Knives Out tells the story of a novelist’s untimely murder and teaches that the pen is mightier than the sword. Central to the movie is not the violence and the murder, but rather who among the film’s characters will ultimately dictate the plotline.

Christopher Plummer stars as a rich patriarch named Harlan Thrombe, who is found dead at the beginning of the movie. Detective Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, is hired to investigate. Even though the police rule the death as suicide, Blanc is convinced Thrombey was murdered due to family discord over who will inherit his fortune.

Throughout the movie, truths are told in the wrong order until the full story unfolds. Thrombey attempts to write his own story here – he wants to choose his own ending. However, Marta, played by Ana de Armas, Thrombey’s nurse and inheritor, ends up dictating the story. Throughout the film, she believes she is someone watching from the sidelines, when in reality, she is the star of the show. Her constant nervousness and willingness to obey situates her as a pushover, yet towards the end, it becomes clear that it is her actions that force others to react. There are many “writers” in the movie, but Marta emerges victorious in defining its true narrative.

The characters showcase Rian Johnson’s impeccable screenplay. The humor is perfectly timed. Craig, known for his role in the “James Bond” franchise, impresses by switching his trademark British accent to a pointed American Southern accent. The cinematography of the film adds to its atmosphere. In contrast to the bright colors and lights, the famed murderer creeps up the rickety stairs, creating an upbeat suspense not normally found in films of this genre. As the lights slowly dim, the viewer’s eyes dilate with intrigue. 

The Knives Out twist on a mystery deserves resounding applause. It’s not a whodunit – it’s a who didn’t do it. The film’s engaging concoction of laughs, mystery, and suspense makes it a must watch. Now, two years since its release, fans anticipate its upcoming 2022 sequel with the same palpable suspense generated by the original.