After the very mixed reactions to The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson returned with Knives Out. This title harks back to his earlier release, Brick, with its aspects of a mystery (although this time a more “traditional” whodunnit). Featuring a large cast of unique actors playing similarly-unique characters, it’s almost a misnomer to call this a mystery/whodunit movie. It’s really more of a family drama, in the guise of the former.
Soon after the movie begins, we witness Harlan Thrombey’s death. Whether it’s an actual murder or accident, that is the mystery as the movie unfolds, along with who might have actually caused it to happen. Interspersed with flashbacks, we see each family member the night before, some leaving earlier than others, each with their own level of suspicion. As the movie progresses we spend time with each member, coming to realize that truly none of them are altruistic nor selfless in any way.
In addition to the police, we are treated to the role of Detective Benoit Blanc, hired under mysterious circumstances, played by Daniel Craig. This is where viewers and fans of the film are divisive, due to the character’s odd southern accent. Calling it a mocking Foghorn Leghorn/Colonel Sanders would not be too far off the mark, but Daniel takes it and runs, and it’s a great unique aspect of his character as he interviews and learns more from each family member and those who worked for them.
Along with the private detective, we follow Marta, Harlan’s nurse, as she deals with his death, inquiries from the police, and reactions from the family. She is of course understandably upset about what happened, and is torn between avoiding trouble for herself and her family as well as wanting to tell what really happened and that the cause for Harlan’s death was truly an accident.
In a brilliant manner, in both the writing and acting, we see how the family treats and thinks of Marta. Not a single one of them refers to her true country of origin, and in one scene that was apparently ad-libbed she is handed an empty plate as if she was nothing more than a servant. I think the only thing I wish we saw was how Marta came to know Harlan and was hired/chosen to be his nurse. In their brief time at the beginning it clearly showed they were friendly if not true friends, and it would have been great to see more of that.
Leading up to the climax of the film, Marta is with Ransom, who slowly becomes more and more unhinged and revealed to be the true narcissist and wrong-doer(?) of the family. Trying to learn more through Marta, he maneuvers her and Benoit and gets oh-so-close to framing her for the murder.
In the glorious climactic scene of the movie, he thinks he has her in a crucial lie in front of Benoit and the police detectives. Instead, Marta reveals that Ransom killed Fran, the housekeeper. In a rage, Ransom grabs one of the dozens of knives arranged in a large circle in the room, lunging at Marta and determined to kill her even if it means his imprisonment. We are left stunned, thinking he actually killed her; after a moment Marta breathes, the knife merely a prop with a retractable blade. Ransom is taken away, and Marta looks down from her new home at the remaining family members.
In a way I was a bit hesitant to watch this movie. I had heard little bits about it here and there, and knowing it was a murder-mystery only served to pique my interest even more. As previously mentioned it turned out to be more of a family drama, and what a family it is! Clever writing and directing mixed perfectly with this cast that all perfectly fit their roles and brought them to life (I really can’t think of a single actor or role that felt out of place or not “up to snuff” compared to all the other ones). This was clearly a passion project for Rian, and I’m happy to see how well it turned out and has been received. With at least two(!) upcoming sequels coming from Netflix, following Detective Blanc, I’m quite curious to see what he has in store.