Imagine the playfulness of Knives Out combined with the extravagance of Saltburn, and you’ll find Electra. This flamboyantly fun thriller from Hala Matar is a millennial take on The Talented Mr. Ripley, with a pop art twist. Making history as the first Arab female director from Bahrain to make a feature film, Matar uses this incredible platform to showcase her unapologetic personal style.

A Twisted Mystery Set In the Italian Countryside

Dylan (Daryl Wein) and Lucy (Abigail Cowen) eagerly anticipate their first meeting with the subject of their upcoming interview. Traveling from the U.S. to Italy, the journalists are set to meet with Milo (Jack Farthing), a once-famous, now fading musician. Milo is a charismatic character, a free-spirited rocker who makes friends with the duo quickly. Taking an immediate liking to the unassuming pair, Milo invites Dylan and Lucy to his girlfriend Francesca’s (Academy Award nominee Maria Bakalova) lavish villa in the Italian countryside. Dylan and Lucy accept his invitation and head to the hills.

Watch the Electra trailer here.

On the surface, things are going swimmingly. However, Dylan harbors a secret that threatens to blow up the couple’s rendezvous. Dylan is not a journalist, nor is Lucy. In fact, they have been using fake names this whole time. The real reason why Dylan is intent on meeting Milo is to steal a unicorn painting that hangs in Francesca’s villa. With the promise of a cash reward, Lucy agrees to go along with his plan. However, as the four individuals become more intertwined than originally intended, Dylan finds he’s running out of time to complete the heist. Soon enough, the trip spirals into a sticky web of deceit and deadly betrayals.

Stunning Sound Design Is a Technical Strength

Reading the logline of “journalists travel to the home of a famous musician and hijinks ensue”, you might think this sounds similar to the 2025 Sundance/A24 thriller Opus. On the surface, yes, these two films share a kindred storyline. However, Electra flips the script on any preconceived assumptions. Circumventing obvious tropes, it veers into lighthearted entertainment rather than a psychological thriller. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is so nonchalant that at times, it can feel overconfident. But there is no denying that Electra’s riotous and rebellious nature is the exact reason why it’s worth watching. Technically speaking, the film’s sound design and overall mix are total standouts. They are clever, funny, and inventive, which is a main reason why Electra is so fun to watch.

Making History With Her Story

Before her film debut, Hala Matar conquered the commercial and music video world. Previous campaigns include work for high-end fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Vivienne Westwood. Speaking about her sensibilities as a creative, she says, “My journey as a filmmaker is rooted in a profound passion for weaving tales that delve into the realm of dreams and contest reality. Driven by a quest to transcend the boundaries traditionally set by Middle Eastern cinema, I find myself drawn to the unconventional and the enigmatic, much like the works that hallmark the French New Wave and Italian Cinema.”

Takeaway

The best word to describe the entity of Electra is unexpected. From the storyline to the edit and sound design, every scene is a feast for the senses. To her deserved credit, Hala Matar makes the transition from short-form content to feature-length film look effortless. Electra is a promising starting point for this talented and boundary-pushing filmmaker.