Knives Out is an absolutely delightful mystery about some really horrible people. The stellar ensemble cast works wonders together and Rian Johnson’s tale doesn’t cheat — the clues are all there. And even if you figure out WhoDunnit before the end, you’ll still be thrilled at the fun you’re having along the way.
Knives Out is clever, amusing, and really sings best when it showcases the awful members of Harlan’s dysfunctional extended family.
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Chris Evans, in particular, seems to relish playing a jerk after all those years as Captain America. And Daniel Craig is just this side of ridiculous as a Kentucky Fried Detective. (You know he’s loving this. Not a hint of Bond to be seen.) Jamie Lee Curtis chews her nasty dialog with glee, and even Don Johnson (yes, that Don Johnson) is a lot of fun. Everyone brought their best game. I have a feeling a lot of actors wanted to get in on this film, which writer/director Rian Johnson apparently spent a decade trying to make happen.
Knives Out is this decade’s big most fun mystery
While parts of the movie recall this year’s Ready or Not (with another amusingly abusive family and murder most foul), Knives Out also bring to mind the classic mystery comedies Clue (from the 80s) and Murder By Death (from the 70s). Note that all four of these films feature lush, iconic, and mildly creepy mansions.
And now I want to collect daggers and make my own Game of Thrones-style seating area. Really. That is some demented shit. I enjoyed this movie and suspect you will too.
Grade: A-
About The Peetimes: This was very difficult to get Peetimes for, as there are a lot of characters whose names kind of flit by, and it’s hard to tell what will or won’t be a clue later. I have 3 Peetimes, nicely spaced out, that won’t leave you lost. I Recommend the final one.
There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Knives Out. (What we mean by Anything Extra.)
Rated (PG-13) for thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references, and drug material
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama
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Co-Creator of RunPee, Chief of Operations, Content Director, and Managing Editor. RunPee Jilly likes galaxy-spanning sci fi, superhero sagas, fantasy films, YA dystopians, action thrillers, chick flicks, and zany comedies, in that order…and possesses an inspiringly small bladder. In fact, that little bladder sparked the creation of RunPee. (Good thing she’s learned to hold it.)
Roger Gray
Knives Out was the most fun I’ve had at a movie in years and my wife and I go to 40+ movies a year. While it has some similarities to Clue and Murder by Death, I thought it was far superior. My question is why you gave the movie an A- rather than a solid A. I didn’t see anything in your review that mentioned any negative.
Jill Florio Administrator
That’s an easy answer. I liked it and thought it was very good. But it wasn’t great. I didn’t LOVE it.
I saw it a bunch of times just because I could, and still don’t see a reason to bump it to an A.
Don’t worry. Grades are subjective and the least important part of our reviews.