Written and Directed by Rian Johnson
Cast: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield, Christopher Plummer, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Riki Lindhome, Edi Patterson, Frank Oz, K Callan, Noah Segan, M. Emmet Walsh, Marlene Forte
Soundtrack: Nathan Johnson
It wasn’t that long ago (you know, like two years) that my relationship with Rian Johnson (as a movie fan) was rather uncomplicated. I thought he was a fine writer/director who had vision; someone who made quality, interesting films.
Then, The Last Jedi happened, and, well, let’s just say that was hard for me to reconcile as both a fan of Johnson’s previous work and classic Star Wars.
As painful as that may have been, however, I always believed, nay, knew, that whatever Rian Johnson’s next movie was would be a good one (and I expect a similar rebound effort from Sam Mendes after the SPECTRE debacle).
Despite some trailer fatigue going in (I think Lionsgate was just excited to have a legitimately good general audience movie for the first time in a while), I have to say, Knives Out delivers as a modern take on the classic murder mystery genre.
Similar to Parasite, I wouldn’t say the story is totally mind-blowing, but it does go in ways I didn’t expect, which is satisfying unto itself.
The ensemble cast of top-flight actors is a joy to behold, and in particular it’s wonderful to see Christopher Plummer still having fun at the age of 89 (and still able to play a slightly younger man, I might add).
It’s also interesting that while Knives Out isn’t a Thanksgiving story (like Blood Rage), the family dynamics certainly seem appropriate to the holiday (may your own Thanksgivings never be as stressful).
Also, I have to give credit to the production for actually shooting a Massachusetts-set movie in Massachusetts, and not somewhere down south or, Heaven forbid, California. As someone who’s spent a fair share of time up there, it’s nice to see that authenticity.
Really though, whether you’re an average movie-goer, or someone like me who’s seen every episode of Agatha Christie’s Poirot (or A&E’s classic, A Nero Wolfe Mystery), Knives Out is a quality piece of entertainment for almost any audience.
So, when you get tired of seeing your family this holiday season, go sneak away and see this one. You won’t regret it.
Rating: ★★★★☆
P.S.
Rian, I know you’re still bitter, I probably would be to, but not all of us who didn’t love The Last Jedi are childish alt-right trolls, okay?