Following the success of 2019’s “Knives Out” reviving the life out of mystery films, I eagerly awaited word for any sequels.
That film melded a mix of family dynamics, comedic timing, and who-dun-it into a cohesive and entertaining movie – plus it left audiences asking for more!
Once “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” debuted over Christmas weekend - I made sure to catch it as soon as possible.
And, I’m so glad that I did!
There’s a bit more hilarity in the portrayal of this set of characters that you’ll probably understand more if you follow pop culture, but even then the absurdity layered into those performances speaks volumes on their own, too.
Glass Onion is a mystery film written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Johnson and Ram Bergman.
It is the sequel to Knives Out, with Daniel Craig reprising his role as master detective Benoit Blanc as he takes on a new case revolving around a tech billionaire and his old friends.
The ensemble cast includes Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista.
The movie is 139 minutes long and rated PG-13 for strong language, some violence, sexual material, and drug content.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, Miles Bron (Norton), the billionaire co-founder of the Manhattan technology company Alpha, decides to host a murder mystery weekend at his mansion in Greece - the Glass Onion.
He invites five friends: Alpha head scientist Lionel Toussaint (Odom), Connecticut governor Claire Debella (Hahn), fashion designer Birdie Jay (Hudson), men’s rights streamer Duke Cody (Bautista), and fellow co-founder and ousted Alpha CEO Cassandra “Andi” Brand (Monáe).
All of them receive a custom puzzle box and over a series of cinematic snippets solve each one to find their invitations within the box outlining the plans for Miles’ party.
Detective Benoit Blanc (Craig) also has an invitation and joins the group along with Birdie’s assistant Peg (Henwick) and Duke’s girlfriend Whiskey (Cline).
Shortly after everyone arrives, Miles questions Blanc’s presence, but allows him to stay, assuming that another guest invited him as a joke.
In fact, Miles thinks Blanc will add credibility to his murder mystery party and is entertained at the idea.
Everyone spends time in Miles’ pool, drinking and reminiscing over the old days when they all first met and recounting the start of their friendships.
Later, Blanc overhears Peg confront Miles over a PR statement he wants Birdie to release and sees Duke watch Whiskey flirting with Miles on a bed.
Before dinner, Miles shows off the Mona Lisa that he has on loan from the Louvre and reveals that the Glass Onion is powered by “Klear,” a hydrogen-based alternative fuel that Alpha will launch in a week despite Lionel and Claire’s safety concerns.
Blanc solves the murder mystery immediately and tensions over Andi’s presence culminate in her leaving the party.
Suddenly, Duke collapses and dies after drinking from Miles’s glass; the panicking group suspects Andi.
After the group discovers that Duke’s pistol is missing, the power goes out, and everyone splits up in a panic.
Blanc finds Andi, but an unseen assailant shoots her.
Then, Blanc gathers the rest of the group and announces that he has solved Andi’s murder.
And that’s when the story starts to make more sense and come together – entertainingly so, too!
Overall, the film is worth the laughs it earned and serves as a decent sequel or standalone experience streaming on Netflix.
