Glass Onion: A Layered Murder Mystery
A winding, adventurous tale filled with deception and secrets, Glass Onion, part of Rian Johnson’s Knives out Mysteries, debuted in late 2022. The murder mystery movie features many Hollywood stars such as Daniel Craig, David Bautista, Kate Hudson, Madelyn Cline, Kathryn Hahn, Janella Monae, Leslie Odom Jr., Edward Norton, and Jessica Henwick. The title is under “Knives Out” because of it’s center around the main character Detective Benoit Blanc, Craig’s character, but it can be watched without any knowledge of the first Knives Out. Some people thought the first movie was better, some loved both the movies but for different reasons, and others just didn't like either. However, I loved the entirety of Glass Onion.
One aspect I loved was the plot itself. I loved how the beginning involved introducing the characters’ separate lives first, then brought them together so that the rest of the story could unravel. In addition, I was surprised at so many of the reveals of different secrets kept by each of the characters. The conclusion was a complete shock to me, this made the story even better. In addition, there were also many events and mysteries happening simultaneously, making the movie more complex. I thought the narrative was put together exceptionally well, it allowed the viewers and Detective Blanc to have to analyze layer after layer in order to determine who the possible murderer could be due to a cloud of deceit. The reminder of how there can be a variety of layers to one issue was a central theme in the movie, and some evidence of this cohesiveness was when the characters even referenced the title.
The setting was another favorite aspect of mine. I loved how the beginning involved a sunny day on a yacht and the majority of the movie was set on this secluded island with advanced technology and the most expensive amenities possible, like an exhibit that featured the actual Mona Lisa or a dock that auto-elevates out of the water. I believe it provided a direct contrast to the shady, inconspicuous events that unfolded throughout the movie. In addition, one of the only times that it was not sunny was during a dark flashback illustrating the crime, which added to the significance of the setting being this “perfect” island. Not only do I think the location provided a happy, relaxed mood but also I thought it was a good choice to have deeper meanings and contrast to it.
There is such a great variety in the characters too. The main group of characters have many different backgrounds and personalities. Each one lives a different life in terms of what they want and the choices they make. For example, there is a politician, influencers, assistants, an aspiring politician, and an engineer. They each also have different approaches to problems or disagreements. I think that this made the show even more interesting because each of the characters have different perspectives although they are all similar in the fact that they would go to great lengths to protect their reputations and/or lifestyles.
Glass Onion was one of my favorite movies that I have seen thus far. It maintained a somewhat realistic perspective of the world. It showed that people deceive friends for their own benefit, that the wealthy are not always held accountable for their actions, and that it’s important to question your surroundings rather than take everything for what it seems, similar to peeling the layers of an onion. I would recommend watching this if you enjoy murder mysteries, and while you’re at it, you could also watch Knives Out.
By Hasita Yalamanchili