A few years ago, there was a horror comedy based on women’s hair called Bad Hair. As in the hair was the killer in this film. I had no idea anybody could do such a thing. The latest film centered around women’s hair is called Medusa Deluxe. It’s from the BFI and A24, and they usually invest in good things. The story and most of the actors are entirely new, but there are things about this movie we’ve seen before.

This film is a murder mystery that is set at a local hairdresser’s competition. The film starts with a group of hairdressers, Cleve (Clare Perkins, getting prepared for the competition in question. There is a lot of conversation amongst the women involving the murder that has already transpired. Once the conversation is finished, her muse Angie (Lillet Lesser) takes a break and leaves. The camera follows her and continues to leave and follow other characters throughout the film.

This film is inspired by many other murder mysteries. Films and television shows have been doing this type of thing for a long time. Films like Birdman and 1917 have gotten a lot of acclaim for doing a one-take situation. This one does just as well on a much smaller budget. The cinematography by Robbie Ryan is pretty impressive, and all the camera work is first-rate. That whole one-take situation is the main trick in this film, but the clues about the murder are strewn throughout the movie. 

Thomas Hardiman is the writer/director of this film, and it’s his first feature film. He has created something very fascinating regarding this world of hairdressing. It wouldn’t be my first choice of film to see,  but the concept made me very interested in it.  There is so much going on with this film regarding the story and all its characters, of which there are many of them in this film.

The cast is very big, and there are plenty of hairdressers, security guards, and loved ones of the deceased. The guy who runs the show is Rene (Darrell DeSilva) and even a cute baby named Pablo. All the various characters have their motivations for the job that they do regarding being a hairdresser. Jealousy seeps in in some instances. When it comes to the hairdressing competition, people get very cutthroat and merciless. They want to win very badly.

There are subplots in the story that help the viewer start to see the backstories of some of the characters. Some involve drugs and others just plain love. These men and women are connected by more than just a regional hairdressing competition. This is their livelihood, and for some, that makes a huge difference. These women don’t necessarily make a lot of money in the neighborhoods they live in England, so winning this hairdressing competition could mean a lot to them.

Medusa Deluxe is a very niche dramady for a niche audience. Even though there are millions of women in the world, this movie may catch the eye of more than just women. The hair competition setting and murder mystery are good elements that make it work watching, but the main thing that had me invested in the film from the very beginning was the one take aspect. The hair and makeup were on an Academy Award worthy level, and Clare Perkins almost steals the film with her few scenes she’s in.  Add in great cinematography by Robbie Ryand and strange but interesting music from Koreless, and this is another win for A24.

3 ½ stars

Dan Skip Allen