Star-studded whodunnit from director Rian Johnson as a gathering for the family patriarch ends in tragedy.
It’s an Agatha Christie-like crime thriller updated to today, it’s Hercule Poirot as a deep-fried American southerner (a delightful Daniel Craig having immense fun as private detective, Benoit Blanc), it’s Cluedo in life.
Was uber-successful crime novelist Christopher Plummer’s death murder or suicide? If the former, was it one of his combative adult children? Following conversations prior to the party, they each had reason to bump him off – and before he rewrites his will. In the middle of it all is Plummer’s young nurse, Ana de Armas, who found the body. At least grandson Chris Evans has her back. Or does he?
It’s fun, it’s full of twists and clever turns, and, whilst it does take a while to kick-start, an intelligent subversion of the genre.
Nominated for Best original screen play Oscar in 2020.
Rating: 79%
Director: Rian Johnson (Looper, Star Wars VIII – The Last Jedi)
Writer: Rian Johnson (Looper, Star Wars VIII – The Last Jedi)
Main cast: Daniel Craig (Skyfall, Defiance), Chris Evans (Captain America, Snowpiercer), Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049, The Infomer)
An Opinion or Two 
One thought on “‘Knives Out’”