Which Knives Out Character Are You?

Learn More About Knives Out

Knives Out is the modern murder-mystery franchise from writer-director Rian Johnson that revived the whodunit for a new generation. The first film, released in 2019, introduced master detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, who investigates the death of crime novelist Harlan Thrombey at his sprawling estate. Everyone in the eccentric Thrombey family is a suspect, and the film delights in turning the classic formula on its head.

Part of its brilliance is how it plays with the audience. Rather than hiding the culprit, the film shows viewers what really happened early on, then builds tension around whether the heroine, caregiver Marta Cabrera, can get away with it. Ana de Armas gives Marta a warmth that makes her one of the genre's most memorable protagonists, while Chris Evans' Ransom Drysdale made a splash as a smirking rich-kid troublemaker in a chunky knit sweater.

The ensemble cast is stacked, featuring Jamie Lee Curtis as Linda Drysdale, Michael Shannon, Toni Collette, Don Johnson, Katherine Langford and Christopher Plummer as Harlan. Every character feels sharply drawn, which is why a personality quiz works so well here. Each family member has a distinct attitude toward money, power and honesty, and together they make a delicious pressure cooker.

The sequel, Glass Onion, took Blanc to a private Greek island, and Wake Up Dead Man brought him to a small-town parish. Each installment has its own cast, setting and style, but all share the same love of clever plotting, witty dialogue and social satire. The films became Netflix hits and sparked renewed interest in the cozy mystery genre across film and television.

Fans also love Blanc himself. His Southern drawl, his philosophical metaphors and his genuine delight in solving puzzles make him one of the most beloved fictional detectives in years. The franchise is a reminder that smart mysteries can still be crowd-pleasers, and that audiences will gladly follow a good puzzle anywhere.

If you love whodunits, check out our quiz for Which Wake Up Dead Man Character Are You? or try Which Poker Face Character Are You?. Whether you are a sleuth, a suspect or the unlikely hero, the Knives Out quiz will tell you which member of the Thrombey circle you most resemble.