Calling Sherlock Holmes

Joshua M. Freedman, Staff Writer

Knives Out, which officially premieres Nov. 27 , may well be one of the greatest “whodunit” movies to date. With a stellar cast and phenomenal director, the film will keep you on the edge of your seat up until the credits start rolling.

Like any classic murder mystery, the film starts with millionaire Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) mysteriously found dead in his own mansion. His large family, mainly composed of his two children: Linda Drysdale (Jamie Lee Curtis), and Walt Thrombey (Michael Shannon), grandson Ransom Drysdale (Chris Evans) and plenty other in-laws are all plausible suspects.

When Private Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) mysteriously appears at the Thrombey manor to investigate, a thrilling series of exposed secrets, unmasked identities, car chases, murders and twists unfold.

For anyone who enjoys a movie full of suspense, action and comedy, Knives Out is the perfect Thanksgiving film.

The movie is also spectacular from a director’s point of view. While the story does take place in the present, it is evident that the director paid homage to all the classic “whodunit” movies, with the inspector smoking a large cigar, an eerie “blast from the past” mansion and that amazing “no way” moment that slaps you right across the face when you are least expecting it.

The director, Rian Johnson, uses shots to convey any mood or emotion he wants the audience to experience. For example, Johnson uses quick-shifting shots and echoing sound effects to make something as innocent as a man walking with a cane appear sinister and terrifying.

Johnson the film means a lot to him. “Where it really came from, just my love of whodunits and wanting to make a modern one. For me, one of the big marching orders for myself with this, and for everyone involved, was that we’re not making a movie about whodunits we’re making a real whodunit. It’s got to have a heart on its own, keep one foot on the ground I suppose,” according to forbes.com.

The movie reminded me of a perfect riddle: the answer is woven deep within the question- nearly impossible to figure out without giving it some deep thought- although once the answer is made clear, everything immediately makes sense.

No matter how good you are at cracking cases, this movie is almost guaranteed to leave you pondering up until the end, as nothing is ever as it seems. As for me, I could not stop spinning the clues and twists I just witnessed over and over inside my head until I finally realized “oh yeah! Now I get it!”

This is the perfect movie to attend on a Friday night with friends and family since no matter what your favorite genre is, there is something for everyone to take away and enjoy from it.

Rated 99 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, the only mystery here is how many times should you watch Knives Out ?