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In the world of Medusa Deluxe, beauticians wield scissors like knives and hairsprays like pistols. Hairstyling competitions are fraught spaces stacked with talented participants. Anyone can tame an unruly mane, but only a handful can turn it into a work of art.

“I’m in the middle of a Georgian fontange,” one stylist snaps in the opening scene of Thomas Hardiman’s exciting directorial debut. “You can’t just walk away from that shit.” Tensions are high in this dressing room. Outside the door, police patrol the hall. Sirens blare in the distance. The death of Mosca (John Alan Roberts), one of the stylists, has paused the competition and forced a temporary lockdown.

The atmosphere is thick with suspicion. This is a cutthroat bunch, a community whose members convene annually to flaunt their skills and prove themselves. There are public alliances and private allegiances. Betrayals abound, too. Everyone has a theory.

There’s been a scalping at a Northern England hairdressing competition.

It’s all any of the hairdressers — “hair artists” might be a better description, given the towering Marie Antoinette-level coifs and rainbow-colored cascades and expertly sculpted geometric ‘dos they’ve designed — can talk about. The victim is Mosca, the presumed frontrunner before being found dead and mutilated. No one’s canceled the event, however, and his peers are prepping their models for the runway. The show must go on.

As for the suspects — well, where do we start?...

Few, if any, single-shot movies ever justify the conceit. In fact, most of them do their material a disservice through the distraction that emerges naturally from the trickery. In other words, audiences are often put into the position of looking for the seams in the filmmaking, on the hunt for evidence of the artifice. In the case of writer-director Thomas Hardiman’s Medusa Deluxe, though, artifice is the entire raison d’être.

Set within the backstages of a cutthroat hairdressing competition, the film opens with a riled-up Cleve (played with dazzling fire by Clare Perkins) recounting the story’s inciting incident while fussing over a disgruntled model’s coif. Stylist Mosca (John Alan Roberts), presumed to be heavy competition, has not only been discovered dead, but also scalped. The remaining contestants are now sheltering in place and turbo-gossiping about who his presumed murderer could possibly be. At the same time,...

Medusa Deluxe is a fresh take on the murder mystery genre that respects and builds upon its conventions, offering a unique perspective. The film deviates from the typical detective-centered narrative by focusing on the characters themselves, adding depth to their relationships and motivations. Medusa Deluxe stands out with its bold visual style and expertly crafted one-take cinematography, creating an immersive and captivating viewing experience.

Forget Agatha Christie, Hercule Poirot, and everything you think you know about murder mysteries. Medusa Deluxe continues the recent resurgence of the genre but doesn't play by the usual rules. From everyone's favorite indie distributors, A24, the new film is written and directed by Thomas Hardiman, with themes that focus on entitlement, hair (unsurprisingly), and community, and filmed to appear as one 90-minute take plus excellent credits.

Set in England, in the world of competitive hairdressing, by the time the action begins, the body — which had...

“Medusa Deluxe” is a British murder mystery film directed by Thomas Hardiman, starring Clare Perkins, Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Kae Alexander, Harriet Webb, Darrell D’Silva, Luke Pasqualino and Heider Ali.

Synopsis

Set in a competitive hairdressing competition, where one of the contestants is found murdered and the remaining contestants must then try to uncover the killer, as rivalries and mistrust build among them.

This whodunit thriller set in a hairdressing competition, was initially released a the Locarno Festival in the summer of 2022, and has since been released in the U.K. Soon you will be able to enjoy this gripping, and by all accounts stylish murder mystery in a theater near you.

Anita-Joy Uwajeh in Medusa Deluxe (2022) Reviews

“It all adds up to something not so unlike one of the competing hair-dos: ornate, effortful and niche, but oddly hard to take your eyes off.” – Danny Leigh, Financial Times

“An arresting and visually stunning achievement,...

A24’s released the official trailer for Medusa Deluxe, a murder mystery from first-time feature film director Thomas Hardiman. The trailer reveals the twisted behind-the-scenes world of a hairstyling competition, with intricate – and bizarre – hairstyles competing with talk of a murderer in their midst.

The film currently sits at 94% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes following a festival run. Little White Lies’ Cheyenne Bunsie says “Hardiman makes a directorial debut that successfully injects a fresh, vibrant perspective into the murder mystery genre while still employing the dark dread that stands as its trademark.” And Indiewire’s Marisa Mirabal calls it “an arresting and visually stunning achievement.”

Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Clare Perkins, Darrell D’Silva, Debris Stevenson, and Harriet Webb star. The cast also includes Heider Ali, Kae Alexander, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser, Luke Pasqualino, and Nicholas Karimi.

Kae Alexander and Kayla Meikle in ‘Medusa Deluxe’ (Photo Credit: Robbie Ryan)

A24’s releasing Medusa Deluxe...

From the studio behind such modern cinematic classics as Moonlight, Lady Bird, Ex Machina, The Witch, Hereditary, and more comes Medusa Deluxe, with the newly released trailer teasing all manner of murder and mystery at a competitive hairdressing contest. Yes, you read that right. RSomeoneeleased courtesy of the official A24 YouTube channel, Medusa Deluxe looks to be another unique offering from the beloved studio. Check out the trailer for Medusa Deluxe below.

Medusa Deluxe begins after a stylist is found dead at a hairdressing competition. The remaining competitors try to uncover the killer over the course of an evening. Rivalry and mistrust build as the contestants suspect that someone may be trying to rig the competition, by gruesomely picking off its entrants.

Written and directed by Thomas Hardiman in his feature film debut, Medusa Deluxe stars an ensemble cast of characters and possible murderers as portrayed by Clare Perkins, Anita-Joy Uwajeh (Lucky Man), Kayla Meikle,...

A24 is one of the most well-regarded distributors of genre films out there these days, and on August 11th they’ll be bringing the murder mystery Medusa Deluxe to VOD and select theatres. One month out from the release date, a trailer for Medusa Deluxe has arrived online, and you can check it out in the embed above.

The feature directorial debut of Thomas Hardiman, Medusa Deluxe has the following synopsis: Talented, ambitious, and backstabbing hairstylists gather for a competition in England, only to find one of their own murdered before judging can begin. Winding through neon-lit halls and backstage dressing rooms, competitors unspool long-simmering resentments and secrets as they search for the killer among them in this devilishly funny whodunit.

The film stars Clare Perkins (The Outlaws), Kayla Meikle (The Girl Before), Lilit Lesser (To Nowhere), Anita-Joy Uwajeh (Vampire Academy), Kae Alexander (Game of Thrones), Harriet Webb (I May Destroy You...

A trailer lands today for Medusa Deluxe, the feature debut from British writer-director Thomas Hardiman. The film premiered at Locarno last year and subsequently screened at Sitges, BFI London Film Festival and IFFR, among others. Revolving around elaborate hair-dos and a shocking murder, Hardiman’s film is lensed by Robbie Ryan and stars Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Clare Perksins, Darrell D’Silva, Debris Stevenson, Harriet Webb, Heider Ali, Kae Alexander, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser, Luke Pasqualino and Nicholas Karimi. A synopsis for Medusa Deluxe reads: Talented, […]

The post Trailer Watch: Thomas Hardiman’s A24 Feature Debut Medusa Deluxe first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

A trailer lands today for Medusa Deluxe, the feature debut from British writer-director Thomas Hardiman. The film premiered at Locarno last year and subsequently screened at Sitges, BFI London Film Festival and IFFR, among others. Revolving around elaborate hair-dos and a shocking murder, Hardiman’s film is lensed by Robbie Ryan and stars Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Clare Perksins, Darrell D’Silva, Debris Stevenson, Harriet Webb, Heider Ali, Kae Alexander, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser, Luke Pasqualino and Nicholas Karimi. A synopsis for Medusa Deluxe reads: Talented, […]

The post Trailer Watch: Thomas Hardiman’s A24 Feature Debut Medusa Deluxe first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Set for release on August 11th, we have a look at the trailer for Thomas Hardiman's Medusa Deluxe, "the devilishly funny whodunit set backstage in a hairdressing competition."

Starring: Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Clare Perksins, Darrell D’Silva, Debris Stevenson, Harriet Webb, Heider Ali, Kae Alexander, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser, Luke Pasqualino, Nicholas Karimi

Written & Directed By: Thomas Hardiman

"Talented, ambitious, and backstabbing hairstylists gather for a competition in England, only to find one of their own murdered before judging can begin. Winding through neon-lit halls and backstage dressing rooms, competitors unspool long-simmering resentments and secrets as they search for the killer among them, in this devilishly funny whodunit from debut filmmaker Thomas Hardiman."

In Select Theaters And On VOD August 11

The post Watch the Trailer for Medusa Deluxe appeared first on Daily Dead.

The world of competitive hairdressing gets, well, hairy when backstabbing and secrets lead to murder in Medusa Deluxe, A24‘s upcoming single-take whodunit. Today, A24’s unveiled the first trailer, teasing big hair, paranoia, and lethal ambition.

Look for Medusa Deluxe when it opens in select theaters and on VOD August 11.

In Medusa Deluxe, “Talented, ambitious, and backstabbing hairstylists gather for a competition in England, only to find one of their own murdered before judging can begin. Winding through neon-lit halls and backstage dressing rooms, competitors unspool long-simmering resentments and secrets as they search for the killer among them, in this devilishly funny whodunit from debut filmmaker Thomas Hardiman.”

Expect the highly competitive setting to stoke the flames of mistrust with a killer on the loose. With A24 attached, expect an unconventional approach to the murder whodunit format.

I wrote in my capsule review out of Panic Fest, “It’s...

Stars: Kae Alexander, Clare Perkins, Darrell D’Silva, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser, Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Harriet Webb, Luke Pasqualino, Heider Ali | Written and Directed by Thomas Hardiman

A group of rival hairdressers come together to compete in a regional artistic hair competition. Before the event can finish, one of the competitors is killed, leaving the rest to be confined to their dressing rooms until the culprit is revealed. While they wait, each reveals long-simmering resentments, pent-up grudges, and a treasure trove of personal secrets.

To some, hair is everything. It’s a key vehicle for how we present ourselves to the world, as well as being something we find attractive and compelling about other people. A trip to the hairdresser is a safe haven — it’s a place to make yourself feel better physically as well as emotionally. Thomas Hardiman’s Medusa Deluxe sets out to challenge everything we know about those...

"All I want to do is cut hair. And they keep dropping." Mubi has revealed an official trailer for Medusa Deluxe, marking the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Thomas Hardiman. This premiered at a handful of film festival last year, including Locarno, Beyond Fest, Fantastic Fest, Fantasy Filmfest, and the London Film Festival. It's set for a Mubi release streaming in Europe, though the US release date hasn't been set yet. A high-stakes hairdressing competition descends into paranoia and chaos after a participant is viciously murdered, in this astonishing faux single-take (with a bunch of long takes) comedy-thriller. Starring Anita-Joy Uwajeh, Clare Perkins, Darrell D'Silva, Debris Stevenson, Harriet Webb, Heider Ali, Kae Alexander, Kayla Meikle, Lilit Lesser, Luke Pasqualino. "Medusa Deluxe is a unique and audacious trip quite unlike anything you’ll experience." It looks like crazy fun, though the boxy aspect ratio doesn't fit. // Continue Reading ›...

Editor’s note: This review was originally published at the 2022 Fantastic Fest. A24 releases the film in select theaters and on VOD on Friday, August 11.

Elaborate braids, teased curls, and brightly colored dye all mix together at the hands of talented hairstylists prepping their models for an annual hair competition. Similar to the beautiful intricacies of hair styling, writer/director Thomas Hardiman weaves through an intriguing murder mystery with the audience at his mercy. An arresting and visually stunning achievement, “Medusa Deluxe” breaks the framework on storytelling and sheds the skin of a subculture in the process.

Confident and accomplished Cleve (powerfully played by Clare Perkins) is attempting to style the baroque Georgian Fontange on her model as she speculates about the horrific events of the evening with her religious rival Divine (Kayla Meikle). A stylist named Mosca has been found dead and scalped on the premises. Stressed, terrified, and suspicious,...

In “Medusa Deluxe,” the serpents aren’t in the hair, but all around it: a writhing, hissing collective of human predators slinking around the various parlors and platforms of a high-level hairdressing competition. Most are venomous, and at least one is deadly, or so it seems when a star stylist is found, not just murdered but quite literally scalped, the night before his widely expected victory in the contest. That’s the setup for British writer-director Thomas Hardiman’s splashy, hooky debut feature “Medusa Deluxe,” an arch, gossip-fueled murder mystery that delights more in rounding up its many unusual suspects than in any kind of logical, procedural detective work: Whodunnit isn’t a pressing question in a film where everyone is 100 that bitch.

It sounds good on paper, and looks great on screen, thanks in no small part to genius Dp Robbie Ryan — who, following vertiginous collaborations with the likes...

Tom Hardiman’s feature debut “Medusa Deluxe,” which premiered at Locarno on Saturday, has already seduced multiple international distributors with its mixture of humor, grief and competitive hairdressing.

Now Warsaw-based New Europe Film Sales has sealed further deals for the unusual murder mystery in Spain (Elastica Films), Benelux (Filmfreak), Scandinavia and the Baltics (NonStop Entertainment), Variety has learnt in exclusivity.

As previously reported, A24 has acquired North American rights to the film, produced by Emu Films with the support of BFI, BBC Films, and Time Based Arts.

Mubi holds the rights to U.K./Ireland, France, Latin America, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, India and Southeast Asia.

“The buyers are excited about ‘Medusa Deluxe’ because it’s a quirky, original piece of cinema which can appeal to younger audiences, especially since A24 and Mubi will lead the way on global marketing,” said New Europe Film Sales CEO, Jan Naszewski.

Hardiman,...

BFI London Film Festival has revealed its line-up for its second Works-in-Progress showcase, including a documentary about Hong Kong’s draconian National Security law and a TV narrative feature starring Sir Lenny Henry and Malachi Kirby (pictured above).

The showcase will take place on Oct. 9.

It consists of seven recently completed or in production/post-production audio-visual projects from emerging British talent made for cinema, television and immersive platforms.

The audience will include international buyers, festival programmers and, via a secure digital platform, a number of other industry professionals.

The talent selected for the workshop will also, with assistance from the British Council as well as the BFI Lff, get an opportunity to network with various industry players such as buyers, commissioners, producers and programmers via a number of initiatives including a reception for new talent and a producers’ lunch.

2021 marks the workshop’s second year. Last year’s projects included...