GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY (No Spoilers!) Movie Review

Peel away the layers and there are always more layers in writer-director Rian Johnson's sleek and star-studded sequel "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery." Alonso and Christy have a spoiler-free review of the comedy, but we'll do a live spoiler discussion soon, so stay tuned. Starring Daniel Craig, Janelle Monae, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., Kathryn Hahn, Madelyn Cline and a bevy of other celebrities in small but delightful roles.
#glassonion #knivesout #rianjohnson
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[@cjwright79]

between this and Disenchanted, just a terrifically entertaining pair of reviews with spot-on diction and a zeal that feels almost ferocious, puckish and punchy. You two are such a great way to start my Wednesday morning!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Thank you so much for your generosity and kind words, Chris!

[@oneopinion6806]

"What's that honey?" It really is difficult to watch two reviewers who seem to have been thrown together at random. /s Love you both, your connection, and of course your insight into movies!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Thanks for watching! We are indeed dear friends 😊

[@bev9708]

Couldn’t agree more!!! As impressive as Branagh’s efforts are on many levels, both these movies are far far more enjoyable and yes, fun!!!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Glad you enjoyed, thanks Bev!

[@tonyg76]

This was great. It was everything I want in a murder mystery movie. Entertaining, twists, funny. It may not be nominated for best picture, but it would be in my personal best picture lineup.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@GeoffAlterman]

I caught this at the Philly Film Festival, first time I’ve attended a bunch of festival screenings and Rian Johnson was there for a Q&A. A packed theater really is noticeable when a funny movie makes a dark room full of strangers laugh, I miss that happening more often. I definitely need to rewatch it because I don’t know if it’s the festival atmosphere or just the film itself, but I think I liked this even more than the great first one. Exciting to see how it plays on rewatch after all the twists & turns have been revealed!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Seeing it with a crowd definitely helps!

[@brajeshsingh2391]

Well Knives Out Glass Onion is not a bad movie. Its a very laudable attempt. But its not as sharp as a top tier murder mystery which Christy mentioned and it certainly is not as clever as it thinks. While it does present a very interesting and multi layered plot, it also has some really big plot holes and plot conveniences which are too hard to ignore or forgive. But I must appreciate the effort and attempt of Rian Johnson. Its a very ambitious plot and Johnson almost pulls it off. He certainly gets the foundations of the plot right, and manages to create a narrative that has almost all the templates of murder mystery format. Agatha Christie's Then There were None, The Double Twist, hidden Identity, the spontaneous unplanned murder, and the secret of the past. It is to his credit that Johnson put an element of all these murder mystery categories into narrative. And actually manages to present it an engaging and uncomplicated way. And create a movie which is entirely driven by its plot, except maybe post the reveal. No matter how different types of characters and personalities are put in the movie, Knives Out is driven by its narrative rather than the antics of the cast. But as I mentioned while Johnson does get the foundations of the plot almost right, he falters at the details. And in a Murder Mystery audiences look closely at the details. The final ending is also a letdown, given how unique the movie was or at least tried to be till the end. As far as acting is concerned its fine. There is nobody who is a standout. Craig delivers his part. Not exceptional but good enough. Among the rest of the cast Edward Norton is the standout , probably out of the entire cast. He plays that character he is supposed to very well. Janelle is an important character of the cast and she does well. Rest of the cast go through the motions. The movie is more interested in their style and the greater effort is to present them as different from one other. It is not concerned about their personalities and their connection to the main plot. Something which was noted. I give Knives Out a 7. Almost entirely for its very ambitious and unique plot. It does however fail to effectively pay attention to all the details and intricacies of the plot. And for a murder mystery the details are very important. The final ending and character development also falls short of the standard of the intricate and unique plot.

[@ashleytalksmovies]

I really enjoyed Glass Onion. As someone who loved the first Knives Out, I thought this film was a very solid followup. And I think this one does a better job with the large cast. This film was entertaining and the story was so twisty and interesting. Just a lot of fun.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Glad you enjoyed it too!

[@MattB0610]

I actually agree with Alonso on this. A few things didn’t quite come together for me w/ Knives Out, and this one felt pretty seamless. I would’ve liked to have seen more, but I feel like this one uses its ensemble better than Knives Out did. Everybody gets their big moment. Liked this a lot. Played like gangbusters with a sold out crowd.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Oh for sure, lots of fun with a big crowd.

[@CDubya.82]

Saw it in cinema. Fantastic film. Love it. Took me off guard at first with what felt like the film not taking itself as seriously as the first one. Upping the comedy. But I settled in and enjoyed afew laughs and the mystery and interesting story. 9/10 easy. See it in cinemas! Then wait for physical release. That's what I'm doing.

[@moviemike44]

I'm hoping to catch it in theaters this weekend. I don't like that it then disappears from theaters and can't be seen until 12/23. I hope no spoilers go around between now and then since most people will catch it on Netflix.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

We tried to maintain the surprises!

[@nikitamohanan2124]

Watching this on Saturday. Can't wait. Have you guys seen Guillermo del Toro's pinnochio which is currently playing In select theaters? I feel like Netflix didn't market the theatrical release of Pinocchio AT ALL and if I did not check my Cineplex app, I would HAVE NEVER KNOWN it was playing in my city! Some are saying it could be a best picture contender or at the very least help Guillermo get his 3rd oscar for best animated feature with pixar and disney having a lukewarm year this year.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

We need to see it still, but we hear it’s amazing.

[@andygilly14]

I agree with Alonso... Rian Johnson does this genre better that Kenneth Brannagh...

[@somakkamos]

Hahaah alonso actually liked this one better..if u go back and look at his review of knives out the first one.... he really didnt like that one

[@adamJKpunk]

How dare you! 😂

[@michellebiland5163]

So agree. 👍👍👍👍

[@cjwright79]

Branagh meanwhile was fiendishly good in a little movie called Tenet a couple years ago, I really admire how detestable he made himself for that role, it plumbs new depths of depravity and truly malevolent, callous solipsism.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

He definitely has a more distinctive voice.

[@Celestialrob]

I purchased the 4K BluRay of "Knives Out" a while ago and have not got round to watching it. We will definitely watch it this week as prep for this. Love Daniel Craig, even when he's selling Vodka 🤣 Thanks you two!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Hope you enjoy it! Thanks Rob.

[@NjK601]

I've been on a bit of a (Ustinov) Poirot binge, and decided to finally check out Glass Onion, it was way better/funnier then expected, "so stupid, it was brilliant", just about to watch the original Knives Out for the first time, looking forward to it based off this review.

[@musicmann1967]

I wound up being more in line with Christy on this movie. Very enjoyable, but I enjoyed the first movie more. The setting itself lended a more interesting tone, and as much as I enjoyed this new cast I liked the combination of characters better in the first movie. I definitely enjoyed the new one though, and I'm glad I went. Being not quite as good certainly doesn't mean not good. And even though it got outlandish, I found the further along we got into the twists and turns of the plot (which was well after they arrived at the island) the more I enjoyed this movie.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Thanks for your thoughts, Larry!

[@nikosvault]

You need a Kirkland Signature Water sponsorship Christy. Surely a liquid-based sponsorship is your destiny.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Right? Gotta get that sweet Costco money.

[@alexanderklepp]

I'm hoping I get a chance to see this in the theaters as I did really enjoy the first and Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc is enjoyable and it'll be interesting to see him interact with this new cast.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Such a fun performance.

[@o.9428]

With The White Lotus S2, Triangle of Sadness and The Menu, it's really way too much of the same theme. This is a film that skewers the upper class, while featuring an all-star cast of wealthy actors. The irony is rich and makes the message of the film ring hollow.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

It's a lot! But the celebrity cameos and name drops are also very amusing.

[@teddykgb9971]

I'm seeing this tomorrow night for that Janelle Monáe still alone. Stunning 😍

[@BreakfastAllDay]

She's awesome in this.

[@Paithagoras__]

Thank you ADur for dropping the Last of Sheila reference. Unquestionably the best mystery film of all time. 😅

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Alonso is knowledgeable.

[@christinedugas3089]

Alonso...THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT! I share your minority opinion that Knives Out was merely fine (went back and watched the whole review), which was disappointing as it had a great trailer. I have fingers crossed that I find this one, as you found it, more enjoyable. I'm more willing to give Benoit Blanc a second chance since it will be on Netflix.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Let us know! Thanks Christine.

[@Thepeejay]

I appreciate this dialogue so much and the mentions of the jared leto kombucha. I loved this movie a bit more than the original

[@BreakfastAllDay]

If only it were a real thing!

[@Locusto199]

I'm with Alonso about Knives Out. I enjoyed it for sure, it was a good and fun film, but I don't think it's a movie that was so good it completely prevents a sequel from being better. Also, I 10000% fuck with Daniel Craig as this characte . I love seeing him have fun, and being wacky/flamboyant, similar to his character in Logan Lucky (my favorite performance in that film). Thanks for the review as always, you guys are the go to for me and my circle of film friends. 🙏❤️🔥.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

So fun watching him be a goofball. Thank you for always hanging out with us! Hope we help.

[@WarlordRising]

This is better than the original. It's both timely, and more of a cautionary satire that is timeless. Rian's direction here is at his best. You can see he utilizes camera techniques from various decades. I also thought Janelle Monae was far more dynamic than Ana De Armas. She almost stole the show from Craig. Almost.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

She's amazing in this.

[@petergrossi6605]

I really liked the movie. Albeit a bit long, really good performances, production design, and I loved how the story got more interesting as went on. I went to a 10:45pm showing and it was well done. 7.8 out of 10

[@LulyTubee]

🙋🏽‍♀️ I have a question guys! Do I have to watch Knives Out before this one, in order to understand it? 🍒

[@BreakfastAllDay]

You don't! They're totally separate, except for the presence of Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc.

[@LulyTubee]

@@BreakfastAllDay Thank you Happy Holidays 🤗🍒

[@christophergarrett7082]

I love this movie. It's alot of fun watching Daniel Craig detective blance solve the case and just watching the actors have fun with all the characters. I love the mysteries at the root of this movie. I love how he keeps its easy to follow too.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

He's so great in this role.

[@momi1610]

Benoit Blanc is the true star of the Knives Out series. I am looking forward to the third installment simply because of that character. For this second film, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. This one felt more over-the-top and cartoonish. Yes, both the first and second films use some of the same tropes. However, in my opinion, the first film executed those elements a lot better. Both sets of characters are roughly the same types of vapid, self-entitled, greedy, pretentious wealthy folks; but the first set of characters appeared more fully formed and human, while this second set of characters feel like caricatures of what folks assume rich people to be like. Also, I didn't care about the second film's story. I didn't care about the characters of this second film. There's one character who had some redeeming qualities, but it's mainly because the character was the wronged party in the situation. I wonder if that person was more fleshed out if they would've been any better than the people who wronged them?

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!

[@BottleConcreteBlond]

I look forward to seeing this!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Let us know what you think!

[@SydneyTravellersGuide]

I actually was bored by Knives out and didnt think it was a good movie. It just happened and Daniel Craig didnt seem to be very investigative either. When the reveal happened at the end of that.... I was like Okay? I was shocked it blew up the way it did with ticket sales. That said, going to this tonight at the cinema

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Let us know what you think!

[@SydneyTravellersGuide]

​@@BreakfastAllDay Thought this was a much better movie than the first - the third act was particularly funny and a riot. The plot is actually also much much more interesting when compared to the previous movie - that one - I felt like a lot of the cast just stood around and did nothing. They didnt even really ham it up. Maybe I need to rewatch the first Knives Out. This? Lots of big laughs in my cinema and alonso is right - should be seen in a cinema. * see also my comment re: gray man in a cinema. You both saw it on the small screen and didnt like it - i loved it on the big screen.

[@BobSullivanAKABuffy]

I did love the original Knives Out, one of my faves that year and one of the few I bought to own. I think I agree with Christy. While I liked this one fine I don't think it was as good. Dying for your spoiler version. The acting was fun. And in a theater, definite plus.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

We'll do it soon! Maybe we'll wait 'til it's on Netflix to give more folks a chance to see it. Thanks, Bob.

[@zindabyne]

This is a far superior film BECAUSE it had FEWER of those characters that Christy mentioned compared to the first one. I thought the script was even cleverer and Johnson was more precise in creating the puzzle. I was more engaged in this whereas the story stagnated much early in the first one for me. This, Triangle of Sadness, Decision to Leave and Northman are my joint favourites so far this year. Need to find time to watch The Menu this weekend. Fabelmans doesn't come to the UK before Jan 2023, sadly.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Lots of good stuff lately!

[@tsarstepan]

I got my ticket for Friday noon (long weekend off). And pulling a double header with watching Disney's Strange World in the late afternoon.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Fun! Enjoy.

[@BottleConcreteBlond]

I enjoyed Knives Out a lot, though, as a fan of whodunnits I didn't find it necessarily groundbreaking. I really agree with Alonso about the Branaugh movies, they're not good. I have to say the The Last Of Sheila isn't a great movie either--it's a lot of fun with an amazing cast, but it's not a great movie.

[@ranestorypictures1738]

I liked the first Knives Out more. Maybe it was the old house and all its secrets as opposed to the gym sized living room filled with glass objects. 😊

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Ha, that is a good description.

[@Generalbas1972]

So i hated Knives out the first time i saw it. The second time i liked but i never loved Knives out. This one however i LOVE. I totally agree with everything Alonso is saying also about Rian Johnson beating Kenneth Brannagh in the murder mystery genre. Can't wait for another one of these

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Great! So fun.

[@VicenteTorresAliasVits]

*No spoilers here.* GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY contains flashbacks where a certain moment is shown more than once in order to reveal information. This works whenever said moment is presented from a different point of view, but sometimes, it’s the same shot with the same actors where a character does something slightly different. That feels like cheating. Compared to KNIVES OUT, the comedy is weaker and the satire is more obvious. Also, what made that movie so memorable was the way in which it broke some rules that felt essential to stories about a murder mystery… while still being traditional enough to feel like another entry in the genre. This sequel doesn’t play with the formula in the same way. Don’t get me wrong. All of the plot twists are good, but in terms of unpredictability; not in terms of reinventing storytelling structure. 6/10

[@hollyshippy7417]

We really enjoyed "Knives Out." We saw it at the local cinema and purchased the 4K. "Glass Onion" was, to say the least, disappointing. My husband nodded off a few times. The film always seemed to be trying way too hard to be funny, clever, over-the-top and, at the end, apocalyptic. I mean, how many certifiably dumb characters can be placed in one movie, with any hope the audience would empathize with any of them? Even Daniel Craig seemed a bit dim-witted. There were a few laughs, but few and far between, as we slogged through the clawing company of vacuous rich people, who couldn't find their way out of a 7-Eleven, let alone the convoluted silliness that attempts to pass for a murder mystery. Plenty of people in the audience, but reaction was mixed. We were glad to leave the theater.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Love the way you phrased all of this. Thanks for your review, Holly!

[@margotk538]

I think most of Branagh's movies: The first two "Thor" movies, the Cinderella movie, and the Agatha Christie movies are about taking beloved classics and staying faithful to the source material. Branagh is a good filmmaker who understands cinematography, production, and storytelling. Unfortunately, he is also an older filmmaker who fails to revive the source material to something the modern general could emotionally relate and connect with. "Death on the Nile" and "Murder on the oriental express" felt really forced and emotionally distant from their audience. The green screen was really jarring, and the dialogue felt dated. Those movies can only appeal to older audiences (and primarily white audiences) who grew up reading the source material. Therefore, it takes a lot of work to do well at the box office. Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig understand how to write stories that include modern elements while having fun with the audiences. I find that this movie's humor undercuts the emotional storyline (with Helen), which can make the ending more emotional and have a more significant impact. It is super fun and funny nonetheless. Maybe in the next movie, they can dial back the humor and bring back the emotional punch that the first one is more successfully displayed. I definitely feel that the first Knife out has a higher stake and has you at the edge of your seat. This one is a little too cartoonish to care about the murder and the people involved.

[@kwalton7690]

THANK YOU for putting No Spoilers in your video title 🙏 Seeing this tomorrow in theaters and looking forward to your spoiler discussion. I actually didn't care too much for the first film's mystery but admit that it was a pretty flawless script. Just glad that there is a detective/mystery franchise that is doing well.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@dugfriendly]

Ooh! Gonna see it then.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Let us know!

[@JohnnyNada]

Dude, references !

[@myytchanneldinakoha8498]

The Joe Rogan comparison is ignorant and careless.

[@RichardHannay]

Got my tickets for this!!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Awesome, let us know what you think!

[@kiroolioneaver8532]

I think "Knives Out" had the better characters/plot but "Glass Onion" had the better Daniel Craig performance so this is a case of both films evening out in that sense lol

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Both are fun! Glad you enjoyed.

[@chrisholmes3791]

Honestly I never liked Knives Out. I hated the characters and it just felt very tedious and average at best. I wouldn’t pay to see this in a theater but since it’s coming to Netflix I’ll probably check it out

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Let us know!

[@JowanaBueser]

The incredibly liberal Bautista plays a men's rights KZbinr?! Never thought I could get more excited!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

It's amusing.

[@basquat76]

Who doesn't like a good murder mystery? Or even a mediocre one.

[@tlovehater]

The first one was just alright, I don't get the hype lol.

[@basquat76]

@@tlovehater Me neither to be honest. It was fine for an evening of entertainment but nothing amazing.

[@tlovehater]

​@@basquat76 FAXX

[@somakkamos]

..i just hope this one also has a disgustingly offensive character like cris evans one in the first one 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Oh it does.

[@joshlhammertv]

I just watched this movie with my 92 year old grandmother, who pointed-out within 25 minutes the biggest plot hole I've ever seen in any film...

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Hmm, does it have to do with why Andi got one of the boxes?

[@joshlhammertv]

@@BreakfastAllDay ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** why would andi get a box? why would bron let Blanc on the island since he's the world's greatest detective? why would andi email the group about her napkin? why would andi throw a substance into a fire she's been told could start a massive explosion? why are all these 'disruptors' not excited about a substance that could potentially end the use of fossil fuels? How did all these people not know that Andi had a twin after a decade of friendship?

[@johnny-vu6rl]

@@joshlhammertv none of these are plot holes. i can answer all of these: 1. andi received a box because she is still part of their group of ‘disruptors’. miles knows she’s dead and won’t be coming so it’s another way to deflect suspicion from him. 2. miles is cocky and overconfident so he probably figures he can outsmart blanc. 3. that was andi’s mistake, she underestimated miles like blanc said. 4. andi was angry and probably didn’t care at that point what would happen, she just wanted to burn it all down. 5. it’s extremely dangerous? 6. they did know. birdie even says “andi told us about helen” near the end of the film

[@SkolneyVikings]

How remarkably timely that this movie presents a techy billionaire who acts like a genius but is actually a serious idiot.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Pretty much!

[@ejromm]

This ‘eat the rich’ sentiment is so ironic coming from a director who got an obscene amount of money to franchise this series. The characters are not characters, theyre just shallow plot devices. The desperate attempts to be ‘current’, as a very young person is laughable, and not in a good way. I feel like i’m going crazy. I just don’t understand the appeal. I feel like time will be very unkind to Rian Johnson’s filmography. At the core, his films just lack humanity.

[@leebrandt8597]

We really ARE missing Matt, or at least another populist taste type of critic here so we can get a tie breaker, or at least give us a clearer picture on whether general audiences will enjoy this type of film. Cheers!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Go see it for yourself and report back! It is definitely a fun movie to watch with an audience.

[@crakatoot5480]

The first one was pretty awful. God willing this will be better