Sunday, July 3, 2022
flickfeast
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Festivals
  • FrightFeast
  • Spotlight
  • Contribute
  • Submissions
    • Advertise on Flickfeast
    • Submit a Film
No Result
View All Result
flickfeast
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Festivals
  • FrightFeast
  • Spotlight
  • Contribute
  • Submissions
    • Advertise on Flickfeast
    • Submit a Film
No Result
View All Result
FLICKFEAST
No Result
View All Result
Home Festivals

LFF 2019: Knives Out (2019) Film Review

Katie Smith-Wong by Katie Smith-Wong
December 27, 2019
in Festivals, Film Review
14
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

After Looper was released in 2012, filmmaker Rian Johnson planned to make a murder mystery film. Unfortunately, a small feature film called The Last Jedi prevented him from realising this project – until now.

Starring an ensemble cast, Knives Out focuses on the death of murder mystery writer Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). A week after his body is discovered, the police and private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) reunite the family to uncover the truth of what really happened.

You might also like

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – Film Review

Nitram (2022) — Film Review

Elvis (2022) – Film Review

From the outset, Knives Out acts as a homage to Agatha Christie’s complex mysteries. By incorporating ‘classic’ elements (car chases, broken conversations, old family mansions) with a modern setting filled with the odd mention of politics, immigration and social media, the film becomes relatable to audiences.

Fans already know that Johnson can structure a great story. His debut feature film Brick highlights his skill to create a slow-burning mystery and Knives Out is a continuation of this. He gradually introduces each suspect and plants the odd twist to provide insights behind the mystery while leaving it open to suggestion. The complex narrative gently builds, as a result, peaking at moments that twist the knife into this growing whodunnit.

Knives Out‘s cast offers a balance of veteran actors (Jamie Lee-Curtis, Don Johnson, Plummer) with those resonating with younger audiences (Craig, Chris Evans, Katherine Langford). Each character complements Johnson’s intricate screenplay and has sufficient development so everyone has a notable role – regardless of whether they have a motive or not.

Leading the charge is Craig’s coin-tossing Blanc. Rather than being a dignified, mysterious sleuth such as Poirot, Blanc’s southern drawl and eccentric methods raise questions about his skills. As the film progresses, he becomes a fun character to watch and an anchor for this mystery. After leaving his tenure with Marvel, Evans is also enjoyable to watch as rebellious Ransom, who leads our characters down an unexpected path.

Amid the acid-tongued Thrombey family, Knives Out‘s only ‘relief’ comes in the guise of Harlan’s nurse, the doe-eyed Marta (Ana de Armas). Untainted by money, the rapport with her patient shows a natural friendship so it’s no surprise to see her so affected by his death. But when Marta finds herself involved in his family’s dramas, de Armas’ expressive performance makes her one of Knives Out‘s more intriguing characters, as well as the driving force in its second half.

A crowd-pleasing alternative from blockbusters and heartwrenching dramas, Johnson’s take on a classic albeit outdated genre offers fresh delight for modern audiences. Smart, creative and entertaining, Knives Out is a rare cinematic treat.

Director: Rian Johnson
Stars: Daniel Craig, Toni Collette, Jamie Lee Curtis, Katherine Langford, Don Johnson, Jaeden Martell, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Michael Shannon, Christopher Plummer
Runtime: 130 minutes
Country: USA

Film Rating: ★★★★☆

Tags: Ana de ArmasBFI London Film Festival 2019Chris EvansChristopher PlummerDaniel Craigdon johnsonfilm reviewJaeden MartellJamie Lee CurtisKatherine Langfordknives outLFF 2019Michael ShannonRIAN JOHNSONtoni collette
Katie Smith-Wong

Katie Smith-Wong

Related Posts

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – Film Review

by Katie Smith-Wong
June 29, 2022
Nitram - review
Film Review

Nitram (2022) — Film Review

by Johannes Black
June 27, 2022
Elvis (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

Elvis (2022) – Film Review

by Dallas King
June 20, 2022
The Black Phone (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

The Black Phone (2022) – Film Review

by William Stottor
June 21, 2022
Lightyear (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

Lightyear (2022) – Film Review

by Dallas King
June 16, 2022

Recommended

Battleship (2012)

April 11, 2012
Takashi Miike’s Blade of the Immortal (2017)

Takashi Miike’s Blade of the Immortal (2017)

April 4, 2018

Don't miss it

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) – Film Review

June 29, 2022
Nitram - review
Film Review

Nitram (2022) — Film Review

June 27, 2022
Belle (2021) - Home Entertainment Review
HE Reviews

Belle (2021) – Home Entertainment Review

June 27, 2022
Father of the Bride (2022) – Film Review
Reviews

Father of the Bride (2022) – Film Review

June 25, 2022
Elvis (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

Elvis (2022) – Film Review

June 20, 2022
The Black Phone (2022) – Film Review
Film Review

The Black Phone (2022) – Film Review

June 21, 2022
flickfeast

Whetting your appetite for cinema with the best film reviews and features since 2009

© Copyright - flickfeast. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Festivals
  • FrightFeast
  • Spotlight
  • Contribute

© Copyright - flickfeast. All Rights Reserved.

Posting....