After Knives Out. The original movie saw Benoit Blanc, a kind of American Poirot with a thick Southern accent, solving the murder of an author whose nurse, Marta, is a top suspect.
The critical and commercial success of Knives Out has led to a franchise being launched. While it’s a given that each sequel will chronicle a new Blanc mystery, it’s unclear if Marta will return. There are cases for and against her coming back.
Should: Ana De Armas Is Incredible
Ana de Armas is one of Hollywood’s most exciting young stars. Before Knives Out, she’d already given a breathtaking performance in Blade Runner 2049, and her star power only continues to rise.
Her performance in the first Knives Out movie was incredible, selling every emotion and keeping the audience on track with her character’s mindset every step of the way. She was one of the greatest assets of the original and a sequel would miss her contributions greatly.
Shouldn’t: Each Sequel Should Have A New Cast Of Characters
When Poirot took on the case in Death on the Nile, he didn’t randomly bump into a suspect from Murder on the Orient Express. Knives Out did a fantastic job of rounding out Marta and the Thrombey family as interesting enough characters to sustain a mystery, but they were specifically tailored to that mystery.
Each Benoit Blanc mystery should focus on a new cast of characters. Johnson can create all-new suspects that are just as entertaining as Marta.
Should: She Made A Great Foil For Blanc
Ana de Armas shared terrific chemistry with Daniel Craig in Knives Out. As Benoit Blanc secretly figured out Marta’s involvement in the case, she desperately tried to hide what she thought was the truth. This made her a fascinating foil for the detective.
Their chemistry shouldn’t be taken as a given. If Rian Johnson intends to cast a new foil for Blanc in the sequel, it’ll be tough to find someone whose on-screen dynamic with Craig is as compelling as de Armas’.
Shouldn’t: There’s No Reason For Her To Stay In Touch With Blanc
While Marta and Blanc established a great dynamic in Knives Out, there’s no reason for them to stay in touch after Harlan Thrombey’s murder has been solved.
Harlan’s murder was the only thing linking them and now that the book has been closed, Blanc can move on to other cases and Marta can enjoy her new house. Marta can’t appear in the sequel without a crazy leap in logic.
Should: She Stole The Original Movie From Blanc
While Benoit Blanc’s eccentric crime-solving was certainly a fun part of Knives Out, Marta stole the spotlight. She was the likable heroine that audiences rooted for.
The murder mystery plot has been played out over and over again; what set Knives Out apart was that Marta thought she was guilty throughout the investigation — as did the audience.
Shouldn’t: It Would Just Be For Fan Service
Sequels to popular movies have a tendency to bring back everyone’s favorite characters purely for fan service at the behest of the needs of the plot. There was no reason for Jennifer Aniston to appear in Horrible Bosses 2, for example, but since everyone loved her performance in the first one, they crammed her into an obligatory cameo appearance in the sequel.
As demonstrated by Luke Skywalker tossing his father’s lightsaber over his shoulder in The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson isn’t interested in fan service.
Should: She Was The Emotional Core Of The Original
Marta Cabrera was the emotional core of the original Knives Out movie. Benoit Blanc investigated the murder, but the audience saw both the murder and the investigation through Marta's eyes.
Blanc is a great character, and it’ll be intriguing to see where his next case takes him in the sequel, but he didn’t bring much emotional engagement to the table.
Shouldn’t: The Sequel Should Do Everything It Can To Differentiate Itself From The Original
After making his debut in the role of Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express, Kenneth Branagh is adapting Death on the Nile as the sequel. He’s switching location from a snowbound train to a sun-drenched river, differentiating his next mystery from the original as much as possible.
Rian Johnson should follow suit with the Knives Out sequel. In order to stand out and feel necessary, Knives Out 2 needs to do everything it can to differentiate itself from the original — including dropping Marta.
Should: It Can Subvert The Expectations Of Mystery Franchises
If the Knives Out franchise focuses on telling a new Benoit Blanc mystery in each movie, then it’ll follow in the footsteps of episodic detective franchises like Poirot and Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes — but those characters’ stories are limited by their literary roots.
The great thing about Knives Out is that it took the whodunnit a step further. It’s a crime thriller wrapped inside a murder mystery. If Rian Johnson can find a way to make it work, bringing back Marta could subvert the expectations of these kinds of franchises.
Shouldn’t: She Already Got A Happy Ending
Marta doesn’t need to appear in the follow-up to Knives Out, because she already got a happy ending in the first movie. Standing on the balcony of her new mansion, drinking from a “My House, My Rules, My Coffee” mug, looking down on the now-destitute Thrombey clan, is the perfect conclusion to her arc.
There’s nowhere else for Marta’s on-screen journey to go. Knives Out told her story perfectly. The sequel can do the same for a new character related to a new Benoit Blanc case.
