A Complete Guide to 'Knives Out'

Overview

Knives Out (2019), written and directed by Rian Johnson, is a modern murder mystery film that combines elements of a classic whodunit with contemporary social commentary. The film explores themes of family dynamics, greed, class disparity, and the consequences of inherited wealth. Set primarily in the mansion of the wealthy author Harlan Thrombey, the story follows Detective Benoit Blanc as he unravels the mystery behind Harlan's death, revealing hidden motives and family secrets.

---

Plot Summary

The film begins with the apparent suicide of Harlan Thrombey, a successful mystery novelist. However, Detective Benoit Blanc suspects foul play and begins investigating the Thrombey family, all of whom have potential motives for murder. The investigation reveals various family secrets, including embezzlement, infidelity, and betrayal. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Harlan's grandson, Ransom Drysdale, orchestrated the murder after learning he was cut from Harlan's will. Marta Cabrera, Harlan's nurse, is initially manipulated by Ransom but eventually outsmarts him, leading to his confession and arrest.

---

Key Moments

1. Opening Scene: The film opens with Fran discovering Harlan Thrombey's body, immediately setting a dramatic and mysterious tone. The mansion, filled with props reflecting Harlan's career, serves as a key setting that symbolises the wealth and privilege at the heart of the story.

2. Blanc's Questioning of Marta: During the investigation, Blanc discovers Marta's inability to lie without vomiting, which becomes a pivotal plot device. This scene is the first major revelation for the audience, as Marta reveals details about the night of the murder, though not the full truth.

3. The Will Reading: The reading of Harlan's will is a turning point, as it reveals that Marta has inherited the entire estate, leading the Thrombey family to turn against her. This moment underscores the family's greed and entitlement, intensifying the conflict.

4. Marta and Ransom's Escape: When Ransom forces Marta to reveal what happened, it appears he is helping her, but this is a misdirection. This scene helps characterise Ransom as ruthless and greedy, setting up the final conflict.

5. Closing Scene: In the final scene, Marta is shown standing on the balcony of the Thrombey mansion, sipping from a mug that reads "My House, My Rules, My Coffee," symbolizing her victory over the Thrombey family. This scene visually and thematically concludes the film by emphasizing Marta's triumph and the downfall of the family's greedy ambitions.

---

Character Overview

1. Marta Cabrera: Marta is the film's central character, Harlan's nurse who unknowingly becomes embroiled in the murder plot. She is characterised by her honesty and good nature, as symbolised by her inability to lie without vomiting. Marta's victory is ultimately due to her kindness and moral integrity: "I want you to know that you didn't win the game by playing it Harlan's way, you won it by playing it your way. Because you have a good heart." (Benoit Blanc).

2. Benoit Blanc: Detective Blanc is the eccentric and intuitive investigator who uncovers the truth behind Harlan's death. He serves as a comedic yet insightful character who sees through the family's deceptions: "But the complexity and the gray lies not in the truth, but what you do with the truth once you have it."

3. Ransom Drysdale: Ransom is Harlan's grandson, whose selfishness and greed drive the plot. He is revealed as the true villain, having orchestrated the murder to secure his inheritance: "What were the words overheard by the Nazi child... 'My will' and 'I'm warning you.'"

4. Harlan Thrombey: Although deceased, Harlan's presence looms large over the narrative. His decision to cut Ransom from his will and leave everything to Marta sets the story in motion, exposing the family's true colours: "There's so much of me in that kid. Confident. Stupid. I don't know... protected. Playing life like a game without consequences." (Harlan on Ransom).

5. Linda Drysdale: Linda is Harlan's eldest daughter, who prides herself on her self-sufficiency but is deeply attached to her father's wealth: "We are the Thrombeys, goddammit! This is still our house!" Her confidence is shattered when Marta inherits the estate, revealing the fragility of her sense of security.

---

Film Techniques

Technique	Example/Explanation
Cinematography	The use of close-up shots, particularly in the opening scene, focuses on details like Harlan's mansion and Marta's mug, setting the tone and highlighting key themes such as wealth and power.
Editing	Non-linear editing is used to reveal different perspectives on the night of Harlan's death, gradually uncovering the truth and maintaining suspense throughout the film.
Soundtrack and Score	The film's score, composed by Nathan Johnson, complements the mystery genre, using suspenseful music to heighten tension, especially during key scenes like the will reading and the final confrontation between Marta and Ransom.
Lighting	Lighting contrasts are used to differentiate between characters and their motives. For example, Marta is often shown in soft, natural lighting, highlighting her innocence, while the Thrombey family is often portrayed in harsher lighting, emphasizing their greed and deception.
Production Design	The Thrombey mansion's detailed production design, filled with intricate props and memorabilia, reflects Harlan's successful career and the family's wealth, while also symbolizing the traps and hidden secrets that lie within, much like the plot itself.

---

General Vision and Viewpoint (GVV)

The general vision and viewpoint of Knives Out is a cynical yet comedic exploration of greed, family dysfunction, and the consequences of inherited wealth. The film portrays a world where money and power corrupt family relationships, leading to betrayal and moral decay. However, it also suggests that integrity and goodness can prevail, as seen through Marta's eventual triumph. Benoit Blanc's remark encapsulates this moral complexity: "But the complexity and the gray lie not in the truth, but what you do with the truth once you have it."

---

Theme or Issue

1. Greed and Inheritance: The theme of greed is central to Knives Out, with the Thrombey family's obsession with wealth driving the plot. The will reading scene, where Marta inherits the entire estate, serves as a turning point that exposes the family's true nature. This moment exemplifies their entitlement and the destructive power of money: "We are the Thrombeys, goddammit! This is still our house!" (Linda Drysdale).

2. Class and Social Division: The film explores the stark divide between the wealthy Thrombey family and the working-class characters like Marta and Fran. Initially treated with superficial kindness, Marta becomes a target of the family's scorn when she inherits Harlan's wealth. This reflects the deep-seated class prejudices and the belief in the superiority of the wealthy: "Funny, Ransom, you skipped the funeral, but you're early for the will reading." (Walt Thrombey).

3. Truth and Justice: The pursuit of truth is a key theme, with Detective Blanc representing the quest for justice amidst lies and deceit. The film highlights how truth is manipulated by those in power but ultimately asserts that integrity will triumph, as seen in Marta's victory: "I should help them. Right?" "I have my own opinion. But I have a feeling you'll follow your heart." (Marta and Benoit)

---

Literary Genre

Knives Out blends elements of a traditional whodunit with dark comedy and social satire.

• Whodunit Structure: The film follows the classic structure of a murder mystery, with red herrings, plot twists, and a detective character in Benoit Blanc. The narrative is driven by the need to uncover the truth behind Harlan's death, leading to a final revelation.

• Dark Comedy: The film's humor arises from its sharp critique of the Thrombey family's dysfunction and greed. This is evident in moments of dramatic irony and the exaggerated portrayal of the family's selfishness and veiled prejudice, such as Linda's outburst at Marta after the will reading: "You little bitch. Did you know about this? What did you do to him to make this happen, were you two what were you boinking my father?"

• Social Commentary: Knives Out also functions as a social satire, critiquing the American class system and the entitlement of the wealthy. The film uses its murder mystery framework to explore deeper issues of class division and moral integrity.

---

Cultural Context

Knives Out is set in contemporary America, reflecting current societal issues such as class disparity, immigration, and the influence of wealth on justice.

• Class and Wealth: The Thrombey family represents the privileged upper class, whose sense of entitlement is challenged by Marta's unexpected inheritance. The film critiques the way wealth shapes social dynamics and corrupts personal relationships. Marta and Meg's friendship is reduced to the issue of Meg's tuition: "Marta, mom's broke, she says I'll have to drop out of school." "No, no. I won't let that happen. Whatever money you need Meg, I'll help you. I don't want you to worry."

• Immigration and Race: Marta's immigrant background and her mother's undocumented status are central to the narrative. The Thrombeys' casual racism and their attempts to use Marta's status against her highlight the prejudices that persist in American society. Richard puts Marta on the spot about her thoughts on immigration (getting her nationality wrong in the process): "No Marta do you agree, I'd like you to answer - you wanna become an American, there are legal ways to do it, but if you break the law it doesn't matter if you have a good heart, you gotta face the consequences." and Jacob accuses her of being Harlan's nurse solely to have an "anchor baby".

• Power and Justice: The film examines how power and privilege can distort justice, with the Thrombeys attempting to manipulate the legal system to their advantage. However, it ultimately portrays a more hopeful vision where justice prevails through the actions of a morally upright individual, like Marta.