(This is Knives Out film review, which is an original mystery film of whodunit genre)
Mystery films and those of whodunit genre has always been a mainstay in the cinemas since the decades ago. Knives Out is just one of the latest offerings that aims to put in its own modern twist to the formula with an all-star cast.
It is directed by Rian Johnson, and features an ensemble cast of Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, and Christopher Plummer. Now, let’s get to the Knives Out film review below to see how good they are at modernising this age old genre!
Premise
When a wealthy crime novelist was killed in his own home on his birthday party. Everyone becomes a suspect. However, the truth seems to be hidden behind many layers of mysteries that Detective Blanc will have to uncover before it’s too late. What could be the cause of his death?
Knives Out Film Review
Premise
The story is not very original. In fact, it is one of the simpler ones I have seen. However, what the film excels in is the execution of such premise. What I like about this is how the film manages to surprise with its own twists and revelations even after we know what has truly happened. As what the main detective, Blanc, has said: “There’s a doughnut inside another doughnut”, the surprises are hidden behind each layer of truth.
the film manages to surprise with its own twists and revelations even after we know what has truly happened
It feels a bit more fresh with this modern twist to the genre, where we are actually shown early in the film of what has truly transpired. Now, the revelation of the truth seems to, instead, hide even more mysteries. And the film knows how to handle all of these very well, and it reveals just enough information to keep us hooked till the end…until we are shocked by the ultimate twist in the end.
A simple premise can be made into a great film, and Knives Out shows how that can be done. You don’t need too much complexity, but you just need to play the cards right in attracting the audience’s attention from start to finish.
Pacing
The pacing is yet another part that the film excels in. Things move pretty fast once the murder happens, and we are constantly barraged with new information in tidbit size. There are just enough info for us to grasp the situation, but not feeling too overwhelmed from it. In fact, the film even adds some scenes for character growth to slow things down a bit.
Overall, it’s a great pacing all the way through, and you won’t ever feel bored from it.
The pacing is yet another part that the film excels in
Characters
The characters are indeed the main key to make this film enjoyable. And boy do they manage to get the right cast for the roles. Many of these actors manage to portray their characters very well, and thus we are drawn to the interesting set of characters in the film. I am impressed with how unique each character is, even to the minor ones. Each of them features unique appearances and also personalities, and they come off strongly in the scene. And I daresay this film pays attention to such small details, and gives us plenty of varieties of people that are also believable in their own interactions with one another.
I am impressed with how unique each character is, even to the minor ones
I like Daniel Craig’s Blanc, Chris Evan’s Ransom and Toni Collete’s Joni characters. They are the more memorables ones which stand out more due to their own way of interactions with other characters. These characters feature some characteristics of what modern characters look like in this whodunit genre. I won’t explain much about this but that they stand out even more than the real main character.
One part I don’t really like is how the true main character is made more subdued, and come off as less of a main character-ish than other major characters. Perhaps it does fit her role to be subdued, but I felt that she could come out more strongly and features a more unique personalities. To be fair, her own inability to lie is pretty special itself, but it’s used more for the comedic effect.
One part I don’t really like is how the true main character is made more subdued
Soundtrack
The soundtrack is pretty standard for such genre, and the film does not deviate much from it. They are not as memorable, but they do their job well of instilling the mystery atmosphere for the important scenes.
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