The tongue-in-cheek whodunnit has plenty of room for excess, including the potential for a knockout cast. Writer/director Rian Johnson did exactly that with 2019 knives out, which put actor Daniel Craig at the center of its antics. His first sequel in a planned trilogy gives the audience what they’re looking for and does it auspiciously, though it doesn’t bring many surprises. Netflix‘s Crystal Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is a worthy successor.
‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ Takes Murder to a Remote Island
Miles Bron (Edward Norton) is a billionaire with every toy imaginable at his disposal. He therefore invites the influential friends of his to his private greek island for a vacation getaway. With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic looming over the world, this offers them the chance to escape the confines of their homes. Miles plans to spend the weekend playing a murder mystery game where the gang must uncover the truth behind his fictional murder.
Senator Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn), celebrity Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson) and her assistant, Peg (Jessica Henwick), Twitch streamer Duke Cody (Dave Bautista) and his girlfriend, Whiskey (Madelyn Cline), scientist Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr.), and businesswoman Andi Brand (Janelle Monáe) are all in tow. However, everyone is shocked to see Benoit Blanc (Craig) join in as this murder mystery party gets all too real.
Another takedown of the rich and beautiful.
Crystal Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is a pandemic film through and through, picking up just months after the global lockdown in 2020. Yet this privileged cast of characters still continue to move on with their lives. Claire is in the middle of a Senate race, as Alpha Industries continues to find new innovations to change the world. Meanwhile, Birdie and Duke are social influencers with deeply problematic views, repeatedly finding themselves in PR disasters. The group calls themselves “disruptors” in their respective spaces, seeking a form of immortality that comes with their place in the spotlight.
Miles sends each of his friends a very imaginative box that uses classic games to unlock the invitation to their private island. Similarly, the murder mystery party is taken to the next level with unimaginable extravagance every time. As it turns out, Benoit is also experiencing emotional difficulties during the pandemic, refusing to get out of the bathtub and playing detective games at home in which he is ironically terrible, longing for a big real-life case. Miles’ private island gives him exactly what he’s been looking for.
This group of possible suspects in Crystal Onion: A Knives Out Mystery he’s surprised to see Benoit join, but they wouldn’t be surprised if Miles hired the world’s greatest detective for his lavish murder mystery party. She initially feels out of place, but gradually begins to see the unsettling dynamic between them that only Andi is willing to address. Their friendships only continue to deteriorate over the course of the weekend, further complicating the mysteries that appear before Benoit.
‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ is a hilarious novel full of laughs
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Crystal Onion: A Knives Out Mystery features a new setting along with a different cast. Cinematographer Steve Yedlin makes the most of the Greek setting, bringing luscious, brilliant colors to the screen. He exquisitely accentuates Jenny Eagan’s dreamy costume design that brings each character to life to perfection. Plus, Rick Heinrichs’ excellent production design highlights the overabundance found throughout the island.
Craig once again plays Benoit with a cheesy twist that is both hilarious and totally engaging. He’s working with a wonderful ensemble, but Monáe is a cut above the rest. She plays the part, diving through layers to compose a well-rounded character that leaves the audience wanting more. Johnson rounds out the rest of her cast with cameos, mostly serving as punchlines.
Unlike its predecessor, Crystal Onion: A Knives Out Mystery he sees the mystery of her murder unfolding right in front of Benoit. She is actively reconstructing the crime in real time, rather than reflecting on a crime scene that already took place before his involvement. Therefore, Benoit is given more to do on the island than questioning his suspects in a spy-like investigation. However, this also lessens the cast’s ability to shine individually, which wonderfully put the ensemble to use in the 2019 original.
The big turn in which Johnson leads the audience doesn’t take a Benoit White figure out. It’s a predictable whodunit that doesn’t invent anything particularly new, intertwining with the film’s message. Johnson’s script is incredibly self-aware, highlighting its own vulgar developments, which offer some comedy, but sacrifice the mystery of it in the process.
However, audiences that reveled in the original will no doubt be in for a lot of fun with the sequel. It doubles down on comedy, delivering a reliably enjoyable ride along with another takedown of the rich and beautiful. Crystal Onion: A Knives Out Mystery it’s a tremendously good time with constant laughs and stunning production value.
Crystal Onion: A Knives Out Mystery travels to theaters November 23 and streams on Netflix December 23.
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