out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
Patricia Highsmith was one of the great mystery writers of the 20th Century. Her most famous novels included Strangers on a Train, which became an Alfred Hitchcock film, and The Talented Mr. Ripley which, when adapted in 1997, starred Matt Damon. There were other films and TV series made of the Ripley novels which starred a string of actors including Dennis Hopper, John Malkovich, and Andrew Scott. Now comes an entirely new take on the character.
Alden Ehrenreich stars as Edward Ridgely, a member of the staff that has published many of Highsmith’s novels. He is sent to her home in Switzerland in 1995 to get her to sign off on making one more Ripley book. Helen Mirren plays Highsmith at what is near the end of her life. Before arriving, Ridgely meets Clementine Balfour (Olivia Cooke) on the train. (Even they acknowledge that they are “strangers on a train” meeting for the first time!) It’s a clever way to begin the story. She’s heading off to meet her rich aunt who lives in Zurich while he’s meeting the reclusive Highsmith.
After a rough start getting her to do another Ripley, he begins helping her with the story by including a fictional version of Clementine and her referenced to aunt. Director Anton Corbijn then shows us these scenes with Ridgley playing a version of Ripley (note the similarity in names) making for an interestingly crafted conceit that he generally pulls off. Admittedly, I did have to go back and re-watch a scene or two to determine where Ridgely ends and Ripley begins.
It’s actually not as complicated as one might think though. Ehrenreich’s Ridgley comes across as young, innocent, and less sophisticated than Ripley. He also dresses differently and has a more boyish hairstyle. It’s actually a very good dual performance as he makes them distinctive characters in look and personality. This also goes along with Ripley’s propensity toward creating or stealing new identities for his own financial and social benefit.
Helen Mirren showcases her wide-ranging acting skills by inhabiting the role of Highsmith with a lack of make-up, a generally unfriendly attitude, and an aggressiveness in the woman who has no interest in connecting with other people. She’s almost always either smoking or drinking a glass of brown liquor and her clothes are simple. She also has some problems walking, suggesting she’s becoming more frail and sickly at her age. (Highsmith actually died in 1995.)
There is a character named Appleby that is referenced to throughout the film that has gone missing since arriving at Highsmith’s house prior to Ridgley’s arrival. It’s an underdeveloped plot point though that serves to add mystery to the story. Highsmith, who has lots of poison in her pantry, may or may not be a killer herself. It could be this is a “role” she likes to play, again keeping with the theme of changing identities, or maybe she did have something to do with Appleby’s disappearance.
This particular film is based on a stage play which explains why so much of the story takes place in Highsmith’s home. It is opened up though with many scenes featuring Clementine, her aunt, and Ridgely as Ripley in Zurich. Generally, the cinematography is quite beautiful making Switzerland look magnificent, with its mountains and endless train tracks. There’s no question the film makes it look like a very enticing country to visit.
I like that A Talent for Murder indulges in Highsmith’s themes, including the idea that everyone has a dark side. It’s nicely developed through the various created scenes. Identity swapping and questions about sexual orientation are also hallmarks of Highsmith and writer Joanna Murray-Smith does a nice job of incorporating them into the story.
A Talent for Murder opens in theaters this week.