★★★★★½ (5.5/7)
"Knives Out" is a murder mystery film that follows the death of famous mystery novelist Harlan Thrombey. The story of "Knives Out" follows his family's reaction to his supposed suicide, and the investigation of world renown detective Benoit Blanc, due to his suspicion that Harlan was murdered.
The strength of "Knives Out" is found in its characterization. Director Rian Johnson successfully builds a cast of characters that are all interesting and fleshed out. This adds to the mystery, as the traits of each character make each one seem to be more of a suspect than you originally thought. The interrogation of each character makes questions arise in the viewers.
This film does a great job of examining human jealousy and sincerity. It is easily seen how little motivation it takes for one to lie. Even though these lies may usually be small or not out of malice, the quick inclination to abandon the truth reveals something deeper about the human condition. Certainly, during the case of a murdered loved one, the most important thing is truth. However, it is seen that characters may stretch the truth in order to protect their sense of pride.
"Knives Out" is a refreshing take on the often unreliable murder mystery genre. With the distinct characteristics that each member of the Thrombey family possesses, it seems that any member of the family could be the culprit. On the other hand, it even seems plausible that the case could be suicide.
"Knives Out" is offers a great sense of being in touch with the modern world. The political conversations are hilarious and relevant. On the other hand, some of the jokes are cheesy and unnecessary. The film forces you to focus on every detail, every scene, and every line said in the movie. The climax of this film is extremely exciting and will make you feel as if you are a detective itself. Daniel Craig is witty and fits perfectly in this role of the famous detective. The ensemble cast is awesome, but due to the sheer number of characters, there may be times when you forget about some completely.
If you enjoy mysteries, there is a good chance you will love "Knives Out." It feels like a classic detective story and stays interesting and witty throughout. The well-formed characters and attention to detail make this film one that is worth watching.
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