Monday, Film4, 10:55pm
Rian Johnson’s Knives Out (2019) is a masterclass in genre reinvention, reinvigorating the traditional murder mystery with biting social commentary and sharp humor. The film unfolds in a labyrinthine manor where the death of wealthy mystery writer Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) sets off a deliciously chaotic investigation led by the eccentric private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig). While the script gleefully deconstructs the tropes of the classic whodunit, Knives Out also thrives on its ensemble cast, which includes Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, and Jamie Lee Curtis, each imbuing their characters with a mix of satire and intrigue. The film dances between razor-sharp dialogue and unexpected twists, proving itself as a sly commentary on privilege, generational wealth, and entitlement.
Equally as impressive as the film’s plotting is its lush, string-heavy soundtrack, composed by Nathan Johnson. A frequent collaborator of Rian Johnson, Nathan crafts a score that pays homage to the orchestral grandeur of Agatha Christie-era adaptations while infusing it with a distinctly modern sensibility. The soundtrack’s standout theme, “Knives Out! (String Quartet in G Minor),” establishes the tension with its tightly wound melodies and rich textures. The music mirrors the film's unraveling mystery, alternating between whimsical lightness and ominous intensity. Johnson’s use of a string quartet as the central voice underscores the aristocratic veneer of the Thrombey family, while slyly hinting at the cracks beneath their polished surface.
What makes the soundtrack so effective is its ability to serve as both an homage and a narrative tool. The swelling violins and urgent tempos reflect the film’s constant momentum, where even moments of levity carry an undercurrent of danger. Much like the film itself, the music walks the line between tradition and reinvention, refusing to let the audience settle into anything too familiar. In doing so, the score becomes a character in its own right, guiding us through the spirals of deceit and revelation. In Knives Out, music is more than a backdrop—it’s a conspirator, whispering clues and amplifying the stakes, making every twist and turn all the more exhilarating.
- Daisy Rae