After finishing Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, director Rian Johnson had a brief window of opportunity to make another movie, and decided to go back to an old idea from the mid 2000s, based on the Agatha Christie's murder mysteries and the Choose Your Own Adventure books he loved reading as a child.

Wait a minute - I read a tweet about a New Yorker article about this episode...

Taking cues from Alfred Hitchcock, he would devise Knives Out, a whodunit where you would find out who did it up front, but did they actually do it? The death of 85-year-old murder mystery author Harlan Thrombey the night of his birthday party appears to be suicide, but can we trust the Thrombey family's stories, recollections of the night, or their intentions for Harlan's million dollar inheritance? Or can we only trust Great Nana Wanetta?

It's a weird case from the start. A case with a hole in the centre. A doughnut.

Johnson's story of immigration, class and privilege didn't need to be this smart and fun. It also only cost $40 million... with this incredible ensemble cast and attention to detail; production and set design beyond words.

Rian Johnson. Hugh did this.

I would love to hear your thoughts on Knives Out !

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Verbal Diorama is hosted, produced, edited, researched, recorded and marketed by me, Em | This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

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