For the closing night film of this year’s Austin Film Festival comes the excitedly-awaited sequel to Rian Johnson’s acclaimed murder mystery Knives Out. Well, as most people expect, sequels are not usually as good as the first movie that preceded them. And that is actually the case with Glass Onion. However, Rian Johnson has lots of tricks up his sleeves that make his sequel movie, nevertheless, highly enjoyable, intriguing, and certainly much more funny than his first entry into murder mystery.
Since we last beheld the investigative prowess of private investigator Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its hold on this world, much like it has on our real existence. While everyone is lying low on lockdown, a wealthy and seemingly eccentric billionaire named Miles Bron (Edward Norton) has devised a plan to get his closest friends together for another one of his beloved murder mystery parties that his buddies have previously enjoyed. As the invitations have been received, every party excitedly accepts. However, one particular invitation strikes the guest quite peculiarly, as that guest happens to be the one and only Benoit Blanc.
Obviously baffled and fascinated by his inclusion in the festivities, Blanc cannot avoid attending such a strange invitation. Held in his lavish estate on a Greek Island, the various players assemble for what they hope is a fun escape from the reality of a pandemic that has the world completely on hold. While things seem to initially go to plan, one of the guests end up getting killed during the party. It is up to the skilled and intelligent Benoit Blanc to discover and uncover the truth behind the horrible event that has derailed everyone’s great time.
Written and directed by Rian Johnson, Glass Onion is a bigger and bolder affair than Knives Out. Though it isn’t quite as exceptional as the first installment, Johnson has come armed with loads of surprises and twists that is sure to intrigue and baffle his audiences. On top of all of that, Johnson brings to this movie much hilarious humor of various kinds that will definitely keep the audiences laughing heartily. While Glass Onion is, at its heart, another murder mystery, it is also one of the funniest movies of the year.
Much like Knives Out, Glass Onion has a wonderful ensemble cast. In addition to Daniel Craig, who seems to slip into his role like a comfortable pair of slippers, his co-stars bring their A-game, as they obviously have much love for the script and the story. Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom, Jr, Jessica Henswick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista are all wonderful in their respective roles. However, it is Janelle Monae who shines the brightest in the film, much like Ana de Armas does in Knives Out.
And even though I don’t think Glass Onion is quite as great as its first installment, it is still an exceptional sequel that enriches the world established by Rian Johnson, and his overall commentary about these types of characters and the folly that real people of similar personalities and traits have on our world. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is getting a one-week theatrical run followed by a release on Netflix. I highly suggest that my readers seek it out while in theaters, as it is totally worth it.