Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery!
The Glass Onion carries on a significant trend from the original. Glass Onion was released on Netflix in December 2022, a few weeks after a brief theatrical release, and has been met with rave reviews. Audiences and critics agree that the murder mystery sequel lives up to its predecessor and are now eagerly anticipating a third installment in the Knives Out franchise. While Glass Onion is a stand-alone sequel with an all-new all-star cast, besides Daniel Craig returning as Benoit Blanc, there were still many similarities to the first Knives Out film.
Both Knives Out and Glass Onion are Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries with similar tropes, but then they are subverted, and the films reveal plot twists that leave audiences shocked. Both films in the Knives Out series also have all-star casts, witty humor, and subtle political commentary. However, the films’ choice of characters is a progressive change for the mystery genre. The villains, leading ladies, and now Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc, in both Knives Out and Glass Onion are presented in a more modern and progressive narrative, and future sequels can keep expanding on it.
Benoit Blanc Teams Up With Another Woman Of Color In Glass Onion
In Knives Out, renowned detective Benoit Blanc is tasked with solving the murder of famous author Harlan Thrombey. While he immediately deciphers that Harlan’s nurse Marta Cabrera is involved, Blanc decides to team up with her to solve the mystery. In doing so, Knives Out puts more focus on Marta played by Cuban actress Ana de Armas. The film ultimately ends up following her story more than Blanc’s, allowing a woman of color to be the star of the murder mystery. This dynamic from Knives Out is mirrored in Glass Onion.
In the sequel film, Benoit Blanc teams up with Helen Brant, played by Black actress Janelle Monáe, to help solve her sister Andi’s murder. Once again, the focus shifts from Blanc to the woman of color, allowing her to shine as an equal protagonist in the film. However, Helen is also not a carbon copy of Marta. While both are kind-hearted and smart, they are easy to differentiate from one another, Marta was struggling to cover up a crime she didn’t commit, meanwhile, Helen excelled at impersonating her twin sister. Their unique personalities allow both female characters to shine on their own.
Women Of Color Take On Knives Out Villains Who Are Entitled White Men
Another progressive trend in the Knives Out series is that these women of color face off against villains who are entitled white men. In Knives Out, Marta goes head-to-head with Chris Evans’s Ransom Drysdale, who is revealed to be the first Knives Out film’s killer. Ransom tried to frame Marta for Harlan’s murder, so he could still get the inheritance money but ultimately fails because Marta doesn’t play into his games. Not only did Marta not kill Harlan as Ransom had planned, but she outwits him by getting him to incriminate himself.
Meanwhile, in Glass Onion, Helen uncovers the truth that Miles Bron killed her sister Andi after stealing her company, so he could go ahead with his dangerous hydrogen-based fuel Klear. When the rest of her sister’s former friends still side with Miles out of cowardice, Helen flips the ‘destructor’ mentality they all hold and single-handedly destroys Miles’s home and reputation by using Klear to burn the Mona Lisa. Both these women represent what real women of color face from spoiled rich white men and to show these women winning their battles is a refreshing take for the murder mystery genre.
Confirming Benoit Blanc’s Sexuality Continues Knives Out’s Progressive Writing
Glass Onion reveals Benoit Blanc’s boyfriend played by Hugh Grant in a quick cameo, but it is another contribution to the progressive trend the Knives Out films are becoming known for. Many world-famous detective characters like Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s novels, or even Bruce Wayne/Batman are notoriously lonely. They often prefer to be alone due to having lost someone they love, either a wife or girlfriend, a very generic and stereotypical characterization. Some interpretations of Sherlock Holmes, another world-famous detective, have alluded to the idea that he is either asexual or gay but have never followed through on it.
By confirming Blanc’s sexuality in Glass Onion, he is set apart from similar characters who have come before him and is also a big step forward for LGBTQ+ representation. With Knives Out 3 in development, the next sequel would be the perfect opportunity to go even further with the series’ progressive writing and expand on Blanc and his boyfriend’s relationship. Many films and franchises have attempted to be progressive but ended up falling short by making ‘tokens’ rather than characters. Knives Out and Glass Onion are perfect examples of how films can both tell a compelling story and create LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and feminist characters that are relatable, interesting, and never fail to solve the mystery in front of them.
