Knives Out Review: 9 Ups & 1 Down
Ups...
9. The Hilariously Self-Aware Tone
Right from the outset, this is a film that knows you've seen countless whodunnit movies before, and it isn't at all interested in simply regurgitating all those tired, well-worn genre tropes.
This is best embodied through Daniel Craig's Poirot-like detective Benoit Blanc, who keenly picks apart all the formulaic elements of a typical murder-mystery romp and searches for something fresh underneath.
There isn't a moment where the film isn't doing something fresh or inventive with elements that might seem generic upon first glance.
It isn't a period piece but instead exists in our sardonic present, where everyone knows who Agatha Christie is and everyone can use their smartphones to Google things.
The result is a film that manages to create something fiercely original out of old parts. Bravo.