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Drama thriller

Knives Out (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Knives Out (2019) movie poster

Knives Out is a 2019 drama thriller starring Christopher Plummer as Harlan Thrombey, Daniel Craig and Edi Patterson. It runs 2 hours 11 minutes and earned $312.9 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. It won 1 award from 5 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10.

IMDb rating
7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$312.9M
award won
1
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Knives Out (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 11m (131 min)
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$40M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Knives Out About?

The premise of Knives Out without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Following the 85th birthday celebration of renowned mystery writer Harlan Thrombey, his death launches a complex investigation at his lavish mansion. A shrewd and enigmatic detective, Benoit Blanc, is enlisted to examine the circumstances, navigating a cast of potential suspects. Among them are Harlan’s eccentric family and his dedicated household staff, each with their own secrets and possible motives. Blanc must carefully analyze their alibis and relationships to uncover the truth behind this perplexing case.

Knives Out Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • private detective
  • vomiting
  • murder investigation
  • suspected suicide
  • last will and testament
  • gay
  • detective
  • police
  • nurse
  • murder
  • old man
  • old woman
+38 more
  • vomiting on someone
  • ensemble cast
  • immigrant
  • racism
  • cover up
  • birthday party
  • novelist
  • inheritance
  • framed for murder
  • dysfunctional family
  • suspicion
  • benoit blanc character
  • gay protagonist
  • gay detective
  • house
  • car chase
  • father daughter relationship
  • dog
  • sneakers
  • clue
  • hispanic american woman
  • chase
  • suspect
  • singing in a car
  • housekeeper
  • flashback
  • pursuit
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • mother daughter relationship
  • knife collection
  • retractable knife blade
  • investigation
  • police car
  • abandoned laundromat
  • trellis
  • guard dog
  • climbing a trellis
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Cast & crew

Knives Out Cast & Characters

Christopher Plummer leads the cast as Harlan Thrombey, with Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc and Edi Patterson as Fran.

Also Starring in Knives Out

· 2 more
Ratings

Knives Out Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Knives Out 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in rewatch factor (88) and weakest in character & emotion (75).

85 /100

Knives Out Echo Score Breakdown

Knives Out delivers a cleverly structured mystery anchored by precise craftsmanship across multiple dimensions. The ensemble narrative balances sharp plotting with moments of engaging humour and measured pacing, though its final act occasionally reverts to a more conventional reveal. The film’s visual and auditory elements enhance its playful tone, and the central performances maintain audience investment despite occasional overplaying. Overall, the cohesive blend of artifice and genuine emotional stakes yields an entertaining experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of direction and production design, the film exhibits polished staging and inventive shot composition that support its playful tone. Cinematography employs crisp framing and an understated color palette to underscore both suspense and comedy. The editing maintains brisk momentum through the opening flashback sequences, though transitions in the final act are more conventional. Altogether, the craft elements reinforce the narrative’s intricacies with consistent stylistic cohesion.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, the ensemble delivers a mix of distinct personalities that enrich the central mystery. Several performances convey clear motivations and interpersonal chemistry, particularly in the exchanges among heirs and their detective. Occasional overplaying in some roles introduces a sense of excess, yet individual arcs remain memorable. Ultimately, the film sustains audience engagement through a balance of caricatured traits and genuine emotional stakes.

  • Story & Flow 80

    In terms of plot coherence and pacing, Knives Out constructs a tightly interwoven whodunit with an initial hour of sophisticated misdirection. The narrative shifts between multiple viewpoints, fostering active audience deduction. Though the final act adopts a more straightforward, linear resolution, the script’s witty dialogue and inventive clues maintain interest. This structure yields a generally engaging progression, even if the climax reverts to conventional mystery conventions.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    When considering the sensory experience, the score and sound design work in tandem to amplify tension and comedic beats without overwhelming the dialogue. Visual styling employs a balanced color palette and clear production design that accentuates the mansion setting and character costumes. Audio cues seamlessly support scene transitions, while the soundtrack subtly underscores shifts in mood. Collectively, these elements create an immersive atmosphere that complements the narrative.

  • Rewatch Factor 88

    As for replay value, the film’s multilayered perspective and carefully planted clues invite subsequent viewings to reassess earlier scenes. The blend of witty dialogue and shifting character viewpoints offers new insights on repeat watches. Some viewers may find the more conventional final act less conducive to rediscovery, but the initial narrative complexity sustains interest. Overall, the mystery’s structure and playful foreshadowing provide lasting appeal for attentive audiences.

Plot

Knives Out Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Knives Out from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey, portrayed by Christopher Plummer, gathers his family at his opulent mansion to celebrate his 85th birthday. However, the morning after the festivities, his housekeeper, Fran, played by Edi Patterson, stumbles upon a shocking scene: Harlan has been found dead, appearing to have taken his own life by slitting his throat. An intriguing twist emerges as private detective Benoit Blanc, skillfully portrayed by Daniel Craig, is hired anonymously to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding Harlan’s demise.

Full summary

The whole story of Knives Out, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Knives Out Box Office & Budget

Knives Out grossed $312.9 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, 7.8 times what it cost. $165.4 million came from the US and Canada and $147.5 million (47%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$312.9M

7.8× its budget

US & Canada
$165.4M
International
$147.5M
Budget
$40M
US & Canada 53% Rest of the world 47%
Awards

Knives Out Awards & Nominations

Knives Out won 1 award from 5 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Artios Awards 2020, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win5 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

Knives Out Trailers & Videos

19 videos: 3 trailers, 4 teasers, 4 clips and 8 featurettes.

All 19 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer New Trailer
  • Trailer Final Trailer
  • Teaser Official TV Spot “Mystery Review “
  • Teaser Official TV Spot “Incredible Cast”
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Knives Out?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is found dead at the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in Knives Out

27 cars on screen, including the 1972 BMW 3.0 CSi E9 and the 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility.

All 27 cars
  • 1972 BMW 3.0 CSi E9 in Knives Out 1972 BMW 3.0 CSi E9 Important role
  • 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility in Knives Out 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Important role
  • 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility in Knives Out 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Important role
  • 2007 Hyundai Accent in Knives Out 2007 Hyundai Accent Important role
Details

Knives Out Also Known As

45 alternative titles, including “Ножи наголо” and “Morning Bell”.

Also known as
  • Ножи наголо
  • Morning Bell
  • ナイブズ・アウト/名探偵と刃の館の秘密
  • Knives Out - Ein Mord zum Dessert
  • Knives Out 1
  • ฆาตกรรมหรรษา ใครฆ่าคุณปู่
  • Нож у леђа
  • 나이브스 아웃
  • Puñales por la espalda
  • ナイブズ・アウト/名探偵と刃の館の秘密
  • Uz nažiem
  • Bıçaklar Çekildi
+33 more
  • Достать ножи
  • ナイブズ・アウト 名探偵と刃の館の秘密:2019
  • Kẻ Đâm Lén
  • Bıçaqlar Çəkildi
  • Entre navajas y secretos
  • 鋒迴路轉
  • Հանել Դանակները
  • Вади ножовете
  • À couteaux tirés
  • Knives Out: Var det mord?
  • Cena con delitto - Knives Out
  • Na nože
  • Entre Facas e Segredos
  • Tőrbe ejtve
  • Veitset esiin - kaikki ovat epäiltyjä
  • Στα Μαχαίρια
  • Ножі наголо
  • 利刃出鞘
  • רצח כתוב היטב
  • Na noże
  • La cuțite
  • Ištraukti peiliai
  • 神探白朗:福比利大宅謀殺案
  • Knives Out - Mord ist Familiensache
  • Knives Out: Todos São Suspeitos
  • ナイブズ・アウト 名探偵と刃の館の秘密
  • Nož v hrbet
  • Nož u leđa
  • أخرجوا السكاكين, დანების ამოღება
  • اخرجوا السكاكين
  • چاقوکشی
  • Punyals per l’esquena
  • Nugade Peal

Seen Knives Out?

FAQ

Knives Out FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Knives Out, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Knives Out?

Knives Out runs 2 hours 11 minutes (131 minutes).

When was Knives Out released?

Knives Out was released on November 27, 2019.

Who is in the cast of Knives Out?

Knives Out stars Christopher Plummer as Harlan Thrombey, Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc and Edi Patterson as Fran, among 6 credited actors.

How much did Knives Out make at the box office?

Knives Out grossed $312.9 million worldwide ($165.4 million domestic, $147.5 million international) on a budget of $40 million.

How is Knives Out rated?

Knives Out has 7.9/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

What awards did Knives Out win?

Knives Out won 1 award from 5 nominations, including Big Budget – Comedy at the Artios Awards 2020.

Does Knives Out have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Knives Out has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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