Knives Out

Knives Out is a 2019 American mystery film written and directed by Rian Johnson. Daniel Craig leads an eleven-actor ensemble cast as Benoit Blanc, famed private detective summoned to investigate the death of bestselling author Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). Although police rule Harlan's case a suicide, Blanc suspects foul play and examines a host of clues and deceptive red herrings to ascertain his true manner of death. Johnson produced Knives Out with longtime collaborator Ram Bergman. Lionsgate managed the film's commercial distribution, and funding was sourced through MRC and a multimillion-dollar tax subsidy from the Massachusetts state government. Johnson conceived Knives Out in the mid-2000s. Seeking to modernize the whodunit films of the mid-twentieth century, the director was inspired by his interest in big-screen movie adaptations of Agatha Christie's stories. Johnson then shifted his attention to creation of his 2017 film Star Wars: The Last Jedi, halting further progress on Knives Out. Development resumed the following year when Johnson wrote the screenplay in six or seven months. He devised a framework of tonal shifts to escalate tension between the characters, and informed elements of the story with his experience coping with intense culture war backlash to The Last Jedi. Principal photography began in October 2018 on a $40 million budget and wrapped that December. Shooting took place on location in suburban Boston. Nathan Johnson composed the film's classical score, which drew on an eclectic array of his and Rian's favorite symphonic movie scores. Knives Out has been read as work that investigates class warfare, wealth inequality, immigration, and race in contemporary American society. Knives Out premiered at the 44th Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2019, and was distributed to American theaters on November 27 to major critical and commercial success. It was chosen as one of the year's top films by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, and finished the theatrical run grossing $312.9 million at the global box office. Critics distinguished the film's plot and actors for praise, though some aspects of the writing and performance drew criticism. Knives Out was nominated for multiple awards, among them three Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Knives Out is the first entry of a franchise that includes two more films—Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) and Wake Up Dead Man, set for release in 2025.

Video-background
9.8s
Detective Blanc? You said the investigation is ongoing. You made a point of that. Do you suspect foul play? Mr. Blanc, if you please...

Knives Out

Video-background
12.6s
There is much that remains unclear, but yes, I suspect foul play. Marta? I have eliminated no suspects.

Knives Out

Video-background
6s
You're full of shit. I don't trust this guy in the tweed suit. And, Alan, God bless you, you're useless.

Knives Out

Video-background
21.6s
Thank you. There's only one answer to this. She has to renounce the inheritance. She knows it's what she should do. - That's exactly what she... - It's the right thing to do. - Right? - No way... It's the moral thing. - Mom. - She'll do it. If Granddad wanted to give Marta everything, then that's what he wanted. No. This wasn't him. He loved us. He wanted us taken care of. He wanted you to have an education.

Knives Out

Video-background
4.1s
Meg, you think I can pay for your school?

Knives Out

Video-background
10.8s
I know. Just saying it, it sounds insane, but it's all true. And I think Blanc's been on to me from the start. I don't care if I go to jail, but my mom, my sister?

Knives Out

Video-background
1.2s
We...

Knives Out

Video-background
1.4s
You gonna say something?

Knives Out

Video-background
3.2s
I always thought I was the only one that could beat him at Go.

Knives Out

Video-background
15s
Always thought that meant something. Um, yeah, I know you did. That night at the party, my last conversation with him... My last argument, that's what he told me about you. That you beat him at Go more than I do, and I thought...

Knives Out

Video-background
2.2s
What a strange thing to tell me.

Knives Out

Video-background
1.4s
Think I get it now.

Knives Out

Video-background
1.9s
Maybe it did mean something.

Knives Out

Video-background
7.8s
I'm not gonna tell my family shit. You're not gonna go to jail. That detective is not gonna catch you. And you're not gonna give up the money.

Knives Out

Video-background
10s
This is what Granddad wanted for you. I mean, think about what he did to go through with this. He wanted this for himself, he wanted this for the family. And he wanted it for you. You've come this far.

Knives Out

Video-background
11s
Let me help you go all the way. What's going on? This isn't you. You could just turn me in right now and still get your cut of the inheritance. Why? Because fuck my family.

Knives Out

Video-background
6.1s
I can help you get away with this. And then, you're gonna give me my cut of the inheritance.

Knives Out

Video-background
5.3s
Happy ending. Everybody wins. You, me... Harlan. Yeah.

Knives Out

Video-background
15.7s
Deal? Meg. Marta...

Knives Out

Video-background
4.2s
That was nuts. I know. Are you okay?

Knives Out