Director Rian Johnson delivers another appetizing whodunnit in this follow-up to the 2019 smash-hit.
Think about it: What was the last movie to captivate audiences before the pandemic hit in early 2020? The answer you’re looking for is likely Knives Out, which was released this time of the year back in 2019. Since then, Netflix bought the rights to two sequels for the film and now the first of those, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, begins its rollout starting tomorrow, appearing exclusively in theaters for one week only. But what makes this theatrical rollout different from other Netflix movies being released in some theaters is that Glass Onion is the first Netflix feature to play at both major movie theater chains in the US: AMC and Regal.
Not only should we be thankful for Netflix and the theater chains coming to an agreement on this film on the cusp of Thanksgiving, but we also should be thankful that Glass Onion’s layered story is funnier than its predecessor’s and features a star-studded cast that’s just as good. Undeniably entertaining from start to finish, Glass Onion is another sharp whodunnit from Rian Johnson and among one of the year’s best films, just like its predecessor was only three years ago.
Glass Onion finds Daniel Craig’s flamboyantly practical Detective Benoit Blanc back at the center of another mystery. Instead of finding the cigar-loving detective in another mansion, the world-renowned sleuth is visiting a private island near Greece, thanks to an invitation from billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton). Also on the guest list are some of Bron’s closest friends/colleagues, played by Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, and Janelle Monae. What starts off as a murder mystery party spearheaded by Bron turns into something deeper. And from there, Detective Blanc must get to the bottom of things.
Right off the bat, you’re pulled into Glass Onion’s new set of characters. And then when Detective Blanc is back on screen for the first time, you’ll feel right at home and get cozy like Chris Evans’ character was in his sweater from the first film. Like most sequels, Glass Onion’s story is bigger than its predecessor’s. However, it doesn’t dip in terms of quality, and the satire is as sharp and clever as it was in the first film. But what might surprise viewers is how, like an actual onion (and part of the title of the film, oddly enough), the film is even deeper than its predecessor, and, more surprisingly, it’s even funnier thanks to its all-star cast and an excellent script from Rian Johnson. Johnson’s multiple (and relevant) jabs at the filthy rich in Glass Onion is just one of the many highlights in this sequel.
From top to bottom, the cast of Glass Onion is terrific. While Daniel Craig’s legacy is tied directly to playing James Bond, his portrayal of Detective Blanc in Knives Out and now Glass Onion shows off his dynamic range in making him such a likeable actor. Kathryn Hahn and Leslie Odom Jr., who play a politician and scientist, continue their hot streaks and now are becoming a couple of the most desired actors in Hollywood. Dave Bautista portrays a YouTube star and further cements himself as a must-see actor in whatever he appears. And it’s nice to see Edward Norton here, who has appeared in fewer films over the past few years, and it’s a match made in heaven for Johnson’s central character in this story not named Detective Blanc.
With all of that said, two other performances in Glass Onion stand out amongst this star-studded cast. First, Glass Onion might serve as a resurgence for the career of Kate Hudson, who like Edward Norton has appeared in fewer films lately, thanks to her former supermodel character time and time again delivering the funniest moments in the film. Any time she speaks, you are almost guaranteed at least a chuckle. And then there’s Janelle Monae, who as a tech entrepreneur plays a wild card in this story. Like Hahn and Odom Jr., Monae’s hot streak continues to make her one of the most sought-after stars in Hollywood, and, without spoiling anything, you’ll see why as the story dives deeper and deeper.
While most people enjoy watching films/tv from the comfort of their homes, there is no denying that people get more from films by seeing them in theaters – especially watching comedies and laughing amongst strangers (which we talked about back in September with Bros). While you may be tempted to wait sometime around Christmas to see Glass Onion on Netflix, Rian Johnson’s follow-up whodunnit is the perfect movie to see during the Thanksgiving holiday in theaters. Whether it’s with family or friends, Glass Onion will have you laughing, keep you guessing, and leave you wanting more. And one final thing to be thankful for: it’s great that there’s going to be another Knives Out sequel in the future. Let’s just hope it’s as good as the first two.