Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2022

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A witty whodunit that skewers tech billionaires—smart fun for teens and adults who can handle PG-13 content.

91%

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Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

movie

PG-13, 2022

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A witty whodunit that skewers tech billionaires—smart fun for teens and adults who can handle PG-13 content.

91%

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91%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what a good murder mystery looks like in 2022: clever, funny, visually gorgeous, and packed with social commentary about tech billionaires and influencer culture. Daniel Craig's detective is delightful, the ensemble cast is game, and the puzzle-box structure rewards attention.

The PG-13 rating is earned—sexual content, strong language, violence, and drug use mean this isn't for younger kids. But for teens 13+ and adults? It's genuinely entertaining and smart. The mystery holds up on rewatch, the satire lands without being preachy, and it's the rare Netflix movie that feels like it belongs on a big screen.

If your teen liked Knives Out or enjoys clever mysteries (think Clue meets Succession), this delivers. Just know what you're getting into content-wise—it's not graphic, but it's definitely adult.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13+ who can handle PG-13 content (sexual material, language, some violence). Adults will enjoy it just as much—it's a smart, entertaining mystery with sharp social commentary. Not for younger kids due to mature content.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The film features clever dialogue and ensemble problem-solving, but includes sexual content (scantily clad scenes, revealing outfits, camera lingering on bodies), substance use, and strong language throughout. The tone is witty rather than mean-spirited, and the murder mystery format rewards critical thinking, but the adult content and cynical portrayal of wealthy tech culture keeps this from being emotionally wholesome for younger viewers.

Imaginative

The layered mystery structure—with flashbacks, unreliable narrators, and a detective peeling back lies—rewards careful attention and deductive reasoning. The Greek island setting and over-the-top tech billionaire world offer visual creativity. The puzzle-box narrative invites viewers to piece together clues alongside Benoit Blanc, making it genuinely engaging for mystery fans. However, it's more about consuming a clever story than inspiring kids to create their own.

Safe

PG-13 rating for strong language, some violence, sexual material, and drug content. Web search confirms scenes with scantily clad characters about to have sex (shown multiple times in flashbacks), revealing outfits with camera focusing on bodies in 'titillating fashion,' plus violence inherent to a murder mystery. Common Sense Media rates it 13+. No surprise graphic gore, but the sexual content and mature themes mean this isn't safe for younger kids to stumble upon. For teens 13+ who know what they're getting into with a PG-13 mystery, it's reasonably safe.

Enriching

Sharp satire of tech billionaire culture, influencer shallowness, and wealth inequality. The mystery format teaches critical thinking—evaluating evidence, spotting contradictions, understanding motives. The ensemble cast showcases different perspectives and the consequences of dishonesty. Strong performances (Daniel Craig, Janelle Monáe, Edward Norton) and clever writing make it genuinely entertaining while offering commentary on privilege and justice. It's not deeply transformative, but it's smart entertainment that rewards attention.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely clever mystery that rewards paying attention—you'll want to rewatch to catch the clues you missed
Sharp, funny satire of tech culture, influencers, and the absurdly wealthy (think Elon Musk meets Fyre Festival)
Daniel Craig's Southern detective is charming and the ensemble cast is excellent
High production values, gorgeous Greek island setting, visually creative without being overwhelming
Teaches critical thinking: evaluating evidence, spotting lies, understanding motives and consequences

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What to Watch For

Sexual content: characters in bed about to have sex (shown in flashbacks), revealing outfits, camera lingering on bodies poolside
Strong language throughout—this is PG-13 for a reason
Some violence (it's a murder mystery), drug/alcohol use
Cynical portrayal of wealthy characters may be off-putting to some; others will find it cathartic

Conversation Starters

"What clues did you pick up on that made you suspect [character]? What did you miss?"
"The movie pokes fun at tech billionaires and influencers—do you think that's fair? Who does it remind you of?"
"If you were Benoit Blanc, what would you have done differently to solve the case?"
"Why do you think [character] made the choices they did? What would you have done in that situation?"
"The movie shows how wealth can corrupt relationships—did any of that ring true to you?"

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