Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is in theaters at the time of writing. On Netflix, December 23. Rated PG-13. Common Sense says 13.
STORY: A
Benoit Blanc is on the case again. Not the same one, of course. This time he’s snooping around the sun drenched, gorgeous Greek Isles instead of the dreary gloom of the Northeast. The film’s tone reflects the change in geography. It’s a much lighter, breezier jaunt. Knives Out is a fun mystery to solve, and while Glass Onion is as well, it’s also a much more fun story. It’s just as expertly crafted as the original - its story is even more complex, and the film’s first ten minutes is a masterclass in exposition.
PEOPLE: A
Daniel Craig cranks the charm-ometer to Idris Elba levels. Blanc is as dogged as ever, but much funnier this go-round. He’s surrounded by yet another stellar group of actors. Ed Norton (Fight Club) plays a pompous billionaire. Kate Hudson (Almost Famous) plays a free spirited business woman. David Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy) plays a bonehead influencer. Kathryn Hahn (Wandavision) plays a persistent politician. Leslie Odom Jr. (original Hamilton cast) plays a cutting edge scientist. And Janelle Monae (Hidden Figures) plays someone’s mysterious ex.
One of these actors plays two different characters. The two roles aren’t wildly different, so they require pitch perfect subtlety. It’s a booming piece of talented acting. The two roles are also vital to the story’s execution (if I said, “No pun intended,” my pants would need to call the fire department).
Several flawless cameos pop up in the least expected places. I can’t imagine a more eclectic and interesting group to play “Among Us” with during the dark days of the pandemic.
FILM GEEK STUFF: A-
On set, director Rian Johnson opts to begin every day’s shoot by setting up the actors’ blocking. His detailed arranging of actors and precise positioning pays off in Glass Onion. As in many murder mystery movies, we often see replays of earlier scenes later on in the film from a different perspective. The second watch will typically reveal a new piece of information. Perhaps a person we didn’t see before was behind the wall and overheard what we thought was a private conversation. Maybe seeing the action from another angle completely changes what we believe happened. Because of Johnson’s impeccable placement in every before and after scene, every tiny twist that follows feels natural and convincing. It’s one of many reasons we gladly go along for the ride with this over-the-top script.
SATIRE (Elective Class): A-
After a concert, there’s a lot to discuss on the ride home. There’s the headliner’s opening song. The headliner’s closing song. The encores. The light show. The t-shirts at the merch tent. The weirdos in the crowd. The cuties in the crowd. The friends you couldn’t find in the crowd - hey, did they have better seats than us? So many things. Post-concert discussions don’t have a defined order, but all of the above mentioned items usually get discussed long before any talk of the opening band begins.
So far, the satire in both Knives Out movies works the same way a great opening band should. No one buys their Glass Onion ticket to see the satire. It’s far from the main attraction. But it does play a vital part in helping to create an amazing evening while never overshadowing any of the reasons you bought a ticket in the first place. It amplifies the show’s awesomeness. When you and your friends talk about the movie (something you will definitely want to do), you will likely, eventually, briefly chat about the way it focuses a critical lens on the dangerous idea that tech billionaires know what’s best for us. But like the opening band it’ll be, like, the twelfth thing you talk about. At least.
FINAL COMMENTS:
The film’s title clearly indicates Mr. Blanc will be grappling with and peeling away many layers in order to solve this foul mystery. It’s a thrilling and funny watch that will entertain everyone. Rian Johnson has solved the most difficult mystery of all - how to make a better film than Knives Out.