‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ Movie Review

Daniel Craig is back in the role of Benoit Blanc in the follow-up to 2019’s Knives Out, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. And this time around, it’s every bit as entertaining as the last. And it’s all thanks to the brilliance that Rian Johnson brings to the flick as he writes and directs here once again. 

It’s a new adventure with only one familiar face, Blanc (Daniel Craig). And this time around, he finds himself in Greece on a lavish private island with an exotic estate. A group of vastly different friends, who proudly label themselves as disruptors, have all gathered at the island at the invitation of billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) for their yearly reunion. This year, Bron wants to stage his own murder. And it’s up to his friends to solve the case. Of course, it’s all just a game, or at least it’s supposed to be.

Among those on the guest list are Miles’ former business partner Andi Brand, current Connecticut governor Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn), cutting-edge scientist Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr.), fashion designer and former model Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson) and her conscientious assistant Peg (Jessica Henwick), and influencer Duke Cody (Dave Bautista) and his sidekick girlfriend Whiskey (Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline).

Each character harbors their own secrets, lies, and motivation for why they’d want to commit murder. And when someone actually turns up dead, despite the fact the weekend was supposed to be a game, everyone is a suspect.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Movie Trailer

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Movie Review: What I Did and Didn’t Like

While this time of year can typically bring a slew of depressing dramas, all making their bids at an Oscar nomination, it’s a breath of fresh air to watch a smart comedy like Glass Onion. With its 2-hour and 19-minute run time, this whodunit isn’t predictable, like this year’s other films in the genre.

If you enjoyed the original Knives Out, it’s a safe bet you’ll love this one as well. It’s equally as good as its predecessor, yet it also brings something new and creative to the table. The audience gets to see everything going down in real-time as Benoit tries to fit the puzzle pieces together, which inevitably leads the audience to make incorrect assumptions about who is to blame.

And I have to say, for me at least, it feels damn good to be wrong about where a movie like this is headed. While the film isn’t wildly original, it is creative enough that movie-goers will be impressed. 

The cast all give strong performances in this one. But it’s Janelle Monáe that stands out against this all-star lineup. Her portrayal of the group’s outcast, who appears to be the only one with any clue as to what’s going on, is captivating and keeps everyone guessing until the very end. 

Overall

Doubling down on the comedy, Glass Onion offers an entertaining ride that relishes in the takedown of the rich and privileged. It’s an exceptionally fun film that is enjoyable from its beginning to its satisfying end.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Movie Review

Grade: B+

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery arrives in theaters on November 23 and debuts on Netflix on December 23.