Glass Onion’s Meta Twist Means Knives Out 2 Can Surpass The Original

The new meta approach on display in Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery can help the sequel improve on the original Knives Out. In the run-up to the movie’s release, Johnson has repeatedly reinforced just how different his follow-up will be from its predecessor. With the full trailer finally shedding some light on exactly how Glass Onion can shake up the murder mystery formula, it’s becoming clear that the movie’s novel concept really can prove its director right.

The key difference between Glass Onion and the original Knives Out is the sequel’s use of a meta “murder-within-a-murder” narrative device. As opposed to using Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc as a traditional detective figure, Glass Onion sees him invited to take part in what starts as an innocent parlor game. This approach not only makes Blanc’s role very different – making him a passive participant rather than a proactive driving force in the story – but it also allows Glass Onion to play on traditional detective tropes, subverting audience expectations in the process. Telling a compelling crime story while also gently parodying the genre can help Glass Onion honor Knives Out‘s approach. Beyond this, however, it can help the movie go above and beyond the original in an interesting and innovative way.

Knives Out 2 Needed A Completely Fresh Approach

Although both Knives Out and Glass Onion put an interesting spin on more traditional detective stories, any Knives Out sequel had to do more than repeat the original’s set-up. After successfully twisting the classic domestic murder premise popularized by the likes of Agatha Christie, retreading the same territory could lead to understandable accusations of repetition. As such, Knives Out 2 was in the awkward position of needing to continue the first film’s satirical approach while also finding a fresh way to poke fun at the genre.

Using the “murder-within-a-murder” method is the perfect solution. Employing such a meta structure means the movie can make use of the same dark humor that made Knives Out such a success while also avoiding repeating the same narrative beats. Knives Out‘s success came from the fact that it felt like a genuinely innovative addition to a genre of films that, without some sort of clever twist, can easily feel stale. Glass Onion‘s new murder premise not only continues that trend but also sets up the potential for an even more innovative take on previous mystery movies.

Glass Onion’s Premise Promises More Benoit Blanc Reveals

Thanks to his new role in the story, Glass Onion all but guarantees audiences will learn more about Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc. The film’s premise not only introduces a raft of new characters, leaving behind Ana de Armas’ Marta and the loathsome Thrombeys, but it also places Blanc in a completely novel position. Judging by the Glass Onion trailer, Blanc will find himself in the thick of the action, rather than an outside observer. As such, he will be forced to think on his feet, perhaps unable to take a step back to observe the bigger picture and apply his usual methods. This will reveal even more about Benoit Blanc’s crime-solving approach and showcase different aspects of his personality, making him an even more intriguing character in the process. Surpassing Knives Out will be no mean feat. But, with an innovative narrative and a new angle on its charismatic lead character, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery really can improve on the original.