Warning: This article contains spoilers forGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
Netflix’s newest whodunit,Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,is packed full of comedic moments, a star-studded cast, and one ridiculous accent.Glass Onionis the sequel to the 2019 film,Knives Out, which featured Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc. The anthology series is perhaps thestart of a new franchise, one where solving mysteries is the main focus and supporting characters help make up a compelling storyline.
In the sequel, Craig is the lone member of the franchise to reprise his role. He is joined by an entirely new cast, featuring Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Janelle Monáe, and more. Outside of the franchise, these stars haveall had successful careers, but together, they help add toGlass Onion’s appeal. While this film is the only one that will feature these characters, according toPEOPLE, Craig is expected to reprise his role in the upcoming third installment, which will release at a later date.
The characters inGlass Onionare arguably the most important part of the film, besides the ultimate question of “whodunit,” of course. Also known as the Disruptors, the main group of friends is invited to Miles Bron’s island to solve his murder. Naturally, he means a murder mystery party, but once all the friends are there, a real-life murder does need solving. Luckily, Detective Blanc was invited for just this reason. Let’s meet the cast and characters of the Rian Johnson film.
Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc
Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is the sole character fromKnives Outto appear inGlass Onion. Similar to his manner inKnives Out, Benoit Blanc is the detective hired to investigate a murder, only, in the sequel, he is there when a murder happens. Detective Blanc has a very distinguished accent and mannerisms that set him apart from whatever group he is in. Halfway through the film, viewers are told that he planned to pose as someone who was invited to the party to try and help solve the murder of Miles' ex-business partner, Andi.
Related:Rian Johnson Hates That ‘Knives Out’ Is in Glass Onion’s Official Title
Edward Norton as Miles Bron
Miles Bron, played byEdward Norton, is the glue that holds the group together, whether they want to all be held together or not. Since being introduced to everyone by ex-business partner and friend Andi Brand, he has somehow weaseled his way into his Disruptors' lives, ensuring his ownership and loyalty over them, something he uses when he tries to take Andi to court. Miles seems to be a rich, smart guy until Detective Blanc is able to break down his facade and expose him for the “dummy” he really is.
Janelle Monáe as Andi Brand
Janelle Monáeplays two characters inGlass Onion, twin sisters Andi and Helen Brand. Andi was the ex-business partner of Miles and the original “leader” of the friend group. She was the one who introduced everyone to Miles even though they stayed loyal to Miles during the trial. In the shocking twist, it’s revealed Miles played Andi when she decided to walk away from their business once he became obsessed with Klear. She is only shown in flashbacks even though for most of the movie, you are led to believe Andi is on the island.
Janelle Monáe as Helen Brand
Helen Brand, the sister of Andi, knows Miles and his friends are at fault for her sister’s alleged suicide. She is the one who contacts Detective Blanc to help investigate the Disruptors and find out what happened to her sister. Helen is the complete opposite of Andi, who she says has a “rich-bitch” persona that Helen never did. With Detective Blanc, Helen is able to uncover the mystery behind her sister’s death and unravel the Disruptors once and for all.
Kathryn Hahn as Claire Debella
Claire Debella, played byKathryn Hahn, is a politician and perhaps one of the most level-headed members of the group. She seems to be the closest with Lionel Toussaint (Leslie Odom Jr.) as the two are often shown close together throughoutGlass Onion. The pair knows Miles is working on, and obsessed with, a hydrogen-based flammable compound called Klear, which is a substitute fuel source. Claire is unable to fully go against Miles as he is bankrolling her political campaign.
Leslie Odom Jr. as Lionel Toussaint
Leslie Odom Jr.’s character, Lionel Toussaint, is the chemist of the group. With Claire, he works the closest with Miles' new substitute fuel, Klear. Like Claire, he is not on board with the use of the hydrogen-based compound, but he seems to be stuck going along with whatever Miles wants. Before meeting Miles, he was a teacher, but now is under Miles' spell even though you can sense some friction between the two.
Related:Rian Johnson Says Angela Lansbury ‘Couldn’t Have Been Lovelier’ when Filming Glass Onion Cameo
Kate Hudson as Birdie Jay
Birdie Jay, played byKate Hudson, is a stereotypical blonde, ditzy character. She flaunts her money, doesn’t think before speaking, and tends to get herself in trouble on a daily basis. She is always accompanied by her assistant, Peg, who has the task of making sure Birdie does not add to her growing list of insensitive comments and tweets. She is in business with Miles, who helped fund her Sweetie Pants line, which she opened during the pandemic. Unfortunately, it’s this business that has her trapped in Miles' clutches as she unknowingly partnered with a notorious sweatshop to manufacture her new line.
Dave Bautista as Duke Cody
Dave Bautistaplays the beefcake gamer, Duke Cody, whose character is more than meets the eye, something which his girlfriend Whiskey tries to get everyone to believe. While Duke may be 100% muscle, he also has a conniving side. He teams up with Whiskey to try and persuade Miles to allow him a spot on the Alpha News program. Unfortunately, it’s this push that ultimately gets him killed by Miles.
Jessica Henwick as Peg
Peg, played byJessica Henwick, is Birdie Jay’s assistant. She is very protective of Birdie despite the many unfortunate circumstances she has to try and help dig Birdie out of. From the beginning ofGlass Onionto the end, Peg is more so the voice of reason for Birdie, someone who tries to look out for her as a friend while also being her employee. Peg is welcomed by the rich group of friends despite being Birdie’s employee.
Madelyn Cline as Whiskey
Madelyn Cline’s Whiskey is a supporting character who is in a relationship with Dave Bautista’s Duke Cody. She is obviously beautiful and in shape. Similar to the rest of the supporting cast, Whiskey’s character is not given much backstory. In a conversation with Helen (who is posing as Andi), we learn that Whiskey is trying to build her brand. She seemingly had an affair with Miles, where he gave her jewelry for her birthday. This is one of the many clues Detective Blanc uses to solve Duke’s murder. Her history with Miles and Duke ends up with her having to seduce Miles to try and help get Duke a spot on Alpha News.
