When Knives Out first hit cinema halls in 2019, nobody anticipated it would spark a full-blown whodunnit renaissance. Director Rian Johnson, known for his bold storytelling choices, created a modern classic that feels simultaneously nostalgic and refreshingly new. But what exactly makes the Knives Out Rating so consistently high across nearly every review platform? And why are Indian audiences, in particular, obsessed with this franchise?
In this exhaustive guide, we'll break down every single score, analyse the trends behind the numbers, explore the characters that stole our hearts, and get you fully prepared for what's coming next in the franchise. Whether you're a first-time watcher trying to understand the hype or a seasoned fan looking for deeper insights, this is the definitive Knives Out Rating resource on the internet.
📊 Knives Out Rating: The Full Number Breakdown
Let's start with the facts. The Knives Out Rating landscape spans multiple platforms, each with its unique methodology. Here's a comprehensive table that compares the original film with its sequel across major review aggregators:
| Platform | Knives Out (2019) | Glass Onion (2022) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Users | 92% liked | 90% liked | 📉 Slight dip |
| IMDb | 7.9/10 | 7.1/10 | 📉 Lower |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) | 97% | 91% | 📉 Down 6% |
| RT (Top Critics) | 96% | 86% | 📉 Notable dip |
| RT (Audience) | 92% | 91% | ⏸ Stable |
| Metacritic | 82/100 | 81/100 | ⏸ Nearly same |
Why the Slight Drop for Glass Onion?
The sequel's numbers are impressive by any standard, but a pttern emerges when you study the Knives Out Rating trajectory. The original was a surprise hit — a completely fresh, standalone mystery that shocked audiences with its clever inversion of the whodunnit formula. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery had the unenviable task of following that. Similarly, when a film is an unexpected gem, the sequel often faces higher expectations and a more critical eye.
Interesting detail: On IMDb, Glass Onion initially scored 7.2 but settled at 7.1. Some viewer fatigue with streaming releases (it was released on Netflix, not in theatres) may have contributed.
🎬 Critical Reception: What the Reviewers Say
The Knives Out Rating from professional film critics is remarkably consistent. Let's examine the key voices that shaped public perception.
Rotten Tomatoes: The 97% Sensation
The original Knives Out holds a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 500 reviews. The Critics Consensus reads: "A witty, twisty, thoroughly entertaining whodunnit that honors Agatha Christie's legacy while adding a modern, socially-conscious edge."
Top critics like Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave it a perfect 5/5, calling it "a gloriously enjoyable puzzle box of a movie." Richard Roeper from Chicago Sun-Times described it as "smart, sharp, and incredibly fun — the best kind of cinematic treat."
Metacritic: 82/100 — Universal Acclaim
Metacritic's 82/100 score indicates "universal acclaim" — a rare feat for a genre film. For comparison, most mystery movies hover around 60-70 on the platform. The score is based on 48 critic reviews, with 41 positive, 7 mixed, and no outright negative reviews.
IMDb: The Fan Favorite Score
With over 750,000 user ratings, IMDb's 7.9/10 places Knives Out firmly in the top 250 films on the site (it has since dropped out, but spent substantial time there). The score distribution shows a classic bell curve with a significant cluster of 8 and 9 ratings, indicating genuine affection rather than just casual approval.
Decoding the IMDb Score Distribution
- 10-star: 22.5%
- 9-star: 23.1%
- 8-star: 19.4%
- 7-star: 16.8%
- 6-star: 8.2%
As you can see, nearly 65% of IMDb users gave the film an 8 or higher. That's a powerful indicator of quality.
💡 Why Is the Knives Out Rating So High?
This is the million-rupee question. What makes the Knives Out Rating so enviably high when so many other mystery films fail to crack even 70%?
1. The Script Is a Masterclass in Subversion
Rian Johnson took the classic drawing-room mystery and flipped it on its head. In most whodunnits, the audience discovers the killer at the end. In Knives Out, we learn who did it — and who didn't do it — within the first act. The real mystery becomes whether the truth will come out. This narrative choice elevates the film beyond typical genre fare.
2. The Cast Is an Ensemble Dream
Daniel Craig (Benoit Blanc), Chris Evans (Ransom Drysdale), Ana de Armas (Marta Cabrera), Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, and Christopher Plummer — it's a murderer's row of acting talent. The chemistry is electric, and every actor clearly understands the assignment: deliver an entertainingly larger-than-life performance without tipping into caricature.
3. It's a Commentary on the Modern Era
Beneath the surface of the murder mystery lies a sharp critique of class privilege, immigration, and family dysfunction. The film resonates with audiences because it works on multiple levels — go for the mystery, stay for the social commentary.
4. The Production Design Is Impeccable
The Thrombey mansion is a character in itself, filled with hidden passages, dramatic staircases, and plenty of moody lighting. Cinematographer Steve Yedlin's work gives the film a timeless, almost Gothic quality.
5. Music That Sets the Mood
Nathan Johnson's orchestral score breaks the mould of modern film scores — it feels like it was lifted from a golden-age Hitchcock thriller, blending suspense, whimsy, and dread in perfect measure.
🔍 Knives Out Characters: The Real Reason We Keep Watching
The Knives Out Rating succeeds primarily because of its unforgettable cast of characters. Let's take a deep dive into the personalities that made this franchise iconic. You can also read our dedicated Knives Out Characters page for even more detail.
Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig)
Craig's post-007 career could have gone anywhere, but he chose this: a Southern gentleman detective with a thick Foghorn Leghorn accent and an almost theatrical obsession with "donut holes." Blanc steals every scene he's in, proving that Craig has comedic chops we never knew existed.
Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas)
Marta is the beating heart of the film. As the kind-hearted nurse who can't lie without throwing up, she subverts every expectation of the "criminal" archetype. Her relationship with Harlan Thrombey forms the emotional core of the movie — and her personal sacrifices throughout the story make the ending truly satisfying.
Ransom Drysdale (Chris Evans)
Evans completely subverts his Captain America image, playing the arrogant, sweaty, spoiled trust-fund brat with relish. His "eat sh*t" line delivered with a smile became one of the most memorable (and memed) moments in modern cinema.
Character Popularity Breakdown
- Marta Cabrera — 34% of fans named her their favourite
- Benoit Blanc — 31%
- Ransom Drysdale — 22%
- Harlan Thrombey — 13%
🧅 Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery — Rating and Reception
2022 brought us the highly anticipated sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and with it a fresh wave of Knives Out Rating discussions. The film moved from theatres to Netflix (with a one-week limited theatrical release), a decision that sparked debate about the future of the franchise.
While the Knives Out Rating for Glass Onion (91% RT, 81 Metacritic) is ever-so-slightly lower than the original, it still crushed expectations for a sequel. The film earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay — a rare honor for a sequel/whodunnit.
If you're interested in the Knives Out 1 Ending Scene, we've broken down every subtle detail of the climax that sets up the franchise's potential direction.
Glass Onion Rating: The India Angle
Indian audiences embraced Glass Onion with equal enthusiasm. The film trended on Netflix India for weeks, and the Knives Out Rating on IMDb for Indian viewers hovered around 7.5/10 — slightly higher than the global average. The mystery genre has deep roots in Indian cinema (hello, Gumnam and Teen Paheliyan), and Johnson's modern take resonates well.
🍿 Knives Out 3: What the Future Holds
If you've been searching for Knives Out 3 Trailer, here's everything we know. Rian Johnson confirmed that the third film in the franchise is officially in development, with Daniel Craig returning as Benoit Blanc. Production is expected to begin in late 2025, and Netflix is backing the project with a massive budget.
The Knives Out 3 Release date hasn't been officially confirmed, but industry insiders predict a late 2026 or early 2027 premiere. The film is reportedly set to feature a completely new cast of characters (and suspects), continuing the "mystery box" format that has served the franchise so well.
For all you YouTube enthusiasts, we've gathered the best breakdowns in the Knives Out Trailer Youtube guide — though the official trailer hasn't dropped yet. There's also a growing fan base searching for the Knives Out 3 Trailer Legendado (subtitled version), so we'll provide updates as soon as it's released.
📺 Knives Out Order: How to Watch the Franchise
One of the most common questions new fans ask is about the Knives Out Order of watching the movies. Unlike most franchises, the Knives Out films are not connected by a continuous storyline. Each movie is a standalone Benoit Blanc case, making it possible to watch them in any order. However, there are some arguments for watching in release order:
- Release Order — Start with Knives Out (2019), then Glass Onion (2022). This order lets you see the evolution of Blanc's character and understand the tone shifts.
- Chronological — Technically, the films aren't explicitly dated, but the first film's Thanksgiving setting suggests autumn, while Glass Onion's sunny Greek island screams summer. Watch order doesn't really matter.
If you haven't watched either, doing so in release order is the safest bet. But honestly? Pick any one and you'll have a good time.
⬇️ Knives Out Download: Where to Watch in India
We know many fans in India are looking for a legal Knives Out Download option. Here's the deal:
- Amazon Prime Video India: The original Knives Out is available for rent/purchase (Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu dubs).
- Netflix India: Glass Onion streams exclusively on Netflix India.
- Apple TV/iTunes: Both films available for digital purchase.
- YouTube: