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
1.9s
Oh, shit.

Knives Out

Video-background
6s
Vehicles in pursuit - on Washington Street. - No force. - Make sure you say "no force." - No force. We got a possible murder suspect. I said that. I said that.

Knives Out

Video-background
3.9s
Go. Go! Go! Are you flooring it? I am literally flooring it!

Knives Out

Video-background
4.5s
- This is going well. - I'm pulling over. I'm... If you miss your chance to get this tox report, it's all over.

Knives Out

Video-background
1.4s
Oh, my God.

Knives Out

Video-background
5.6s
- Whoa! - Whoa! Why... Why are we stopping? Why are you stopping in the middle of the road?

Knives Out

Video-background
1.2s
Hold on.

Knives Out

Video-background
17.1s
Oh, my God, I'm just pure adrenaline right now. I feel like I swallowed bees. Okay... So where is it? What's the address? 1209, Columbus Road. Okay. I mean, whatever they want, - I'll say yes... - Anything. You know, just to get that report back. - Get it back and destroy it. - Destroy it. Holy shit, Ransom.

Knives Out

Video-background
1.8s
Hey, thank you.

Knives Out

Video-background
1.8s
I couldn't do this without you.

Knives Out

Video-background
2.1s
Oh, my God.

Knives Out

Video-background
1.2s
Get out.

Knives Out

Video-background
32s
That was the dumbest car chase of all time. Put your hands down. I spoke to Wanetta Thrombey, Greatnana. Night of the party, she saw someone climbing the trellis to the third floor. - Mr. Drysdale, come on. - Let's go. Pat him down, check him out. What's going on? "Ransom came back," she said. Hands on the vehicle. I don't know what he came back to do, but we'll find out. You got anything sharp? Watch your head. Thank you. Hey, you don't need to thank him. Did he ask you to drive when he saw me coming?

Knives Out

Video-background
1.5s
Yes.

Knives Out

Video-background
10.9s
Blanc, coming with us? I'll drive with Marta. Let's go to the police station. I want a full rundown on everything he said to you. I'll catch you up on where we're at.

Knives Out

Video-background
2.9s
Strange case from the start.

Knives Out

Video-background
3.2s
A case with a hole in the middle.

Knives Out

Video-background
1.4s
A donut.

Knives Out

Video-background
19.2s
I'm just talking through my process here, let me know if this is boring. I feel the noose tightening. The family is truly desperate. Desperate motives, the mystery of who hired me, the impossibility of the crime, and yet...

Knives Out

Video-background
17s
A donut. One central piece and if it reveals itself, the fog would lift, the arc would resolve, the Slinky become unkinked. Do you mind if I stop for a second? I need to pick something up. It'll be very quick.

Knives Out