Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

Movie · 2022 · Comedy, Crime, Mystery · 2h 20m · PG-13 · English

Curator score: 5.1/10 (3.3M ratings)

When the game ends, the mystery begins.

Overview

World-famous detective Benoit Blanc heads to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery surrounding a tech billionaire and his eclectic crew of friends.

Ratings

Director

Rian Johnson

Production

T-Street

Cast

Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Noah Segan, Jackie Hoffman, Dallas Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Hugh Grant, Stephen Sondheim, Natasha Lyonne, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Serena Williams, Yo-Yo Ma, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Where to watch

Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads

Curator Review

Verdict

A glossy, crowd-pleasing mystery with sharp comic timing, big performances, and a playful satirical edge. It’s less intricate than it thinks it is, but the energy, setting, and Blanc’s presence make it an easy recommendation for viewers who like their whodunits bright, breezy, and self-aware.

Best for

  • fans of modern whodunits
  • viewers who enjoy ensemble comedies
  • people who like satire about wealth and ego
  • audiences seeking a fun, accessible mystery
  • fans of stylish, dialogue-driven studio films

Skip if

  • you want a tightly plotted puzzle with maximum rigor
  • you dislike broad satire or heightened comedy
  • you prefer understated mysteries
  • you are tired of billionaire/tech-world commentary

Overview

Glass Onion trades the cozy mechanics of a classic murder mystery for a louder, sunnier, more overtly satirical game. Rian Johnson keeps the tone nimble and the dialogue crackling, while Daniel Craig leans into Benoit Blanc as both detective and comic engine. The result is less elegant than its predecessor, but often more openly mischievous.

Worth noting

The film works best as a social farce about vanity, status, and performative intelligence. Its island setting and ensemble of self-important guests give it a breezy, locked-room energy, even when the plotting becomes intentionally showy. The movie is designed to be watched with the audience, not above them.

Bottom line

If the twists occasionally feel over-explained, the pleasures are still substantial: the cast is game, the visual design is polished, and the jokes land with real confidence. It’s a smart mainstream mystery that knows exactly how much spectacle to wrap around its clues.

Top Letterboxd reviews

tetra · 47540 likes

calling it glass onion is such a coward's way to avoid calling it chives out

Jay (3.5★) · 39804 likes

the biggest mystery to hit the greek islands since sophie sheridan invited her three potential fathers to her wedding

Patrick Willems (4★) · 21091 likes

A full two hours and twenty minutes of me throwing back my head cackling and clapping my hands with delight

Sethsreviews (3★) · 19895 likes

I wish Ethan Hawke got on the boat with them.

•lily• (4★) · 17224 likes

I really hope rian johnson and daniel craig get to make like 30 more of these

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Topics

mystery, crime comedy, satire, ensemble cast, wealth satire, tech billionaire, island setting, whodunit, slick studio filmmaking, lighthearted tone

Open Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) on Curator TV