Movie Review: Glass Onion – A Knives Out Mystery
Glass Onion is the sequel to Knives Out from writer-director Rian Johnson, an ensemble murder mystery in the style of Clue. Set at an old mansion, belonging to a petty, dysfunctional and money-grabbing family trying to divvy up their esteemed father’s fortune, the sequel sets sail for a Greek island owned by an eccentric tycoon in the shadow of Elon Musk. It’s there that the handpicked crew discover why they’ve been summoned.
In both instances, the famous detective Benoit Blanc finds himself amid a cesspool of suspects, trying to root out the would-be murderer and the elusive truth. In keeping with the stellar ensemble of the first Knives Out mystery, the series engages the star power of Kate Hudson, Edward Norton and Dave Bautista with an array of fun cameos. Now a series with Daniel Craig as its lynchpin, it mirrors some of what Kenneth Branagh has been trying to achieve with a Poirot renaissance.
What the cast lacks in calibre, the sequel makes up for with colour, leaning into its Beatles reference title with flamboyance. While no one breaks into song, Glass Onion’s retro chic gives it a playful air, poking fun at the genre with a wink-wink sensibility. While Blanc’s tweed jacket and take charge attitude was more Sherlock Holmes with a cigar in Knives out, the character has undergone a reinvention to make him more style-conscious and observational in nature.
“…it looked bigger in the picture.”
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery has enough twists-and-turns to keep you guessing, doffing the cap once again to Murder She Wrote and Angela Lansbury. Much like the puzzle box invitations that arrive in the mail for each guest, this sequel is all about fun and games. Offering some self-reflective and timely dialogue to poke fun at the thin veiled illusions of celebrity, wealth and power, it ambles along with a spring in its step.
Tending toward style over substance, Glass Onion offers upbeat escapist fun over the suspenseful whodunnit dark comedy charm of Knives Out. Embracing its holiday spirit, this bubbly movie remains entertaining, ramping up to a cataclysmic finale that almost makes up for the superficial handling. While Blanc’s character has been remodeled and the sequel’s magpie affinity keeps things colourful and shiny, there’s still enough light-hearted fun, cast chemistry and entertainment value to power home.
The bottom line: Jaunty
