Are you ready for the return of detective Benoit Blanc in “Knives Out 2: The Mystery of Glass Onion”? This highly anticipated sequel, officially titled “Knives Out: The Mystery of Glass Onion,” is set to arrive during the holiday season among Netflix’s lineup of films. From the early reactions, it seems like we can expect one of the funniest comedy movies of 2022.

The first “Knives Out” film was a massive success, with a global box office of $311 million, exceeding expectations for a film with a $40 million budget. It received critical acclaim, multiple nominations at the Golden Globes and the Oscars, and became one of the biggest hits of 2019. Rian Johnson successfully brought sophisticated intrigue and Agatha Christie’s enigmatic storytelling to the 21st century, delivering an entertaining script, direction, and an all-star cast in a Clue-like setting. It was no surprise when it was announced that the film would be the start of a detective saga.

Following its success, Netflix acquired the rights to the franchise for the next two sequels, in a deal worth $450 million, making it the company’s largest movie purchase agreement. Johnson has been given complete creative control over the sequels with two conditions: the presence of Daniel Craig as the lead detective and maintaining a minimum budget of $40 million for each film.

With such freedom, Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig have the opportunity to surprise us in many ways. So far, here’s everything we know about “Knives Out: The Mystery of Glass Onion.”

‘Knives Out 2’: Release Date

After its theatrical release starting on November 23, the highly anticipated sequel to “Knives Out” will premiere on Netflix on December 23, 2022. It will be perfect for holiday get-togethers with family and friends.

‘Knives Out 2’: Synopsis

After months of secrecy, the plot of the new installment has finally been revealed. While the first “Knives Out” focused on homicidal family connections, “The Mystery of Glass Onion” explores the need to be equally cautious with your closest friends. When tech mogul Miles Bron (Edward Norton) invites his inner circle to a retreat on his private Greek island, it quickly becomes evident that paradise is not as perfect as it seems. And when a corpse is discovered, who better than Benoit Blanc to unravel the multiple layers of this mystery?

The second installment follows the pattern seen in Agatha Christie’s novels featuring Hercule Poirot, where each book drastically changes its setting, characters, and even narrative structure, exploring different subgenres with each installment.

The film’s title is partially inspired by Blanc’s penchant for grandiosity and pays homage to The Beatles’ 1968 song “Glass Onion.” Johnson explains, “I’m always on the lookout for any fun concept that Blanc can latch onto as an overcharged metaphor and squeeze until it’s bone-dry.” He continues, “Since everything is visible from minute one, I came up with the idea of glass, something that is transparent. I whipped out my iPhone and searched my music library for songs with the word ‘glass.’ I thought there must be good songs with that word. Would it be a glass fortress? A glass castle? A glass man? And as I’m a die-hard Beatles fan, the first song that popped up was ‘Glass Onion’.”

‘Knives Out 2’: Cast

Daniel Craig is the only actor from the previous film reprising his role as detective Benoit Blanc. Having just bid farewell to James Bond after five films, Craig has found a new franchise in “Knives Out,” allowing him to explore a radically different character. He had a blast working on the first film and was eager to return. He guarantees that this new film “is very different from its predecessor.”

Although Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Toni Collette, and their co-stars did not return, the cast of “Knives Out 2” is nothing short of impressive. The first to be announced was Dave Bautista, known for his role as Drax in “Guardians of the Galaxy” and recently seen as Rabban “the Beast” Harkonnen in “Dune.” He was followed by a wave of talent, including Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson, Jessica Henwick, and Madelyn Cline. In another surprise, Ethan Hawke and Jada Pinkett Smith were spotted on set before their official announcements.

In this sequel, Blanc receives an invitation to participate in a mysterious murder game on an island. As viewers, we get to know the other characters and discover this world through their eyes. We will also learn more about Blanc’s personality, with Rian Johnson confirming that Benoit Blanc is homosexual. He adds, “Yes, obviously he is,” and expresses his joy in spending time with Blanc’s partner, whose identity will be revealed in this second installment.

Empire magazine provides more details about the characters, accompanied by new film stills. They explain that the group of old acquaintances gathers in Greece for a mystery and murder game that spirals out of control. Norton portrays tech mogul Miles Bron, who is the boss of Lionel Toussaint, played by Odom Jr. Johnson jokes that Miles’ species will be recognizable to many in our era of tech billionaires. Odom Jr. comments, “I imagine that, no matter how complicated these relationships are, these people have a history. What keeps bringing them back together?”

The film features Kathryn Hahn as Connecticut Governor Claire Debella, who tries to balance her public image and what she’s willing to compromise to stay in power. Kate Hudson plays Birdie Jay, a woman immersed in the fashion world, and brings her assistant Peg, played by Jessica Henwick, to the gathering. Dave Bautista portrays YouTuber Duke Cody, who joins with his younger girlfriend, Whiskey, played by Madelyn Cline. Finally, Janelle Monáe plays tech entrepreneur Cassandra ‘Andi’ Brand.

‘Knives Out 2’: Rian Johnson and His Team

Returning behind the camera is director Rian Johnson, who, as with the previous film, also wrote the screenplay for “Knives Out 2.” His previous script earned him an Oscar nomination, leaving us curious if he will secure the award this time.

Johnson gained fame before “Knives Out” for dividing the Star Wars fandom with “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” He has had an impressive career as a director, going from a cult favorite with his debut film “Brick” in 2005 to becoming one of the most sought-after filmmakers of today. He has also directed some of the best episodes of “Breaking Bad.”

The cinematography for “Knives Out 2” will once again be handled by Johnson’s longtime collaborator, Steve Yedlin. This ensures that certain stylistic elements, such as the “Robert Altman-style” of seamlessly weaving multiple characters together in one space, will be maintained, even as the story changes.

Jenny Eagan will return as the costume designer, swapping the autumn coats and sweaters from the previous film for the summery colors of Greece, as seen during the film’s production.

‘Knives Out 2’: Images

Netflix has already released the first official images of “The Mystery of Glass Onion.” The European shoot, mainly at Villa 20 of the Amanzoe Hotel in Porto Heli, Greece, has provided us with set photos, confirming Ethan Hawke’s presence and giving us a glimpse of how characters like Dave Bautista will look.

In a recent teaser showcasing Netflix’s upcoming releases, we catch a brief glimpse of the cast, including the enigmatic Benoit Blanc. The new poster puts Daniel Craig front and center, framed against a blue sky and pool backdrop, portraying Blanc as a savior, the only one capable of uncovering the killer’s identity.

‘Knives Out 2’: Trailer

The “Knives Out 2” trailer has been one of the most anticipated of the season. Finally, the first teaser has been released, building excitement for its December release. In addition to the teaser, which you can find at the start of this article, Tudum showcased an exclusive clip and more footage from the film, presented by director Rian Johnson.

‘Knives Out 2’: First Reactions

Early reviews have praised “Knives Out 2” as an immensely enjoyable film, at least as funny as the first, if not funnier. It offers genuinely surprising cameos, and Rian Johnson surpasses himself with “Glass Onion.” The ensemble cast is relentlessly entertaining and playful. With “Glass Onion,” Johnson proves himself to be a top-notch disruptor in the filmmaking industry.

So, mark your calendars for the release of “Knives Out 2: The Mystery of Glass Onion” on Netflix this December. Get ready for another thrilling mystery and detective adventure with Benoit Blanc, as this sequel promises to be a delightful and entertaining ride. For more information about “Knives Out” and other exciting content, visit Ratingperson.