Cert - 12, Run-time - 2 hour 20 minutes

Director - Rian Johnson

Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) finds himself invited to a billionaire’s (Edward Norton) private island where each of the wealthy and successful guests are hiding their own secrets.

In writer-director Rian Johnson’s hit murder-mystery Knives Out it was mentioned that victim Harlan Thrombey “practically lives in a Clue[do] board”. The film’s gleeful twists and turns played with this idea and the various hidden doors and passageways that could be used by the murderer. In much the same way follow-up Glass Onion sees Johnson having just as much fun scheming with puzzles, mind games and riddles. We’re introduced to our potential suspects as they sit on a phone call together trying to solve a box filled with such tricks sent to them by billionaire friend Miles (Edward Norton).

Inside is an invitation to his private island where he plans to hold an annual gathering, including a murder-mystery spanning the weekend. Also present is Daniel Craig’s well-spoken, strongly-accented detective Benoit Blanc. Cue the unfolding mysteries and dramas. Many of which take some time to come into effect.

With Glass Onion Johnson forms a film around the idea of the collective audience experience. Crafting a set of events which invites you to play along before anything happens, whilst pointing out the very fact that this is happening. Providing potential clues and details before jumping backwards for all characters to be in contention again. All while never feeling smug or as if it’s showing off. There’s simply another very clever screenplay at the centre of this film with the writer-director firing on all cylinders, and clearly having a great deal of fun doing so.

The same can be said for the ensemble cast - including Dave Bautista, Janelle Monáe and Kathryn Hahn - all of whom are provided with detailed and unique characters. Their personalities make for an even more engaging piece of work, particularly when it comes to the humour that’s on display before the eventual rising tension.

All navigated by the mind Benoit Blanc, who we see at the start of the film craving a new challenge. The laughs are certainly ramped up for his character - with Craig delivering them through an excellent performance - and the film as a whole to the point where it could very well be an out-and-out comedy. And while there are plenty of laugh out loud moments there’s still a great deal to gasp unnaturally loud at (including simple character appearances amongst the mystery).

A mystery which hooks you before it’s even properly begun thanks to characters which have you raising suspicions from very early on. There’s plenty of fun to be had playing along with Glass Onion as it knows how to make the most of, and point out, audience participation amongst its playful poking and prodding of the murder-mystery genre. All helmed by Johnson who proves himself a rather masterful murder-mystery carver, for both plot and characters, boosted by another successful cast. It’s a brilliant, twisting puzzle.

Jamie Skinner - Five stars