A Reel Review - GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

In 2019, writer and director Rian Johnson delighted the world with his whodunit mystery KNIVES OUT, which also introduced James Bond actor Daniel Craig as master detective Benoit Blanc. Here in 2022, Blanc returns for yet another case, this time in GLASS ONION. 

 

Blanc (Craig), is invited to the remote island home of billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton), who has invited his old friends and business partners (Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom, Jr., Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Jessica Henwick, and Madelyn Cline), for a weekend highlighted by a murder-mystery game. 

 

Once again written and directed by Rian Johnson, GLASS ONION is a fun, twisting and turning mystery that never goes exactly where we expect it. Inspired by the great mystery writers such as Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, GLASS ONION never once has a scene that isn’t raising questions or keeping us guessing. The spark of it all is Miles, who has a long and sometimes troubled past with his group of invitees, which range from estranged business partners, co-workers, social media stars, supermodels, and personal assistants. The intricate game he has set up eventually goes awry, which turns everyone on the remote island a suspect, as they all have a motive and opportunity. 

 

While Johnson is keeping us guessing with unexpected events and whopper twists, he is also lampooning current society, taking shots at social media clowns, CEO’s who are actually morons, right down to the lengths that a human being would stoop down to in order to keep their status right where it is. It’s done in a clever manner that is never preachy and doesn’t derail the mystery at hand. Johnson, never one to let the audience get ahead of him, even draws attention to the obvious metaphor of the film’s title; letting us know that the characters are well aware of the layers of mystery being peeled back one piece at a time. 

 

Filmed on location in an actual Greek island, GLASS ONION looks gorgeous. Pacing is brisk despite long monologues and extended flashbacks, and the run time of 139 minutes flies by. Despite bad things happening the film is very funny, and every cast member seems like they are having a blast. 

 

Daniel Craig once again shines as Blanc. He’s a delight, and the character isn’t drawn as invincible but certainly formidable. Dave Bautista is a blast, and the show is nearly stolen by Janelle Monae. 

 

GLASS ONION may not earn a cultural status like its predecessor did, as the concept is no longer new for audiences, but as a film it shines brighter than KNIVES OUT, and makes us hope that Johnson and Craig will send Blanc on many more adventures. This is one onion worth cutting into. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it