When we hear the phrase “Whodunnit,” we think of old mystery novels and plays. We think of the great Agatha Christie and one of her several masterpieces in the genre bringing us to the edge of our seats simply through a well-crafted guessing-game. It’s a genre oft-ignored and rarely attempted, as if all the best mysteries have already been written. Few would be up to the task, and writer-director Rian Johnson (“Brick,” “Looper,” “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”) is swinging for the fences with his own family mystery in “Knives Out.”
Though Johnson reached mass audiences by directing “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” he’s been making critically-praised movies since he started out nearly 15 years ago. He has the capacity to make big franchise-driven films, but can also tone it down, twisting the knife in this case to craft a smart, story-driven, dialogue-laden film. He’s a director who isn’t constrained by genres, franchises, or actors.
READ MORE: ‘Knives Out’ Trailer: Rian Johnson Crafts A Lacerating New Murder Mystery
“Knives Out” is led by a cast that you can only dream of, starring TV star Don Johnson (“Miami Vice” and “Watchmen”), Jamie Lee Curtis (“Halloween” franchise), Daniel Craig (James Bond franchise), and Chris Evans (“Captain America” franchise). Johnson has the rare ability to pull actors from different scopes of the film world and delicately place them into roles that suddenly are designed just for them.
“Knives Out” looks interesting, fun, enjoyable, and most of all, unique as can be. It’s not a sequel. It’s not part of a franchise. It’s not an adaptation. And it’s not based on a true story. It’s just a film from the mind of a fascinating director.
Starring Curtis, Craig, Evans, Michael Shannon (“The Shape of Water”, “Revolutionary Road”), Christopher Plummer (“Beginners”), Edi Patterson (“The Righteous Gemstones”), and a fresh face in Ana de Armas, “Knives Out” comes to theaters on November 27 through Lionsgate. Watch the trailer below: