Knives Out, written and directed by Rian Johnson, is the most fun I’ve had at the movies in a very long time. It also really deserves the communal experience of a theater, hearing everyone reacting to what happens greatly adds to the fun of the film and it reminded me of the importance and joy of watching a movie with an audience. Which is something that can be woefully lost today where films like this are on a trend of being crowded into streaming services. Nevertheless, “Knives Out” is a full-on blast, it’s a classically rooted who-done-it that is set in the present day, featuring an array of colorful characters and twists that keep you guessing till the very end. It’s also gorgeously realized and rewards multiple screenings, cementing Rian Johnson among some of the best filmmakers working today.
In short, the film revolves around the death of the patriarch of the Thrombey family, Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). Harlan is an extremely successful mystery writer; leaving behind an eloquent house, a substantial sum of money, and the intellectual property of his books. Private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously called in to investigate his sudden death. Subsequently, each member of the Thombey family and Harlan’s maid, Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), are questioned and analyzed for possible motives, and if one of them possibly murdered him.
I’m usually not a very big fan of films that feature twists and surprises because many times they never feel earned. Often, in mystery and suspense films, twists come out of nowhere, they are never built-up to, and are thrown in at crucial climactic moments in order say “Gotcha!” to the audience in some vain attempt to show off how “smart” the film was in it’s plotting. Often, this is indicative of lazy writing and makes a plot less believable; however, more than that, it demeans the audience and what they have seen up until that point. It’s rare to find a film that walks the fine line between building up to a twist, yet not giving away so much information that the audience guesses where all this is going. “Knives Out” walks that fine line brilliantly. Here is a film that uses twists, not to demean the audience, but to build tension and character. There is not a surprise or twist in this film that is not earned or alluded to previously. These are the kind of surprises that I really like to see in a film, they shift your perspective on what previously happened, but in a meaningful way that doesn’t negate what came before it; the twists adds something to the characters and the story, pushing it forward.
The acting in this film is also something to be gushing about. Each and every actor adds a layer of color and depth to their character; however, Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc and Ana de Armas as Marta Cabrera absolutely steal the show. Craig’s Southern drawl really caught me off guard the first time I heard it because of how good it is. It almost felt like I was watching a Southern version of James Bond; however, jokes aside, Craig really sells Detective Blanc, crafting an intelligent yet playful mastermind. Even more impressive is Ana de Armas, in one of her first lead roles I believe. She really does an amazing job as Marta and in anchoring this entire film, she fills her character with a nuance that keeps you guessing and thinking about who her character is and what her motivations may be. Amazing performances are also given by Chris Evans, finally seeing him in something other than the Avengers really proves the actor’s range. Jamie Lee Curtis, Micheal Shannon and Christopher Plummer, all bring the heat too and do an excellent job.
However, though I really enjoyed this film, and the masterful way it builds-up. There were also a couple of moments in the second half that strained believably; there is a car chase which felt quite out of place and a burned building that really pushed it for me. But, these are small detractors from what is otherwise a brilliant and layered film.
Furthermore, underneath all this, there is also a strong current of political, family, and socio-economic themes that really hit home for me. The film’s themes and messages about inheritance, hard work and privilege really struck a chord with me because I’d never seen the issues that the film was dealing with quite in this way before. It also becomes clear by the end, in an amazing shot, that it was who these people are, which we come to learn about throughout the course of the film, that ultimately succumbs them to their place in the end. It’s amazing how we start off by seeing each character’s preconceived notions about themselves, an event or idea, and by the end we are presented with a perfect final shot that presents the full truth of not only each character, but the situation they were all involved in as a whole.
It’s not easy to craft a delicate film like this yet also make it so much damn fun. Johnson keeps impressing me with works of art that are masterfully crafted, with meaningful themes and allegories featuring intricately layered characters. Johnson’s “The Last Jedi” and “Looper” contained many of these elements too, and his film making style, and character, are becoming ever more clear and I can’t wait to see what he makes next.
