OTTplay Logo
settings icon
profile icon

Hidden references you missed in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Like the layers of an actual onion, the film Glass Onion has layers of mysteries unfolding at each turn. Rian Johnson’s latest mystery sequel starring Daniel Craig as the famed detective Benoit Blanc has finally been released. From pop-culture references to celebrity name-drops and the constant dig at current events is a silent ode to the Murder Mystery genre which although developed in the early 19th century was heavily influenced by their prevailing events.

Hidden references you missed in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

List hai toh hit hai

Last Updated: 04.43 PM, Dec 28, 2022

Like the layers of an actual onion, the film Glass Onion has layers of mysteries unfolding at each turn. Rian Johnson’s latest mystery sequel starring Daniel Craig as the famed detective Benoit Blanc has finally been released. From pop-culture references to celebrity name-drops and the constant dig at current events is a silent ode to the Murder Mystery genre which although developed in the early 19th century was heavily influenced by their prevailing events. Throughout the whole film, there are several hidden anecdotes and references which keep the audience intrigued. So, for today’s List hai toh hit hai, let’s explore the hidden references you missed in the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Fads explored during the Pandemic

The film is obviously set during the height of the Covid pandemic which is referenced through the characters wearing masks and practicing social distancing when they arrive in Greece. But that’s not all, several other references are scattered throughout. Few can be spotted during Hugh Grant’s cameo as he is seen wearing a tie-dye apron with a jar of homemade sourdough, two of the earliest trends of the pandemic. The character of Birdie Jay played by Kate Hudson acted as a token for all those who did not take the pandemic seriously as she is seen having a party in the middle of a global health crisis and later donning a bedazzled mesh mask.

Major Celebrity cameos

The number of celebrity names mentioned and cheeky cameos in the film is an obvious nod to the vapid celebrity culture, a common feature in Johnson’s movies. On one hand, the cameos from high-profile celebs such as Ethan Hawke, Hugh Grant, and Serena Williams were out in the open; there were also a few hidden cameos. The hourly gong was actually voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, whereas Derol, Miles’ mysterious lodger, is played by Noah Segan, an American actor who has been featured in all of Johnson’s projects.

Ancient Greek references

Many might have missed the Greek references laced throughout the film. The Greek evil eye or mati appears on the invite card for Edward Norton's character Miles’ private island in Greece. The symbol means a curse given by one person to another by way of a spiteful or bitter look. Expensive art is all over Miles’ residence, one of them being Henri Matisse’s 1947 painting Icarus. The legend of Icarus symbolizes Miles' story arc and his eventual downfall. Johnson also references the Greek myth of Cassandra and her fraternal twin sister of Helenus with Janelle Monáe’s characters Helen and Andi Brand. The omega symbol can be seen in several places from the yacht to the robes although Miles and Andi’s company is called Alpha also referencing the start of Miles’ downfall.

The star-studded video call

Blanc is seen playing the popular video game Among Us which reached its height of popularity in the monotonous days of 2020. The most riveting part of the “emergency meeting” call was the players who all had connections to the murder mystery genre. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar starred in the detective movie Fletch and Stephen Sondheim co-wrote the murder mystery film The Last of Sheila. Angela Lansbury is also there with the username MSheSolved referencing her iconic character Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote. Natasha Lyonne, the protagonist of Johnson's upcoming crime thriller Poker Face also made an appearance.

Mystery-thriller writer Gillian Flynn

Another mystery genre mogul who makes an appearance is the famed writer Gillian Flynn who is popularly known for her mystery novels such as Sharp Objects, Dark Places and Gone Girl. Miles confesses to Blanc that he paid Flynn to write his murder mystery game. The game was supposed to last for the entire weekend but Blanc ruined it within seconds.

Billionaire Miles’s fashion choices

Everyone who has watched the film knows that Miles is no genius but an unoriginal halfwit who has made it this far by stealing other people’s ideas. He even copies other people’s fashion choices, one of which can be spotted in the flashback scene. Miles is dressed just like Tom Cruise’s character in Magnolia and later he sports a turtleneck and jeans just like tech genius Steve Jobs. Another interesting fact is that this was actually Edward Norton’s idea.

Well that's the OTTplay List hai toh hit hai episode, until the next time its your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

  • Written by Sneha Singh
image_item

Last Updated: 04.43 PM, Dec 28, 2022