Writer/Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas and Chris Pine
‘A Magnificent Murder Mystery’
Murder mysteries are a genre of movies which I have always found enjoyable to watch. Ever since Agatha Christie put pen to paper, murder mystery movies have earned a huge following. With their quirky characters, compelling stories and unpredictable twists, murder mystery movies have always engaged me. The main reason why these movies are so enjoyable is that they capture our love for solving puzzles.
I’ve seen many murder mystery films over the years but few have impacted me like “Knives Out”. Rian Johnson’s movie is a mesmerizing masterpiece capturing families taking knives out against lower class housekeepers. Boasting exquisite production-design, sharp writing and phenomenal performances, it’s one of the best murder mystery movies ever made. Ultimately, what makes it stand out from other movies in the genre is its relevant message about social class in America.
Set in a wealthy mansion, “Knives Out” tells the story of a rich family that experiences a murder investigation. Ana de Armas portrays Martha, a Latin-American housemaid which is dedicated to serving her rich family. However, Martha’s life changes when she becomes the suspect of a murder. Alongside the detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), Martha embarks on a journey to prove her innocence in a perplexing murder mystery.
One of the reasons why “Knives Out” works so well without a doubt is direction. Rian Johnson is a fantastic filmmaker that has often thrived at making murder mystery movies, and “Knives Out” allows him to showcase his strengths. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes. Johnson deftly uses clever camera angles to capture a family in a position of power. Low camera angles are used to showcase the Thrombey family’s bold position of power. In contrast, high camera angles capture Martha’s position as as a lower-class housekeeper without power. Through breathtaking visuals, Johnson creates an engaging murder mystery about social class tensions.
Another sharp aspect of “Knives Out” which deserves to be talked about is the production-design. Johnson deftly uses the design of a wealthy mansion to build tension. The entire film is set within a rich mansion which plays a pivotal role in the movie. Throughout the film, the mansion captures tensions endured by a family taking knives out. Whether it’s swirling staircases or elaborate libraries, the mansion captures class tension. Through awe-inspiring production, Johnson creates a breathtaking murder mystery investigation.
Storytelling is another aspect of “Knives Out” that’s praiseworthy without a doubt. The film is extremely well-written, and features the most engaging storytelling you’ll ever see in a murder mystery. Johnson’s screenwriting strength is constructing an engaging murder investigation using flashbacks. The movie is cleverly plotted, following a unique flashback structure. Johnson seamlessly switches back and forth between flashbacks on the night of the murder and the present-day investigation. Through this clever structure, Johnson keeps viewers guessing who is responsible for death of a wealthy writer.
When discussing “Knives Out”, the powerful performances are worth talking about. In a star-studded cast, every actor gets the chance to shine and leave an impression.
Ana De Armas delivers one of her best career performances as Martha. It’s challenging to capture the personality of a housemaid that becomes embroiled in a murder mystery, but she succeeds. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the anxiety, fear and resentment of a housekeeper that becomes prime suspect of a grim murder. It’s a powerful performance suggesting that De Armas has a bright future in the film industry.
Daniel Craig is dazzling in the role of a devoted detective seeking to investigate a murder in a wealthy estate. Craig rose to fame by playing serious heroes such as James Bond. With “Knives Out”, however, he showcased a comical side to his acting that viewers had never seen before. He is genuinely hilarious in this movie. Whether he’s smartly interrogating members of the family or joking about donuts, Craig is excellent at playing a comical detective. One of the greatest performances given by the British actor associated with Bond.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Chris Evans. As the most despicable member of the Thrombey family, he brings an air of mystery to the movie.
Finally, “Knives Out” would please everyone without a doubt for capturing housekeepers that take knives out. The film tackles strong topics such as family, social class and wealth which would appeal to everyone. Viewers are not required to be fans of murder mysteries to appreciate it. It delivers a universal message that would resonate with everyone which has seen class inequality at an early age. Therefore, there’s no doubt “Knives Out” is one of those rare movies which everyone will be excited to talk about.
Fans of murder mysteries would appreciate “Knives Out” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment.
Nearly five years following the release of an iconic murder mystery movie about families taking knives out, it’s a razor sharp reminder about a movie that has achieved a massive following without a doubt for capturing the barrier of social class faced by housemaids whose heartbreaking stories of struggles deserve to be talked about.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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