“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” was the first of three movies I saw during Thanksgiving weekend.
The new Netflix movie is a sequel to “Knives Out” that came out in 2019. “Glass Onion” had a one-week run in theaters before it starts streaming on Friday, December 23, 2022. For a limited release movie, making $15 million US on 650 screens was quite amazing.
Why did “Glass Onion” only run for one week in the theaters? The answer might surprise you.
We’ve Seen This Plot Before
The plot for “Glass Onion” was a bit too transparent.
A billionaire invites his friends to his private island for a murder mystery dinner party. An unwelcomed guest and the world’s greatest detective tags along. When the murder takes place, the story rewinds to show how everyone arrived at that moment. And the world’s greatest detective solves the murder.
We’ve seen this plot earlier this year with the remake of Agatha Christie’s “Death on The Nile.”
A newlywed heiress invites her friends for a cruise on the Egyptian Nile. An unwelcome guest and the world’s greatest detective tags along. When the murder takes place, the story rewinds to show how everyone arrived at that moment. And the world’s greatest detective solves the murder.
“Glass Onion” had enough layers to make it a more interesting mystery than “Death on The Nile.”
The Glass Onion Puzzle
- Billionaire Miles Bron is played by Edward Norton.
- Company scientist Lionel Toussaint is played by Leslie Odom Jr.
- Politician Claire Debella is played by Kathryn Hahn.
- Fashion designer Birdie Jay is played by Kate Hudson.
- Streamer Duke Cody is played by Dave Bautista.
- Former business partner Andi Brand is played by Janelle Monae.
Lionel, Claire, Birdie and Duke owe their success to Miles. They all lied in court against Andi when she tried to take the company away from him during a business dispute. No one expected her to show up for the trip. Each one has a reason to see him dead.
The other guest is the world’s greatest detective, Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig. Whom Miles didn’t invite but doesn’t ask to leave. Who wouldn’t want the world’s greatest detective at their murder mystery dinner party?
Miles regrets that mistake when Benoit solves the murder mystery before dinner got served. That left everyone drinking and talking after dinner. Someone drops dead from their drink, the power goes out, a gun goes missing, and another murder takes place.
The rewind for “Glass Onion” was more enjoyable than the rewind for “Death on The Nile.”
Why A One-Week Run in Theaters
Why did Netflix show “Glass Onion” for only one week in the theaters?
A one-week run in the theaters qualifies the streaming movie for the Oscar nominations. Oscar nominations—and wins—are worth their weight in bragging rights for a streaming service. I’m not sure how successful that strategy will be for Netflix.
“Knives Out” got nominated for best original screenplay and snubbed for everything else. “Glass Onion” could get nominated for best original screenplay and snubbed for everything else.
Daniel Craig, however, is a nominee contender for best actor for his role in “Glass Onion.”
The 2022 Oscar nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
If “Glass Onion” had a traditional release in theaters, it could have made $60 million US to $200 million US.
If you’re a fan of “Knives Out” or “Death on The Nile,” “Glass Onion” is a very enjoyable mystery movie. Comes out on Netflix starting Friday, December 23, 2022.