Knives out was an absolute hit when it released in 2019 thanks to its star-studded ensemble and fun, unique script by Rian Johnson. A sequel was inevitable, and even if Glass onion: a tale at loggerheads is heading to Netflix instead of theaters, it has dramatically increased the scale of the mystery, to mixed effect.
The film follows Benoit Blanc as he embarks on another murder mystery, this time taking him to Greece on the private island of a wealthy tech mogul. What exactly is this mystery? As is the case with the first movie, it’s important to experience and enjoy this as chilled and spoiler-free as possible.
With this film and its dramatically larger budget, Johnson is constantly trying to raise the bar. And while many of his ambitious swings pay off quite well, Glass Onion one often has the impression that it was made by someone to whom one has never said no. This allows for an even wilder and more twisty mystery, but it also contributes to some gags that just plain fail.
As Knives out, the humor of this film feeds on the absurdity of its characters. The pieces are there to make this ragtag group of wealthy jerks just as hilarious as the Drysdale family, but Johsnon’s screenplay doesn’t expand on them enough to be effective. Figures like conservative Twitch streamer Dave Bautista or controversial popstar Kate Hudson show a lot of potential but don’t engage to their full extent.
Also Read: Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Releases Seductive First Trailer Showcasing Its Stellar Cast Ahead of Netflix Premiere
It’s obviously nice to see Craig back in his role as the famous Southern detective, and again, he chews up the scenery. It’s the kind of performance that Craig had fun doing. However, his character has very little arc this time around, and it’s frustrating to see that the growth he had in this film was essentially the same as he did in the last one.
The rest of the set is filled with talented actors like Leslie Odom Jr., Kathryn Hahn, Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, and Ethan Hawke, but all of them feel hugely underutilized. The only two supporting cast actors who are particularly memorable in their roles are Janelle Monáe and Edward Norton.
The film definitely has a much larger budget than the previous one, transforming the former’s New England mansion into a quaint Greek villa in this one. Johnson does an exceptional job of taking advantage of the natural beauty of the setting to create something seductive and sexy, but also deadly at the same time.
Glass onion: a mystery at loggerheads may not be as strong as the first outing, but Rian Johsnon continues to deliver movies that are as enjoyable as hell. Audiences are absolutely going to eat this, although it’s a shame it’s coming out on Netflix because it means most viewers won’t get to see it on the big screen with cheering crowds – that’s the way it is this movie is the best. experimented.
Glass onion: a mystery at loggerheads screened at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, which runs September 8-18.
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