Well, today I’m going to talk about something I don’t normally do on this blog… talk about a modern, theatrically released movie that doesn’t happen to be an adaptation of an existing mystery franchise. That said, it does have a definite tie to Cozies – it was actually the expressed intent of Rian Johnson, Director/Producer/Writer of Knives Out to produce “an old fashioned murder mystery. Like an Agatha Christie, I love her!” Well, I certainly agree with that sentiment! And I was incredibly pleasantly surprised to find that Johnson’s 2019 movie actually felt like a modernization of an Agatha Christie… and it’s better than most of those!
To start off with, the plot is pure classic mystery. When wealthy, eccentric, cantankerous mystery novelist Harlan Thrombey (played by Christopher Plummer) is found dead after his 85th birthday party, it seems like a clear-cut case of suicide. However, there’s one thing that keeps the police from just signing it off as suicide – Benoit Blanc (played by Daniel Craig), a renowned private investigator. Benoit Blanc, the so-called “last of the gentlemen sleuths”, has been hired to look into the death. I don’t want to go too far into the plot beyond that, as the movie is far too new for spoilers… I can’t even tell you the other classic mystery that that this movie reminds me of, as I want it to be a surprise!
One thing I can talk about more is the cast, and I can’t say enough good things. As already mentioned, Christopher Plummer does an excellent job as Harlan Thrombey, as well as Daniel Craig, who plays the role of “southern fried detective” Benoit Blanc alternately as mysterious, ridiculous, or insightful, as the moment requires. Equally impressive were many of the other people I would consider “big names” of the cast, like Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays Thrombey’s dry, highly successful daughter Linda. But I was also surprised by many of the other actors and actresses, who are a bit too young for me to be as familiar with them (I am more of a “classic movies fan” than a “modern movie-goer”) such as Ana de Armas (playing the on-site nurse and confidante for Harlan Thrombey), Michael Shannon (as Harlan’s son and head of Harlan’s publishing house), Toni Collette (playing Harlan’s slightly hippy-dippy daughter Joni), and Chris Evans (playing a semi-estranged grandson). I need to stop here with the list, because, honestly, the entire cast does such an excellent job that it would just turn into a copy of the closing credits!
Note that there are a few details that some more sensitive readers should be warned of. First, it isn’t entirely bloodless. Let’s face it – when you stab someone, there’s blood, and while there aren’t exactly buckets of it in this mystery, there are a few moments that might put off squeamish viewers. Likewise, one character does have a particular tell when she lies – violent vomiting, which in practice I personally found more off-putting than the blood. Depending on how seriously you view swearing, there are a few instances of it here – though personally, I wasn’t bothered by either the frequency or severity. And as I said earlier, I’ve seen more extreme examples of most of this in actual modern Christie adaptations than here. There are a few depictions of drug use, though nothing particularly strong. There are also some brief political discussions.
This would normally be a great moment to say “They don’t make ’em like this any more”… except, they did. They just made this one in 2019, and there’s word that there’s a follow-up starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc already in the works. I’m certainly looking forward to it, and aside from those who are particularly sensitive to the above issues in their Cozies, I heartily recommend it.
PS: At least as of the time of this posting, Knives Out is available on Amazon Prime streaming.
Parker Brown-Nesbit says
I’m not usually a Christie fan, but this is on my to watch list. I did enjoy the movies of Murder on the Orient Express (haven’t seen the newest one yet) and Death on the Nile.
Another great takeoff on Christie is Murder by Death. It’s old, but it holds up quite well.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Parker, I hope you like this one! Yes, a lot of those old movies are great – there have been several very good versions of Murder on the Orient Express in particular.
Judithe T says
I am trying to find a mystery series about a woman lawyer who comes to work with her father. Not the Sujata Massey series. American or maybe British?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Judithe, I’ve added this question to a front post of readers’ questions.
PamB says
Thank you! I’ll be watching this tonight. I never thought I could watch a movie on my laptop due to the small screen but did watch my first Amazon Prime movie last week and it was okay. Much appreciation for all the books, movies, etc. you share.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
PamB, I certainly hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Sprite says
Saw it last year. Almost walked out, don’t remember why. But all the questions and plot twists kept me intrigued, so I stuck it out. Glad I did! When the end came, I could honestly say I NEVER saw that coming!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sprite, it’s definitely worth sticking around for the rest! This is a movie I do wish I had seen in theater, though I don’t think it really “needed” it – it doesn’t have much in the way of effects after all.
Lydia Moore says
I rather enjoyed it, except for the well, fake vomiting. My hubby hates that worse than anything, so I won’t recommend it to him. (We call it the “obligatory vomit scene” in most modern movies.) I think it was supposed to be humorous in this movie, but it really turned me off. Otherwise, like you said, it had a strong story with lots of suspects and wonderful actors. Here’s hoping the next mystery will have a lot less OVS’s.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lydia, yes, that was actually the element that affected me the worst as well – which is the main reason I bothered to put that part in, actually.
Blarney says
I loved this movie and can’t hardly wait for the sequel!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Blarney, same here!
Novella says
Danna,
This looks interesting, but please tell us if there is any explicit sexual scenes? Also, personally, what “puts me off” as you say about the language is I draw the line at using Jesus or God’s name in vain, I just can’t abide that. Please let us know about that also.
I always think it is an unfortunate choice to use offensive language anyway and shows a lack of creativity. If they truly want to make a good old fashioned mystery—then often they would use something like “he cursed like a whatever” or something charming to get the point across which adds charm and doesn’t identify with the rudeness of society today that we are all exposed to on a daily basis.
Reading or movies for entertainment should be just that, entertainment. No one is entertained by rudeness. Entertainment is an escape, if they include that then where is our escape? This is why a true cozy d so popular. Thanks for all you do.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Novella, no, no sexual scenes at all. I don’t specifically recall that sort of language either, but it isn’t something that particularly puts me off so no guarantees there.
Kitty says
Ha! We just received a copy we’ll watch tonight! Can’t wait, and very happy your review corroborated what we’re hoping for…and didn’t give anything away. 🙂
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kitty, I certainly hope you enjoy it as well!
Nita V. says
We saw Knives Out in the theater, and found it to be practically perfect in every way. It definitely needs to be seen more than once, and I’ll happily watch it on Amazon Prime. Daniel Craig–wonderful! Certainly hope the rumor of a sequel is true!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nita, I hope so as well! It’s definitely a good one. I actually heard about it first from my daughter and son, who both saw it in theater.
Diane Drummond says
Absolutely loved this movie. Many twists and turns. It’s a “don’t miss”
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Diane, I certainly agree!
Kat Stevens says
I watch the movie on Prime Video, early during the “shutdown”…and LOVED IT…it wasn’t flashy, or had graphics that were modern techy…it was in the old fashioned style of Ten Little Indians, or the other great Christie mysteries. The cast doesn’t hurt either, but I hope that someone recognizes our love for these stories, and will continue to produce them. I hope that the British love for Dame Christie and her legacy will encourage other movie producers to continue her own special genre, and writers will continue to pursue new stories in “said” genre!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kat, I agree on all counts – more of this sort of movie would certainly be great! It goes to show that a good script and quality actors can really get by without a lot of “whiz-bang” graphics, even in this day and age.
Val H says
I’m so glad you and others enjoyed “Knives Out” which I saw with a friend at the cinema just before our lockdown in Britain – we both loved it and I hope there will be another one in the series, at least!
Ellen Byron says
I’m a member of the Writers Guild of America and went to a screening of this at the WGA Theatre where Rian talked. It was fabulous hearing him pay genuine homage to Dame Agatha AND the cozy genre!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, that must have been a great experience!
Kari says
I enjoyed “Knives Out. I found it reminded me of “Death of a Cozy Writer” by G.M. Malliet, for those that would like to read something similar.