[Review] ‘GLASS ONION’ breaks away from the organic brains of ‘KNIVES OUT’ for a goofy, less compelling mystery

Preston Barta // Features Editor

GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

Rated PG-13, 139 minutes.
Opens Wednesday in select theaters for one weekly only and on Netflix Dec. 23.

Rian Johnson’s first whodunnit, Knives Out, was quite the sizzler back in 2019. The Oscar-nominated dialogue was electric, the characters had unique personalities and quirks, and the situations backed everyone into some challenging and entertaining corners to escape. And who could forget Chris Evans’ meme-worthy sweater?

The new sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, carries over a portion of its predecessor’s pumped-up energy, but the narrative blades have admittedly lost some of their sharpness and shine. While the packed cast enjoyably bounces off each other and offers some laugh-out-loud moments (especially Dave Bautista in his gun-slinging speedo and Kate Hudson as a canceled supermodel), the smart writing we expected doesn’t sustain due to its goofy, less compelling mystery.

Set in Greece, Glass Onion puts lovable Kentucky-fried detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, with a less even accent) on the private island of a billionaire tech genius (Edward Norton), where murder, once again, is afoot. Invited guests and friends (such as a terrific Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, and Johnson’s version of “The Dude” in Noah Segan) gather for a murder mystery party akin to Bodies Bodies Bodies. But what was supposed to be fun and games soon turns deadly. Who’s pulling the strings, and will Blanc solve the case in time?

Johnson and Craig’s second go with Blanc (this time with Netflix) is by no means a flop. You’ll crack a smile and soak up the references, but it’s nowhere near as confidently crafted as the first Knives Out. It’s more desperate, and you can feel it stretching instead of naturally sniffing out the clues. It takes about 20 minutes before the first bolt of cinematic electricity hits — and when it harnesses the goods (like Ethan Hawke’s short stint and Blanc flexing his intelligence), it’s not long before you’re questioning the quality.

Overall, the sequel is a fine, amusing watch. But if you want something as equally fresh and thrilling as the original film, you may walk away slightly disappointed. 

Grade: B-