Knives Out Review
Daniel Craig is the lead detective in this Agatha Christie inspired whodunnit. But the real mystery is why is this film getting so much praise?
Knives Out was one of my most anticipated films of the year. It’s a whodunnit murder mystery film – already I’m in. It’s written and directed by Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, 2017 and Looper, 2012) who I think is a talented film maker and is someone bold enough to go against genre stereotypes and tropes. It also has a star studded cast that includes the likes of: Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson and Toni Collete – to name a few. The early reviews were hot, this was one of the films of the year. On paper, this film had it all and was looking an attractive prospect. And yet, I walked out of it feeling a little flat and not overly impressed.
In a review like this, even touching the key plot points might be considered a spoiler. But, as the trailer below shows, it’s about how the Thrombey family patriarch, Harlan, has been found dead from suspected suicide. However, when private detective Benoit Blanc, played by Craig, gets involved he thinks there may be other factors at play. Every family member has their own motives and their own unique dynamic with Harlan and everyone is a suspect. Alas, we have a game of Cluedo for all the family to enjoy.
Except, what actually happens is that we don’t get a typical sort of murder mystery film. Rian Johnson clearly isn’t one to play by the rules. He irked Star Wars nerds by zigging in Star Wars: Episode 8 when they all wanted him to zag. And in Knives Out, it’s not really a whodunnit film despite being billed as one. The first act definitely sets things up in an intriguing way. But, quite early on Rian Johnson pulls the breaks quite hard on this steam train and says fuck it, we’re doing it my way.
For me, I wished he had kept the same tone as the beginning thirty minutes or so, which opened up a world of possibilities. But, in choosing to go the route he does, Johnson ultimately gives us quite a bland sort of finale. Also, there’s a real lack of tension or surprise, which is basically the entire point of these kinds of films.
Don’t get me wrong, this is a film that is enjoyable and fun. Daniel Craig is both hilarious and ridiculous as the lead detective, with an equally absurd southern accent to go with it. He’s not corny at all – in fact, I’d go as far as to say I loved his character. All the acting is great, and with such a great cast there’s no surprises there. They’re all fantastic, but Chris Evans is perhaps the other stand out. Everyone is so used to him in the Captain America role, that it’s refreshing to see him in something new and as a bit of a douche in this film.
My biggest issue with this film is that the audience doesn’t really have to think too much. There’s a bit too much information given, and it’s handed on a plate way too early. Again, no spoilers, but I think things are bordering on pretty predictable at times and I never had a holy shit moment. Whilst there’s some fun characters, some others are pretty pointless and under utilised. So much so, to the point where they feel as though they’re making up the numbers. Also, side point – but the score was used terribly and I mean terribly. There’s a few early uses of it which are sort of over the top which I had no problem with. But, in the moments where suspense should be building – there’s no background music at all. I think this was a glaring error and subtracts from the film.
I wanted a bit more bang for my buck with Knives Out. I will always respect and support a film maker for trying something new and being adventurous. But, with regret, I feel this film isn’t actually that clever and isn’t going to inspire a new type of genre of film any time soon. This isn’t anywhere near a top ten film of 2019, which by going purely on trailers I would have suspected it could have been.