I have always considered the first Daggers in the Back movie as a small miracle. I am not able to remember such a successful mystery proposal at the level of critics and audiences in recent cinema; not even recent Kenneth Branagh films like Hercule Poirot, despite being some great adaptations, have managed to permeate in a similar way.
In Daggers in the Back: The Glass Onion Mystery, the intrigue revolves around a group of wealthy and eccentric friends, self-proclaimed as “the disruptors” for their ability to change what seems established for their own benefit, each one in your own workplace. Despite the extremely vain name, I can’t help but think that the true disruptor of the film is its own director, Rian Johnson. After collapsing the foundations of a legendary franchise like Star Wars with The Last Jedi, was able to subvert the detective genre with the first Puñales por la Espalda thanks to its stellar cast, its superb script full of humor and unexpected twists and a tremendous audiovisual identity.
The variety and quantity of exquisite traps that he prepared for the viewer, making him a participant at all times in the progress of the investigations, and with an ending that left no one behind in the process, made the film one of the most memorable of the last years. Netflix, seeing its potential, reached an agreement to exclusively host on the platform the following two adventures starring a sensational Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, the best detective in the world. The first of these exclusivities is the film in question, The Mystery of the Glass Onion, which has the daunting task of not only matching the quality of its predecessor, but also again astonishing the public once the surprise factor has been lost.
There is only one thing more amazing than a miracle, and that is the ability to replicate it. The Mystery of the Glass Onion is an intelligent film, incredibly funny and capable of surprising and deceiving the respectable once again with an “even more difficult”, becoming not only one of the best films of the year, but also a magnificent new case for Benoit Blanc. One that, in addition, can be enjoyed completely independently from the first part.
A solution for all to see
Ehe mystery of Glass Onion transmits from the beginning an iron will not to depend in any way on the successes and revenues of the past. A diametrically opposed setting, perfectly represented in its cast, is the first thing that attracts attention. We went from a gothic mansion totally reminiscent of Cluedo to a modern setting of excessive opulence. Those involved in the mystery of the film, as I mentioned before, “the disruptors”, who share their particular work successes as a link. One day, all the members of the disruptors receive an invitation to the island from Miles Bron (played by Edward Norton), a sort of Elon Musk who is also part of the group. He summons them to meet at the luxurious Glass Onion to solve the mystery of his murder, posed as a banal pastime; however, they will not be alone, since a Benoit Blanc eager for new cases has also received an invitation. Is it possible that, behind what seems like a simple game, a crime worthy of the legendary detective is hidden?
With a very different group than the first film, a Daniel Craig with more room to shine as a detective, and a new assortment of shocking (and numerous) plot twists, the biggest hit of Daggers in the Back: The mystery of the Glass Onion lies in its ability to replicate (and even magnify) the tone and virtues of the first film, while also delivering a wonderful case that feels totally fresh. A perfect balance between recovering certain elements from the rubble of its predecessor and giving it an exciting new shape: that of a gigantic transparent onion.
“Knives in the Back: The Mystery of the Glass Onion introduces us to an even more obvious exercise in metagame when we take on the case alongside Benoit Blanc”
Rian Johnson on this occasion was not worth simply surprising us with each new step; with an even more obvious metagame exercise with the viewer, who is an almost active part of Mr. Blanc’s investigation, manages to hide the solution in plain sight until the end. Distracting ourselves with the different layers that are adding complexity to the investigation, marveling at the beauty of what we see, we forget that, from the beginning, the inside of the onion can be seen. The resolution of the tape is a new and absolute subversion of what we expect from an unknown that has developed for more than two hours. And, once again, he achieves such a feat without anyone getting stuck in the way, perplexed with disbelief or lost in the midst of so much plot twist. I don’t want to go into more detail about how much I have enjoyed everything that the script for The Mystery of the Glass Onion proposes to safeguard all the surprises that await you. Of course, I must make a special mention to how extremely funny the movie isthanks in no small part to his sharp dialogue and captivating performances.
a charming crime
The only “but” that I can attribute to the film is its rhythm, with quite pronounced ups and downs; in part they are linked to another great success, which are the exquisite aesthetic values of which the film boasts. The moments in which the narrative seems slower is due to an almost onanistic recreation of the great beauty of several of its sequences and locations, with moments that feel excessively long. There are also certain decisions within the script itself that affect the agility of the narrative, something that added to these slower moments can give a feeling of greater stagnation; It is especially notable, especially coming from the great dynamism that the first part displayed, even with a larger cast to take advantage of and a much more limited environment.
For its part, its soundtrack also once again enjoys great prominence, although without becoming so integrally cohesive with the rest of the elements of the film, as it did in its first part. However, at the acting level The Glass Onion mystery is a gift for all its interpreters, enjoying all of them custom-made roles. Special mention to Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Janelle Monáe and, of course, a huge Daniel Craig fully transformed into his character. Although he lacks a lustrous mustache to groom, the surprising exercise he gives his little gray cells, as well as his charismatic style, make him a more than worthy rival for Agatha Christie’s mythical character.
One of the best things that can be said about Daggers in the Back: The Glass Onion Mystery, and which is, in my opinion, the great mystery that I had to solve in my text, is that it is up to his first installment. It is true that, even though it is so similar and at the same time so different from its predecessor, the notable changes in terms of setting and aesthetics may be the factor that makes part of the public opt for one or the other; it’s hard to beat the honest charm of Thrombie Manor. Even so, the commendable work of Rian Johnson at the head of the direction and writing is undeniable, signing once again one of the best movies of the year, a worthy addition to this franchise and a must-see for mystery lovers. Another undeniable success for the great Benoit Blanc.
