Netflix is set to make a controversial opening over Thanksgiving, as AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark Theaters are set, for the first time, to premiere one of the streaming service’s titles in the upcoming whodunit sequel Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Rian Johnson’s first star-studded take on the classic murder mystery, Knives Out, was a major financial and critical success in 2019. At the helm of the sequel, Johnson offers up a fresh conundrum for Daniel Craig’s charismatic detective, Benoit Blanc, to solve among an equally acclaimed ensemble of co-stars.
Reportedly, as a consequence of the success of Knives Out, Netflix spent in the region of $450 million to secure the rights to the film’s direct sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and a currently untitled third project for the franchise. The film will release as a Netflix original on the streaming site on December 23rd, though it has already debuted to positive reviews at Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year. If the first film’s success and Netflix’s own confidence in creating a universe around the character of Blanc are anything to go by, Netflix is likely to have a major hit on its hands to close out 2022.
However, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’s release is being shrouded in controversy as, for the first time in the platform’s history, the Netflix original sequel is being backed for a week-long theatrical run by three of the country’s biggest cinema chains. Debate from insiders surrounding whether Netflix will reveal the film’s box office numbers, where the service’s audience loyalties lay, and how the theatrical run could affect other releases during the already busy filmgoing period, have been revealed by THR. Check out some responses below:
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said no one should take the deal to mean that the company is leaning into the theatrical business. “There’s no question internally that we make our movies for our members, and we really want them to see it on Netflix,” he said.
“It’s the Wild West and there’s no level playing field,” says a veteran insider.
“We can’t go back to the dark ages,” says another executive. “Our business is founded on transparency and visibility”.
“It’s not a true theatrical release,” says a studio exec.
“Glass Onion is a sequel to a big hit,” says another studio exec. “But they [Netflix] can’t brag about the numbers, can they?”.
Will Netflix Reveal Knives Out 2’s Box Office Haul?
Although Netflix co- CEO Ted Sandaros has clearly stated that the service has no intention of becoming theatrically based, even a brief week-long run for a high-profile sequel like Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, during such a congested release period, is a bold move. Not only has the decision raised questions from Netflix subscribers who, from Sandaros’ suggestions, should remain the priority viewers of the site’s material, but also further emphasizes what has been an ongoing conflict between the streaming and theatrical worlds. While the suggestion that a week-long release is not a “true” theatrical run, still premiering in an expected 600 U.S locations and some venues overseas will likely create healthy competition for other high-profile Thanksgiving titles like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Previously, both Warner Bros and Sony were met with animosity for the decision to block opening day grosses, and, were Netflix to repeat this strategy, a great deal of scrutiny could be headed their way. With statements suggesting the number of fans the sequel is garnering is not something Netflix can “brag” about, there is a hint that perhaps some studio execs are getting nervous to see the results of the streaming service taking up space over the busy period. Whether Netflix can brag about Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’s great starting position or not, the numbers will speak for themselves, and if the grosses are revealed to be even close to the first film’s success then ripples will be heard throughout the industry. Success on that level would also at least tempt streaming service to change their strategies, and regardless of comments from Sandaros, a new age of cinema may be just around the corner.
