“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”, directed by Rian Johnson, was released on Netflix on December 23, 2023. This film is a follow-up to Johnson’s critically acclaimed 2019 murder mystery “Knives Out,” which explores the continuing exploits of its protagonist, detective Benoit Blanc.

This onion-like layered investigation takes place in Greece after villain billionaire Miles Bron, played by Edward Norton, invites his group of friends to enjoy a mystery game on his secluded private island in Greece. This was only to discover that an actual investigation had been underway all along when well-accomplished detective Benoit Blanc, breathtakingly played by Daniel Craig, was hired to find out the truth. This film has an enthralling plot that centers on the suspicions surrounding a murder mystery, the personal secrets it reveals, and a detective’s relentless pursuit of the truth.

Although this raunchy, witty conundrum is meant to keep the audience on their toes, there is an underlying truth about society. Humans are selfish creatures. By examining the individual characters’ motivations, viewers can see how their selfish desires clouded their judgment. This reveals an important truth about the dangers of human nature and its capacity for manipulation. This is demonstrated when the odd friend group known as “the disruptors” choose to lie under oath for Bron, betraying their former friend, Andi Brand, who is played beautifully by Janelle Monáe. We are all capable of egotism, disregarding the needs of the people we should care too. The question is why? Why would they illegally cross Brand?

Rian Johnson expertly implants within viewers’ heads by showing that every member of “the disruptors” had the benefit of being in Bron’s inner circle. Claire Debella’s campaign (played by Kathryn Hahn) for Connecticut’s governor was publicly funded by Miles Bron. Similarly, the socially unhinged Birdie Jay, portrayed by Kate Hudson, was the founder of the sweatpant company “Sweetie Sweatpants,” also funded by Bron. Strongly played by Dave Bautista, Duke Cody’s Twitch account took off with an increase of millions of followers because of Bron’s introduction to the platform. A former substitute school teacher, Lionel Toussaint, portrayed by Leslie Odom Jr., rose to prominence as a respected chemist thanks to Bron’s contributions both financially and socially. Despite the different ways in which each of these characters had been affected by Bron, they were all bound together by a shared loyalty and dedication to him. Bron was the common denominator that connected all of these characters, bringing them together in a world where they otherwise would have never met. He manipulated them.

Rian Johnson deftly demonstrates the principle of human selfness through contemporary references such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Cancel Culture. These are current events when people are most vulnerable and willing to make sacrifices to save themselves. In situations like these, it is even more prevalent that people want to keep what they have, going to any length. This is shown in countless ways – like when Claire Debella’s campaign is needed to be stronger than ever during this time, meaning she needs as much support from Bron as possible, and Birdie Jay’s constant cancelation during the peak of Cancel Culture suggests she needs Bron to help protect her brand.

As a viewer, I found this film to be stunning in every way. The casting was flawlessly done, and the writing was light and comedic all while having significant themes. Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” is a film that you can watch time and time again without dissatisfaction.