One of the most surprising breakout hits in the world of film in 2019, Rian Johnson's masterful whodunit Knives Out has taken on a true life of its own. With a once rumored sequel now confirmed by Johnson, and with leading man Daniel Craig eager to return to the role of the detective Benoit Blanc, it seems like Knives Out 2 is all but a sure thing.
Sequels are often a tricky thing to handle well, regardless of whether they were originally planned or not. It goes without saying, then, that expectations are already incredibly high for the followup murder mystery. Here, we look back at the first film and offer our thoughts on what Knives Out 2 needs to succeed, and what it definitely does not.
Want: More info on Benoit
When Knives Out begins, it's taken for assumption that Benoit Blanc is a renowned, skilled detective. He had been summoned by a previously anonymous donor to come investigate Harlan Thrombey's murder. But we're given no explanation for his fame, his qualifications, or his past.
A potential sequel could definitely benefit from exploring Benoit's character in greater detail, outside of whatever case he would likely be tasked with solving. He's a great character already. But we'd definitely love to learn more about him.
Don't: Another detective
For that reason, one thing that the potential Knives Out 2 definitely doesn't need is another detective interfering in Benoit's investigation. The police detectives working the case with Benoit in Knives Out played enjoyable roles as his foils, so it would be okay to have that continue with new detectives, or even the same ones, in a sequel.
But to introduce another private eye would be a mistake, as it would only inevitably take away from the focus on Benoit's gifts and his role as the new franchise's lead hero.
Want: More Marta
Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc might be the leading man of this franchise going forward, but if there's one character besides his that we'd love to see more of, it's Ana De Armas' Marta Cabrera. De Armas was nothing short of a revelation in the film, and despite her lack of previous experience, Marta more than proved herself as a talented investigator alongside Benoit.
We would love for the forthcoming sequel to find a way to incorporate Marta into Benoit's upcoming adventures. She now has possession of an incredible amount of money, so surely, that could come in handy.
Don't: More Thrombeys
We definitely need more Benoit and Marta in our lives as this franchise continues to grow. But if there's one thing we could absolutely do without it would be more appearances by the insufferable, hateful, unbearably prejudiced Thrombey family.
The only exception we might be willing to make would be if the franchise continued to include Marta, and allowed for more flashbacks to her time with Harlan, incredibly portrayed by Hollywood legend Christopher Plummer.
Want: More prestige casting
Knives Out boasts a cast that is truly stacked from top to bottom, featuring talent across generation after generation. In the extended Thrombey-Drysdale family alone, the film featured big name stars such as Christopher Plummer, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette, Don Johnson, and Chris Evans.
And of course, the film is led by none other than James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, and future Bond girl, Ana De Armas. Not one member of the cast feels out of place, miscast, or overly showy.
Don't: Blatant stunt casting
With that said, future films within the potential Knives Out cinematic universe need to be careful about the way they handle casting character. For these films to live up to the prestige and acclaim of their predecessor, it's important that they avoid the tendency to go for stunt casting.
It's possible to maintain a cast of accomplished, acclaimed actors without stooping to the level of casting big names just because they can. Hopefully, the sequel will know that.
Want: More cultural commentary
One of the things that Knives Out did best was something not at all made obvious by its marketing materials. In the film, Marta's role as a member of a family immigrants comes into direct conflict with the slowly all-consuming racism displayed by every member of the Thrombey family in different ways.
The film offers a strong condemnation of certain kinds of aloof wealthy whiteness and white privilege, without ever beating you over the head with any certain political agenda. It's a true testament to Rian Johnson's undeniable skill as a writer.
Don't: Heavy-handed delivery
We have enough faith in Johnson's craft to not believe that this would happen, but there's no denying that originally unplanned sequels often tend to go in a much more obvious, even lazy route than the originals.
We need to have the sharp wit and commentary of the original Knives Out film maintained in any potential sequels, without it becoming a simplified, overwrought, moralizing political allegory. Sophisticated storytelling is what Johnson does best. Hopefully, that trend continues.
Want: Another incredible whodunit
Knives Out has been billed as a whodunit from the very beginning, but part of what makes the movie so refreshing and well-crafted is the fact that the truth of the crime is revealed very early on in the film. Even though we know from the end of the first act exactly what happened to Harlan Thrombey, the film still finds ways to surprise us, all the way through the very ending.
Johnson's script keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish, and never once does the reveal of a clue or twist feel unearned or disappointing. It's a thrilling ride, and a true classic mystery for the ages.
Don't: A disappointing mystery that pales in comparison
The way the central mystery of Knives Out is so intricately and expertly plotted is not something that many films and writers have been able to pull off in recent memory. That's what makes the mystery at the heart of the sequel film already have such high expectations placed upon it.
Rian Johnson has a lot to live up to with the sequel in the works, and in this case, he'll have to measure up to himself. Benoit Blanc only works on the most puzzling and complex of mysteries. And that's exactly what Knives Out 2 deserves to have.