Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

There's nothing quite like a good murder mystery, and with the first Knives Out, Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig put their names on the map, showcasing a twisting, entertaining crime who-dun-it that left audiences wanting more. 

Cue to: more. With a Netflix-purchased (for a massive sum) sequel, set during the height of the pandemic, we've got Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. 

In terms of writing who-dun-it novels, the biggest test is always if you can re-create or improve upon your best work. It's why authors like Agatha Christie were so good and it's why the Gillian Flynn has never quite been able to recreate her Gone Girl powerhouse (though many of her other books are still good, TBF). 

With an immediate sequel to the success of and original IP like Knives Out, writer and director Rian Johnson did have a hefty weight on his shoulders. Murder mysteries are not easy to craft, much less ones that are entertaining and fun. 

With Glass Onion, I can confidently say that Johnson and star Daniel Craig have something really special going, that should continue past this film. Not only is Glass Onion a better film than its predecessor, but it also proves the first one wasn't a fluke, dialing up almost all the aspects I loved about the first while reducing the bits I didn't. 

As much as I enjoyed Knives Out, I look back on it as a one-(or two)-time view that was entertaining, sometimes funny, and featured too many characters, many of which didn't add much to the film. Glass Onion feels like a much more focused film, with appropriate attention given to our entire (phenomenal) cast and a more infectious spirit of silliness that it leans harder into this time around. I also enjoyed the mystery more, which is saying something because that was one of the strengths of the first film and overall I just find this to be a more refined sequel in a lot of really fun ways. 

A last supper of sorts?

For starters, our cast is tremendous and you can tell they're having a blast playing these characters. Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., and Jessica Henwick all live within their characters in larger-than-life ways without ever being too goofy. Janelle Monae, per usual, is fantastic and the true MVP outside of Craig, with a complex storyline that unfolds alongside the mystery. And then of course we have Daniel Craig who has created such a likeable character in Benoit Blanc that I'd watch 5 more of these films. He's clearly having the most fun and his southern drawl, avoidance of cussing, and down-South sayings are hilarious. Blanc feels like a more confidently written character this time around, like a Season 2 of a hit-TV-comedy that knows what the best parts of the character are by now while Season 1 was a "discovery" period. In fact, that's a good comparison for Glass Onion as a whole. 

Initially, I was worried about the locale being too constricting and feeling like a "single-location" movie that I generally don't enjoy, but the remote island is big enough to keep things active and introduce some good action. Along with some strong cinematography and a fitting (though, could be better) original score, we arrive at an exciting ending that is a decent surprise, and very satisfying. There's also something about Craig's Blanc that I appreciate when compared to Kenneth Branagh's Poirot is that he doesn't accuse everyone before finally landing on the right killer. He keeps his cards close to his chest until the time is right, which adds to the satisfaction of the results. 

"I do say, I'm having a wonderful time despite this Bond scowl"

Glass Onion proves that there's something special here with Craig and Johnson. Given that it'll be premiering on Netflix in December, it should be a massive hit and I'd even be willing to bet it makes good money this weekend in a short theater stint. I had a blast with it, it has a rewatchable factor that many who-dun-its don't have, and outside of Bond, this is my favorite Craig character, easily. That's a whole lot to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving review!

CONS

• Original score is playful, but could have been better
• Some questionable special effects
• Loses some re-watchability once you know what happens
• Single-ish setting can sap energy at times

PROS

• Loved the mystery and it kept me consistently guessing the entire time. Well-earned finale too
• Fantastic and fun cast that's having just as much fun as the audience
• Monae is a standout
• Craig's Blanc is the new and improved (and funnier) Hercule Poirot
• Tighter cast keeps the energy better and this film always feels excited to keep moving from one scene to the next
• Good writing and direction (and pacing, etc.) from Johnson
• Funnier than the first, leans into its silliness a bit more without going overboard
• Highly entertaining both with its energy, humor, and mystery. A great trifecta!

Rath's Review Score | 8.5/10