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.

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There is no one home to wonder why you're going into Harlan's study.

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Or so you think.

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Poor Fran. She witnessed you tampering with Harlan's medication in the medical bag. She did not know what you were doing. But she knew you were up to no good. So her mind begins to turn. Oh, God. That Hallmark movie she told me about, with Danica McKellar... Deadly by Surprise. That's what she was talking about. She loved Harlan.

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She hates Ransom. So the poor girl decides to test her theory, and make this asshole pay. She gets a copy of the toxicology report. Now, I will be honest, I have no idea how. 'Cause she has a cousin. She told me, she has a cousin who works as a receptionist at the examiner's office. Well, voila! The numbers, they mean nothing to her, but if Ransom is guilty, its existence is a threat so she photocopies the header and makes her blackmail note.

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So why did she send it to me? She didn't. She sent it to Ransom.

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And when Mr. Drysdale gets it, what is his reaction?

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Elation. He still thinks Marta has given Harlan the tampered drugs. A blood tox report will prove her guilt. He goes to the will reading in high spirits, ready to see the family tear itself apart, secure in the knowledge it will be all undone when the tox report comes to light.

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And then...

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Marta's confession. And everything turns on its head. He now realizes that Marta has committed no crime and the tox report will prove her innocence. The changed will is gonna stand.

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He has lost.

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Unless...

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Unless you decide... You're not gonna give up the money. You're not gonna give up the money. You've come this far. You've come this far.

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Just one step further, just one last act. In for a penny, in for a pound.

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You decide you are in.

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Step one...

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Destroy all evidence of Marta's innocence.

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Step two, send her the anonymous email with a late morning rendezvous time...

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And deliver her the blackmail note.

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Step three, keep your appointment with Fran.

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Oh, I knew it. I knew you were a no-good son of a bitch. I knew Harlan wouldn't just kill himself. Yes, Fran, you were right. I knew you were guilty as shit. And now you're gonna pay for it! Don't you come near me. Don't come near me! I'm warning you!

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