Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Glass Onion is a Beatles song off the White Album that seemingly pokes a bit of fun at the bands fans that read too much into the lyrics of their songs and the new movie with the same title does something similar as the song, poking a bit of fun at the old mystery tropes notorious in Agatha Christie novels.  Glass Onion takes place in the same world as the 2019 film Knives Out, although technically a sequel, it is a stand-alone film like the Hercule Poirot mystery series by the aforementioned Agatha Christie. The only character returning is Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), the worlds greatest detective, who is called upon to solve a brand-new case involving a new group of suspects.

The story brings together a group of “frenemies” on a remote Greek island owned by eccentric tech billionaire and co-founder of the Alpha Brand company, Miles Bron (Edward Norton).  Bron has invited his five closest friends to spend the weekend playing a “Murder Mystery Game”.  His guests include Connecticut Governor Claire (Kathryn Hahn). The head of Alpha’s tech department, Lionel (Leslie Odom Jr.). Former supermodel, Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson) and her assistant Peg (Jessica Henwick). Duke Cody (Dave Bautista) a video game streamer and “men’s rights” activist with his girlfriend, Whiskey (Madelyn Cline).  Each of the above guests is beholden to Miles for their financial success.  The last of the guests is Andi (Janelle Monáe), she is the other co-founder of Alpha Brand and recently lost a lawsuit again Miles after he forced her out of the company.  Blanc was not invited by Bron, but mysteriously received an invitation as well and Bron allows him to remain on the island and participate in the adventure. Once the characters are all gathered on the Island, the “murder mystery game” goes haywire, chaos ensues and one of the guests is killed.  Can Blanc solve the whodunnit? Watch and find out.

Like its predecessor, Glass Onion is a well written and well performed movie, and is a subtle spoof of the classic whodunnit mysteries, but without it being campy or lampooning by playing specifically for laughs.  It takes itself seriously, letting the situation and storytelling provide the parody. The plot flows well and the story has a nice pace and rhythm. The production value is great with the Greek island and expansive mansion setting appropriate, beautiful, and interesting.  The mystery itself is engaging with a few twists and turns, but ultimately it is a bit predictable.  There are some notable cameos, this was Angela Lansbury’s and Stephen Sondheim’s final film appearance in a cameo as themselves playing a computer murder mystery game with Blanc. Both the actress and composer passed away before Glass Onion premiered. Hugh Grant also cameos as Phillip, Blanc’s husband, and I love that they made the character gay, but did not make a big deal out of it.

The original film was put out by Lionsgate Films, and signed on for a sequel, but then sold the rights in an auction to Netflix for two sequels. Which hopefully means we will get another Benoit Blanc mystery.