First look at Slow Horses star Olivia Cooke in new British thriller with "brilliant twists"

The first images have been released of upcoming British thriller A Talent for Murder ahead of its premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. Starring Slow Horses' Olivia Cooke, the film was adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith from her 2014 play Switzerland.

Helen Mirren leads the cast as legendary author Patricia Highsmith who penned Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley. Oppenheimer's Alden Ehrenreich stars opposite as Edward Ridgeway, a New York publisher who tires to persuade Highsmith to write a final instalment of her Tom Ripley series.

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The film's synospsis (via TIFF) reads: "It is 1995, and American author Highsmith (Mirren), now in her seventies and in poor health, has retired to the Swiss Alps, where she largely confines herself to her study, surrounded by her books, her cats, and her collection of antique weapons.

"Enter Edward Ridgeway (Ehrenreich), emissary for a New York publisher sent to persuade Highsmith to craft one last instalment in her bestselling series of mysteries featuring the murderous antihero, Tom Ripley. Irritated by this youthful, overly eager visitor, Highsmith refuses the offer — unless, that is, Ridgeway can dream up the perfect murder along with her,"

Author Highsmith is described as "charismatic and problematic — and as wickedly manipulative as her most celebrated character."

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Oscar winner Mirren is said to "embody the formidable scribe with seductive wit, while Ehrenreich infuses Ridgeway with enough duplicity to keep us unsure of his motives."

TIFF adds that "with its brilliant twists and trenchant dialogue, A Talent for Murder is a deeply intriguing foray into the realm where history and myth become deliciously entangled."

A Talent for Murder hits US cinemas on 23 October 2026. A UK release date is yet to be announced.

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Stephanie is a freelance news writer, who previously covered WWE and AEW for Digital Spy.

After graduating with a degree in history from Queen Mary University, London, she studied journalism at Birkbeck University.

Outside of her work at Digital Spy, she writes about pop culture, with a special focus towards Irish media and how it intersects with politics.