Benoit Blanc is back, and ready to solve another “whodunit” in the comical sequel to 2019’s Knives Out written and directed by Rian Johnson. Packed with yet another star-studded cast, this sequel promises great comedy, and yet another great mystery.
It doesn’t disappoint.
Synopsis
World-famous detective Benoit Blanc heads to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery surrounding a tech billionaire and his eclectic crew of friends.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery via Netflix
This is a Spoiler Free review, and therefore we will not be going into details to respect the film-lovers who have not yet seen the movie.
Also, this is my review, and my opinions. As with all things, I recommend reading/watching/playing it yourself and being your own judge in the end, but hope my review may provide you with some initial insight and some fun reading.
Thank you! 😙
What I Loved
I’m a big fan of whodunit movies, if you couldn’t already tell. But, I was apprehensive about a sequel to 2019’s Knives Out as sequels tend to not do so well. I for one, was a huge fan of the first one. This one was a rare occurrence, in that in some ways it outdid it’s predecessor.
Benoit Blanc
This series has created a hilarious and loveable main character in the southern-born sleuth, Benoit Blanc. We get to see a little more of that humor and wit in Glass Onion. It may be a star-studded cast, but Daniel Craig‘s accent wins me over every time. I come back to the sequel not just to see another mystery. I come back to see how Benoit Blanc will tackle that mystery. How the writers have him monologue at times is simply a delight.
Multiple Threads
Multiple threads? Again?
Yes, again.
It’s no secret I love the stories that have a multitude of threads interweaving. And both Knives Out and Glass Onion, having such an expansive cast, make that inevitable.
I cannot go into really any details as far as this goes, but I will say this. The cast presented all have a very apparent common denominator. However, as the story goes on and more facts are revealed, the threads really start crossing and weaving. It’s delicious to watch. Because when you are first and introduced to these characters, it’s hard to imagine they travel in the same circles.
Misdirection
Misdirection was the biggest difference between Knives Out and Glass Onion.
In the first film, the “mystery” of the killer was revealed within the first quarter of the movie. Which consequently is one major reason it received such negative reviews by some viewers. Glass Onion however, keeps you guessing right up until the big reveal and monologue from Blanc.
Each character has plenty of motive for committing a heinous crime, and this film has so many misdirections it can be dizzying at times.
It makes it all the more enjoyable.
What I Didn’t Love
Over the Top
Unlike the first film, Glass Onion does seem to be a bit more excessive with the humor, especially one-liners. Though I didn’t hate this, it did take away from the mystery for me. Just a bit anyhow. At times it felt like a comedy with some mystery aspects and flavors, versus the other way around.
Another note on this subject, some of the acting seemed truly exaggerated. And I gather that it probably is attributed to these characters’ well, character, but there were more than one that tended to always react extremely. Lending to that unbelievable, eyes rolling a bit, reaction from me.
That being said, some of these reactions were indeed quite humorous and I laughed quite a bit. The whole movie had me smirking and laughing a great deal honestly.
Timelessness
You know how some movies are not affected by time? Whether shot over a decade or two ago or just the present year, the story and film could be set at any point. It has an air of timelessness.
Then there are films (and books) that severely date themselves by mentioning specific shows, trends or events. Meaning this story can only exist in this specific timeframe with these other elements.
Glass Onion does feature a few things, events and otherwise, that date it. And though it made it very relatable for me, years from now that may not be the case. I understand the featuring of some of these “things” may be due to when this movie was filmed. They were probably just making lemonade out of lemons. However, I hope it doesn’t negatively affect this movie in the long run.
The Falling Action
The last thing that I didn’t love, came just after the climax of the film.
As the end draws nearer, there is a series of actions taken by some that are simply excessive. One part of that series of actions, is relevant, and very necessary. And though warranted story-wise, it also felt unnecessary to the film to go as far as it did. However, I suppose that goes hand-in-hand with the rest of the “Over the Top” bits mentioned earlier.
In Conclusion
Glass Onion is a great film for those mystery lovers who enjoy a lighter tone and great misdirection. It is a fun and thrilling whodunit, that does extreme justice to it’s predecessor in my opinion. There may be a couple of drawbacks in my opinion, but as a whole this film is solid. I would highly recommend giving it a watch.
If you’re not able to see it in theaters it will be coming to Netflix on December 23rd, 2022.
It will be an instant buy for me, that’s for sure.
I gave Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Until Next Time,
For More Reading:
My curiousity is definitely peaked. I will add both to my watch list. 😊
You definitely should! I’d be super intrigued on your view and opinion on them ☺️