Rian Johnson, the American filmmaker behind the Knives Out franchise, shared reflections on collaborating with the late Angela Lansbury, renowned for her iconic work on the beloved mystery series Murder, She Wrote. Lansbury appears in a brief opening moment of The Glass Onion, the ensemble sequel that continues the adventures of the sharp-witted detective Benoit Blanc, portrayed by Daniel Craig, as the cast engages in a modern twist on a classic whodunit. The moment is framed around a Zoom call in which Blanc plays the tune of a track titled Between Us, while Lansbury’s character, depicted as one of Blanc’s partners in a social deduction game, offers a wry, knowing smile from the screen.
Johnson recalls the experience as a blend of warmth and spontaneity. Lansbury radiated charm, and her approach to the scene conveyed a generous spirit that seemed to put everyone at ease. Yet Johnson notes a boundary in the performance dynamic: while Lansbury was fully present, she did not embody a traditional screen actor in the sense of following every cue to the letter. The director emphasizes that Lansbury preferred to trust the process and rely on the scene’s framing and his guidance about tone and intention. He describes a gentle interplay where Lansbury asked for a clear sense of her lines, then leaned on the director’s direction to shape her delivery within the context of the moment.
The Glass Onion marked Lansbury’s final screen appearance, a poignant milestone given her long and storied career. She passed away at the age of 96 on October 11, 2022, roughly a month after the film premiered to audiences at a major international festival. The dueling emotions surrounding the release—admiration for her enduring craft and sadness at her absence—have colored the reception of the film for many viewers who remember her from decades of television and stage performances. The opening sequence, which weaves together digital communication and a games-based social setting, invites audiences to consider how a legendary performer can still influence a contemporary thriller through a short but memorable presence.
Beyond Lansbury’s involvement, The Glass Onion continues to explore the signature blend of humor, mystery, and social commentary that marked the original Knives Out. Johnson’s work with a diverse ensemble underlines his commitment to crafting character-driven intrigue, where each act of conversation and each strategic move in the game reveal deeper motivations. The film’s reception reflects a broader interest in how classic television legends can find new life within modern cinema, contributing a sense of legacy while enriching the narrative texture with a voice that generations still recognize and admire.
While discussions about The Glass Onion often highlight its star-studded cast and inventive plotting, the creative process behind the production also centers on the collaborative spirit that fuels this kind of mystery storytelling. Johnson’s recounting of Lansbury’s participation underscores the actor’s willingness to engage with contemporary storytelling while maintaining the distinctive presence that defined her career. The result is a performance that resonates as a respectful nod to a bygone era of television while anchoring the film’s contemporary flavor. The on-screen chemistry, the timing of the jokes, and the subtlety of the game’s clues all contribute to a viewing experience that invites audiences to piece together the puzzle just as Blanc does in the course of the narrative.
For fans who follow Johnson’s work, the alliance with Lansbury adds a layer of historical interest to The Glass Onion, illustrating how a modern mystery can honor its roots without losing its current momentum. The production’s approach to integrating a legendary performer into a brisk, dialogue-forward scene demonstrates a careful balance between homage and forward-looking storytelling. Although Lansbury’s screen presence was brief, it left a lasting impression on how the film frames its playful yet tense moments, a reminder that the best detective stories often hinge on the human warmth that accompanies clever intrigue.