Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Standalone sequel with new cast and mystery, no need to remember original plot
The brief
Rian Johnson cranks up the camp and cunning for this follow-up that feels like a completely different beast from the original Knives Out. Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc gets loose and flamboyant while Janelle Monáe anchors the chaos with genuine emotional weight, even as the mystery bounces between genuinely clever misdirection and intentionally ridiculous red herrings. The whole thing unfolds like a lavish dinner party that slowly reveals everyone's worst impulses, with Johnson clearly having a blast skewering tech bro culture and performative activism. Perfect for anyone who loved the original's puzzle-box structure but wants bigger personalities and more satirical bite.
The verdict
If you love clever mysteries with satirical bite and don't mind your detectives serving up camp alongside clues, this is a wildly entertaining sequel that improves on the original's formula. If you prefer your whodunits grounded and straightforward, the deliberately over-the-top performances and 139-minute runtime might feel exhausting.
Watch with
- 👥 Perfect for mystery-loving friends who enjoy clever twists
- 👫 Great date night for couples who loved the first film
- ⚠️ Skip with young kids due to murder mystery themes
Heads up
- Murder and death (central to plot) (moderate)
- Brief strong language throughout (brief)
- Some drinking and party scenes (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Rian Johnson
- Cast
- Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr.
Official synopsis
Tech billionaire Miles Bron invites his friends for a getaway on his private Greek island. When someone turns
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with The Killer (1989)
Both feature meticulous puzzle solving with darkly comedic European elegance.
Total runtime: 2h 19m + 1h 50m = 4h 9m
