Cox is fabulously acerbic fun and, as he proved on Succession, a master swearer, while Turner-Smith is effective enough in an underwritten role. But so much of the film is derivative, and a melodramatic cancer subplot doesn’t help.

If nothing else, this solid, by-numbers political thriller serves as a star-making vehicle for British actor Jodie Turner-Smith, who is nothing short of mesmerising as dogged cub reporter Elisha James.

Insipid and unsatisfying, and completely lacks any kind of authentic insider knowledge of Machiavellian political skullduggery.

The Independent feels like being stuck in a restaurant with someone who has read too many tweets and not enough columns. Content with platitudes where insight was needed, Rice wastes a terrific cast who are worthy of something much more thoughtful.