Knives Out Film Review: It is Mystery Time

Knives Out, a murder mystery directed by Rian Johnson, is getting quite a bit of attention and why not. How often do we see a mystery movie that is centered around an investigation into a suspected murder where we find ourselves completely satisfied upon the resolution of the plot in the third act? However, after you exit the theater upon watching Knives Out, there will not be any doubts over the manner in which the plot unfolds and that speaks well for the film, as we will see in our Knives Out film review. 

Not only do we see a stellar cast assembled here with the likes of Christopher Plummer and Chris Evans, but we also have an intriguing premise. A wealthy patriarch has committed suicide immediately after his 85th birthday celebration. However, we realize that there is no reason for him to do so. Soon enough, it becomes clear that several members of the family may have had a motive to commit the murder. And this sets up the first act nicely, wherein we see Benoit Blanc, a detective played by Daniel Craig, begin to interrogate the family members. 

The film begins dutifully as a whodunnit before it changes its trajectory slightly and leads you in a somewhat different direction, as it finally gets back to the whodunnit mode. For the most part, Knives Out keeps you on the edge of your seat. The second act of the film does stretch a tad, but that is excusable once we get to the last act, which plays out at a blistering pace. 

I suspect that many in the audience will be able to guess the end in part. However, I doubt if anyone can accurately figure out the details of it. It is here that Knives Out outshines most other average mystery movies. Although the broad picture may emerge a tad sooner than expected, the nuances are finely structured, and as the plot unravels, it appears entirely plausible and utterly convincing. 

Among the ensemble cast of Knives Out, Ana de Armas, who plays Marta Cabrera, Harlan Thrombley’s caregiver, performs admirably. Chris Evans playing Richard Drysdale, the latter’s grandson, is frequently funny as is Daniel Craig, the renowned private-eye Benoit Blanc, which keeps the narrative from getting too melancholy. The rest of the cast that includes Toni Collette, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, and others do an excellent job of portraying a dysfunctional family. Also, look out for Frank Oz as the family lawyer. He is splendid in his cameo. Last but not least, Christopher Plummer, as Harlan Thrombley, is a treat to watch. 

Knives Out will appeal to a broad spectrum of filmgoers. Not only those who enjoy watching murder mysteries like those of Agatha Christie’s will find it engaging, but the film will entertain even the casual moviegoers who might not be into this subgenre. 

Knives Out film review rates Knives Out (4 / 5)

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