“It’s a dangerous thing to mistake speaking without thought for speaking the truth.”

Justin’s rating: Murder shouldn’t be this enjoyable

Justin’s review: It isn’t every day that we as film audiences are handed an intelligent, entertaining, sumptuous, and clever whodunnit like Knives Out. That movie absolutely bowled me over with how great it was, and I frequently rewatch it to discover new details and angles I didn’t see before. It’s frankly my favorite Rian Johnson movie to date (although Brick and Looper are A+ experiences), and that’s saying something, because the guy is loaded with talent. So you can best believe that I’ve been salivating to see what he did with his follow up, Glass Onion.

It’s the early days of the pandemic — oh hey masks, I don’t miss you at all — and a group of seven friends and associates of the eccentric and brilliant Miles (Edward Norton) are sent large odd game boxes with invitations to his private Mediterranean island for a weekend gathering and a murder mystery party.

The odd man out is Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who got an invitation but wasn’t actually invited by Miles at all. Things get even more odd as the friends explore Miles’ bizarre Greek island, his former partner appears with an icy demeanor, and a dude name Daryl is puttering around everywhere. This group’s full of secrets and complicated history, the kind that takes a little while to learn. Like Knives Out, we get an expansive ensemble with colorful characters outside of the norm. Likable, yes, but confusing. And potential suspects.

Also like Knives Out, there’s plenty of comedy to spare as the details and characters stack up. Having most of these people be friends — or former friends — means that there’s plenty of opportunity for in-jokes. And Blanc is as goofy and disarming as he is always watching. Always thinking. Always figuring it out.

All right, no more discussion of the plot or specifics, because experiencing it fresh is a joy you only get the first time around. With how mind-twisty the first film is, I was even more on edge trying to figure out where Rian Johnson was headed, knowing that I would probably be wrong. Heck, it’s not even apparent what the mystery is about until a good chunk into this sequel. And just when you think you know… you don’t.

Again, no spoilers, but even the name of the movie is a clue. We all know the onion metaphor, but how does it being glass change that?

In that delightful ignorance, pelted with developments and clues and additional layers of each character, it’s thrilling to go through it the first time. I kept holding my breath, worried that Johnson wouldn’t be able to pull off the same level of whodunnit genius this time around. The confusion is tolerable because (a) the characters are truly interesting, (b) you know that it’ll all get explained in the end, and (c) this film tosses you unexpected laughs along the way. My favorite is a running gag including Daryl, Miles’ houseguest that you always forget is there until he wanders into a scene and wanders right out.

While it was most likely impossible for Johnson to top Knives Out because of our expectations, he does an excellent job with Glass Onion. Perhaps it’s a little ridiculous in part, but it’s very well-done and — like its title suggests — packed with layers. Now we’ll have to wait and see if he can do a hat trick with Wake Up, Dead Man.

Intermission!

• Ugh I didn’t need to be reminded of masks in 2020
• He loves his faxes
• “Please stop fire-spinning inside.”
• The game cube is cool indeed
• “This can’t Shazam, it’s a lamp.”
• The hammer approach works pretty well too
• Blanc playing Among Us in the bathtub
• He hasn’t left the bath for a week
• “My mind is a fueled-up racing car, I need somewhere to drive it.”
• “That’s just Derol.” “Ignore me!”
• The robotic dog walking across the background
• “What’s that?” “That’s the hourly dong.”
• Random 2010: The Year We Made Contact reference
• One of the paintings in Miles’ big room is Edward Norton’s face on Brad Pitt’s body from Fight Club
• Gun in the swim trunks, that makes sense
• What’s a Disruptor speech — which foreshadows the climax
• The Mona Lisa is for sale, apparently
• “OK, fine, the winner gets an iPad.”
• I don’t want to spoil it, but Blanc getting a jump on the murder mystery had me laughing so hard
• He gets his iPad!
• “You have a Google alert for the word ‘movie?'” “I like movies.”
• “Oh f…iddlesticks…”
• The flashback has such bad hairstyles
• When Blanc says he’s not Batman, the movie score quietly plays Danny Elfman’s Batman theme
• The Brick symbol in Derol’s room
• “You must be really great at Clue, huh?”
• “Snoop!”
• “I think you should take up drinking. You’re just killing it!”
• “Tell me that you didn’t think sweatshops were where they made sweatpants.”
• “This never happens in Clue.” “That’s because it’s a terrible game.”
• Derol’s room
• “Nobody tried to kill you, you vainglorious buffoon.”
• “It’s so dumb it’s brilliant!” “NO! It’s just dumb!”
• “You lie for a lie, but you won’t lie for the truth.”
• Helen’s face is the Mona Lisa at the end — watch her expression