When it comes to a classic "whodunnit," it's fair to say that reinventing the wheel (perhaps donut would be more apt in this case) is no easy task. After all, no matter how many clever twists and turns a movie that falls into that category delivers, the end result is almost always the same. There's a murder, a number of suspects, and then the big reveal. Knives Out, however, delivers something completely fresh and unexpected by turning everything we think we know about the genre on its head and, as a result, it's a legitimate contender for the best movie of 2019.
To go into what it is that makes Rian Johnson's first movie since he visited a Galaxy Far, Far Away so different would be to get into spoiler territory, but suffice to say that Knives Out will exceed and upend your expectations in almost every respect, and what follows is a thoroughly thrilling movie that boasts a terrific script and stellar direction. With an unbelievable ensemble cast, it's also a star studded affair without a single bad performance.
Daniel Craig's brilliant Southern drawl and sharp witted detective is excellent, but while his character stole the show in the trailers, the film actually belongs to Ana de Armas. She's a magnetic presence and as hard to tear your eyes away from as the compelling story that plays out on screen. Honestly, we could spend all day praising each individual cast member, but Chris Evans is perhaps most deserving of a special mention as he goes from playing America's Ass to an entitled one. He's spent so long suiting up as a superhero that it's easy to forget the other great characters he's brought to the screen over the years, and if Knives Out is any indication of what comes next for him, it's going to be a lot of fun following his post-MCU career.
Johnson is also responsible for penning the screenplay and it's great to see him tackle something completely original again after his contribution to Star Wars. With Knives Out, he's made perhaps his best movie to date, something that's no easy feat after The Last Jedi. This is an undeniable crowd pleaser with some big laughs and enough big twists to ensure that a second viewing is a must.
It's also a movie that feels extremely timely, and beyond its whodunnit elements, it has a lot to say about everything from the current state of America to the way the wealthy treat those beneath them. Johnson could have easily just stuck to blockbuster filmmaking after delivering a $1 billion Star Wars movie, but he's instead decided to take a risk with a project that asks a lot from its audience and his gamble clearly paid off based on those opening weekend numbers. With delightful visuals and perhaps the best monologue about donut holes you'll ever find, Knives Out is a must-see and a refreshing addition to both this genre and theaters in general, as original tales as amazing as this one become harder to find.
A classic yet still thoroughly original whodunnit, Knives Out is a movie of the year contender that makes great use of its incredible cast while keeping you guessing from start to finish.