I. Introduction
Are you looking for a thrilling and captivating mystery movie that will keep you guessing until the end? Look no further than Knives Out, the hit 2019 movie directed by Rian Johnson, that has captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike. Packed with suspense, twists, and humor, Knives Out is a modern take on the classic whodunit genre that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
In this article, we provide the ultimate guide to prepare for watching Knives Out. Whether you are a devoted mystery fan or a casual moviegoer, this guide is designed to enhance your viewing experience and help you appreciate the movie’s intricate plot, characters, and themes. From understanding key clues and red herrings, to picking the best snacks and drinks, this guide has everything you need to fully enjoy Knives Out.
II. The Ultimate Guide to Prepare for Watching Knives Out
To fully appreciate the intricacies of Knives Out, it’s important to get in the right mindset and create a cozy viewing environment. Here are some tips to help you set the scene for an enjoyable viewing experience.
Tips for getting in the right mindset
– Set aside distractions: Turn off your phone, pause notifications, and clear your schedule to fully immerse yourself in the movie.
– Embrace uncertainty: Don’t try to predict the ending or the culprits. Let yourself be surprised and enjoy the suspense.
– Engage your curiosity: Keep an open mind, ask questions, and pay attention to details.
Suggestions for creating a cozy viewing environment
– Choose a comfortable spot: Make sure you have a cozy chair or sofa, or even build a fort for a more immersive experience.
– Set the mood: Dim the lights, light some candles, and play some music to enhance the atmosphere.
– Dress up: Get into the spirit of the movie and wear your most stylish and sophisticated outfit.
Discussion of the importance of paying attention to details
To fully appreciate the intricacies of Knives Out, it’s crucial to pay attention to details. From character actions and facial expressions, to props and locations, every detail in Knives Out has a purpose and a meaning. Take note of the following elements:
– Character traits and relationships: Pay attention to how characters interact with each other, what they say, and what they don’t say. Every action and dialogue reveals more about their motives and personalities.
– Props and settings: Notice how the house and the objects in it contribute to the story. Everything from the paintings on the wall to the food on the table is carefully selected to convey meaning.
– Cinematography and sound: Observe how the camera angles, lighting, and sound effects convey emotion and foreshadow events.
III. 5 Key Clues to Look Out for When Watching Knives Out
One of the most intriguing aspects of Knives Out is the abundance of clues that are scattered throughout the movie. To fully appreciate the plot and solve the mystery, it’s important to pay attention to these clues and their significance. Here are five key clues to look out for:
The will
The will of Harlan Thrombey, the wealthy patriarch of the family, is a recurring theme in Knives Out. Keep an eye on how characters react to the will, what it contains, and how it’s interpreted.
The missing car
Early in the movie, it’s revealed that the family’s caregiver, Marta, has left Harlan’s house in a hurry and without her car. Follow the clues that lead to her missing car and what it might reveal about the events of that night.
The toxicology report
To solve the mystery of Harlan’s death, a toxicology report is necessary. But what is revealed in the report, and how does it impact the investigation? Pay attention to the reactions of characters to the report and its findings.
The dog’s behavior
Throughout the movie, the family dog is a quiet observer of the events unfolding in the house. However, his behavior and reactions to certain characters and situations are significant clues that could lead to the solution of the whodunit.
The housekeeper’s interview
In a pivotal scene in the movie, the family’s housekeeper, Fran, is interviewed by the police about the night of Harlan’s death. Listen carefully to her testimony and how it contradicts or confirms other characters’ accounts.
IV. The Best Snacks and Drinks to Enjoy While Watching Knives Out
What’s a good mystery movie without some delicious snacks and drinks to enjoy? To enhance your viewing experience of Knives Out, consider the following suggestions for movie snacks and drinks that fit the theme of the movie:
Mystery-themed snacks
– Finger sandwiches: Keep it classy like the Thrombey family and enjoy some elegant finger sandwiches with your favorite fillings.
– Sleuthy sweets: Indulge your sweet tooth with some classic mystery-themed treats like chocolate cigars, pipe-shaped cookies, or magnifying glass cake toppers.
– Hidden surprises: Up the suspense factor by hiding small surprises, like mini crime scenes or rolled-up clues, inside your snacks.
Drink recommendations to enhance the viewing experience
– Whiskey or bourbon: Pay homage to Harlan Thrombey’s favorite drink and enjoy a glass of whiskey or bourbon while watching the movie.
– “Blood” red wine: Visualize the blood-like stains found in the movie with a glass of red wine.
– Detective-inspired cocktails: Mix up some cocktails inspired by your favorite detectives, like a Sherlock Holmes-inspired gin and tonic or a James Bond-styled martini.
V. Understanding the Genre: A Look Into How Knives Out Breaks the Mold
To fully appreciate the uniqueness of Knives Out, it’s important to understand the mystery genre and how it differs from other movie genres. Here’s a brief overview of the mystery genre and how Knives Out adds a unique spin to it.
Overview of the mystery genre
Mystery movies are a popular sub-genre of the thriller category. They typically focus on a puzzle or a problem that needs to be solved, usually involving a crime or a series of crimes. Mystery movies often feature detectives, amateur sleuths, or ordinary people who have to use their intelligence and intuition to piece together clues and solve the mystery.
Explanation of how Knives Out adds a unique spin to the genre
What sets Knives Out apart from other mystery movies is its subversive approach to the genre tropes and cliches. While it adheres to the basic structure of the whodunit, it also twists and subverts the genre in multiple ways, such as:
– Unreliable narrators: The movie challenges the trustworthiness of the various characters’ accounts of events. – Humor: Despite its dark tone, Knives Out is also infused with dry humor that adds a lightness to the otherwise serious genre.
– Social commentary: Knives Out uses the mystery genre as a platform to critique class, race, and privilege.
– Unique characters: The ensemble cast is diverse and memorable, each with their own quirks and motives that add to the complexity of the plot.
Discussion of the themes and messages of the movie
At its core, Knives Out is a meditation on power, privilege, and family dynamics. The movie explores how the Thrombey family’s wealth and status shape their relationships with each other and how they view the outside world. It also highlights how individuals use their intelligence, skills, and secrets to gain power over others and to protect their privilege. The movie ultimately asks the question of whether justice can prevail in a system that is inherently unjust.
VI. How to Spot Red Herrings in Knives Out: A Beginner’s Guide
Red herrings are a staple of the mystery genre, and Knives Out is no exception. But what exactly are red herrings, and how can you recognize them in a mystery movie? This section provides a beginner’s guide to red herrings and how they function in Knives Out.
Explanation of what red herrings are and their importance in the mystery genre
Red herrings are false clues or misleading pieces of information that are intentionally placed in a mystery story to distract the audience from the real solution. They are a common tool used by writers to create suspense and misdirect the audience’s attention. Red herrings serve several purposes, including:
– To create suspense: By introducing false leads and possibilities, the audience is kept on edge and curious about what will happen next.
– To challenge the detective or main character: Red herrings force the protagonist to question their assumptions and explore alternative scenarios.
– To add complexity: Red herrings make the mystery more intricate and challenging to solve.
Description of the red herrings in Knives Out
Without giving away too much of the plot, Knives Out uses several red herrings to keep the audience guessing. Some of these false leads include:
– False motives: Characters provide reasons for their actions that are later revealed to be untrue or incomplete.
– Misdirection: The plot of the movie is designed to make the audience believe certain outcomes that are later proved false.
– Unreliable narrators: As previously mentioned, characters’ versions of events are sometimes designed to mislead other characters and the audience.
Tips for recognizing red herrings in future mystery movies
Now that you understand the concept of red herrings, here are some tips for spotting them in future mystery movies:
– Pay attention to details: Many red herrings are planted early in the story and are often subtle and easy to miss.
– Check your assumptions: Don’t assume that the first or most obvious explanation is the correct one. Be open-minded and consider alternative possibilities.
– Look for inconsistencies: Red herrings rely on inconsistencies and contradictions to mislead the audience. Look for clues that don’t fit with the overall picture.
VII. Why Knives Out is a Must-Watch Movie for Mystery Lovers Everywhere
Knives Out has been widely acclaimed as one of the best mystery movies in recent years, and for good reason. Here’s why this movie is a must-watch for mystery lovers everywhere.
Review of the movie and its critical reception
Since its release, Knives Out has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. It currently holds a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics declaring it a “fun, witty, and stylish whodunit.”
Explanation of why Knives Out stands out from other mystery movies
What sets Knives Out apart from other mystery movies is its blend of humor, suspense, and social commentary. The movie brilliantly subverts the genre tropes while still managing to deliver a clever and satisfying solution to the mystery. The ensemble cast is outstanding, each delivering a memorable and nuanced performance. The themes explored in the movie are timely and thought-provoking, making the movie an engaging and relevant experience.
Discussion of the impact of the movie on the mystery genre
Knives Out has already made a significant impact on the mystery genre, inspiring numerous articles, discussions, and fan theories. The movie has proven that mystery movies can be both entertaining and intelligent, and that there is a demand for more subversive and diverse stories in the genre. The success of Knives Out has already led to an upcoming sequel, which promises to offer more thrills and surprises.
VIII. The Importance of Attention to Detail in Knives Out: Tips for a Deeper Viewing Experience
One of the key elements of Knives Out is the attention to detail that is evident in every aspect of the movie. From the set designs to the costumes, every detail is deliberately chosen to convey meaning and enhance the viewer’s experience. Here are some tips for improving your attention to detail while watching Knives Out.
Explanation of how attention to detail enhances the viewing experience
Paying attention to details in Knives Out not only helps to solve the mystery but also provides a deeper understanding of the characters and themes of the movie. By noticing the subtle clues and hints, viewers can connect the dots, empathize with the characters, and appreciate the complexity and depth of the story.
Discussion of the small details in Knives Out and its significance
Knives Out is packed with small details that add layers of meaning and significance to the story. Some examples of these details are:
– The Thrombey mansion: The sets and locations in the movie are designed to convey the wealth, power, and privilege of the Thrombey family.
– The costume design: The characters’ clothing and accessories reveal their personalities, motives, and social status, often through subtle cues like color, pattern, and style.
– The mise-en-scene: The arrangement of each shot, the lighting, and the camera angles all work together to create a cohesive visual narrative that enhances the story’s themes and messages.
Tips for viewers to improve their attention to detail while watching movies
If you’re looking to improve your attention to detail while watching movies, here are some tips to keep in mind:
– Clear distractions: Turn off your phone and remove any other distractions that could take away your focus.
– Take notes: Jot down important details, and refer back to them as the movie progresses.
– Watch again: Rewatch the movie to pick up on details that you may have missed the first time.