Peeling Back the Layers – The Brilliance behind Rian Johnson’s Newest film, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

By Austin Price, Staff Writer

In November of 2019, a new film of a lesser-known genre shocked the world with its intricate plot, star-studded cast, and complex writing. This film was Rian Johnson’s Knives Out. Featuring A-list actors including Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana De Armas, and Jamie Lee Curtis; Knives Out is a murder mystery masterpiece with unexpected plot twists, elaborate details, and clever character development. Knives Out brought new life to a seemingly dead genre of murder mysteries while also incorporating dark comedy and thriller crime. 

Knives Out was heavily recognized for its talents and took home accolades including winning the Academy Award for Writing (Original Screenplay) (2020) and the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (2020). Knives Out was also nominated for a plethora of awards and both the actors and writers were nominated in various categories. 

Because of the immense success held by Knives Out, the anticipated sequel, Glass Onion, was predicted to flop and the expectations were low. However, Glass Onion shocked the academy and delighted audience members with an excellent story and newly fueled cast, led by returning actor from the first film, Daniel Craig. 

Glass Onions made its debut in 2022. Following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2022, Glass Onion began a one-week limited theatrical release on November 23, 2022, receiving the widest theatrical release ever for a Netflix film and grossing $15 million; Netflix began streaming it on December 23. This astounding level of success was well deserved as Rian Johnson once again delivered a well-orchestrated story with the perfect mix or humor, mystery, and ironic comedy. 

As a true crime addict and murder mystery fanatic, Glass Onion was on the top of my list of movies to watch. Luckily, Glass Onion reached my Netflix account amidst Christmas break, making it a perfect time to watch, appreciate and analyze this fabulous film. 

Rian Johnson introduced a new cast led by Daniel Craig and involving Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Janelle Monae, Leslie Odem Jr, Dave Bautista. Madelyn Cline, Jessica Henwick, and many more. This cast is comprised of actors, athletes, musicians, and most of all, storytellers. As a movie lover, this menagerie of actors was both exciting and entertaining. Each actor involved brought skills and characteristics to some of the most unlikeable characters, also known as disruptors, that made us both love and hate them at the same time. 

In simple words, Glass Onion can be summarized as a story where a tech billionaire Miles Bron invites his friends for a getaway on his private Greek island. When someone turns up dead, Detective Benoit Blanc is put on the case. However, this seemingly simple summary is anything but simple and the amount of easter eggs, inside jokes, and Knives Out callbacks keep the audience on the edge of their seats until the credits roll. 

Glass Onion, the movie’s unique title

Glass Onion’s very first Easter egg is in its title. “Glass Onion” is also a Beatles song that can be found in the band’s self-titled tenth studio album most popularly known as “The White Album." With lyrics such as “Lady Madonna trying to make ends meet” and “The walrus was Paul," “Glass Onion” pokes fun at fans that are constantly trying to look for hidden meanings behind the band’s songs, telling us that sometimes, things that seem deep and complex can be quite simple and see-through – much like Miles Bron (Edward Norton) and his mysteries. The reference to the song can also have something to do with the movie’s intent of showing the truth behind the obscenely rich and famous, as one of the verses says, “Looking through the bent backed tulips/To see how the other half live." This easter egg is directly addressed as an intentional reference in the movie’s end credits where the song is featured.

Celebrity Cameos 

Continuing into the first scene of the movie, we open to witness Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) killing time during the COVID-19 initial lockdown by playing the hit game, Among Us, with some famous faces. Sitting in his bathtub, Benoit has a two-screen setup, one of which shows a Zoom chat between him, actress Angela Lansbury, Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim, actress Natasha Lyonne, and basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 

One thing all these stars have in common is their connection to murder mystery content in pop culture.  After retiring from basketball, Abdul-Jabbar wrote a series of novels based on Sherlock Holmes’ brother, Mycroft. Natasha Lyonne is set to star in Rian Johnson’s upcoming Peacock murder mystery series Poker Face. One of Stephen Sondheim’s greatest plays is Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; and one of Angela Lansbury's best-known performances is as Jessica Fletcher on Murder, She Wrote. These group of murder mystery enthusiasts are also recognized in their screen names on Among Us with Sondheim’s alias as FleetSt, and Lansbury’s as MSheSolved. 

Up next is one of my favorite celebrity cameos in the movie which is that of Hugh Grant. The British actor appears briefly as Phillip, a character that was later confirmed by Grant himself to be Benoit Blanc’s husband. With one of Daniel Craig’s most famous roles being that of James Bond, the summary and takeaway of audience members is that Hugh Grant is married to James Bond. Good for him, I think a lot of us would love to be married to a mega rich, very attractive, worldwide super spy. Relationship goals in my opinion. 

Puzzle Boxes and Clues

As the character’s receive their invitations to Bron’s party in the form of complex puzzles, we see a rather harrowing and infamous symbol. After Miles' friends complete his game box, they find an invitation to his private island in Greece. What's interesting about the card is there's a symbol of an evil eye, or a mati, which has had different meanings throughout history. Its inclusion could be a connection to Greece, where the film takes place. It could also be because the symbol is worn to ward off evil and may be a reference to how the so-called disruptors group, the name Miles gives his friends, protects Miles and helps keep him in power. 

While the presentation is intricate, the puzzle boxes are actually very simple, essentially dumbing down clever games and mind tricks to better suit the intelligence level of the disruptors. When Miles’ guests all receive their intricately designed mystery box, it appears to be an array of mentally taxing puzzles. However, one of the games is a telling reveal that Miles isn’t the genius he pretends to be. In the chess box, the pieces are set to what’s known as “Fool’s Mate,” one of the least complicated and easiest positions to score a checkmate.

Incorporating COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic brought countless hardships to most of the world. However, the use of facemasks in Glass Onion clearly demonstrates the different stereotypes, both good and bad, that have come forth because of the pandemic. The way each of the characters wear their mask tells us a lot about their personalities. Lionel’s (Leslie Odom Jr.) properly-fitted, sober black mask is a clear indicator of his science-oriented mind. It’s the mask of a man that knows just how severe this pandemic is. Meanwhile, Claire’s loose mask, with her nose popping out, tells us that she is a busy woman with no time for vanities, but also that she doesn’t care as much as she pretends to. Birdie’s golden mesh mask shows a complete misunderstanding of what the masks are even for, and Duke (Dave Bautista) and Whiskey’s (Madelyn Cline) lack of a mask speak of their blatant disregard for others. I think I can safely say all of us know or have seen these different types of people throughout the pandemic. 

Continuing with our recognition of COVID-19, we see Bron’s assistant (Ethan Hawke) administer questionably intense doses of a COVID-19 like shot. A shot doesn’t mean you get to stop wearing your mask, but, in the world of Glass Onion, it kind of does. After all, the vaccine that Miles Bron got while we were all still locked up at home is certainly much more powerful than the ones going around. 

The Idiocy of Miles Bron

Alright, I think that’s enough COVID talk. The next easter egg we have is the name of Miles Bron’s company, Alpha. However, it is not the first letter of the Greek alphabet that appears all throughout Glass Onion. Instead, it is the letter omega, the alphabet’s very last one, that we see all around: on Bron’s yacht, on Lionel’s lapel, and even on Benoit’s watch, an Omega Seamaster 1948. Together, the two letters form the expression “alpha and omega”, meaning the beginning and the end of something. This indicates that Miles’ empire is coming to an end.

Another easter egg given to us by Miles Bron (Edward Norton) is his wardrobe choice in a flashback scene. We see the “disrupters” hanging out at a bar when Miles comes in. His outfit in this scene is identical to that of another movie character, Frank T.J. Mackey (Tom Cruise), a pick-up artist from the 1999 movie Magnolia, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The fact that Bron is emulating Mackey speaks of his desire to charm everyone around him, and a cockiness that he apparently admires in the Mackey character.

One of the biggest hints the film gives us to predict the ending is through the murder mystery game, created by Bron and solved by Blanc within the first five minutes of the game. The fictional story maps out a lot of what happens in the film.

First off, Miles has a packet of fake blood in his shirt to simulate being killed, which mirrors the hot sauce packet Benoit uses later to make it look like Helen was shot on the stairs. Second, the solution to the "murder" is actually very simple, but it's filled with nonsensical layers to confuse the guests (and the audience). Third, the answer to the mystery is hidden in plain sight. While the necklace containing the diamond is right in front of them during the meal, the napkin with the plans for the company is in Miles' office, hidden behind the false napkin. And finally, Miles took credit for something he didn't create. He introduces the game by saying that he spent a lot of time crafting the plot, but later confesses that someone else wrote the whole thing. It's exactly how he took credit for Andi's hard work building Alpha and then stole the company out from under her. Basically, Miles has no originality whatsoever. 

Callback to the original film, Knives Out

Glass Onion also gives recognition to its parent film, Knives Out. When Benoit arrives on the island, Miles tells him that he didn't actually invite him to his murder mystery weekend despite receiving the same invitation as everyone else. Miles allows Benoit to stay because he thinks it will be fun, but the detective warns him to not think lightly about the mistake.

"An anonymous invitation is not to be trifled with," Benoit says.

This is a callback to the first film when Benoit was hired to solve Harlan Thrombey's (Christohper Plummer) murder. It turns out Harlan's grandson Ransom (Chris Evans) hired Benoit anonymously, hoping to frame Harlan's nurse, Marta (Ana De Armas).

Batman Benoit Blanc

Benoit Blanc continues to be our favorite hero by humbling claiming, “I am Not Batman” while conversing with Andi about the plan to expose Miles’ crime and get justice for her sister, Helen. During the film’s reveal that Helen (Janelle Monae) is Andy’s twin sister, Benoit offers to help her infiltrate Bron’s island getaway. However, he notes, “I am not Batman,” which is slightly undermined by the score. As Benoit formulates a plan to catch Miles, a small sample of Danny Elfman’s iconic score from Tim Burton’s Batman can be heard.

The Film’s Structure

The Glass Onion metaphor gets spoken about a lot in the film for all the layers built into Miles' mansion, with its twisting corridors, numerous rooms, and hidden secrets. But it also could serve as a reference to the film itself. The plot has so many different layers, with multiple suspects all with their own motives, secrets, and ways their lives and careers overlap. 

Another Murder Mystery Masterpiece is on the way

All in all, Glass Onion is filled with easter eggs, inside jokes, ironic undertones, beloved characters, infamous villains, gorgeous settings, and clever tricks that keep the audience guessing and stressing over the potential endings. While that is all I have for Glass Onion, I can promise you murder mystery lovers that here is more to come for the Knives Out series. The third in the Knives Out series has been confirmed since March 31, 2022, when Netflix closed a huge deal for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (the second film) and a third movie. The deal was reportedly worth more than $400 million, making it one of the biggest streamers deals in history. While the title, cast, and plot is still unknown for the 3rd film, we can anticipate yet another brilliant whodunnit story brought to us by our favorite mystery screenwriter, Rian Johnson.

The Highlander’s Favorite Halloween/ Spooky Season Movies

It is spooky season, y’all! Here are the Highlander’s staff picks for what Halloween movies you ought to watch to celebrate.

Alaina Valdespino, Staff Writer/ Photographer:

As an avid horror movie lover, it would be a crime for me to not recommend the classics. So, if you're looking for a good scare, then Halloween (1978 film), The Shining (1980), and It (the original 1990 film) would be my three absolute go to horror movies for the spooky season. That said, if horror isn’t your thing, I’d definitely make it a point to watch Disney’s Hocus Pocus. This film is my family's go to Halloween film because it’s perfect for getting you into the Halloween spirit. 

Madelynn Loring, Staff Writer:

Personally, I tend to be more of a drink-a-pumpkin-spice-latte-and jump-in-leaves type of fall person, so I’m not the one to go to for horror. However, the one Halloween movie I cannot praise enough is The Nightmare Before Christmas. It is classic, visually and aesthetically pleasing, and overall a delightful watch. Also, it qualifies as both a Halloween and Christmas movie, so it is seasonally appropriate to watch it twice a year!

Sandra Vo, Staff Writer:

With full honesty, I admit that I am a complete scaredy-cat and that I hate any and all horror movies. As a result, my recommendations come from the much more family-friendly end, and a few of my favorite classics It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Spooky Buddies. Both of these movies are wonderful if you’re looking to sleep the following night!

Morgan Jacobus, Editor in Chief:

As a nostalgic child at heart, I have a special place in my heart for Disney Halloween movies. For instance, I recommend the Halloweentown movies (there are four in total). My roommate and I watched them last year on Halloween during the day (since our plans weren’t until night). I mean, it has Halloween right in the name so you can’t go wrong with those movies this spooky season. I also enjoy The Haunted Mansion with Eddie Murphy, and I have fond memories of watching that on Disney Channel back in the day. If you have Disney+, you can stream childhood favorites like the ones I mentioned, as well as both Twitches movies, Hocus Pocus, and the Nightmare Before Christmas. A non-Disney childhood throwback for me is Monster House, which you can stream on Netflix. 

Vivian Pham, Staff Writer

I personally felt like not everybody enjoys scary movies, especially when it’s Halloween season and all the Anabelle and The Conjuring trailers start to show up if you don’t pay for that pricey YouTube Premium. So, I’d highly recommend one of my all-time favorite Tim Burton’s classic Halloween movies, Corpse Bride - an animated dark romance genre for those who are looking for a heart-broken movie night but still fit in with the vibe of the Halloween season. Be prepared not for a blanket to cover over your head and contain your scream, but a box of tissues to soak up those tears when Victor, the main character, is torn apart to make the right decisions.

Treat yourself to Halloween movies!

By: Ali Paglia, Highlander Writer

Its time to trick or treat yo’ self to a number of movies this Halloween Season. As that spooky day of October 31st is creeping closer I would like to inform you guys of a couple Halloween movies that are available to you through Netflix, and other online sources. If you an old soul, and are into those childhood movies, than you should creep it real with the movie Coraline. Coraline is a movie that will bring you shivers up your spine. Her alternate home may seem perfect, but Coraline learns to never judge a book by its cover. This movie has the spooks and a lesson in it, making it a good to movie for this time a year. If you are looking to be a basic witch, then the classic Disney movie Hocus Pocus is the movie for you. Join the Sanderson sisters, Winifred, Mary, and Sarah as they continue their witch-craft that started nearly three hundred years ago. If the broom fits then jump on this movie and ride it! If you want to put another Disney treat in your bag, then don’t trick yourself out of the Nightmare Before Christmas. Even though Jack is a no body, he sure isn’t alone. Watch as Jack, and Sally try to bring the Christmas season to his own town. Even though its not Christmas yet, this movie still gives you a spook takular feeling. Finally, to the one I have been dying to tell you guys about, it is one that is know throughout the world as being ghouslishly delightful. The Haunted Mansion is a movie based on the themed park ride in Disneyland. The movie stars Eddie Murphy, who is a realtor, who bring his wife and children who are summoned to a mansion, which through startling discovery find out it is haunted. Watch if you dare, it’s a great scare. Whether you put one or all of these treats in your bag, you won’t be disappointed and you’ll never have to look up from your basket as Charlie Brown would and say “ I only got a rock.”

Theatre Review – Trav’lin – The 1930 Harlem Musical

Photo Source // Allison UpChurch

By: Allison UpChurch, Staff Writer

Trav’lin – The 1930’s Harlem Musical is a production that has never seen the lights of Broadway but is slowly getting around to theatres across the United States in the hopes of making it to New York City one day. It tells the story of three couples living, working, and loving during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1930’s. The show showcases these couples at different stages of their relationship – one is newly found lovers, the other growing steady, and the last is a pair of long-lost lovers rekindling what was left behind.

In a post-show discussion, cast members shared that all of the music and songs of Trav’lin are all written by the famous African-American songwriter J.C. Johnson, who lived for a significant amount of time in Harlem in the 1920’s and 30’s and later worked with famous jazz and blues performers like Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong.

“This is my era of music,” actor Milton Craig Nealy, who plays the character of George, shared with audience members. “I just love it. It’s a joy to hear and obviously we don’t hear much of this music now a days.”

The show came to fruition because the show’s playwright, Gary Holmes, was a young protégé of Johnson when they were neighbors in Wurtsboro, New York. Johnson expressed interest in Holmes creating a show that incorporated his songs into the story, so when Johnson passed in 1981, Holmes set out to work on that show, which eventually turned into Trav’lin. While the show has had its premiere at the New York Musical Festival in 2010, Trav’lin is still a relatively new piece that is not well known.

“Having the opportunity to feel like you’re putting a particular stamp on new work is just extraordinarily exciting,” actress Natalie Oliver-Atherton, who plays the character of Billie, said. “If I never get to do it again, Billie has been done for me. And it’s always just an extraordinary gift from on high for me.”

As a show, Trav’lin brings fun characters and positive energy to its audience. The story, though it can be predictable at times, is easy to follow and represents they dynamic and complex experiences of love that every human will face sometime in life. The songs blend seamlessly into the plot as the actors will play off each other cheerfully and bring a soulful and spirited sound to Johnson’s repertoire as “Somebody Loses, Somebody Wins” and “Basin Street Lover.”

Trav’lin – The 1930’s Harlem Musical played April 9 - 28 at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities.

Movie Review: Night School

Photo source: the grapejuice.net

By: Allison Upchurch, Staff Reporter

Are you in a movie slump after the big summer blockbuster releases? Tired of seeing remakes and sequels dominate the movie industry?  Looking for a movie to take a chance on to kill time on a Saturday afternoon? The movie Night School might be the one to check out. 

Night School is the story about Teddy Walker (played by Kevin Hart), a high school dropout who gets the chance to better his life by going to work as a financial analyst at his best friend’s work place. However, to get the job Teddy needs to get his GED, so he starts to attend night classes at his former high school under the insistent and unconventional educator Carrie (played by Tiffany Haddish). Along with a slew of other personalities, Teddy fights with his innate desire to take the easy way out with the expectation to sit and learn the material in a valuable way.

This movie can be slightly over the top at some points and is conscious about how unrealistic some situations can be. While the storyline involving Teddy’s hardship about going through night classes is justified as a plethora of learning disabilities, all the other situations that come about in this movie are purely there to push the laughing pulse of an audience member. For example, the movie shows Teddy accidently setting fire to a store, sending him flying through the air smashing into a car but is then seen in the next scene unscarred by the experience. 

Visually, Night School is a crisp film, where the camera is simply put on the actor’s face when he or she is talking and lets the comedic actions of the film be clearly seen without any shaky camera or zoom-in effects. In this age where action and adventure movies are king, Night School lets audiences slow down and just laugh at the circumstances and sharp dialogue that may flip expectations at points.

In connecting this movie back to one of the Jesuit values that are implemented here at Regis, the best one that could connect to Night School would be “magis.” Since “magis” is the understanding that there is always something more to strive for, Night School hounds in the message that there are more things to define and express yourself which lends itself to following through on the “more” that comes with achieving life goals. While Teddy tries to find the easy way out, he learns that by fulfilling the “more” that comes with education, he is able to form stronger relationships with his peers so he can shatter the expectations that he has been dealing with his entire life.