Director Rian Johnson
Genre Comedy | Crime | Drama
Cast Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis
Rating PG-13
Release Date November 27th, 2019
“A detective investigates the death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combative family.”
Written and directed by the talented Rian Johnson (Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Knives Out is a comedy drama “whodunit” that follows a detective as he investigates the death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combative family. Securing $40 million funding at TIFF in September 2018, Knives Out garnered widespread critical acclaim immediately and was able to get a well deserved wide release. With a well-known director and a cast loaded with A-list talent, this quickly became the must-see movie to cap off 20199. Now I know you’re just dying to know, what did we think?
First and foremost I would like to point at that at first glimpse the trailer for Knives Out may remind you of the 2017 murder mystery Murder on the Orient Express from director Kenneth Branagh (at least it did for me), but trust me when I say this is much, much better. I mean that film was fine, but personally I found it boring and anti-climactic, basically the opposite of Knives Out. Now when you have a loaded cast as both films do, it can be easy to get lost in all of the talent at your disposal, but Rian Johnson does a fantastic job with Knives Out ensuring that each character is able to stand on their own two feet and have an identity of their own. I can pick out multiple characters that I really enjoyed, and honestly none of which that annoyed me which is rare nowadays.
The script felt fresh and inventive, which is no surprise considering the film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 2020 Academy Awards. The audience is only given bits and pieces through flashbacks and character background/interactions leaving you guessing pretty much up until the very end. I also really enjoyed the overall tone of the film, which granted it was fairly over-the-top the majority of the time, it all seemed to fit within that dysfunctional and greedy family dynamic present throughout. I was engaged from start to finish and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times, but even better than that I had a smile on my face the entire time. I’ve heard arguments that the film would have benefited from a R rating as opposed to being PG-13, but I don’t think it was necessary.
Knives Out is fairly described as a “whodunit” comedy murder mystery style film, but to take it one step further this is just a really fun movie going experience. This is a buy your popcorn and let the movie take you away from reality for the next 2+ hours, and that for me was exactly what I needed. Sometimes it can be hard to get out of your own head when you go to the theater, especially when a film has such sky high expectations, but I felt like I spent a few hours with the eccentric and absolutely ridiculous Thrombey family, and it was a blast. It is rare to become so immersed in the characters that you almost stop caring about the actual storyline, but that happened for me more than a few times.
Chris Evans was fantastic as the Black Sheep of the family, Daniel Craig was great even though he did have an exaggerated southern drawl of an accent which I personally had no issue with, and the ageless Don Johnson once again managed to make his presence felt in a supporting role. The always gorgeous Ana de Armas takes on a role a little different, and more pivotal to the film, than what she’s used to but she absolutely delivers (if you want to see one of her more “risque” performances see Eli Roth’s Knock Knock). I left the theater feeling fulfilled and entertained, and wanting to see Knives Out again to make sure I am able to fully appreciate each and every little moment of cinematic satisfaction.
Now it may sound like I am gushing, because well I am, but Knives Out is a damn good film and I can’t wait to add it to my Blu-ray collection as soon as it releases - which won’t be long as the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD is set to release on February 25th. Best Buy will have a special edition SteelBook version that I have my eyes on. Highly recommended.
