Can You Watch Glass Onion Without Watching Knives Out? Exploring the Connections Between Two Films
For those who have seen Knives Out, the 2019 hit mystery film directed by Rian Johnson, the recent release of Glass Onion has raised a question: should one watch Knives Out before diving into this new movie? In this article, we explore the answer by providing a detailed review and analysis of Glass Onion as a standalone film, examining the shared universe of these two movies, and presenting a comparison between them. We will argue that while there are connections between Glass Onion and Knives Out, the former can be enjoyed on its own without prior knowledge of the latter.
A Review and Analysis of Glass Onion as a Standalone Film
Glass Onion tells the story of a group of strangers who are lured to a remote island by a mysterious host expecting to receive a big prize, only to find themselves trapped in a sinister game of survival. The film is a thrilling suspense that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, with exceptional cinematography, well-developed characters, and an intricate storyline.
While Glass Onion is set in the same universe as Knives Out, one can fully enjoy the film without prior knowledge of the latter. The plot, themes, and cinematic elements are unique to Glass Onion, and the story stands on its own. The characters are well-crafted, with motives and backgrounds that make them intriguing. The script incorporates subtle clues and red herrings, offering many twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the end. In short, Glass Onion is a complete and satisfying movie that can be appreciated on its own merits.
5 Reasons Why You Don’t Need to Watch Knives Out to Enjoy Glass Onion
Here are some compelling reasons why it’s worth seeing Glass Onion as a standalone film:
- The cast: The actors deliver an exceptional performance, from the lead roles to the supporting ones, bringing the characters to life with nuance and depth. Each character has a fascinating story arc that contributes to the film’s overall impact.
- The setting: The remote island setting is beautifully cinematic, adding to the suspenseful atmosphere of the film. The island’s isolation and eerie vibe create a sense of claustrophobia that puts the characters and audience on edge.
- The score: The haunting music score composed by Nathan Johnson perfectly complements the film’s atmosphere, creating an unsettling and ominous mood that sets the stage for the overall story.
- The tension: The tension and suspense build up throughout the movie, keeping the audience guessing and on the edge of their seats. Every scene adds to the overall tension, making Glass Onion a thrilling and intense ride.
- The overall impact: Glass Onion is an excellent movie that offers an engrossing experience for audiences who love mystery and suspense. The film is well-paced, well-written, well-shot, and well-acted, delivering a satisfying conclusion without feeling predictable or formulaic.
An Exploration of the Shared Universe of Knives Out and Glass Onion
While Glass Onion can be enjoyed on its own, the film still contains subtle connections and references to Knives Out. These connections enhance the viewing experience and hint at a larger, shared universe between the two movies.
One such connection is the character of Detective Benoit Blanc, who appears in both films, played by the exceptional Daniel Craig. Blanc is a eccentric private detective who helps solve the mysteries in both films, and is a fun and engaging character to watch. Additionally, both films feature a family-dominated storyline with “whodunit” elements. This creates a sense of familiarity between the two movies, making the connection between them more seamless.
Aside from these direct connections, Glass Onion contains small Easter eggs that hint at a larger story. For example, a subtle reference to the on-going investigation in Knives Out is made, hinting at a larger narrative in the shared universe.
A Comparison of Glass Onion and Knives Out
While Glass Onion is an independent movie, the comparison to Knives Out is inevitable. Knives Out became a popular and highly acclaimed movie, with a unique style and tone: it’s witty, provocative and engaging throughout and has a lot of memorable moments. Compared to this, Glass Onion is a much darker movie, which is more visceral and intense. The suspense in Glass Onion is more prolonged, and the twists are harder to predict.
When it comes to the overall storyline and characters, both movies are quite different. Where Knives Out is about an eccentric family drama, Glass Onion is about a survival game on a remote island. However, the two films complement each other as part of a larger universe, allowing for the character of Benoit Blanc and the Easter eggs to add that much more depth into their separate stories.
An Interview with Rian Johnson about the Connection Between the Two Films
Rian Johnson, the director of both Knives Out and Glass Onion, has provided insight into the connection between the two movies. In a recent interview, he talked about how both films take inspiration from Agatha Christie stories, but that he wanted to explore different sub-genres and storytelling ways to differentiate each film.
“The plan for both Knives Out and Glass Onion always involved using the character of Benoit Blanc and the broader universe as a way to explore different corners of mystery storytelling”, Johnson says. “There are so many interesting stories to tell within the world of both movies. The characters and the different sub-genres that can be explored give us a lot of room to play.”
Knives Out: An Introduction to the Shared Universe with Glass Onion
Imagine, for a moment, the opposite approach to this article; that the viewer has seen Glass Onion, but not Knives Out. In this scenario, Knives Out can act as an introductory film to the shared universe. When starting with Glass Onion, the viewer only scratches the surface of the shared universe of these two films. Knives Out builds out the larger universe in which Glass Onion exists, and gives context for Detective Blanc’s character adding depth and nuance to his work in both movies.
Conclusion
While one can see the advantages of watching Knives Out before exploring Glass Onion, the latter is a complete and well-crafted movie that can be enjoyed on its own merits. The connections between the two films create a shared universe that enhances the viewing experience, adding depth to the characters and their stories. Rian Johnson has created two excellent films – one witty and quirky, the other darker and more visceral – that complement each other and provide an added layer of enjoyment when watched together. Ultimately, Glass Onion is a fantastic film that stands on its own and deserves to be watched on its own terms.
