All the Old Knives

If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, All the Old Knives is available in Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video right now. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Chris Pine's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on Amazon Prime Video and see for yourself.

All the Old Knives is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The plotting gives All the Old Knives its backbone, but it is the characters you come back for. When the CIA discovers one of its agents leaked information that cost more than 100 people their lives, veteran operative Henry Pelham is assigned to root out the mole with his former lover and colleague Celia Harrison. Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2022. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — All the Old Knives passes that test consistently. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, All the Old Knives delivers. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Chris Pine anchors it, but the writing does the real work. If you are going to commit to one crime drama this month, make it this one.