Knives Out: Film Review

*Nominated for 1 Oscar*

*Check Oscars Page for information*

Final Thought

Wildly entertaining and neatly crafted, Knives Out is supremely well acted and one of the best films of the year. 

Rating

5 out of 5

Knives Out: Film Review

Directed by Rian Johnson

Written by Rian Johnson

Starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Christopher Plummer

Synopsis

When Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), a world renowned crime novelist, is murdered following his 85th birthday celebration, a southern detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), is mysteriously hired to investigate the murder. Interviewing and studying everyone from Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death. 

Review

Damn, everyone is in this movie! This gargantuan cast with gargantuan amounts of talent does a fantastic job. Everyone is in fine form, especially Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Toni Collette. It seems like they all had fun with it, but these select 5 do something special with their roles: they give it genuine personality. I also felt that this was a great vehicle for all the actors involved to showcase versatility. It's so great to see Michael Shannon as not creepy and Daniel Craig in a Southern accent. This film looks fantastic (the production design is on point). This film is very stylish and sophisticated. You'll feel uppity and snobbish while watch, I guarantee it. This film is extremely well written and funny (the donut monologue is *chef’s kiss*). Every character is fully fleshed out and explained, even though some of the characters are minute (i.e the Nazi troll boy). No one really seems unnecessary. I love the way the mystery was unraveled. There are things that are revealed early that might seem like they take away from the finale, but the film is so entertaining, you’ll forgive it. Nothing seems like a cheat. Every ending and wrap-up is satisfactory. Also, the film is not very twisty. The film is somehow grand and ornate, yet intimate. It is focused on one mystery and fully unwrapping that, which I appreciate. This works in the film's favor by giving the audience a full and complete story, rather than one filled with plot holes and dropped plot lines. This is very fun to watch. Y'all, I had so much fun watching this movie, and I cannot stress this enough, this is the PERFECT Thanksgiving movie! Trust me. This is, for sure, one of my favorites of the year. I also love murder mysteries so that might've skewed my rating a touch. Sorry ... not sorry.

Viewed on Nov. 22, 2019 at AMC Parkway Pointe

Run Time: 130 minutes

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references, and drug material