'Glass Onion' Review: Better Than 'Knives Out'?
This review will have zero spoilers for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery aside from what’s been revealed in trailers and the film’s synopsis.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (L-R) Edward Norton, Madelyn Cline, Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Kate Hudson, Janelle Monae, and Daniel Craig. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2022.
Glass Onion, the sequel to Rian Johnson’s 2019 hit, Knives Out is the second entry in the Daniel Craig-led whodunnit series, and honestly, it’s better than its predecessor.
The film follows Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) as he finds himself in the middle of another high-profile case on Myles Bron (Edward Norton)’s Greek Island. The supporting cast is made up of Myles’ “disruptors”, an eclectic group of old friends, featuring model Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson) and her assistant Peg (Jessica Henwick), ex-business partner Cassandra Brand (Janelle Monáe), Twitch streamer Duke (Dave Bautista) and his girlfriend Whiskey (Madelyn Cline), politician Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn), and the genius Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr.).
(L-R) Rian Johnson & Daniel Craig on set of Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2022
Like the first entry in the series, the film is written and directed by Rian Johnson, whose ability to craft an intriguing mystery has only evolved in the last three years. Johnson’s narrative for the film is not only interconnected from start to finish but twists in unpredictable ways. It’s easy for writers of a film series, especially one of this nature, to become formulaic, but this certainly isn’t. This film is structured differently from the first, allowing the audience to be enthralled at every turn, as they don’t know the identity of the victim, or the killer. Thematically, the second film tackles parallel topics to the first, as the first film’s point of conflict was old money, and this film centered around clinging to new money.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) Kate Hudson as Birdie, Leslie Odom Jr. as Lionel, and Kathryn Hahn as Claire. Cr: Courtesy Netflix
A good script is nothing without good actors, which this movie has plenty of. The entire cast has fantastic chemistry, with Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, and Edward Norton bringing fantastic comedic timing to all of their scenes. Following up on his standout performance in Knives Out, Daniel Craig once again shines as Benoit Blanc, finding himself in the middle of a sea of snakes, having to navigate tensions, dynamics, and tricky facades.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022). (L-R) Edward Norton as Miles, Madelyn Cline as Whiskey, and Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2022.
While Craig does a great job at portraying the southern sleuth, the film’s real MVP is Janelle Monáe as Cassandra Brand. It’s difficult to talk about what makes Monáe the standout performer without veering into spoiler territory, but they truly displays excellence in acting, being able to show different personalities with ease. That being said, the film’s entire ensemble shines, with no weak links found at any point.
Glass Onion is a testament to the creativity and ability to stray away from the formula and is filled with great performances from every individual. For those worried that this won’t live up to its predecessor, throw your fears away, as Glass Onion excels in every way. I can’t wait to see what Johnson brings to the third installment of the franchise, which has already been greenlit by Netflix.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery hits select theaters for a one week theatrical run on November 23, before heading to Netflix a month later, on December 23.
