This article contains spoilers for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Rian Johnson’s sequel to his 2019 mystery film,Knives Out, has becomequite successful, with some even regardingGlass Onionbetter than its original. The film does have many layers and allows Daniel Craig to play a more central role as Benoit Blanc than in the 2019 film. However, one major reason why the film became an instant hit is its stellar cast.Glass Onionhas brought together some big Hollywood names and these names are ones that have proven their brilliant talent in numerous performances. This was definitely expected from theKnives Outsequel, since the original also had some big names.
Similar to its original,Glass Onionalso focuses on characters who are filthy rich, except for a few, and who are very much focused on money. The film goes a step further and uses these characters to act as a social commentary while bringing them out as possible murder suspects. With an eye-catching cast and characters with different personalities, it is hard not to like some over others and absolutely hate certain characters.
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It is quite easy to absolutely hate this extremely misogynistic character from the moment he is introduced to the viewers.Dave Bautistahas definitely done a brilliant jobof capturing Duke’s toxic masculinity. Duke’s popularity is based on his success on Twitch and YouTube, where he rants about men’s rights. Interestingly, with Andrew Tate’s arrest firing up on the internet, many cannot ignore the two personas' resemblances. Some even callDuke’s death a foreshadowing of Tate’s arrest. Regardless of whether Johnson can actually predict the future or not, he has done a brilliant job in bringing forth this particular character who is more disliked than the villain himself. The way in which Duke controls Whiskey and shows off his gun for absolutely no reason makes him the perfect jerk.
Miles Bron is anabsurdly rich billionairewho is prepared to kill anyone to save himself and destroy the whole planet if it means he gets to be rich. His identity is based on him being yet another jerk who controls his friends through the power that money has given him. Miles is obviously toxic in many ways as he continues to force his friends to put their lives and identities at risk for his success. He has literally bought off his “friends”. Miles is also a hypocrite which is clearly seen from his urge to risk people’s safety over his success by exposing them to chemicals while his own island has a “no-smoke garden”.
Even if Miles comes off as nice at the beginning, the film gradually exposes his villainous nature andEdward Nortondoes a brilliant job in bringing out this villain. While there have been many debates over whether Miles resembles Elon Musk, Johnson has stated that these similarities are just a “horrible, horrible accident”. However,Miles does seem to representany rich man who likes to profit from anything, even if it means killing off people. He is also someone who goes on stealing ideas and putting them out as his own.
Played byKate Hudson, Birdie is a colorful character, both literally and metaphorically. She adds humor and cheer to the film, but at the same time, her lack of intelligence makes her extremely tone-deaf. Birdie is introduced as someone who is quite popular, likes to party, and enjoys a good time. In a nutshell, she is a celebrity who has come under fire for using a racial slur that she thought was just another word for cheap. As the film progresses, it is revealed that her successful fashion line is created in one of the largest sweatshops in Bangladesh, and she had assumed a sweatshop means a shop that makes sweatpants. The humor is both funny and quite painful at the same time. So, even if she is a delight to have around, she is ranked low because of her tone-deaf and self-obsessed nature.
Peg, being Birdie’s assistant for many years, tries so hard to keep Birdie out of trouble. Of course, this is done not out of care, but rather to save her own skin, but one cannot definitely blame her for trying to stay safe. Peg might go unnoticed more often than not as she is constantly overshadowed by Birdie and the other “elites” but it is hard not to feel sympathy for this character. During the dinner scene, we see Miles handing Peg a red cup while others get a fancy glass with their own names. Later, Peg is seen writing her name on her red cup, which clearly illustrates how she feels left out and alienated for not being rich or popular enough.Jessica Henwickperfectly captures Peg’s annoyance with Birdie and the other rich people.
Whiskey is yet another character who is a victim of this large game played by the rich elites. Whiskey, played byMadelyn Cline, might come off as a young Birdie, but it is obvious that she is not as dumb as the latter. At first, Whiskey indicates that she is an anti-feminist and is very supportive of Duke. However, as the film progresses, she reveals to Helen (dressed as Andi) that she is only doing so to build up her own career. At the same time, Duke is using her to gain his success by winning over Miles. All in all, Whiskey comes off as a character who is being used by the toxic males of the film, in turn, gaining the viewers' sympathy.
It is obvious that Claire’s hands are tied when it comes to the whole fight between Miles and Andi, as she is relying on the former to help her run for Senator. The film also shows that this particular character, who went from being a soccer mom to a governor, might talk big about climate change but is actually more focused on her own career than the things she claims she cares about, in turn, making her yet another hypocrite. However, the reason why she is ranked fifth is that she too is portrayed as another victim of Miles’s manipulation game, and finally, when she is able to expose him, she feels much relief. Moreover, she seems to be actually concerned about the lack of safety of “Klear”.Kathryn Hahn’s talent allows the character’s different levels of emotions to be captured.
Played byLeslie Odom Jr., Lionel is the head scientist at Miles’s company. He is one smart character who has studied hard and worked hard to be where he is. Unfortunately, Lionel is also forced to be silent and accept Miles’s toxic traits. In fact, when this character is introduced, he seems to be complaining about how Miles is abusing him by constantly bombarding him with work, and that he is unable to say no to him. This makes the audience feel sad for him. Furthermore, Lionel’s constant warnings on “Klear” and his attempts at walking away from the whole “vacation” shows that he is also concerned about the repercussions like Claire.
3Andi Brand
Even if Andi makes very few appearances and through flashbacks, she is definitely one strong female character. In fact, Andi is the brainchild behind Miles’s successful company, Alpha. She is also the one who introduced Miles to the group and believed in him when everyone else did not take a liking to him. However, Andi was ultimately betrayed by Miles as she refused to be a part of his evil plan in putting out “Klear”. What makes Andi rank three on the list is not the sympathy the viewers have for her, but her boss-lady attitude and her intelligence. She is one strong woman who could’ve been the one with the name behind Alpha if it was not for Miles’s Machiavellian schemes.
Related:Glass Onion: Best Moments in the Knives Out Sequel, Ranked
2Helen Brand
Helen is Andi’s twin and both characters are played byJanelle Monáe. However, unlike Andi, Helen is a schoolteacher who is not keen on getting involved with the rich and powerful. Her sister’s death is what caused her to get entangled with these “elites”. Helen is a character that viewers get attracted to quite easily. Her thirst for justice and her fight for her sister make her a strong female lead. It is also funny to see how Helen is the perfect foil for all these “elites”. This is made obvious from the very beginning. When these “elites” are trying so hard to solve the puzzles on Miles’s invitation box while acting as if it is the most brilliant idea ever, Helen goes on to smash it and take out the invitation. Helen’s strength and reluctance to back off, allowing her to win the whole game in the end.
1Benoit Blanc
Daniel Craig’s infamous detective easily ranks first on the whole set of characters. He is very easy to like given hishumorous natureand his passion for mysteries. In fact, this character gets easily excited over mysteries, which in turn, makes him quite relatable. Benoit’s intelligence and his refusal to back down from bringing justice make him an important figure. The way in which he acts as the fly on the wall is quite fascinating. However, the brilliance of this character comes off when he reveals everything at the end of the “dinner”. It adds a thrill to the whole movie. Benoit’s very nonchalant attitude also makes him an attractive character. Benoit with his cigar is the look of chill and calm.
