Film Review: ‘Sharper’: A Taut and Clever Psychological Crime Thriller

Michael Clark
Updated:

According to the 1737 British “Dictionary of Thieving Slang,” a sharper is defined as “a cheat—one who lives by his wits.” This quote is used as the opening title card in first-time feature director Benjamin Caron’s air-tight psychological thriller which teases and challenges the audience for the duration.

Eschewing the traditional three-act format, writers Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka instead divide the screenplay into five chapters, named after four of the five principals, with one of them (sort of) getting double-billing and all receiving multiple coverage.

Out-of-Sequence Narrative

The first fifth of the story (which is second chronologically) is played out with relative simplicity. Tom (Justin Smith, “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”) is a failed writer who owns a money-losing Manhattan used bookstore. His uneventful life gets a welcomed jolt when the beyond-cute NYU grad student Sandra (Briana Middleton, “The Tender Bar”) walks through the front door.
Sandra (Briana Middleton) and Tom (Justin Smith), in "Sharper." (Apple TV)
Sandra (Briana Middleton) and Tom (Justin Smith), in "Sharper." Apple TV

During some getting-to-know-you chit-chat, Sandra tells Tom her favorite novel is “Jane Eyre,” and he shows her a signed first edition of the same. Their mutual attraction is instant and intense but gets tested when her unnamed and unseen, but quite vocal, brother comes around begging for money to pay off $350,000 in drug debts. Without blinking an eye, Tom tells her he’ll take care of it.

The second chapter (first chronologically) spotlights Max (Sebastian Stan, “I, Tonya”), a seasoned, cold-as-ice con man who rescues a down-on-her-luck parolee by cunningly bribing her exacting parole officer. Max doesn’t do this because he’s a nice guy or expecting romantic favors as thanks, but rather because he sees potential in the parolee who he begins tutoring in the ways of the grift.

In chapter three, Max arrives at a party being hosted by widowed billionaire Richard (John Lithgow) who has fallen hard for Max’s mother Madeline (Julianne Moore). A drunk and/or high Max lashes out at Madeline, insinuating her wanting skills at parenting are why he’s such a train wreck. She implores him to temporarily live with her and the accommodating Richard until he can get back on his feet. This arrangement doesn’t last long.

If the four previous paragraphs delving into the plot seem fuzzy and/or incomplete, that’s because they are—by design. “Sharper” is the type of movie where knowing too many details going in will thoroughly ruin the viewing experience. Credit and kudos to the distributor (Apple TV+) and studio (A24) for releasing a trailer that also gives next to nothing away and includes no spoilers.

At times resembling “The Sting” (1973), “The Grifters” (1990), “Six Degrees of Separation” (1993), “Pulp Fiction” (1994), “The Usual Suspects” (1995), “Memento” (2000), and “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001), “Sharper” is steeped in mental sleight-of-hand and the art of the double-cross.

There are two clear victims here, two obvious predators, one nebulous wild-card, and other peripheral characters that all factor into the bigger picture. The trouble with this (and it’s a good problem to have from a viewer’s perspective) is trying to put it all together before it plays out on the screen. Bully for you if you can predict the ending in advance.

(L–R) Max’s mother Madeline (Julianne Moore), billionaire Richard (John Lithgow), and Max (Sebastian Stan), in "Sharper." (Apple TV)
(L–R) Max’s mother Madeline (Julianne Moore), billionaire Richard (John Lithgow), and Max (Sebastian Stan), in "Sharper." Apple TV

What’s also pleasing and welcomed: The Internet and social media do not figure into the story at all, even though the story is set in the present day. Far too many thrillers released over the last decade or so tend to include connections to modern communications which, in the long run, will date them.

The bare bones themes of “Sharper” are timeless and are as old and familiar as humanity itself. It could be adapted into a 16th-century Shakespearean-type play or a 1950s Hitchcock film.

Music as Characters

The (apropos) droning, electronic-heavy score composed by Clint Mansell is on the mark and several previously released source songs rise to the foreground.

Adding considerable narrative punctuation, the songs also serve as de facto cameo performers. Among them are “Slippery People” by Talking Heads, Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry,” Nina Simone’s “Nobody Wants You When You’re Down and Out,” and David Bowie’s “Right” as performed by Khruangbin.

A veteran of high-end, episodic TV (“Wallander,” “The Crown,” “Andor”) and winner of Golden Globe, Emmy, and BAFTA awards, Caron (whose wife Jodie is a co-producer here) makes the most of his feature debut while delivering a fat-free, streamlined, and enthralling crime thriller that all but begs for repeat viewings.

Presented in English with infrequent subtitled Italian.
Director Benjamin Caron’s air-tight psychological thriller "Sharper." (Apple TV)
Director Benjamin Caron’s air-tight psychological thriller "Sharper." Apple TV
‘Sharper’ Director: Benjamin Caron Stars: Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Briana Middleton, Justin Smith, John Lithgow Running Time: 1 hour, 57 minutes MPAA Rating: R Release Date: Feb. 10, 2023 Rating: 5 out of 5
Michael Clark
Michael Clark
Author
Originally from the nation's capital, Michael Clark has provided film content to over 30 print and online media outlets. He co-founded the Atlanta Film Critics Circle in 2017 and is a weekly contributor to the Shannon Burke Show on FloridaManRadio.com. Since 1995, Clark has written over 5,000 movie reviews and film-related articles. He favors dark comedy, thrillers, and documentaries.
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