Knives Out Review

5-5 stars, Knives Out is a contemporary, brilliant thriller.

      Rian Johnson, the director of the most recent Star Wars Trilogy, switches things up with a timeless yet fresh “whodunnit”. With three awards and the knowledge of working in six films, he is quite experienced. In Star Wars, he was able to create a movie just as magical as the original, with brand-new locations and characters that establish it as another classic. Even with that under his belt, Knives Out outshines any other picture Johnson has been involved in, earning the picture an Academy Award Nomination. This contemporary Agatha Christie-like mystery delves into the mysterious death of rich Harlan Thrombey, and the killer must be someone from his birthday party the night before. It shadows Murder on the Orient Express, another drama that is just as immersive. Knives Out is a modern movie that will be a staple murder mystery for decades to come, with a story plot of gold and all the right elements that make it feel like you are in the mansion with the Thrombey's, hunting for the answer.

 Many components go into making an exceptional movie; Knives Out incorporates all the requirements for one. One of the most important parts is casting. The cast for this feature is very diverse in their acting history, but blends masterfully. Christopher Plummer from The Sound Of Music plays a much different character in the humble, kind, and very wealthy Harlan Thrombey. Though he only has several lines and is not seen often throughout, his performance is realistic and poignant.  Most people know Chris Evans best for his charming and heroic character, Captain America, in the Marvel Series. He has been known to do a few sappy (but entertaining) flicks, although this knocks them all out of the park. Chris Evans transforms into his character as young, money-craving Ransom. Alongside the contrasting character Marta (Ana de Armas) they amplify each other and accentuate the characteristics. And of course, Daniel, Daniel Craig. Known for his fantastic role as James Bond, he now goes to a different side of the crime department as Benoit Blanc, a southern, masterful detective. Craig can portray Blanc's thought process easily, without watchers catching on too much, but also tug our heartstrings by getting to the heart of the case. A cast like this is guaranteed to give you an impressive show. With the cast all together for most of the movie, you get a sense of family, even if it is more dysfunctional than warm and cuddly. 

 You can’t have a film without writing the script, and boy, what a script. It is unique, yet the viewer can correlate what is happening to their own life. 

'We must look a little closer. And when we do, we see that the doughnut hole has a hole in its center. It is not a doughnut hole, but a smaller doughnut with its own hole, and our doughnut is not holed at all!’ Benoit Blanc says as he gets to the bottom of the case. Writing a script is no easy job, especially for a mystery. It is a skill that has been sought after for ages now. (Possible spoilers ahead!) The format of the movie is this: First, Harlan Thrombey is found dead. Then everyone goes to the mansion and gets questioned. As it goes along, you see snippets of the past (before the murder and during), and then you go back to after it has all happened. Well, that sounds kind of boring, knowing who murdered him for half the time? No, somehow Rian Johnson (also the writer for Knives Out) can make it just as nail-biting as the first half. The dialogue between characters is so realistic, I was laughing and pointing out the similarities in our family. In many murder dramas, it is all about death and blood and guts, but this is much more interesting, with family drama, political arguments, and comedy. To many people, including myself, I like to see a good show, sad or thrilling, but it must have some comedy. It is interlaced so precisely and perfectly it catches you without realizing it. Many viewers don’t realize a good script unless it is bad, but productions like Forrest Gump and Jerry Maguire have scripts that are, although fictional, convincing and relatable with the right amount of satire. This new film goes right along with them. 

 While watching, you can’t help but notice the lighting. In a scene that is supposed to be very suspenseful, it is dark, with harsh white lights shining farther away. In most scenes after the death of Harlan, it is gray and dull, a little rainy even. Before his death, the lighting (since it is night) is a warm yellow that makes you feel comfortable. You don’t get that feeling once he is gone, much like a loss in our own lives. It is a small, minuscule part of the plot, but those little aspects can have a strong impact. Another minute detail is costumes. Each character has their own style and a very strong personality to match. In Marta's case, she wears pastel colors and cozy knit clothing, showing her innocence and pure kindness. Blanc wears a dark suit, making him look very important. Meg Thrombey wears flowery-loose clothes because she is very laid back, and Ransom wears a sweater, some jeans, and a big brown coat because he has better things to do than solve the question of who murdered his grandfather. 

 At the end of the movie, when you realize what the true story is, humanity is involved. Nothing had been too serious until then. You realize the true cost of what has happened. But right before the credits scroll by, Johnson cheers us up with a brilliant, blunt, and hilarious ending. In a film industry of sex, blood, and violence, this murder mystery doesn’t need unnecessary details to grab attention. It has a genius script, talented actors, and a few accessories and hints accompanying you through the twisted path of homicide.