The Glass Onion, A Knives Out Mystery, is the second in the Knives Out series, with Daniel Craig reprising his role as Detective Benoit Blanc. The movie includes an ensemble cast of Craig, Kate Hudson, Ed Norton, Madelyn Cline, Dave Bautista of WWE fame, Jessica Henwick, Ethan Hawke, Leslie Odon Jr and veteran thespian Angela Lansbury.
This is one of the best whodunits we have seen in recent years. While the original Knives out happens in an old Massachusetts mansion, the venue for this mystery is a more ambitious venue, the private Greek island of a billionaire, Miles Bron(Norton). Miles is the sole owner of Alpha, a giant technological company.
The beginning of the movie introduces us to the characters, a governor, a scientist, a fashionista, a YouTube celebrity and the former co founder of Alpha, whom Miles unethically ousted. All of them are invited for a weekend on Miles’ Greek paradise to participate in a Murder mystery game, that Miles has created specially, for them.
Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Daniel Craig, Kate Hudson, Ed Norton, Madelyn Cline, Dave Bautista, Jessica Henwick, Ethan Hawke, Leslie Odon Jr, Angela Lansbury.
There is, of course, a surprise guest on the island, Benoit Blanc, the famous sleuth. While Miles is not sure how Blanc was invited to join himself and his friends, he insists that Blanc should stay and enjoy his hospitality. All the guests exchange warm hugs with each other and Miles and seem to be glad to be part of this unique weekend getaway. However, it is revealed that under the facade, as with most whodunits, each of them has an axe to grind with their host, Miles.
Before dinner, Miles proudly demonstrates ‘Klear’, a miracle alternate fuel which will revolutionize the power industry, leaving two of his guests fearful that Klear has not been adequately tested. Ignoring their objections, Miles next presents the puzzle, he has created, to challenge them,
Miles has hardly completed his presentation, when Blanc solves the puzzle, in a nonchalant flourish. While the guests are debating whether or not to leave the island, now that the puzzle is solved, Blanc warns Miles that he is in mortal danger, as many of his guests would like to see him dead.
At this point,a seasoned fan of whodunits may think she knows what is coming next. Changes are, that she is wrong. The plot at this stage will take an unexpected shocking twist. What follows next is a series of revelations, and it is up to Blanc to bring the ghastly weekend to a closure.
Miles Bron, a fake genius with a bloated ego has been compared to Elon Musk, by many, angering many of his fans. Director Rian Johnson denies this claim. However, we can be certain that Bennoit Blanc, played masterfully by Craig, is a both, backhand complement and a parody of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot.
Glass onion is an original story that takes a familiar premise and then takes it on a totally different direction. With great performances all around, excellent cinematography and great direction, Glass onion is a mystery that should not be missed. Unlike its predecessor, “Knives Out”, which is also a great movie, Glass Onion was meant for the big screen.
Bay Area Bloke 