Shudder’s Reflection In A Dead Diamond: The Old Man 007 Film We Deserve

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I’ve long hoped the James Bond franchise would explore a story about an aging 007, and Shudder’s spy thriller, Reflection in a Dead Diamond, has done it first. The Bond films have changed a lot over the years, moving from realistic Cold War adventures like From Russia With Love to over-the-top, futuristic action in movies like Moonraker.

After so many films, the James Bond series has tried almost everything, making it hard to come up with new and exciting ideas. Roger Moore was 58 during his last Bond film, A View to a Kill, but the movie didn’t address his age at all.

Sean Connery’s James Bond maintained his classic style of action and romance right up to his final film. While many Bond movies have hinted at 007’s retirement, No Time to Die gave Daniel Craig’s version a particularly final and conclusive send-off.

I’ve always believed there’s a compelling story to be told about an older James Bond – one who’s retired from MI6 but gets called back for a final, crucial mission. While the official Bond films probably won’t explore that idea anytime soon, other movies have hinted at similar concepts.

Reflection in a Dead Diamond Is The Old Man 007 Film I’ve Always Wanted To See

Reflection in a Dead Diamond is a thrilling and violent tribute to classic James Bond and Eurospy films. The movie centers on John D (Fabio Testi), a former spy who is enjoying a quiet retirement at a fancy hotel. His peaceful life is interrupted when a mysterious woman staying nearby sparks memories of his exciting past as a sophisticated secret agent.

The film Reflection in a Dead Diamond jumps between a lonely present and a glamorous, yet dangerous, past. Directors Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, known for their visually striking films that pay homage to classic genres – like their neo-Western Let the Corpses Tan – created this stylish and unconventional movie.

While Reflection in a Dead Diamond might not immediately seem like a typical Shudder horror film, its intense violence explains the choice. It definitely draws inspiration from James Bond, but it’s significantly more disturbing and takes a lot more risks with its storytelling.

The film’s title hints at how John’s memories are falling apart and his perception of reality is becoming distorted. Watching a movie featuring an ex-spy – and the actor, Fabio Testi, strongly resembles Sean Connery – who reflects on his life and questions whether he made a difference, reminded me of the James Bond series.

Reflection in a Dead Diamond Is Both A Loving Homage And Deconstruction Of The Bond Series

Yannick Renier plays the younger version of the spy, known as John D. He’s always sharply dressed and equipped with classic spy tools – a Walter PPK pistol and high-tech gadgets, including a ring that lets him see through walls. Similar to James Bond, John D is motivated by a strong sense of responsibility and seeks revenge when people he cares about are hurt.

What I appreciated about Reflection in a Dead Diamond was its willingness to portray the more troubled side of James Bond, as originally written by Ian Fleming. While he’s the protagonist, the film doesn’t shy away from showing his flaws – he’s often reckless, self-centered, and comes across as arrogant, and he can be unnecessarily harsh, particularly when questioning women.

This new spy thriller on Shudder clearly draws inspiration from James Bond, but it also takes a critical look at the Bond fantasy. While showing the exciting side of being a spy, it emphasizes how isolating the job can be. The film also explores the idea that the 007 persona is constantly changing, highlighting the lack of a consistent identity.

In the story Reflection in a Dead Diamond’s, the villain Serpentik can shed her skin and disguise herself like a snake. Interestingly, the character John D later experiences something similar – he’s replaced by a younger version of himself. This echoes a real-life parallel from the James Bond films, where Sean Connery was quickly succeeded by George Lazenby in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Overall, Reflection in a Dead Diamond playfully explores its own nature in ways I don’t want to give away – it’s a really enjoyable watch for James Bond enthusiasts. Despite some surreal moments, the film remains relatable thanks to the scenes featuring the older James Bond, who appears both thrilled and troubled by his past as a skilled and dangerous agent.

I’d Still Love To See The James Bond Franchise Try An Old Bond Story

I highly recommend ‘Reflection in a Dead Diamond’ to any James Bond fan, despite its more artistic and experimental style compared to typical Bond films. It’s definitely made me want to see a James Bond story featuring an older, more seasoned 007.

It might be challenging to attract teenage audiences with a story centered around a 70-year-old former spy, but after sixty years, the franchise can certainly experiment with a darker, standalone story. With Daniel Craig’s Bond now deceased, he won’t be returning, but Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan are still potential candidates for the role.

He still looks incredibly stylish and sophisticated. Brosnan is arguably the perfect choice to lead a new James Bond series focusing on an older 007, and a return to the role would give him a much better final film than the poorly received Die Another Day from 2002.

Amazon’s acquisition of the James Bond franchise creates exciting possibilities, and a final mission for Pierce Brosnan’s 007 seems like a good idea. However, Amazon will likely prioritize finding the next James Bond actor, making any spinoffs unlikely. The success of Reflection in a Dead Diamond demonstrates that such projects are possible, though.

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2026-01-01 02:59