Rian Johnson’s Knives Out is a compelling murder mystery that constantly keeps audiences guessing. With numerous twists, it delivers a surprising yet satisfying ending, revealing the real culprit behind the death of the famous author, Harlan Thrombey (played by Christopher Plummer). At the center of this mystery is Benoit Blanc, a sharp private investigator (Daniel Craig), who is hired to probe Harlan’s apparent suicide after his birthday party. As Blanc investigates, he uncovers that each member of the Thrombey family had a potential motive to kill Harlan, from covering up secrets to inheriting his vast fortune.
Despite the many suspicious family members, only one person is revealed to have orchestrated Harlan’s death: his grandson, Hugh Ransom Drysdale (Chris Evans). The finale of the film unravels through several flashbacks and key twists, making it one of the most talked-about conclusions in modern cinema. With its fast-paced ending, Knives Out can be tricky to follow, especially as the final act is dense with revelations.
Knives Out Ending Explained
Harlan Thrombey (Image via Getty)
The final third of the film shows a heart-stopping twist. Marta, the nurse who attended Harlan, goes to see Fran, the housekeeper, who has discovered Ransom’s true identity as the murderer. Fran, dying from a morphine overdose, holds a crucial piece of evidence: a photocopy of Harlan’s blood test, proving he was not killed by an overdose. Marta, overwhelmed with guilt, confesses to Blanc that she accidentally gave Harlan a fatal dose of morphine. As Fran is rushed to the hospital, Marta nearly admits the truth to the Thrombey family, but Blanc soon realizes that she is innocent.
The story then shifts into a classic murder-mystery style as Benoit Blanc pieces together the events that led to Harlan’s death. He reconstructs how Ransom sneaked back into the house, climbed the trellis, and tampered with the medication. As the pieces fall into place, Blanc lays out the entire scenario before Ransom, who, believing he’s doomed, confesses. However, a twist follows: Fran dies from the overdose, but Marta has recorded Ransom’s confession on her phone. Ransom attempts to flee, but he is captured, and Marta walks away with Harlan’s mansion and fortune.
The Truth Behind Harlan Thrombey’s Death
One of the most unexpected aspects of Knives Out is that Harlan’s death is shown early on, as the film sets up the mystery. Marta is administering Harlan’s nightly medication when an accident causes the vials to fall. In her haste, Marta accidentally switches the vials, giving Harlan a lethal dose of morphine. But the antidote for the overdose is mysteriously missing. Realizing that she would be blamed for the death and fearing for her family’s future, Marta follows Harlan’s instructions to leave and then return to the house, pretending to be him.
Before the morphine can take its deadly toll, Harlan decides to end his life by slitting his own throat, making it appear as though he committed suicide rather than dying from an accident. The film then reveals that Harlan’s death wasn’t an accident at all. It was a plot orchestrated by Ransom, who wanted to set Marta up to take the fall.
How Ransom’s Plan Unfolded
Ransom’s scheme to have Marta unknowingly kill Harlan begins with his resentment after being cut out of Harlan’s will. Harlan’s fortune was left to Marta, and Ransom, motivated by greed, conspired to frame her for his grandfather’s murder. He switched the labels on the medication in Marta’s bag, then stole the antidote, ensuring that no one could save Harlan if he overdosed. However, the plan faltered when Marta mistakenly gave Harlan the correct dose of medication, saving his life.
Despite Ransom’s failure, the situation took a darker turn when he later killed Fran, the housekeeper, to cover his tracks. Fran had discovered his tampering with the medicine and had kept a copy of the blood test, which would have exonerated Marta. Ransom, in a panic, murdered Fran and set up Marta to take the blame.
Ransom (Image via Getty)
Ransom’s Plan Goes Awry
Ransom’s original plan involved sneaking back into the house after storming out in anger over the will change. He climbed up the trellis to avoid detection and switched the vials of medication. However, things didn’t go as planned. Fran witnessed Ransom’s actions, and Marta unintentionally gave Harlan the correct medicine, saving his life. Ransom’s plan was already failing, but when he hired Benoit Blanc to investigate, he believed the detective’s skills would ultimately frame Marta.
Ransom then went to great lengths to cover up his involvement, even burning the lab where Fran’s blood tests were stored. But Fran had kept a copy of the test, and before she died, she sent Ransom a warning, “I KNOW WHAT YOU DID.” Ransom tried to set Marta up by sending her a message, tricking her into thinking the blood test would prove her guilt.
Ransom as the Villain: A Perfect Choice
Ransom is the ideal villain in Knives Out , perfectly crafted to surprise the audience. From the start, he is portrayed as an arrogant, entitled figure who stands out among the Thrombey family members. While the family members are all suspicious, Ransom’s behavior makes him appear both obvious and inconspicuous as the culprit. The way the film misdirects the audience into believing Marta is the killer only makes Ransom’s ultimate revelation more impactful.
The film subtly manipulates the audience’s expectations, leading them to believe in Marta’s guilt before turning the tables. The fact that Marta, the kind-hearted nurse, is deceived by Ransom’s villainy mirrors the audience’s own false assumptions, making the reveal of Ransom as the true killer more satisfying. His cold, calculating nature contrasts sharply with Marta’s genuine goodness, making her triumph over him all the more rewarding.
Investigator and Marta (Image via Getty)
The Deeper Meaning of Knives Out’s Conclusion
Despite the tragedy of Harlan’s death, the film’s ending is ultimately optimistic. Marta, though flawed, proves to be a truly good person. Her attempt to cover up Harlan’s death was driven by a desire to protect her family, but her guilt weighs on her. She could have let Fran die to avoid the consequences, but her good nature prevailed, and her actions saved the day.
The movie critiques the entitlement of the Thrombey family, who believe they deserve Harlan’s wealth because of their family connections and inherited success. In contrast, Marta receives Harlan’s fortune because she is kind to him without any hidden agenda. Knives Out challenges the notion of inherited wealth and the entitlement that comes with it, making a statement about privilege and the importance of genuine goodness.
Miren’s obsession with Amaya’s disappearance intertwines with her traumatic past. Through flashbacks, viewers learn she’s a survivor of sexual assault, a shadow that looms over her pursuit of justice. This dual narrative adds emotional depth, blending her trauma with the ongoing investigation.
The show’s structure balances suspense and character development. Each figure carries emotional baggage, making their actions compelling and layered. The story is not just about solving a crime; it’s about how tragedy shapes individuals, leaving viewers eager for every new clue and twist.
The Snow Girl Ending Explained
The Snow Girl (Image via Getty)
By the fifth episode, tension is at its peak. Miren’s investigation leads her to Iris, whose involvement in Amaya’s abduction becomes undeniable. Iris lives in seclusion, a location symbolizing both physical and psychological isolation. The confrontation between Miren and Iris is electric, filled with undercurrents of fear, suspicion, and hidden truths.
The scene’s intensity isn’t just in the dialogue but the atmosphere—remote, quiet, yet heavy with dread. This encounter is pivotal, as Miren herself is under scrutiny, linked to recent deaths connected to a dark web scandal involving her own past trauma. Knowing she’s running out of time, Miren pushes forward with unwavering determination.
Clues are meticulously placed for both Miren and the audience to piece together. The VCR in Iris’s home matches the tapes sent to Amaya’s family. A pink bicycle hints at a child’s presence, despite Iris claiming she lives alone. Even small details, like Iris’s headband, mirror those seen in the videos, confirming suspicions.
Iris’s slip-ups—mentioning only her and a dog in the house while the bike and strange noises upstairs suggest otherwise—add to the mounting evidence. Miren’s sharp instincts pick up on these inconsistencies, though the show cleverly lets the audience play detective alongside her.
The Climactic Downfall of Iris
With tensions boiling over, Iris realizes she’s been exposed. What follows is a desperate escape attempt, leading to a brief yet intense car chase. Iris’s decision to drive off the road symbolizes her final, irreversible descent. Her attachment to Amaya, whom she renamed Julia, was rooted in her own grief over infertility—a tragic detail that adds complexity to her character.
The crash is brutal. Amaya survives with minor injuries, but the emotional scars run deeper. In a chaotic moment, she shoots at Miren, a raw reaction from years of manipulation and fear. Miren disarms her, embodying both a savior and a symbol of the harsh reality Amaya must now face.
Amaya’s reunion with her real parents is bittersweet. After nine years in captivity, she no longer responds to her birth name. Her mother’s gentle acknowledgment of the name “Julia” creates a fragile bridge toward healing. This scene is heartbreaking, highlighting the long road ahead for Amaya’s recovery.
Despite her heroism, Miren doesn’t escape suspicion. The police link her to the deaths of individuals tied to the dark web site that hosted her rape video. Eduardo (José Coronado), her mentor and confidant, destroys incriminating evidence to protect her, showcasing the depth of their bond and his unwavering loyalty.
Miren (Image via Getty)
Unveiling the Meaning Behind ‘The Snow Girl’
As the series nears its conclusion, a two-year time jump reveals Miren has authored a book titled Snow Girl , chronicling her journey through the case. In a reflective moment during a book reading, she explains the title’s significance. The “snow” refers to the white static at the end of the tapes sent by Amaya’s captors—a haunting image that mirrors Amaya’s isolation and Miren’s relentless drive to find her.
This metaphor encapsulates Miren’s obsession. The static wasn’t just noise; it was a symbol of a life suspended in time, lost in a blizzard of trauma and neglect. Miren’s refusal to let Amaya disappear into that “snow” reflects her fight against both literal and emotional darkness.
An Ominous Twist: The Story Isn’t Over
Though The Snow Girl was marketed as a limited series, its ending hints at more to come. Just as Miren seems to have moved on, she receives a mysterious envelope with the chilling message: “Want to play a game?” Inside is a photo of another girl, bound and in distress.
This cliffhanger reopens the door to Miren’s investigative world, suggesting that her fight against evil is far from over. The unanswered questions linger: Who is this new victim? How is it connected to Miren? Could it tie back to the same network of criminals?
This twist not only sets the stage for a potential second season but also reinforces the idea that the darkness of Miren battles isn’t confined to one case. Evil persists, and Miren’s story is part of an ongoing struggle against it.
Miren’s Complex Legacy
Throughout the series, Miren emerges as a complex protagonist—both a victim and a warrior. Her trauma doesn’t define her but fuels her determination. Her actions, often morally ambiguous, reflect the blurred lines between justice and vengeance.
Her relationship with Eduardo adds depth to her character arc. His role isn’t just that of a mentor; he’s her anchor, someone who sees beyond her scars and supports her unconditionally. Their dynamic is one of the show’s most compelling emotional threads.
Miren (Image via Getty)
While Miren’s journey is marked by loss and pain, it’s also about resilience. She confronts her demons head-on, refusing to be silenced by fear or guilt. This makes her story both heartbreaking and inspiring, resonating with anyone who’s fought to reclaim their voice after trauma.
Themes That Resonate Beyond the Mystery
The Snow Girl isn’t just a crime thriller. It delves into themes of loss, identity, and the psychological aftermath of trauma. The show explores how abduction affects not just the victim but their family, the investigators, and even the perpetrators.
The portrayal of Amaya’s parents illustrates the ripple effects of grief and hope. Their struggle to reconnect with a child who’s been psychologically reshaped by her captor is gut-wrenching yet authentic. It’s a raw look at how time and trauma can fracture relationships.
Iris’s character challenges the typical villain trope. While her actions are unforgivable, the show offers glimpses into her pain, making her both monstrous and tragically human. Her descent into darkness is a cautionary tale about unprocessed grief and obsession.
