Famed detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously invited to an eccentric billionaire's private island for a murder mystery game that turns sinister.
COMEDY/CRIME
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Glass Onion (2022)Written and Directed by Rian Johnson
Starring Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline Sequel to 2019's Knives Out |
The Benoit Blanc franchise is quickly becoming a firm favorite. Two films in and Rian Johnson is doing his own Poirot way better than Kenneth Branagh's Poirot. Hell, this film even has some similar elements to Death on the Nile, which bombed hard earlier this year. Johnson is adapting Agatha Christie's story structure to a modern audience and providing us with a satisfying journey to the big reveal, even if it's painfully obvious who the killer is. But that's not why we watch whodunits. Finding out who is easy. Finding out why and how are the fun parts, and whoa does Glass Onion give us a wild, memorable ride to the finish line.
Benoit Blanc (Craig) is mysteriously invited to the private island of eccentric billionaire Miles Bron (Norton). Bron has assembled his closest friends for a murder mystery weekend where they will have to solve his (fake) murder. Winner get an iPad, in one of my favorite jokes from the film. Blanc is not supposed to be there. No one knows who invited him. Suddenly, a real murder happens, and Blanc has to solve it before more people are killed. But then, halfway through the film, we get a massive flashback and learn what's really going on here. It's brilliant screenwriting and outshines the first film in many different ways. Plus, it's Edward Norton's best work in years, playing against type as an Elon Musk-inspired asshole rich guy. Glass Onion is a delightful mystery that is just as good as the first film, if not better. The constant cameos and name-dropping by the rich douchebags is a great source of comedy. Blanc's determination to see this one through is admirable and Craig is clearly having a ball playing a character he enjoys for once. Now that this is likely going to be a beloved Netflix franchise, I can't wait for the next one. I hope we get a dozen. |