Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery review: Plenty of twists, turns and layers of fun

GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

(12A) 139mins      

★★★★★

THERE’S little mystery as to who inspired the megalomaniac tech billionaire in the second Knives Out whodunnit.

Edward Norton plays Miles Bron, a “disrupter” whose business interests include electric cars and space rockets.

No more clues are needed to figure that one out.

And Glass Onion is equally generous when it comes to providing some pointers.

This time around Daniel Craig’s “world’s greatest detective” Benoit Blanc has been invited to a “murder mystery” weekend organised by Bron on his private island during Covid restrictions.

Someone is going to die, but who?

There are plenty of twists, turns and misdirections, but not enough that you won’t have a good chance of figuring out the killer before Blanc announces his prime suspect.

For me, that is a plus point.

There’s nothing worse than a detective story that hides the evidence from the viewer — The Batman, I’m thinking of you.

There is a good chance, though, that your powers of deduction could be dazzled by Bron’s incredible glass mansion, the quip-packed script and the amazing cast.

Everyone is great.

It’s a delight to see Craig swanning about in a polka- dot neckerchief and striped swim costume, while prising open the suspects Poriotstyle.

Kate Hudson totally throws herself into the role of dim “say-it-as-I-see-it” influencer Birdie, Dave Bautista pops his pecs as the gun-toting YouTuber Duke and Norton nails the insecurities of the all-powerful Bron.

The most notable performance is that of Janelle Monae, who proves she is every bit as accomplished at acting as she is singing.

At first, Janelle plays Bron’s betrayed business partner Andi with ice-cool contempt and then we see a more uncertain character.

Plus, it’s almost as funny when Janelle says “s***balls” as when Craig pronounces “fiddlesticks” in an American Southern drawl.

The glamorous sets were made for the big screen, so it is great that Netflix allowed Knives Out 2 into cinemas prior to streaming

Director and writer Rian Johnson doesn’t fall into the trap of trying to smuggle in a political message among the raucous entertainment.

When you peel back the Glass Onion what you get are more layers of fun.

AFTERSUN

(12A) 102mins      

★★★★☆

IF a pal asks if you’d like to see their holiday videos, a very important alternative appointment is likely to spring to your mind

So, why would you want to watch Normal People actor Paul Mescal playing a young dad on a break in Turkey with his daughter where nothing much happens?