Parent Guide

Knives Out: A Parent’s Guide to the Benoit Blanc Mysteries

What you need to know about the clever Netflix whodunits that have tweens obsessed with mystery, social satire, and that Southern accent.

Updated 6/6/26

TL;DR

If your tween or teen is asking to watch the Benoit Blanc mysteries, the short answer is: Yes, go for it. These films are rare gems—smart, high-budget, "adult" movies that don't actually require an adult level of cynicism to enjoy. They are rated PG-13 for a reason (expect some swearing and, obviously, a dead body), but they are miles ahead of the "brain rot" content often found on YouTube or TikTok.

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What are the Benoit Blanc Mysteries?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or just haven't logged into Netflix in three years), you’ve probably seen Daniel Craig sporting a questionable but delightful Southern drawl as Benoit Blanc.

Created by Rian Johnson, these films—Knives Out and its sequel Glass Onion—are modern "whodunits" in the vein of Agatha Christie. They feature an eccentric detective, a star-studded cast of suspects, and a mystery that feels like a giant logic puzzle.

But unlike the dusty old mysteries of the past, these movies are aggressively contemporary. They deal with influencers, "disruptors," social media clout, and the specific brand of entitlement that comes with being ultra-wealthy in the 2020s.

Why Kids (and Tweens) are Obsessed

It’s easy to assume kids only want to watch Skibidi Toilet or MrBeast challenges, but there is a massive trend toward "smart" mystery right now.

  1. The "Aesthetic": Between the knit sweaters in the first movie and the "Old Money" vibes of the characters, these films are incredibly Pinterest-friendly.
  2. The Social Satire: Tweens are surprisingly savvy about calling out "cringe" behavior. Glass Onion is essentially a two-hour roast of tech billionaires and influencers who think they are smarter than they actually are. Kids who spend time on TikTok or YouTube recognize these archetypes instantly.
  3. Active Viewing: Unlike a lot of passive media, a whodunit is a game. It invites the viewer to look for clues, guess the killer, and feel smart when they figure it out (or feel shocked when they don't).

Ask our chatbot for more movies that encourage critical thinking

The Core Films (and One on the Way)

This is the gold standard. When a wealthy crime novelist dies, his greedy family descends on the estate. It’s a masterclass in plotting.

  • Parental Note: There is one very prominent "F-bomb" used in a comedic, rapid-fire sequence. If your family is strict about language, that’s the moment to watch out for.
  • Why it’s good: It tackles themes of immigration and kindness versus inheritance and greed in a way that’s easy for a 12-year-old to grasp without being "preachy."

Netflix bought the rights for the sequels, and this one takes Benoit Blanc to a private island owned by a "tech genius" (played by Edward Norton) who is... well, an idiot.

  • Parental Note: This one feels a bit more "adult" in its themes—think infidelity, heavy drinking, and some slightly more intense action sequences involving fire and explosions.
  • Why it’s good: It’s a perfect entry point for talking to your kids about "disruption" culture and why we shouldn't believe everything a billionaire tells us on Twitter / X.

The third film is slated for 2026. While we don't know the plot yet, the cast includes everyone from Josh Brolin to Cailee Spaeny. It’s safe to say this will be the "event" movie for families with teens next year.

What Parents Should Know: The "Red Flags"

We don't pull punches here: these are not "kids' movies." They are PG-13, and they earn that rating.

Language

The language is "realistic" for a group of stressed-out, wealthy adults who hate each other. You’ll hear the S-word, various other profanities, and the occasional F-word. It’s not South Park levels of constant, but it’s there.

Violence and Gore

While these are murder mysteries, they aren't "slasher" films. Most of the violence is bloodless or shown in flashback. There are depictions of dead bodies (usually looking like they're sleeping or with a single wound), and some tension involving knives and guns. If your child is sensitive to "blood," Knives Out has one scene involving a character who vomits when they lie, which is more gross than scary.

Adult Themes

The "villains" in these movies are often motivated by things like:

  • Extramarital affairs
  • Drug use (implied or briefly shown)
  • Tax evasion and fraud
  • The desire to maintain "clout" or social standing

Learn more about the difference between PG-13 and TV-14 ratings

How to Talk About It

If you watch these with your kids (and you should—they’re great for family movie night), here are a few ways to turn it into a conversation:

  1. The "Influencer" Lie: In Glass Onion, several characters pretend to be something they aren't to stay famous. Ask your kid: "Do you think people on Instagram or TikTok feel the same pressure to lie about their lives?"
  2. Deductive Reasoning: Pause the movie halfway through. Ask everyone to write down who they think did it and why. It turns a screen-time activity into a brain-teaser.
  3. The Power of Kindness: In the first movie, the protagonist succeeds not because she’s the smartest, but because she’s the only one who is actually a good person. It’s a refreshing message in a genre that usually rewards the "cold, calculating genius."
If They Loved Knives Out, Try These Next:

If your kid has finished both movies and is now wearing a turtleneck and carrying a magnifying glass, try these age-appropriate alternatives:

For the Mystery Lover

  • Only Murders in the Building: A bit more "adult" language-wise, but very funny and follows a similar "puzzle" format.
  • Enola Holmes: Perfect for the 10-14 age range. It’s fast-paced and stars Millie Bobby Brown.
  • Sherlock (BBC): The modern classic. It’s intense, so maybe save this for the 14+ crowd.

For the Board Game Fan

  • Clue: The classic. If they haven't played the physical board game, now is the time to dust it off.
  • Codenames: A great game for teaching kids how to think about word association and "clues."
  • MicroMacro: Crime City: A giant "Where's Waldo" style map where you solve murders. It’s a huge hit with middle-schoolers.

For the Reader

The Bottom Line

The Benoit Blanc mysteries are a "Yes" for most families with kids aged 12 and up. They are sophisticated, culturally relevant, and—most importantly—actually good movies. In an era of "content" designed to keep kids scrolling mindlessly, a movie that asks them to sit still and solve a puzzle for two hours is a win.

Just maybe be prepared for them to start doing a Southern accent around the house. You’ve been warned.

Check out our full list of "Smart" Mystery Movies for Tweens