Highly entertaining. A riotous good time. Intriguing. Energetic. Mysterious. All words to describe the new Knives Out murder mystery movie, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The movie ran in theaters for one week from November 23 to November 29 before being added to Netflix on December 23rd. And although the reaction to the movie was positive, the theatrical release of the movie left many people confused, and fans upset. 

The story is centered around eccentric characters who are all connected by a friendship with a multimillionaire named Miles Bron. Bron invites his seven friends to his isolated, private island for a weekend away and a fun, innocent murder mystery game. Another character, Detective Benoit Blanc, who was introduced in the original Knives Out movie, also received an invite because of the theme of the party. At least that is what is believed in the beginning. After arriving on the island, the murder mystery game becomes less of a game, and more of a real-life situation. As the story goes on, the true identities of the seven friends are slowly revealed, multiple attempts of murder occur, and a complex lie comes to light making anyone a suspect—or a victim. 

Because Glass Onion is a Netflix original film, it was up to Netflix how the release of the movie would play out. According to CNBC, in its brief week-long showing, the movie generated a total of $13 million to $15 million. Although that is a successful profit, Netflix could have accumulated much greater profit if they extended the run in cinemas. It was decided by Netflix that the movie would air in only 700 theaters nationwide, instead of the usual 2,000 to 4,000 theaters that most movies are traditionally released to. It is estimated that the movie could have made anywhere from $60 million to $200 million if they extended the run and released the movie to more theaters. 

The critically acclaimed first Knives Out movie received 114 nominations and took 52 wins, creating a lot of anticipation and high expectations for Glass Onion. The cast is made up of a large group of well known actors and actresses, including Daniel Craig, Kate Hudson, Edward Norton, Katherine Hahn, Madelyn Cline, Janelle Monae, and many other award-winning actors. 

Director Rian Johnson, who is also known for directing Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Rogue One, and Knives Out, used many relevant social references throughout the movie, giving it a heightened edge in comparison to the first Knives Out. The presence of the COVID-19 pandemic is very clear throughout the entirety of the movie. There are Zoom calls, actors wearing masks in scenes, and lots of dialogue about the effects of COVID-19 that help assist the plot. In addition to that, there are many pop culture references ranging from a Serena Williams cameo in a workout mirror to a game of Among Us played over a Zoom call. 

Glass Onion proves that movies are allowed to be produced simply for entertainment. Although the plot delves into some heavier topics, the cinematography and script are unquestionably fun to watch. The pure absurdity of each character and setting keep the dark plot uplifting and comical. Experiencing the unlikely combination of the nine main characters interacting with each other creates a delightfully humorous whodunnit story. 

Through its recent social relevance, impressive cinematography, and engrossing plot, Glass Onion proved to be a well-done murder mystery movie that is likely to keep audiences intrigued. With its easy accessibility on Netflix, the popularity of this movie is bound to reach wider audiences through other social media platforms. Although there was some controversy regarding the release, there is no denying that the producers, Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman, put together a comical yet slightly unsettling film that will captivate future audiences.