As a wise man once said: ogres are like onions — they both have layers. Yes, that wise man may have been Shrek, but it’s a good analogy. Another thing that has layers? A compelling mystery — and that’s exactly what Glass Onion, Rian Johnson’s highly anticipated sequel to Knives Out, is.
While Knives Out was focused on the rottenness at the core of old money, Glass Onion is concerned with the hollow center of new wealth. They’re two sides of the same greedy coin, and the way Johnson flips the script is brilliant, allowing Glass Onion to feel at once innately connected to what we loved about the first one while creating something completely fresh. While the aesthetic of Knives Out was classic and gothic, all dark woods and leather, Glass Onion instead goes trendy and ultra-modern with vibrant whites and sparkling crystal at every turn.
Johnson wastes no time introducing us to the chaotic cast of characters we’re about to go on a deadly vacation to a private Grecian island with, and from the first frames, the cast snaps together like a perfect jigsaw puzzle, each dynamic ripe with conflict and crackling with chemistry. While the characters might be on completely different wavelengths, the actors are all on the same page, going all in every scene.
This, of course, is a credit to Daniel Craig first and foremost. As the only returning cast member, he once again plays beloved detective and instant cultural icon Benoit Blanc. Craig has the difficult task of grounding the film, and luckily, he proves more than up for the challenge. His sharp wit, smooth, Southern drawl, and passion for truth are just as delightful the second time around. Knock on wood, but I can’t imagine ever growing tired of seeing him solve enchantingly absurd mysteries alongside equally game co-stars.
Speaking of co-stars, they are a hoot. There’s Kate Hudson, who’s clearly having the time of her life as Birdie, a model and designer who’s not exactly the sharpest (but definitely is the most fashionable) tool in the shed. Seeing her play off of Kathryn Hahn, who brings her iconic brand of uptight and unhinged to corrupt, beige-clad politician Claire Debella, is a true treat. The two revealed a desire for a spin-off series during a Q&A at the Mill Valley Film Festival, and all I can say is: Netflix, what are you waiting for?
Relative newcomer Madelyn Cline more than holds her own as Whiskey, girlfriend to trigger-happy (and hilarious) Twitch streamer Duke, played by Dave Bautista. Edward Norton stars as eccentric tech billionaire Miles — the force that brings them all together. There’s also quiet powerhouse Leslie Odom Jr., who plays brilliant scientist Lionel, and Jessica Henwick, Birdie’s constantly stressed assistant whose primary goal is keeping her boss from logging onto Twitter. (Glass Onion is the rare piece of media whose jokes about cancel culture actually land — and land hard.)
It’s a packed cast, and my only critique was that I simply wanted more time with every last deliciously awful one of them. Thankfully, despite the large ensemble, they all get their memorable moments to shine.
And no one shines brighter than Janelle Monae. It quickly becomes evident that this movie belongs to her, allowing her to flex an impressive range. Sinking her teeth into both the vulnerable and vengeful, if you peel back the layers of this movie, you will find her at the very heart of why it’s as successful as it is. You’ll want to see the film again and again to study the nuances of her performance.
And that’s not the only reason you’ll want a second (and third and fourth…you get the point) viewing. During the Q&A, Johnson was adamant that he plays fair — all of the shocking discoveries we find out during the big reveals are actually shown earlier in the movie when they’re exposed to have happened.
Glass Onion isn’t just a film — it’s a masterfully crafted game that somehow grows more fun the more you play it, allowing you to pick up on small but rich details you didn’t initially spot. Johnson isn’t just a writer/director: he’s an artist painting each frame with hidden clues. If Johnson is the da Vinci of the whodunit, then Glass Onion — with its smart, surprising plot, grand visuals, and sublime performances — is his Mona Lisa.
Watch the trailer for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery here, and catch the movie on Netflix starting December 23rd.
— Taylor Gates