The first film in this series was great. The second, not so much. Fortunately, writer/director Rian Johnson is back on track with this 3rd installment. Josh O’Connor turns in another remarkable performance as a rough-around-the-edges, but dedicated priest who’s sent to a small church. Turns out it’s run by a domineering and downright evil monsignor (Josh Brolin, who’s also great). After he’s murdered, the young priest is the prime suspect. The Southern gentlemen detective (Daniel Craig) returns to help prove his innocence and detect the real culprit. Johnson has assembled another enjoyable cast, but the only comically eccentric is Glenn Close, as the uptight church lady (characters like this were the hallmark of the first). The plot, which is sprinkled with social critique, takes a too long to unravel. There’s more introspection than flamboyance or humor and the script lacks many surprises. Even if the mystery isn’t as exciting, the film delivers on pleasing performances and snappy direction. 
(3.5 / 5)
