Tenet

Ambitious and imaginative, yet also convoluted and confusing, Christopher Nolan’s sprawling espionage epic Tenet evolves into a puzzle worth solving.

Perhaps unfairly, it carries the burden of elevated expectations, both in its timing as a de facto savior of the post-pandemic theatrical landscape, and from the sterling artistic reputation of the filmmaker himself.

As such, the film’s mix of elaborate action set pieces — including a riveting high-speed highway confrontation — with cerebral explorations of time travel and sociopolitical volatility proves consistently captivating.

An opening terrorist attack on a Moscow opera house introduces us to a CIA operative known only as The Protagonist (John David Washington). Stuck in some sort of interdimensional time warp, he’s fuzzy on his identity or loyalty to a fringe organization known as Tenet. Where, and when, is he? And who can he trust?

Suddenly thrust into a palindromic, globetrotting adventure ostensibly to stop World War III, his level-headed dexterity allows him to maneuver out of any perilous situation, whether piloting a catamaran or riding shotgun on a fire truck.

He also infiltrates a web of affluent, shadowy types who blur the line between heroes and villains. A snobby diplomat (Michael Caine) drops helpful hints, while a fellow agent (Robert Pattinson) provides logistical assistance.

He also cozies up to Kat (Elizabeth Debicki), the British wife of a Russian arms dealer (Kenneth Branagh) who appears to be the main target of the investigation. But the truth is more elusive.

Shifting between exotic locales, Tenet is technically dazzling, as you’d expect, between the seamless visual effects and the striking cinematography by frequent Nolan collaborator Hoyte Van Hoytema (Dunkirk).

There’s plenty to admire in Nolan’s twisty screenplay, too, even if the film is a relatively standard-issue spy thriller at its core — layered with residual Cold War tension and infused with narrative gimmickry and labyrinthine plot devices. Plus, there’s a deep dive into astrophysics and temporal technology to satisfy our collective inner nerd.

Amid the abundant chronological and geographic jumps, Washington (BlacKkKlansman) provides an emotional anchor as he pieces together clues. Denzel’s son again showcases his versatility by transitioning to action-hero mode, with a ruthless and calculated determination beneath his charismatic charm.

Building to a taut climax, Tenet remains a head-scratcher while the suspense simmers. Still, even if it ultimately emphasizes spectacle over substance, the film shows how cinematic time travel can be high-minded without losing its cool.

Rated PG-13, 151 minutes.