Where is knives out

Overview

Knives Out is a 2019 American mystery film written and directed by Rian Johnson, featuring an ensemble cast including Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, and Christopher Plummer. The film revitalized the whodunit genre with a modern twist, blending classic Agatha Christie-style mystery with contemporary social commentary. It follows the investigation into the death of wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey, with detective Benoit Blanc uncovering family secrets and deception among the eccentric Thrombey clan.

The film's success spawned a franchise, with the sequel Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery released in 2022. Both films feature Daniel Craig as the Southern detective Benoit Blanc, with Johnson creating what he describes as "a series of Benoit Blanc mysteries" similar to Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot stories. The franchise has been praised for its clever plotting, social satire, and revival of the ensemble mystery genre, earning critical acclaim and commercial success that defied industry expectations about the viability of original theatrical mysteries.

How It Works

The Knives Out franchise operates as a modern mystery series with distinct narrative and production approaches.

• Narrative Structure: Both films employ intricate whodunit plots with multiple suspects, red herrings, and dramatic revelations. The first film uses a unique narrative device where the audience learns the truth about Harlan Thrombey's death early, then watches as detective Blanc pieces it together. This subversion of traditional mystery structure created fresh suspense despite revealing key information.
• Production Approach: Rian Johnson maintains creative control as writer-director, with Ram Bergman producing through their T-Street production company. The first film had a $40 million budget from Media Rights Capital, while Netflix acquired the rights to two sequels for approximately $469 million in 2021. This deal represents one of the largest streaming acquisitions for film rights.
• Genre Innovation: The films blend classic mystery elements with contemporary themes. Knives Out explores class conflict and immigration through its plot about a nurse inheriting wealth, while Glass Onion satirizes tech billionaires, influencer culture, and pandemic-era isolation. This social commentary distinguishes the franchise from traditional period mysteries.
• Franchise Strategy: Unlike connected cinematic universes, each film features standalone mysteries with returning detective Benoit Blanc in new settings with completely different ensembles. This anthology approach allows creative flexibility while maintaining audience recognition through Craig's charismatic performance as the central detective figure.

Key Comparisons

Why It Matters

• Genre Revival: The franchise's success demonstrated that original mystery films could achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success in the modern era. Before Knives Out, the whodunit genre was considered niche, with the last major successful theatrical mystery being 2017's Murder on the Orient Express ($352 million worldwide). Johnson's films proved audiences still crave clever, character-driven mysteries with contemporary relevance.
• Streaming Economics: The Netflix deal for two sequels at approximately $469 million signaled streaming platforms' willingness to invest heavily in theatrical-quality franchise content. This acquisition occurred during the peak of the streaming wars in 2021, when platforms competed aggressively for exclusive content. The deal's structure—with Netflix receiving streaming rights while Johnson retained some theatrical distribution control—represented a new model for filmmaker-streamer relationships.
• Cultural Impact: Both films sparked widespread discussion beyond typical mystery fare due to their social commentary. Knives Out became part of political conversations about wealth inequality, while Glass Onion's satire of tech moguls resonated during increased scrutiny of billionaire influence. The films also influenced fashion trends, particularly the sweaters worn by Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc character, which became iconic and widely discussed.

Looking forward, the Knives Out franchise represents a sustainable model for original filmmaking in an industry increasingly dominated by existing intellectual property. With a third film confirmed to be in development and Rian Johnson expressing interest in continuing the series as long as ideas remain fresh, Benoit Blanc mysteries could become a long-running institution similar to classic detective series. The franchise's success has already inspired other filmmakers to explore ensemble mysteries, potentially leading to broader genre revival that balances entertainment with substantive social observation while proving that original stories with strong execution can compete with established franchises in both theatrical and streaming markets.