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In 2019, filmmaker Rian Johnson delighted critics and audiences alike with Knives Out – a witty whodunit that puts a clever twist on some of the most well-known tropes of the genre.
The sleeper hit was rumored to receive a sequel since it hit theaters, but the wait has been longer than most expected to see Benoit Blanc‘s long-awaited return to action. Fortunately for fans, that wait is almost over.
Arriving this December, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” is the next chapter in Johnson‘s Christie-inspired mystery. Let’s take a quick look at everything that we know so far and what we can expect when Benoit Blanc returns to tackle a second unsolvable conundrum.
An All-Star Cast
Much like the first movie in the series, Glass Onion features an impressive ensemble of acting talents. Since this is more of a standalone sequel than a proper continuation of “Knives Out”, don’t expect to see anyone aside from Daniel Craig return to their roles from the previous movie.
Leading the star-studded cast is Edward Norton, who’s always a treat to see in this kind of comedy/mystery affair. Norton plays Miles Bron, a tech billionaire who owns an impressive Greek island – the backdrop to Glass Onion‘s murder mystery.
Joining Norton and Craig is Janelle Monáe, who cinema fans might remember from her roles in “Antebellum” and “Hidden Figures”. Other talents featured in Glass Onion include Kate Hudson, Ethan Hawke, and the Guardians of the Galaxy sensation, Dave Bautista.
The film also marks the final on-screen performances of renowned composer Stephen Sondheim and legendary actress/singer Angela Lansbury. There’s also a cameo performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a virtual assistant. Any way you look at it, Glass Onion just oozes with talent.
What’s the Mystery?
“Knives Out” was a very peculiar murder mystery. From the very beginning, the audience already knows whodunit, the only thing left to solve is: why? In the end, however, the movie subverts the expectations by having the murderer being the person everyone thinks committed the crime in the first place. Appropriately enough, “Knives Out” is the cinematic equivalent of Occam’s Razor.
In the case of Glass Onion, the mystery at the center of the film’s plot has been kept tightly under wraps. We know precious little about the specifics, but, thanks to the recently released trailer, we have a general idea of what this Benoit Blanc‘s case might look like.
It all begins with Miles Bron, a tech tycoon who invites his closest friends to a private getaway on his Greek island. Things suddenly take a deadly turn, however, and Bron and everyone on the island soon find themselves trapped in a Mediterranean murder mystery. The only man capable of solving such a seemingly unsolvable case is, of course, ace detective Benoit Blanc.
Available on Netflix
Perhaps the biggest surprise regarding Glass Onion is that, unlike “Knives Out”, this film will be primarily a streaming event. Though the movie will have a limited theater run that will last for a week starting on November 23, most fans will be pleased to know that Glass Onion will be arriving on Netflix on December 23, just in time for Christmas.
Even though an overwhelming majority of theaters have already reopened their doors to the public, it’s great news to hear that Glass Onion will be on Netflix, especially during the hectic holiday season.
More Knives on the Horizon
Another part of the Netflix deal to buy the “Knives Out” franchise is that there are plans to turn it into a trilogy. While it might still be too early to speculate on the matter, the third entry in the series has already been greenlit by the studio and should be coming to the streaming giant at some point in the near future.
Whether or not the third part will keep Daniel Craig as the lead and Rian Johnson as the filmmaker behind the writing and the direction remains to be seen – but I believe that “Knives Out” just wouldn’t be the same without Benoit Blanc.
A Well-Deserved Escapade
The filming of Glass Onion, with its knockout cast and exotic locations, was not as dreamy as it sounds. Principal photography occurred right in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdowns, leading to some complications for the cast and with the behind-the-scenes logistics of the project.
Glass Onion was filmed on location on the island of Spetses, Greece, during the summer of 2021. In Johnson‘s own words, the reasoning behind choosing to film in such a warm and exotic location had to do with his wanderlust after being cooped in his residence for the better part of two years.
Benoit Blanc Rides Again
The star of the show in Glass Onion is Daniel Craig, who returns to play the role of Benoit Blanc. This version of Hercule Poirot with a Southern accent also stole the show in the 2019 original, “Knives Out”.
From the beginning, Johnson showed interest in having Blanc return for a sequel. This time around, we’ll learn a bit more about his character, as Glass Onion delves a bit deeper into the private life of the ace detective. Johnson already has fans on the internet discussing the life of everyone’s favorite Southern sleuth, following the filmmaker’s confession that Benoit Blanc is, in fact, gay.
Hidden Connections?
One thing that Rian Johnson has made abundantly clear is that Glass Onion is not a real “Knives Out” sequel. These are two stories that take place in the same continuity, but their narratives, setting, and overall themes are completely different from one another.
The only connection between the two films is Benoit Blanc‘s character. It’s the same tactic that Agatha Christie fans know so well – a brilliant detective gets involved in all sorts of curious cases, but the other characters he meets are never the same.
Perhaps the only reason why the film’s full title retains the “Knives Out” moniker would be for marketing purposes.
Same Old Team
If you’re a fan of “Knives Out”‘s visual style, then you’ll be happy to know that Glass Onion keeps the same behind-the-cameras team that came up with the previous film’s unique presentation.
With cinematography by Steve Yedlin, editing by Bob Ducsay, and featuring an original score by Nathan Johnson, Glass Onion is sure to revive the same timeless feel that “Knives Out” had. Add to that the fact that Rian Johnson is back as writer/director and you got yourself the perfect recipe for a compelling murder mystery.
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” arrives on Netflix this December 23.
