Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

I was surprised that Rian Johnson sent the sequel to one of the most entertaining detective films in recent years straight to Netflix. But I get it — when it comes to choosing between theaters and VOD services, money talks. That said, this movie doesn't disgrace Netflix at all. Finally! While it didn’t captivate me as much as the first one, which was surprisingly brilliant in its detective quality, this sequel still delivers. By now, viewers have certain expectations and know that Daniel Craig as detective Benoit Blanc is something to look forward to, and he doesn’t disappoint. The downside is the overly complex plot, its length, and some of the characters. However, these are minor issues compared to the fact that I had a great time watching it. For a five-star rating, it needed a bit more of that unexpected twist — something the first movie had. (12/29/2022)

I never would have thought that Daniel Craig, after finishing his iconic role as James Bond, would find a franchise that suits him so well. But his character, the eccentric detective Benoit Blanc, along with the fresh directorial vision of Rian Johnson, is truly impressive. Compared to the first installment, everything is even more spectacular; just moving to a sunny island in the Aegean Sea has been a boon for the series. The performances are absolutely perfect, and I fell in love with every character (Edward Norton probably takes the lead :D). The screenplay is incredibly well-thought-out, the audiovisual aspects are flawless (with an excellent soundtrack), and the brilliant ending leaves you anything but indifferent. So, what could I possibly criticize? Perhaps just the excessive number of pop culture references and allusions. Even for me, there were too many (though Jeremy Renner’s spicy sauce joke was amusing). I need a third installment right now. In the realm of classic detective stories, this feels like a revelation. I give it 8.5/10. (02/15/2023)

Rian Johnson plays with genre expectations in Glass Onion the same way he did in the first film, while staying true to classic whodunnit stories. If I were to take away the criticisms right from the start, I would have shortened the film, especially in the more drawn-out intro (which actually nicely parodied various CSIs and degraded the search for clues), and also the conclusion, which felt too drawn out after the culprit was revealed. The investigation itself, on the other hand (including the crucial flashback and starting with the wonderfully staged pre-murder sequence), completely captivated me and kept my (rusty) grey brain cells busy until the final denouement. Even in his second whodunit, which, among other things, shamelessly flatters Knox's Rule #10, Johnson certainly doesn't lose his breath, offering another suspenseful and unpredictable crime story with plenty of imaginative moments (whether it was the "casting" of Angela Lansbury, the character of Derola, Da Vinci's masterpiece or the ubiquitous gong). (12/31/2022)

Rian Johnson is boss! Glass Onion successfully continues to revive the rules of the old school of detective fiction, and Daniel Craig is still enjoying Benoît Blanc immensely. Naturally, you expect a moment of surprise and therefore anticipate some of the betrayals. The cast is interesting, but it’s certainly not as good as in the first film. Edward Norton revels in these roles and Kate Hudson is entertaining, the others rather support the well-written script. The Greek island setting, enlivened by hig-tech gimmicks and amenities (the non-smoking garden) and artwork, is as impressive as the Glass Onion itself. (12/25/2022)

I didn't appreciate the first film until a second viewing, but Glass Onion won me over almost immediately. It's as if Rian Johnson needed Knives Out mainly to present Benoit Blanc in a somewhat more classic story, and once he succeeded with that, he could go all in. Yes, the plot is reliably well known to fans of whodunits, but the way the script plays with it this time is much more refined. From the beginning there is something different, but you don’t know what. The more or less likeable characters do weird things, but you don’t know why, and there are some celebrity cameos. And then, the first half the film goes by and there's an absolutely amazing twist that turns almost everything upside down, and the fun can continue in an even wilder vein until the explosive finale. The direction, the script, the actors, the music, really, everything is impeccable. And Daniel Craig, he’s just flawless. You'll enjoy his every gesture, every line, and after one of the funniest monologues I've heard at the end of a whodunit, you'll want to read "Benoit Blanc will return" at the end of the credits. (12/25/2022)