If you have not seen any of the work of Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, you are missing out. Earlier this year, at Tribeca Film Festival, during a Q&A, the couple reminisced about how they watched Dario Argento's Deep Red on a date together and decided they wanted to make movies just like this. So if you are a fan of giallo, experimental cinema, and absolutely stunning, vibrant cinematography, then you are in for a treat.
While giallo is always a clear inspiration for the couple, they do not stick to that realm, and in this film, they take on spy thrillers of the 70s. A retired “superspy” lives a peaceful life of luxury at a lavish hotel where he remembers the glory days of his youth. The past eventually comes back to haunt him when a meeting with his intriguing neighbor turns into a mystery that needs to be solved. Fighting the demons of his past and his own decline in cognition, he goes down a psychedelic rabbit hole looking for answers.
One thing that is so impressive about the work of Cattet and Forzani is their ability to breathe new life into tired tropes and overdone subgenres. Reflection in a Dead Diamond acts as both an homage to famous spy thrillers like the James Bond franchise, while also subtly digging at the problematic elements of the source material. It is one reason that having a woman director behind the camera can be so important. The women in this film are tough, devious, and even scarier than any of the men. Showing us that the Bond Girl can be so much more than a pretty face and love interest.
They also have a blast creating their own spy gadget technology. When a dress can act as a beautiful costuming decision and a deadly weapon, you know you are in for a treat. They populate their world with crafty ideas along with the stylish look and feel that the directors are so known for. The way that they can turn the spy thriller into a reflection on masculinity, as well as exploring the frailty of the human mind, is endlessly impressive. Plenty of directors can make an homage to the films they love, but not many of them can elevate it to something entirely new and unique. Which is why their work is such a breath of fresh air in a world full of reboots, sequels, and requels.
Reflection in a Dead Diamond can accomplish so much while not focusing on over-explanations or exposition-heavy dialogue. You become trapped in a world where it is hard to decipher dreams from reality. In many ways, you experience the same sort of struggle the main character has as he tries to battle his cognitive decline. The couple has always been one for visuals over dialogue, and it really pays off in their newest feature.
Reflection in a Dead Diamond had its Texas premiere at Fantastic Fest 2025 on 19 September
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