Knives Out

This review may contain spoilers!

Up until now I've never seriously been grabbed by a Rian Johnson film but what I witnessed with this is nothing short of one of the greatest 'whodunnit?' thrillers of the decade. I would give Knives Out a 9.5/10.

Knives Out is the investigation into the death of renowned author, Harlan Thrombey, and the chaotic effect his demise has on his eccentric, turbulent family. This film wastes no time is delving deep into the investigation, introducing us to the colourful cast of characters, the lies they spin and their motivations for wanting Harlan dead. Yet the film makes it very clear in no small amount of time that the identity of the murderer is not to be the final act twist, in fact a significant aspect of this film is toying with audience expectation. What would normally come to light by the end of the film appears early in and the intricate family politics that is at the heart of the films conflict takes centre stage. A fine thing too because these are some of the most interesting characters I've seen onscreen this year. Knives Out had me tense, on the edge of my seat, constantly guessing, in fits of laughter and, by the end, immensely satisfied. The cinematography is this exceptionally unique visual style, there isn't a shot in this that doesn't feel bold and impactful. The editing sets a smooth pace throughout and has some really fun transitions that speak to the films style. The score hearkens back to old sleuth films, there is a lot of inspiration and homage here that only heightens the intrigue you feel throughout.

Chris Evans, who played Ransom Drysdale, was this entitled stuck up trust fund kid who you loved to hate; Evans does a good job at playing with audience expectations in regards to whose side his role is on. Ana De Armas, who played Marta Cabrera, is one of my favourite upcoming actresses and the perfect pick for this films protagonist; de Armas finds the nervous hesitant qualities about her role and shapes them into something strengthened by the struggles she faces over the course of the story. Jamie Lee Curtis, who played Linda Drysdale, is an imposing matriarch in this intimidating family; her fondness for her late father and tendency to reflect upon what made them close marks one of the best subplots and reveals in the film. Michael Shannon, who played Walt Thrombey, is a more slippery and weak-willed character; Shannon is desperate to retain his rank in the family and eternally scared at the prospect of losing his standing. Don Johnson, who played Richard Drysdale, is a boisterous character who tends to speak before he acts; Johnson plays well to his role's desire for power but understanding/jealousy that he will never hold the power his onscreen wife does. Toni Collette, who played Joni Thrombey, is a real wild card and one of the funnier satirical characters; Collette's portrayal of a new wave 'health guru' driven by greed is a nice parody of real life women, such as Gwyneth Paltrow and her Goop range. LaKeith Stanfield and Noah Segan, who played Lieutenant Elliot and Trooper Wagner respectively, are really strong foils to the intensive investigator Craig portrays; Segan in particular in hilarious as the fanboy policeman enamoured by the entire case. Christopher Plummer, who played Harlan Thrombey, is a very eloquent and commanding figure at the head of this chaotic family; Plummer and de Armas have a really lovely onscreen friendship that feels warm and compassionate. Katherine Langford, who played Meg Thrombey, feels like a very charismatic and likeable persona when first she arrives onscreen; I was really impressed with the dark turn Langford took as her onscreen family's greed consumed her role too.

However, the best performance came from Daniel Craig, who played Benoit Blanc. This role pulls you in slowly at first, coming across as casual and mildly eccentric before unveiling his Sherlock Holmes-esque genius. There is a lot of inspiration taken from famous fictional detectives in Blanc, from his unique vocabulary to the way he builds up to a revelation or a direct line of questioning. I felt Craig entered scenes and was really capable of setting his cast mates on edge, even inciting fear in a convincing manner. Craig was wholly motivated by the truth and entirely moral, even if the film turned you against him from time to time. An instant classic of a super sleuth, right up there with Holmes and Poirot.

The transition from the second to third act of Knives Out is probably the only weak link, admittedly the action picks up and it turns to a bit of a fugitive piece for a moment which didn't blend in as well with the whole. Yet it is undoubtedly a minor crinkle in an otherwise perfect whole.

Jaeden Martell, who played Jacob Thrombey, is a bit of a background ornament for most of the film; Martell's soft demeanour often means he gets lost in the key scenes he is in. Edi Patterson, who played Fran, is a very oddball role compared to the rest of the cast; Patterson pushes the envelope a lot and crafts a role that feels very comical and at odds with what the film is trying to achieve.