On December 23rd 2022, the second adventure of Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), called Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, hit Netflix and immediately became a fan favorite. The star-studded movie takes the characters to a Greek island owned by billionaire genius Miles Bron (Edward Norton). He wants to enjoy a murder mystery party with his friends, the extravagant Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson), Senator Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn), Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr.), internet star Duke Cody (Dave Bautista) and his former partner Andi Brand (Janelle Monáe). What follows is a real murder story worthy of Agatha Christie. Welcome to our round table with Tessa, Paula and Maria!
Glass Onion is one of only a handful of movies and shows to acknowledge the COVID-19 pandemic on screen. How do you feel about this?
P: I was very surprised when I saw the masks and remembered we were like that less than 2 years ago, felt quite weird! But I loved how they portrayed different perspectives for the COVID situation: a person working totally alone in their office while doing a video chat, another one streaming, other ones just throwing a party…It was very realistic and didn’t feel forced at all. I think it was a very clever way to set the tone, introduce the characters and, at the same time, give the spectator an idea of the time the movie is set in.
T: I really enjoyed the way they handled the depiction of an ongoing pandemic and how day to day life has changed but did not make it the full focus. It felt important that they acknowledged the current global events but I was also amused at the way they tackled the issue of allowing actors to remove their mask for their time on the Island.
It felt very respectful while poking fun at the different stereotypes of mask-wearers that exist. Examples are Benoit wears his mask properly, while Birdie opts for the mesh mask that is clearly decorative rather than functional, Claire’s mask keeps falling beneath her nose while talking and is ill-fitting, while Duke doesn’t bother to wear one at all.
M: I love how they handled that and always thought it is wrong that most movies/series omit it. It dictated our daily life for three years and many people lost their lives. That being said I enjoyed the way they handled it as a side note without allowing it dominated the story. My favourite part was the bath scene with Benoit. It showed how tough lockdown was, while serving as a comic relief.
The movie is filled with cameos and tongue in cheek mentions. Which was your favorite?
P: I totally didn’t expect the mentions of Jeremy Renner or Jared Leto, it felt so strange but was hilarious! I personally love the mentions of real life people in fiction movies, it feels like they’re breaking a barrier between the real world and the fictional one. I also adored the mention of Among Us! In my opinion it was an amazing point to associate the game with Blanc struggling with the quarantine and not being able to be his true self. A lot of people were in his situation and this game helped a lot. But definitely my favorite cameo was Hugh Grant…How could we expect him! I totally screamed when I saw him.
T: My favorite cameo was the mention of Jeremy Renner hot sauce. I was delighted that this prop became a little more important to the story near the end. Honorable mentions go to the Zoom Among Us! cameos while Benoit is in the bathtub at the start of the show, big props to Natash Lyonne, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the late Stephen Sondheim and Angela Lansbury.
M: I personally cracked up with the Serena Williams cameo. It was the perfect way to satirize the antics of superrich people. I also loved Ethan Hawke because a lof of people almost missed him.
The movie has a very unique narrative structure. How do you feel about this?
P: I expected it to have a similar narrative to the first movie, but the plot changes and new details contstantly surprised me. My mind was blowing up every 10 seconds! I love how this movie is made like a puzzle that seems to be started right in the middle. We figure out the beginning and end as the movie follows. My favorite thing is that, no matter what you think all along the movie or who you think the murderer is, everything you thought of will fall down as you discover new details or stories between the characters.
T: I loved the way the story moved along. It sets up a good mystery, letting viewers observe as they watch but also focuses on the bits they may have missed as they break down the detectives discoveries along the way. Every flashback makes for a good Ah Ha! moment or serves as a bit of confusion, letting you ask yourself, ‘Did I see what I really saw?’
M: I thoroughly enjoyed this! It gives you a reason to rewatch the movie and enjoy it, while focusing on a different aspect. It was also a bit of an eyeopener to how susceptive we are to manipulation. I have now watched the movie several times and always find some other detail to focus on.
Do you think the satire in Glass Onion takes away from the enjoyment of the actual mystery?
P: Oh, no, I think it actually makes the mystery better! And sometimes this satire shows an actual and very important lesson. I think humor is essential, especially in serious matters, and Blanc didn’t disappoint! He has some remarkable quotes and scenes full of satire (my favorite one is “It’s a dangerous thing to mistake speaking without thought for speaking the truth”. I think this movie wouldn’t be as good if it didn’t have satire in it, as the movie also calls out some real things that happened during quarantine.
T: I think the satire adds much needed humor to the story! If it was not there, it would just be another run of the mill, murder mystery. I appreciated the funny moments to lighten the seriousness of the accusations and the overall feel of the plot.
M: Absolutely not! I actually think it adds to the enjoyment because it creates a layered viewing experience (Pun intended!). The satire is hilarious and gives you a lot to think about (Birdie’s mask!) and the mystery is well thought out. The clues throughout the movie aren’t overly evident yet they are there.
How would you rate the movie?
P: I give it a 9,5/10. I feel the first movie set the bar too high, but it was an amazing sequel and very well built. Plus the performances were marvelous and the story kept me glued to the screen the whole time! Also, I have a soft spot for Benoit Blanc, and he did not disappoint a single bit.
T: I give this movie a giant 10! I absolutely loved it. It was the perfect follow up to Knives Out (another 10 in my book) the delightful cameo filled introduction of Detective Benoit Blanc.
M: I thoroughly enjoy it, every time I watched it. I give it 9 out of 10 and can’t wait for the next installment. Basically, I only wished it was longer. I would have loved to see a little more of the backstory. My favourite characters were Benoit Blanc, simply because Daniel Craig is brilliant in that role, giving it a hint of Detective Columbo, and Birdie Jay. Kate Hudson nails her portrayal and despite the overdrawing of her negative sides it is scary that you feel people like these do actually exist.
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Maria is our resident nerd and passionate about all things fantasy and science fiction. She is Spanish and grew up in Germany, which is why she is a native speaker of both languages. Becoming a fantasy writer was only logical to combine her skills and passions. In addition, she is working on her English degree and loves to play tennis and dance Salsa. She is currently writing her first novel and will mainly be covering Star Wars, Star Trek and Shadow & Bone.
Hello! I’m Paula, a Spanish deaf girl who absolutely enjoys and loves watching movies and shows, as well as traveling, reading and writing. I grew up reading adventure books and writing fictional stories, and continued watching cartoons, movies and shows. I soon found myself enjoying that SO much that it became my special place and a way to escape from reality and problems, while it helped me to learn a lot and grow. My friends call me Dori and/or minion, but it's only my distinctive aspects that make me unforgettable. Don’t believe me? Well, consider yourself challenged to prove me wrong.
Tess is an Alaskan artist and writer who sometimes talks to birds. She also enjoys tv shows (the vampire ones mostly), movies, cross-stitch, and traveling. When she is not rooting for the villain or dressing up to weird her neighbors out when checking the mail, she can be found attempting to be a decent mom to a small horde of goblins.
