Glass Onion:
A Knives Out Mystery
review by Bobby Blakey
In 2019 writer/director Ryan Johnson introduced the world to detective Benoit Blanc played to perfection by Daniel Craig in the murder mystery film Knives Out. Now the duo is back for an all-new mystery to solve with Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery starring Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, with Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista. Will this latest case be one worth traveling too or will it not be worth pulling the layers away to solve?
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery follows eccentric billionaire, Miles Bron who invites his old posse of pals to a murder-mystery getaway (during Covid, no less) on his secluded Greek isle, where they’ll be tasked with solving his “murder.” The game, however, takes an unexpected turn forcing famed southern detective Benoit Blanc to try and solve the mystery.
I love a good old fashioned murder mystery, but it seemed like the genre was dead for some time, but the return of the Agatha Christie features from Kenneth Branagh and Knives Out looked to bring them back to the spotlight. I was so happy to hear that Johnson was going to be bringing us more from Blanc and this latest entry is another success all around.
Whereas the first movie went pretty straight forward from the story telling aspect while bringing plenty of twists and turns, this film took a new approach with it and helped make it not only just as good, but kept it feeling fresh. The story is pretty simple out the gate as we meet everyone and get it all laid out. It doesn’t dive right into the murder like the original, but instead goes some new directions leading into the meat of it all.
The entire cast is great and look to be having a great time. Having the film take place during COVID added a relatable element as well as am interesting situation for everyone involved. Have no fear it is a small part of the movie
at the beginning and then moves on in a clever way. From that point on the film keeps its focus on the singular location of an island and all the characters on it. Each of these characters are unique and interesting to watch as you try and figure out what you think may be actually going down.
As with any good mystery the film goes in some great unexpected directions and keeps the twist and turns coming. I figured out one element to the mystery, but there were plenty others that got me and made the story all the more fun to be a part of. The cast and story are great, but it’s further enhanced by the cool locale where it is taking place. Where the original was an old castle like mansion, this one is a modern mansion with some great architectural aesthetics and almost a character all its own.
I loved this new entry to the franchise and hope that it is just the stepping stone to more to come. Daniel Craig is so fun in this role and the kind that could go on for years to come with all new mysteries every time.
Decide for yourself and get in on the case with Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in theaters now for only one week and then streaming exclusively on Netflix December 23rd.