Detroit Review - Typically Taut Bigelow Thriller

Armed with a naturally Grinch-y face and a deliciously vile character, Will Poulter is easily the standout in Katheryn Bigelow's latest fact-based, libel-dodging masterclass in excruciating tension. Despite a hefty run time which sees the context surrounding the 1967 riots, a group of black men and white women harassed by the police one nightmarish night and the aftermath, Detroit is always tight as a drum. Bigelow never gives a moment's respite for the audience as soon as an unusual and potentially misjudged title sequence which seems incongruous to the rest of the film.

Whilst John Boyega delivers a sensitive performance (playing a discomforted security guard acting as a reluctant passenger to the police brutality) amongst a crowd of talented actors, it is Poulter who dominates the film, covering and justifying his racist actions at every turn no matter what the cost to civil liberty. In between violent outbursts and threatening gestures, Poulter gives the - thankfully - fictional policeman expressions showing the inner weakness and fear as he realises the consequences of his crimes. Even when he smiles he unsettles. After The Revenant and this, he's definitely putting himself in a good position to grab some exceptional offers.

FOUR STARS. It was ballsy for her to release an awards film in August, and a shame it has lost money.