‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ Review:

Glass Onion: Rian Johnson’s Next Chapter in the Knives Out Saga

The sequel to the hit murder mystery Knives Out, Glass Onion, is making waves as a film that surpasses its predecessor in almost every way. While it's difficult to express enthusiasm for Glass Onion without sounding dismissive of the original, it's worth noting that this film offers more action, more delicious comeuppances, more daring design, and a few genuinely surprising cameos. It's not just more of the same, either, as the ensemble cast is more varied and its critique of the clueless rich more relevant to our age.

Daniel Craig returns as celebrity detective Benoit Blanc, offering a little insight into his private life while still keeping the character an enigma. Glass Onion's surprises may not be as big as Knives Out's, but they're integral to the fun, and the film's best elements are hard to acknowledge without spoiling them.

The action in Glass Onion takes place on a billionaire's private island in Greece, which may disappoint viewers who love the ornate old mansions and retro-exotic settings that typically house such affairs. However, the billionaire's pompous vanity architecture, filled with hyper-expensive but tacky and uncomfortable-looking objects, adds to the film's charm.

Edward Norton plays Miles Bron, a tech princeling who invites his pre-success buddies to a weekend of fun on his private island every year. This year, he's planned a pretend murder mystery, in which one of the guests is supposed to have killed him. Bron is surprised when Blanc shows up, wondering why he would invite the world's most famous detective to such an event.

The rest of the cast is made up of individuals who rely on Bron's money in some way, including Kate Hudson's former supermodel Birdie, now a lifestyle entrepreneur whose business is financed by Bron; Dave Bautista's Duke Cody, a men's rights YouTuber attached to his handgun; Connecticut governor Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn); and Birdie's assistant Peg (Jessica Henwick), among others. All have motives for potentially killing Bron, but it's unclear who will actually do it.

Leslie Odom Jr. plays Lionel Toussaint, the scientist responsible for turning Bron's cryptic ideas into products, and Janelle Monáe plays Cassandra Brand, Bron's former business partner whom he recently shafted. All of these characters are well-developed, with their own motives and backstories, adding depth to the plot.

Glass Onion offers a little hopping back in time, but Johnson does it without losing any momentum. Blanc mostly figures out the scenario before cocktail hour ends, but he's mindful of his limitations. He's a detective, not Batman, and uncovering the truth of a crime doesn't mean anyone will pay for what they've done.

In conclusion, Glass Onion is a must-see film that offers more than its predecessor. Its ensemble cast is more varied, its critique of the clueless rich is more relevant, and its surprises are integral to the fun. While it may disappoint viewers who love the ornate old mansions and retro-exotic settings that typically house such affairs, the billionaire's private island in Greece, with its pompous vanity architecture and hyper-expensive but tacky and uncomfortable-looking objects, adds to the film's charm. Overall, Glass Onion is a thrilling next chapter in the Knives Out saga that leaves viewers excited for what's to come.subtle ways in which Johnson’s script has woven its threads together.

One of the pleasures of Glass Onion is its ability to play with and subvert expectations. While it certainly pays homage to the conventions of the genre, it’s not afraid to take risks and offer up surprises. Johnson’s direction is assured and confident, building tension and suspense throughout the film’s runtime.

The performances are uniformly excellent, with Daniel Craig once again stealing the show as Benoit Blanc. He imbues the character with a charming eccentricity that is impossible not to love. Edward Norton is also excellent as Miles Bron, playing the character with a smug arrogance that makes him both fascinating and repulsive.

The supporting cast is equally strong, with Leslie Odom Jr. and Janelle Monáe turning in standout performances. Kathryn Hahn is also excellent as the conniving Connecticut governor, bringing both humor and depth to the role.

Overall, Glass Onion is a triumph of genre filmmaking. It’s a sequel that manages to surpass its predecessor in almost every way, offering up more action, more surprises, and more memorable characters. Johnson’s direction is assured and confident, and the performances are uniformly excellent. If you’re a fan of whodunit films or just looking for a thrilling and entertaining ride, Glass Onion is not to be missed.

Venue: Toronto International Film Festival (Special Presentations)

Distributor: Netflix

Production company: T-Street

Cast: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista

Director-Screenwriter: Rian Johnson

Producers: Ram Bergman, Rian Johnson

Executive Producer: Tom Karnowski

Director of photography: Steve Yedlin

Production designer: Rick Heinrichs

Costume designer: Jenny Eagan

Editor: Bob Ducsay

Composer: Nathan Johnson

Casting directors: Bret Howe, Mary Vernieu

Rated PG-13, 2 hours 19 minutes