Glass Onion introduces us to the eclectic cast of characters with a puzzling invitation. And I mean that literally. This dynamic friend group works together on the phone to solve a series of familiar childhood games and puzzles, in order to unlock the overly complicated, mysterious box and discover a flashy summons from their mutual friend, Miles Bron (Edward Norton)—a billionaire who suffers from delusions of grandeur, mostly about his own brilliance. However, there’s no doubt about Bron’s wealth. He lives on a private island off the Greek coast complete with a massive glass onion above his house, where his guests will participate in his murder mystery party. And this sets the tone for this highly entangled, masterful whodunit that nearly tops the original.
Enter Benoit Blanc—Daniel Craig’s charmingly witty, southern detective who succeeds beloved mystery icons like Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. Blanc also received an invitation, meeting the clique at the dock, to the shock of the other guests. Craig’s portrayal of Blanc is looser, potentially more comfortable, in this film, and naturally so, because director Rian Johnson’s sequel carries a much more whimsical and flashy edge. Glass Onion revives the suspenseful antics of the inaugural Knives Out, but in this new flashiness, Johnson forfeits the alluring depth of his characters, especially for Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, and Leslie Odom Jr. Despite this, their chemistry is undeniable, and Johnson’s impressive attention to detail sets up twists and tricks that truly surpass its predecessor. Glass Onion is saturated with enchanting moments and quick-witted dialogue, along with Janelle Monáe’s wonderful performance as Bron’s estranged best friend and ex-business partner, Cassandra Brand. Johnson’s dexterity for mystery and suspense is on full display, delicately delivered as a series of twists and shocks, but I cannot discuss anything else. There’s no reason to—this movie is a must-watch, and you’ll want to be kept in the dark. 139 min.