#TIFF22: “GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY”

By David Baldwin

The pandemic is raging and Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) finds himself in Greece, ready to board the yacht of billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton). Bron has brought together his closest friends for a weekend getaway at his island, promising a murder mystery and more. Of course, not anything is what it seems and it is up to Blanc to crack the case.

GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY is just as fun and wildly entertaining as its Oscar-nominated predecessor. Rather than redo the same beats as that film with winking nods, Writer/Director Rian Johnson has composed a Sequel with minimal similarities. Yes, it deals again with spoiled American socialites and is still a lovingly made whodunit with the wild Kentucky Fried Detective Benoit Blanc front and centre. That is where the similarities end though, because this eclectic cast of supporting characters (including the likes of Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson and the positively luminous Janelle Monáe) all have varying agendas and stakes in the larger plot – and their circumstances are all very different than any members of the Thrombey Clan. And the wild cameos are simply amazing.

Where GLASS ONION falters is in its pacing and chaotic structure. It feels about 20 minutes too long and could have benefitted from a number of scenes being tightened up. The entire opening sequence, introducing all of the new players, is well done and very funny, but it comes at the expense of not getting to the main plotline as quickly as it should. Thankfully Johnson’s sharp and witty writing is still just as fine-tuned as before, so the rapid-fire laughs and twists keep the film moving even when it stops dead in its tracks. I still managed to enjoy the Film immensely despite these squabbles, yet know it could have been even stronger had it not been so loose and breezy.

And to no one’s surprise, Craig is fabulous as Benoit Blanc. The accent and his impeccable timing have only grown since his last go-round, and some of the ridiculous things Johnson gets him to say are simply incredible. He is nearly shown up by Monáe (who absolutely slays from start to finish), yet somehow manages to hold his own I hope Johnson and Craig are true to their word and never stop making Benoit Blanc adventures. The man is a gifted comedic performer and to see that talent go to waste would be simply unforgiveable.

GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Sat, Sep 10 IN-PERSON Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre 6:00pm

Sun, Sep 11 IN-PERSON Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre 9:00am

Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON Scotiabank Theatre 9:30pm

Tue, Sep 13 IN-PERSON Cinesphere IMAX Theatre 6:00pm

Thu, Sep 15 IN-PERSON Cinesphere IMAX Theatre 9:30pm

Sat, Sep 17 IN-PERSON TIFF Bell Lightbox 9:00pm