Here it is, folks: the first movie I've seen set during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically May 2020. That said, we don't see people wearing masks or keeping apart for long, thanks to an oral spray that supposedly protects everyone from infection. Either they put too much confidence in a dubious treatment, or it's a sci-fi premise. It wouldn't be the only one herein, despite the previous Knives Out not having any.
Eccentric industrialist Miles Bron (Edward Norton) invites five pretty close acquaintances, along with a couple plus-ones, to a weekend on his private island, home to a mansion aptly called the Glass Onion, to solve the mystery of his "murder." PI Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), the only returning character, also gets an invitation, tho Bron didn't intend it. Almost equally out of place is Andi Brand (Janelle Monáe), Bron's former business partner, who's bitterly disenchanted with him and all his suck-ups in attendance. Blanc notes that every guest besides himself has a motive to make the pretend murder a reality. Well, someone dies before long....
One difference from KO is that the audience is not privy to much if any useful information before Blanc. In fact, he knows a lot more until it's revealed to us in a long flashback midway thru the picture. This is not to say that we have a tougher time solving the mystery before he does; I at least came closer than before. It might just be simpler. That said, in a location so remote that the cops can't come for hours, what to do next is less obvious.
Since there are fewer major characters this time around, I might as well detail the rest. Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr.), Bron's head scientist, might be the most sensible; he's certainly the least played for laughs. Claire Debella (Kathryn Hahn) is a Connecticut governor dancing to Bron's tune. Birdie Jay (Kate Hudson) is a designer and ex-model with a history of accidental public bigotry; she brings an assistant (Jessica Henwick), probably because she's overly dependent. Duke Cody (Dave Bautista) is an irresponsible men's rights activist and web celeb, bringing ditzy girlfriend Whiskey (Madelyn Cline). And then there's Derol (Rian Johnson mainstay Noah Segan), a visiting stoner who's supposed to keep to himself and whom everyone is encouraged to ignore. I swear, if he were involved in the solution...
Yes, it's every bit as satirical as its predecessor and still likely to appeal to both sides of the aisle. Bron seems a composite of several RL multi-billionaires, especially Elon Musk, because who else among them engages in this much fun? And the story reflects the increasingly common perception that elite folk, regardless of party affiliation, have been scratching each other's backs in unethical ways.
I had complained about not understanding prior symbolism. That's not nearly as much of an issue here, tho I overlooked a lot of Easter eggs, including high-profile cameos. The Glass Onion itself is more beautiful than Harlan Thrombey's mansion, as long as you can stomach the decadence of exaggerated luxury.
One aspect that isn't better than in KO is the resolution. Contrived coincidence is one thing; bending the laws of physics, more than once, is another. And the heroes' actions get controversial for harming more than the culprit.
On balance, I think the two flicks are about even. I was inclined to give a slight edge to the original, but at least there's no on-screen vomit in the sequel. If a threequel comes, I expect to tune in.
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