If the internet forgot that The Last Jedi ever happened, I think we can all agree that it’d be a better world. Unfortunately, that’s only a fantasy and with his newest film, Knives Out, director Rian Johnson enters the arena at a disadvantage. Although the movie has a lot of excitement surrounding it(especially with its all-star cast), it feels like that after Star Wars, there’s a lot more doubt about how good Knives Out can really be. Johnson hit it out of the park with Looper and as someone who wasn’t the biggest fan of Episode 8, I was less confident about how much I’d enjoy this throwback murder mystery.

Man... Rian Johnson is back once again in all his greatness! The movie is a complete throwback murder mystery that only a true film nerd could’ve made. It captures a great, kind of indescribable vibe that’s only enhanced by its mansion setting that one character perfectly describes as something right out off of a Clue board. Just as I said with Bong Joon Ho and Parasite, you can only imagine the wide grins that Johnson and the cast must have had while making Knives Out. This must have been a blast to make! As stated before, it feels like an homage to an older style of filmmaking but yet manages to integrate enough modern elements that clearly makes it a 2019 release.

This fact makes the movie all the more entertaining and its quick pacing makes it fly by. You also never feel confused or lost. There’s lots of information getting thrown at you and Rian Johnson is meticulous enough to present it in such a way that it doesn’t feel overwhelming. I also appreciated how the story addresses any small inconsistencies that may pop up in your head as more details about the case start to accumulate. Johnson knew exactly what questions would be coming up in audiences’ heads and he makes sure to answer them.

Talking about the cast of this film is unavoidable. You have star after star in each role and fortunately, it doesn’t take you out of the action. None of them are there just to be a big name. They all deliver great acting and blend seamlessly into their parts. Each one of them exudes confidence and that’s essential for the incredibly bombastic characters which they play. As a result, there’s so much great humor throughout. Daniel Craig is particularly enjoyable with an over the top southern accent and although she was good in War Dogs and Blade Runner, Ana de Armas really proves her acting capabilities in this. If one character owns the movie, it’s definitely her. The rest also have their memorable moments and come together to create a nightmare of a family made up of likable yet despicable and unique human beings. They all play it to the nth degree while still feeling believable. 

There’s only a few small elements that Rian Johnson could have improved on. It sometimes gets confusing when flashbacks of what happened the night of the crime get played out yet different information is being fed to the detectives. It’s sometimes hard to catch all the discrepancies in what the characters are telling the authorities versus what actually occurred. The film also gets political but for only very brief moments here and there, making it feel forced and unnecessary. The only other thing I question is how rewatchable Knives Out will end up being. That’s a big factor for me in movies and I do think I can see myself enjoying this one time and time again. However, with murder mysteries, it’s always a concern how well they will hold up after knowing how things play out.

All that said, Knives Out offers a satisfying path to a memorable conclusion. It’s not some existential experience that’s going to be praised at all the awards shows in the coming months but it is a genuinely fun time. It’s extremely satisfying entertainment that feels distinct in a time when everything feels so similar. I’d definitely recommend seeing this one with the family over Thanksgiving. There’s something for everyone and it’ll give you guys plenty to talk and laugh about after.