I watched Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and I really liked it! 4.5/5
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Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is a 2022 American mystery film written and directed by Rian Johnson. It is the sequel to the 2019 film Knives Out and stars Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista.
In the film, renowned detective Benoit Blanc (Craig) travels to Greece to investigate the murder of a billionaire tech entrepreneur (Norton). The film features a diverse cast of suspects, all with their own motives for murder. Glass Onion is a well-made film with a clever plot, excellent performances, and stunning visuals. Johnson has crafted a mystery that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
One of the things I liked most about the film is the way it subverts expectations. Johnson sets up a classic mystery trope with a group of suspects gathered in a remote location, but then he throws a curveball at the audience by introducing a new element to the story that changes everything. This keeps the audience guessing until the very end. For example, in one scene, Blanc is investigating the murder scene and he finds a secret room. Inside the room, he finds a box containing a number of items, including a gun, a knife, and a vial of poison. Blanc is initially confused, but he eventually realizes that the items in the box are not evidence of the murder. Instead, they are clues to a different mystery that the billionaire was investigating.
This reveal is unexpected and it forces the audience to rethink everything they know about the case. It also shows that Johnson is not afraid to play with the conventions of the mystery genre. Another thing I liked about the film is the way it deals with themes of class and privilege. The suspects in Glass Onion are all wealthy and powerful people, and they all have something to hide. Johnson uses the film to explore the ways in which wealth and privilege can corrupt people and lead them to do terrible things.
For example, one of the suspects is a politician who is willing to do anything to win an election. Another suspect is a tech billionaire who is so obsessed with his own success that he is willing to sacrifice anyone who gets in his way. Johnson does not shy away from showing the dark side of wealth and privilege. He also does not offer any easy answers. In the end, it is up to the audience to decide what they think about the characters in the film and the world they live in.
The performances in the film are also excellent. Craig is once again superb as Benoit Blanc. He is able to capture the character’s intelligence, wit, and charm. The supporting cast is also excellent, with Norton, Monáe, Hahn, Odom Jr., Henwick, Cline, Hudson, and Bautista all giving memorable performances. Norton is particularly good as the billionaire tech entrepreneur. He is able to convey the character’s arrogance, intelligence, and vulnerability. Monáe is also excellent as the billionaire’s assistant. She is able to show the character’s strength, determination, and intelligence.
Finally, the visuals in the film are stunning. Johnson and cinematographer Steve Yedlin have created a beautiful and atmospheric film. The Greek setting is used to great effect, and the film is full of visually stunning shots. For example, in one scene, Blanc is investigating the murder scene on a yacht. The yacht is surrounded by crystal-clear water, and the sun is setting in the background. The shot is incredibly beautiful, and it helps to create a sense of mystery and suspense.
Overall, Glass Onion is a well-made and enjoyable film. It is a must-see for fans of mystery films and fans of the first Knives Out film.
I highly recommend Glass Onion to anyone looking for a fun and intelligent mystery film.