Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sharp, layered mystery sequel; smoking, drinking, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 23 parent reviews
Based on 41 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a thrilling and visually stunning mystery packed with unexpected twists and humor, making it enjoyable for audiences. Despite some concerns regarding its complicated plot and sexual content, many find it engaging and recommend it for older children and teens, highlighting its clever storytelling and character dynamics.
- thrilling mystery
- stunning visuals
- complicated plot
- strong language
- engaging characters
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY takes place in the summer of 2020. Private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is pulled out of his pandemic depression when a puzzle box arrives at his door with an invitation to attend a murder mystery party. Once he gets to the private island of visionary billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton), who's also invited several famous celebrity guests, Blanc realizes that the murder mystery game has set the stage for an actual murder to occur.
Is It Any Good?
Writer-director Rian Johnson slices and dices social influencers with sharp humor here, leaving viewers wiping away tears of laughter. This satirical whodunit peels back the layers of modern-day movers and shakers to reveal that, when you get to the core of an arrogant genius, a fabulous fashionista, or a blowhard YouTuber, there's often nothing there. For adults, it's a wink. Teens might need a little help to understand the brilliance of Glass Onion's title, but even if they don't put it all together, the comedy pierces celebrity/privileged culture in plenty of other, more obvious ways. In other words, it's hard to imagine that anyone over the age of 13 or 14 won't enjoy Johnson's Benoit Blanc sequel.
Is it better than Knives Out? Well, no, because with that excellent film, Johnson reinvigorated the entire murder mystery genre. It felt so refreshingly new in 2019, and in the three years since its release, others have tried their hand at the whodunit with some pretty impressive productions -- meaning the bar is even higher now. But still, Glass Onion rolls as one continuous slick burn. And if there's one thing we know about onions, it's that when they're raw, they bite, but the longer they cook, the sweeter they become.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Benoit Blanc compares to Agatha Christie detectives like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Why do you think fictional detectives are often given eccentricities or quirks?
Do you think that Glass Onion glamorizes drinking and smoking? Why, or why not?
Discuss the meaning of the title and how it's layered throughout the film.
What are the hallmarks of a murder mystery? How does this one compare to others you've seen?
How do characters demonstrate courage, integrity, and teamwork?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 18, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : December 23, 2022
- Cast : Daniel Craig , Janelle Monáe , Edward Norton
- Director : Rian Johnson
- Inclusion Information : Non-Binary Movie Actor(s) , Pansexual Movie Actor(s) , Queer Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Teamwork
- Run time : 139 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong language, some violence, sexual material and drug content
- Awards : Common Sense Selection , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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