Writing Movie Wrongs

Directed by: Rian Johnson Written by:Rian Johnson

2019’s Knives Out was a smashing success for director and writer, Rian Johnson. It holds a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences loved the film. Now Johnson is back with another Knives Out mystery with Glass Onion. With a great ensemble cast that includes Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista you immediately get excited at the plots various possibilities.

Here comes the spoilers.

Detective Blanc (Daniel Craig) is hired by Helen Brand to investigate the death of her twin sister, Andi Brand, who was the former CEO of a technology company called Alpha. This company was cofounded with Miles Bron (Edward Norton). Andi and Miles had a disagreement over the safety of a hydrogen alternative fuel called Klear that resulted in Andi getting ousted from the company and a subsequent lawsuit being lost in court due to proof of the original ideas versus testimony from Mile’s friends. The suspicion of Helen is that someone murdered her sister when she found the cocktail napkin where the idea for Alpha was written on proving her case. That would also prove perjury for all of the people who sided with Miles.

Miles is hosting a murder mystery weekend at his mansion, the Glass onion, on his private island in Greece. Detective Blanc has Helen attend the event as Andi as they took great efforts to delay the news of Andi’s death. Upon arrival Helen playing Andi is given harsh scowls and questions to why she would come to the island. Additionally some are perplexed why Detective Blanc is there, but since it is a murder mystery weekend everyone assumes he is there as a tongue in cheek nod to the weekends plans. Miles also believes this is an inside joke with the Detective being there. As we meet the other friends of Miles, we get quickly acquainted with Internet Streamer Duke Cody (Dave Batista), his girlfriend Whiskey (Madelyn Cline), fashion designer Birdie Jay, Birdie’s assistant Peg, Governor Claire Debella, and Alpha Scientist Lionel Toussaint. We get small glimpses into their relationship with Miles and how he has significant influence over each of them. Miles goes on to flex on his wealth and shows the group he has the actual Mona Lisa on loan from the Louvre. At the dinner where Miles wants to begin the Murder Mystery weekends event, Blanc solves the murder mystery instantly and much to the dismay of Miles. Tensions over Andi’s presence culminates in her storming off and Duke falling over dead. The group sees that he drank from Miles glass which has pineapple juice in it which he is highly allergic to. Then they notice his gun is missing. Suspecting Andi is the culprit the party splits up to find Andi. Blanc finds her and while he is talking with her someone shoots her. Blanc gathers everyone and informs them he has solved Andi’s murder.

This is where the film goes into an extended flashback to fill in the gaps. The audience gets some questions answered and some more insights to our characters. This slightly new perspective changes how we feel about the characters and their motives. The choice sin editing and utilizing this flashback is a stroke of brilliance. The director and writer is providing the audience with more details and filling in the gaps culminates into a layered story with some quirky characters. Ultimately the story is still straight forward, but with such interesting characters I will stop here with the spoilers. There are a few more surprises and an explosive ending which sees Miles become infamous and justice served for all parties involved.

Rian Johnson has another success with Detective Blanc and I know the comparisons to Agatha Christie’s Detective Poirot will be made, but I feel there is enough distinction between the two characters. Also given the time periods both franchises are operating in there is plenty of room for both to exist. As long as these films bring us interesting characters twisted plots. Audiences can definitely expect more films in the future for both detectives.