Daniel Craig reprises his role as Benoit Blanc, the courtly and storied southern detective who now returns for another lively and suspenseful investigation at the center of wealth and power. This time, his trip lands him in Greece where he joins a small gathering of socialites and oddballs at the home of big tech magnate Miles Bron (Edward Norton, doing his best villain since "The Italian Job"). What follows is a polished and visceral thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.

As someone who enjoyed Knives Out and was skeptical of the idea of a sequel, I was pleasantly surprised by this film's panache and riveting narrative. To be sure, you will feel the running time occasionally but it finishes so strongly, that the film's editing issues can be overlooked and forgotten.

The cast is spiked with shady double-crossers. Norton shines as a narcissistic miscreant. Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn and Leslie Odom Jr. Are all a joy to watch as his desperately slavish friends all of whom owe their success to him. Janelle Monae is forceful as the one guest on the island who does not kiss the ring of her host. Madelyn Cline and Jessica Henwick are both amusing as dim-witted sidekicks to the guests of honor.

There's a lot to unpack in the joyful madness and vicious rivalries that emerge. That's why it's best to watch this knowing as little as possible. Enthusiastically recommended to those who enjoy a lively noir in the sunny Mediterranean with snarky humor galore.