Knives Out

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death.

At the center of the investigation is Marta Cabrera, Harlan's kind-hearted nurse who has a peculiar inability to lie without vomiting. She becomes Blanc's unlikely Watson, navigating the treacherous waters of the Thrombey family's greed and deceit. As the will is read and bombshells are dropped, everyone becomes a suspect, and the knives truly come out.

Rian Johnson's "Knives Out" is a clever and modern take on the classic murder mystery. It flips the script by revealing key details early on, shifting the audience's focus from "whodunnit" to "how will they get away with it," creating a gripping and unpredictable ride full of twists and turns.

"Knives Out" serves as a sharp social commentary on class, privilege, and morality in contemporary America, cleverly disguised as a classic murder mystery. Director Rian Johnson uses the Thrombey family to critique the hypocrisy of the wealthy elite; though they claim to be "self-made" and espouse varying political views, their kindness is superficial and evaporates the moment their inheritance is threatened.

The film champions the inherent goodness and integrity of its immigrant protagonist, Marta, whose empathy and kindness ultimately triumph over the family's greed and entitlement. The narrative suggests that true worth is found in character, not inherited status, and offers a hopeful vision where decency is rewarded, turning the classic power structure on its head.

While the film's primary reading is a socio-political critique of the American class system, some interpretations focus more on the internal family dynamics. One perspective suggests the film is less about politics and more a straightforward morality play about a patriarch who, realizing he has enabled his family's worst impulses, makes a drastic final move to teach them a lesson in self-reliance and moral fortitude. In this view, Marta isn't just a symbol for immigrants but the embodiment of the work ethic and kindness Harlan's own family lacks.

Another reading delves into the film's metanarrative. As Harlan is a mystery writer, his home and the subsequent events can be seen as his final, most elaborate mystery plot. He sets up the pieces—the changed will, the clues—and his suicide becomes the ultimate narrative device to ensure the "right" ending, where the worthy protagonist (Marta) wins. The entire affair plays out as if it were one of his novels, with Blanc acting as the story's requisite great detective.

Released in 2019, "Knives Out" arrived at a time of heightened political polarization in the United States and was lauded for its timely and sharp social commentary on wealth, class, and immigration. The film successfully revitalized the whodunnit genre for modern audiences, blending classic Agatha Christie-style mystery with contemporary humor and social relevance. Its critical and commercial success ($312 million worldwide on a $40 million budget) demonstrated a strong audience appetite for original, star-driven, mid-budget films in an era dominated by franchises.

Critics praised Rian Johnson's Oscar-nominated original screenplay, the ensemble cast's performances, and the film's clever subversion of mystery tropes. Daniel Craig's portrayal of the eccentric Southern detective Benoit Blanc became instantly iconic, launching a new film series. The film was named one of the top ten films of the year by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. In pop culture, the film sparked countless discussions about its themes and generated numerous memes, particularly Chris Evans' cable-knit sweater and his "eat sh*t" rant. Its success has been credited with sparking a renewed interest in the murder mystery genre in Hollywood.

"Knives Out" was met with widespread acclaim from audiences, who praised it as a highly entertaining, clever, and funny film. Viewers particularly enjoyed the sharp, witty dialogue, the satisfyingly intricate plot with its many twists and turns, and the stellar performances from the ensemble cast. Many found it a refreshing return to original, intelligent filmmaking that respects its audience. Daniel Craig's performance as Benoit Blanc was a frequent highlight in audience reviews. The film's blend of classic whodunnit suspense with modern humor and relevant social commentary was often cited as a key reason for its success. Criticisms were minor and infrequent, with some viewers finding the film slightly too long or feeling the mystery was solvable before the final reveal, but the overwhelming consensus was positive, celebrating it as a fun and masterful piece of entertainment.