Knives Out Review: 9 Ups & 1 Down

5. The Sly Political Commentary

While the film is largely focused on its engrossing bevy of mysteries, Johnson also couldn't resist the urge to infuse his script with some relatively subtle political commentary re: the state of the world, in particular America, today.

Numerous references are made to the Trump administration, with characters discussing immigrants being thrown into cages, while Jaeden Martell's obnoxious grandson character is a parody of elite alt-right trolls.

But overall the movie is a satire of privilege, especially of the white variety, a ripe subject given the present climate, and one which Johnson takes to task quite brilliantly without interfering with the core narrative.

Basically, it's a political movie without being Political.