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.
Yeah, the school hasn't got the check yet. I don't know why Alan didn't mail it. Well, Alan didn't mail it because he caught a discrepancy. Alan's office has been wiring tuition directly to the school as per your request. But Phyllis's office that handles your yearly allowance has been wiring tuition monies directly to you as well.
Knives Out
You have been double-dipping Meg's tuition and stealing from me. $100,000 a year, for the past four years. Harlan, I don't know how this mix-up happened, but I swear to God... So, now I am writing this tuition check, but you must know that this is the last money you or Meg will get from me. Please, you don't understand... Joni, I know it'll hurt, but it's all for the best.
Knives Out
See, I might be a victim of my own expectation here, but when the great Benoit Blanc comes knocking at my door, I expect it's going to be about something, if not extraordinary, then at least interesting. But... I'm sorry, this is an open-and-shut case of suicide and, uh, quite frankly, Benny, we're getting to the point where I need to know what we're doing here. The method? Throat slit? Typical for a suicide? Yes, I mean, that's dramatic. But look around. I mean, the guy practically lives in a Clue board.
Knives Out
Come on, Benny, talk to me, all right? Now, you tell me to invite all of these people back for questioning all over again. I get it. Listen, I've had boots on the ground in this county for a while now. People are generally what they seem to be. You're not gonna find murderers in this family. This is a pleasant family with the usual quarrels, but no possible motives for murder. Where are you going?
Knives Out