Glass onion lives up to Knives out. PHOTO CREDIT: film-authority.com
Being a huge fan of the original “Knives Out” film, I was highly anticipating the release of “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” and the film certainly lived up to the expectations set by its predecessor.
However, before getting into further details, it is important to mention that this is not a sequel to the first, but “A Knives Out” story loosely connected by the reprise of Daniel Craig’s character.
The film tells the story of a group of wealthy upper-class socialites who reunite at a friend’s private island to partake in a strategic game that goes wrong.
The storyline is extremely well constructed and unfolds slowly with flashbacks to reveal new parts of the mystery that were originally left out. This sequencing allows the viewer to play along and attempt to reveal the mystery as the film progresses.
The mystery is backed on the grounds of science and critical thinking that requires both the characters and the viewer to pay close attention as to not miss any details. Watching the film a second time is just as rewarding, as you are able to catch all of the little meticulously placed details missed the first go-around.
One of the greatest downfalls of a film can often be the struggle to develop characters in a short amount of time, however, I believe this is one of the biggest successes of this film.
The cast is stacked with familiar names, headlined by Daniel Craig, who plays Detective Benoit Blanc for the second time. He plays the game in a meticulous manner with a captivating calmness that builds up to the big reveal at the end of the film. Craig walks the line between a charming southerner and a cunning detective, which is extremely appealing to the audience.
Edward Norton takes place as the film’s antagonist who attempts a friendly likable personality, but it is evident something is off from the get-go. His setup is too perfect, too calculated and too idealistic, leading the viewer to engage in immediate skepticism. When his character’s secrets are revealed as villainous, his performance is extremely well done. You always know the actor did their job well when you cannot stand the character by the end.
Kate Hudson was nothing short of phenomenal as an ignorant, flirty low-listed celebrity with an astonishing wardrobe.
Other notable performances include Janelle Monae playing twin sisters with an extreme sense of wit and intelligence, Dave Bautista who played the line between love and anger perfectly, Leslie Odom Jr. as a tech wiz and Kathryn Hahn as a relentlessly ignorant politician.
The film is very visually successful and the attempt to capture gaudy Hollywood grandeur is done well. The island is set in Greece, with stunning scenery and the glass onion itself is a sight to behold before and after it bursts into flames.
The film is an all-around notable thriller with hints of comedy, absurdity and a ‘eat the rich’ undertone that will leave viewers thinking.