'Gemini' a shallow, unsatisfying Hollywood murder mystery

“Gemini” — ★ ½

Starring: Lola Kirke, Zoë Kravitz, John Cho

Directed by: Aaron Katz

Other: A Neon release. Rated R for language and violence. 93 minutes

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There are enough suspects in the first seven minutes of “Gemini” to provide for at least a couple of murder mysteries. The title sequence has barely faded from the screen of this Hollywood-set thriller before several people have declared their willingness to murder someone: the same someone who, naturally, winds up bleeding from five bullet holes not long thereafter.

But the real problem isn't an overabundance of potential killers. Rather, it's the fact that the film, from writer-director Aaron Katz, does so little to make you care about the crime, or its victim, that the whole thing feels like an academic exercise.

This wryly self-aware meta-mystery — which features only the fishiest of red herrings — centers on a diligent personal assistant (Lola Kirke) and the flighty starlet for whom she works (Zoë Kravitz). Add John Cho into the mix as a detective straight out of a 1940s film noir, and you have a cast that punches way below its weight class.

I'll say one thing for “Gemini”: You may have to see it twice. No, it's not that good, but the inevitable twist is so unsatisfying that you may convince yourself you've missed something.