Movie Review: Knives Out (2019): The Netflix Mystery Thriller to Watch This Weekend

Mystery movie lovers, here’s another gem for you! Rian Johnson’s Knives Out (2019) is an impressive example of impactful storytelling, larger-than-life characterization, and plot twists you will never see coming. This movie stars Daniel Craig, Ana De Armas, and Chris Evans in principal roles. As a breath of fresh air in what was becoming a formulaic and predictable genre, Knives Out is a must-watch for all movie audiences. 

Summary

Harlan Thrombey, head of the Thrombey family and an affluent novelist, is found dead in his room. While the police and the Thrombey family are convinced that Harlan’s passing is a suicide (there was a self-inflicted gunshot), someone anonymously hires master Detective Benoit Blanc to investigate the case. 

Charming, humorous, and incredibly astute, Blanc partners with Harlan’s home nurse, a Cuban immigrant named Marta Cabrera, to figure out who hired him, and if there is indeed any foul play involved. Marta, while known for her inability to lie without vomiting, has secrets of her own. 

Things get even more complicated when it is revealed that Harlan had recently changed his will. In it, he leaves all of his estate to Marta instead of his family, who is in dire need of his money. As Blanc uncovers what happened that fateful night, the truth is something nobody could have seen coming. 

Characters

Daniel Craig masterfully exits his suave James Bond persona and embodies the quirky, charming, and highly intelligent Benoit Blanc. Ana de Armas plays Nurse Marta Cabrera, a kind, good-hearted, and empathetic nurse whom Harlan came to adore. De Armas is flawless in her performance, making audiences root for her from the very beginning. Chris Evans plays Ransom Drysdale, Harlan’s grandson who, in Harlan’s opinion, is just like him. Evans’ portrayal of Ransom is blunt, dry, and humorous at times. The ensemble cast, including legendary actors like Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Plummer, do not disappoint and completely immerse themselves in their character portrayals. 

Themes

While the movie is fast-paced, with minute clues that can be missed in the blink of an eye, it still depicts several overarching themes. 

• Race & Class: 

The movie, through the interactions between the Thrombey Family and the Cuban immigrant Marta, makes a profound statement about how immigrants are viewed in America. While the family claims that Marta is ‘one of their own’, they frequently involve her as an ‘example’ of a good immigrant during their heated political debates. 

When they find out that Marta is inheriting millions of dollars worth of estate, their sentiment of patronizing kindness evolves into anger. One of them goes as far as insinuating that handing over her inheritance was the best way to ‘protect’ her mother, who was an illegal immigrant. 

• Family Dynamics: 

The Thrombey family is split between Harlan’s children and grandchildren, almost all of whom rely on him for some form of financial gain. As a result, he shuns all of them and comes to consider only Marta as loyal and trustworthy. 

While they appear to mourn his death, the greed for his estate quickly becomes apparent as a catfight breaks out at the will reading. Even after it is announced that Harlan gave his assets to Marta, they scour over every possible way to get it back from her. 

Final Thoughts

If you enjoy well-crafted mysteries that keep you guessing until the end, then Knives Out is for you. The movie is also visually stunning, owing to masterful cinematography and gorgeous sets. Ultimately, it is the original plot and the performances of Craig and de Armas that sets this movie apart.