Since the first trailers came out months ago, I have been interested in seeing murder mystery movie Knives Out. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, Knives Out tells the story of the murder of famed eccentric crime novelist Harlan Thrombey just after his 85th birthday and focuses on his spoiled family, all of whom are suspects.

The film uses flashbacks liberally, often juxtaposing them with the family’s lies to the police and southern, supposedly genius, private investigator Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig). This results in indirectly characterizing each character, showing their insecurities and true feelings about Harlan through what they choose to say. Though not all of the family get equal screen time, they all feel well developed, with the exception of the young alt-right Jacob, Harlan’s grandson, whose bigotry is mostly told instead of shown. The main character of the piece is Marta (Ana de Aramas), Harlan’s nurse, rather than any family member. This choice makes sense since it is made clear that Harlan’s family are all essentially selfish snobs who care more for his money than him, while Marta is kind and shown through flashbacks to be a genuine friend to Harlan. Another standout performance is Chris Evans’ portrayal of Ransom, Harlan’s grandson, who is just as selfish as his family but does much less to try and hide it. He brings levity to the situation and calls out his family in ways Marta does not. 

The ambiance of the film is also exquisite. Harlan’s mansion is just as eccentric as he is, filled with references to his books, like a faux window, secret doors, and a garden full of animal statues. The most notable piece of scenery, however, is the hanging ring of knives surrounding a chair in the living room. The absurdity of the setting only enhances the absurdity of the family.

Knives Out continues a trend this year of movies with themes of classism like Us and Parasite. The entire family leeches off Harlan’s success while often claiming to be “self-made.” They also cling to the idea that there is a definitive greatness in their family name, calling the mansion their “ancestral home” despite the fact it was purchased by Harlan in the 80’s. Marta contrasts this egotism, being the most likeable character and by far the least wealthy.

Overall, Knives Out is a delightful, funny, and thought provoking murder mystery. The ending is not only satisfying because Harlan’s murder is solved but also because his family is forced to recognize their dependence on him and his wealth.