The film that was supposed to save cinema from the global shutdown brought on by the pandemic had maybe a bit too much responsibility forced upon it. Seen outside of that solemn duty (and the self-importance of its director), TENET can, and should, be judged as most Christopher Nolan films are – on its merits as a complex, inventive, big-budget mindgame. Nolan’s pathological desire to upend the structure of the sci-fi thriller sometimes gets the better of him but the setpieces and narrative acrobatics of this film – not to mention the stellar special effects – are undeniably exciting. Armed with only one word – Tenet – and fighting for the survival of the entire world, the Protagonist (Washington) journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time.

Presented as God (and Chris Nolan) intended – on 35mm film.