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Netflix this holiday weekend invited you inside the Glass Onion, for a second murder mystery in the Knives Out film franchise. Did this one have a “Halle Berry!”-like kick that the original did not?
Once again written and directed by Rian Johnson, Glass Onion opened with a bit more set-up than Knives Out, chronicling for us as it did how tech bro Miles Bron (played by Edward Norton) invited several friends to a murder mystery weekend at his titular retreat in Greece, by way of elaborate puzzle boxes that needed to be solved (…or smashed) to reveal the actual invitation.
The intended invitees were a group of friends who back in the day — ahead of anyone’s professional successes (including Miles’ founding of Alpha Industries) — would gather at a dive bar called The Glass Onion: Claire Debella (played by Kathryn Hahn), now a governor running for senator; Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr.), the chief scientist at Alpha; Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson), a model/influencer sullied by assorted PR scandals, who brought her assistant Peg (Jessica Henwick); Duke Cody (Dave Bautista), a men’s rights activist looking for his big break on Twitch, who came with girlfriend/wannabe influencer Whiskey (Madelyn Cline); and first and foremost, Andi Brand (Janelle Monáe), who months prior had (unsuccessfully) sued to claim her piece of the Alpha pie.
Also RSVPing for the getaway — though not an intended recipient of a puzzle box, leading to great confusion from Miles — was Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), master detective.
Once everyone assembled at the private isle, Miles teed up the murder mystery which his imminent “death” would trigger — though Benoit Blanc was very quick to solve it right then and there, in front of everyone else (and greatly irking the party host!). Soon after, however, someone did actually keel over: Duke, poisoned by a drink that was seemingly meant for Miles. And not long after that, with the guests already on edge/rife with suspicion, Andi was shot dead by an unseen assailant, in the midst of a private tete-a-tete with Benoit Blanc.
But things were not at all what they seemed.
The film’s second act was comprised of an extended flashback which revealed that Andi Brand in fact had been murdered days prior to the trip, at her home. Suspecting foul play, her twin sister Helen sought out and beseeched Benoit Blanc to show up at Miles’ island and suss out the culprit. Helen in turn was tasked with posing as Andi, changing her hair and composure and studying her twin’s handy journal. (Along the way, we briefly met Hugh Grant playing Benoit’s partner.)
Twist No. 2: Helen was not killed by the bullet outside the Glass Onion; instead, the aforementioned journal saved her life — though Benoit was quick to have her play dead (with the help of some splashes of Jeremy Renner-branded hot sauce). Helen then slipped away to rifle through everyone’s rooms until she found the red envelope that had been stolen from her dead sister and confirmed that Alpha was in fact Andi‘s brainchild.
We won’t detail what all happened after that, though I’d argue the conclusion was a bit less elegant that Knives Out‘s own whodunnit wrap-up; it offered a bit less clever mystery-solving, and a lot more pyrotechnics. In the end, however, justice was served, in a very different way.
What did you think of Glass Onion, and how it compared to the original Knives Out mystery/solving?
I’ve heard about the great reviews of the new movie too but as long as I have to pay over $15/month to get full hd, I’m not interested in going back to Netflix.
Honestly just get the $10 plan. It works fine for us
First one was better. I think the setting was better and the story made more sense. The new one felt forced at times and while the ending thing looked cool it was pretty ridiculous.
Thank you. I also thought the ending was ridiculous. I didn’t love the first one, but this one was just stupid.
I could not past the 20 minutes mark, some of the acting was so over the top that I gave up.
Every character was a cliché! I keep reading all these raves and wondering what movie they got to see!
I was looking forward so much to another Knives Out episode and was very disappointed. The only thing that kept me watching was the wonderful performance of Daniel Craig. The story was completely OTT, the characters were unbearable, the plot was pathetic and one can only hope the creator of this mess quietly retires. Perhaps he could watch “Magpie Murders” to see how a mystery movie should be done – with solid, fully-developed characters, all around great acting, no pyrotechnics, and a well-written, very clever plot. No doubt all for a fraction of the cost to produce.
I agree with you 100 per cent. It was barely a murder mystery at all, in that there was no mystery really to speak of. It was all flash and no substance.
I really enjoyed both of these movies. The first one just slightly more. The second one was a bit slow for me in the beginning.
I really enjoyed it, it was a fun watch. I would happily watch as many Benoit Blanc mysteries as Daniel Craig is willing to make.
On the other hand, so many people have been complaining about it that I am starting to get annoyed by the movie for just existing. I don’t know why this movie in particular has brought so many people out of the woodwork to say they didn’t like it but man, people love to say it.
Agreed! Benoit Blanc is absolutely fantastic and hilarious. I am loving these movies.
Some people’s opinions are possibly clouded due to their disliking of The Last Jedi and unwillingness to see anything else that Rian Johnson is involved with, in a positive light. In other cases, some people may legitimately dislike the movie on it’s own merits. I enjoyed it very much, but to each their own.
I enjoyed both movies, but I liked Glass Onion better. Honestly, the vomiting (although hilarious) got to me in the first one.
I enjoyed the first one a bit more. The storyline was a bit more clever. The second one was an interesting watch though. It kept me entertained.
I thought the first was a better mystery but the second was more fun. Both were great, bring on more Benoit Blanc!
Really enjoyed this one, possibly a bit more than the first one. Daniel Craig is wonderful as Benoit Blanc. Hoping there will be more!
I like Glass Onion way more. It was lighter and funnier than first one and that’s how I like it. I was also impressed by the plot- Luckily no one spoiled it to me and I didn’t expect where it was going. If they make more movies I definitely watch
Benoit Blanc is a fantastic character, and you can tell Daniel Craig is having fun portraying him! I’m all in for more editions of Knives Out Mysteries! Modern day Hercule Poirot.
I didn’t hate it, but the first one was better. This was too over the top. And too long. The storytelling wasn’t as tight.
I liked Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery better than the original Knives Out. Both were excellent, but Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery was more fun.
Yus. Also, Glass Onion got +1000 points for me when Angela Lansbury appeared in a cameo.
I liked Knives Out better, but I did love the cameos in Glass Onion -especially Yo-Yo Ma and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
It was better! The twists made it even better!
I loved Glass Onion way more than Knives out but Knives out was amazing as well.
I watched Glass Onion twice in the theaters and both theater crowds were enjoying it immensely. I personally like Glass Onion a bit more than the original. Daniel Craig is having the best time playing Benoit Blanc and it shows.
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I will continue to support these gems in the theater. Hopefully Netflix has learned their lesson and will release the next one with a longer theatrical window.
I guess people who don’t like the Glass Onion think it is not mystery enough and everything is OTT and cliche. It was staged and plotted in this way On Purpose.
I liked Glass Onion a bit more, but both were excellent.
“You vainglorious bastards! ” My family and I absolutely loved it. We watched it on Xmas and were yelling out answers and red herrings during the entire movie & we were completely wrong. The cast was so talented and funny. Kate Hudson was just a gem. I am all in for the Detective Blanc series. More please!