Hollywood Needs More Franchises Like Knives Out (& Fewer Like The MCU)

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Lately, with movie studios constantly trying to exploit existing stories, the term “movie franchise” has taken on a very specific meaning. It now suggests a strong focus on a film’s own past, a complex, ongoing story leading to a big finale, and a lot of nods to previous installments designed to please dedicated fans. It often feels like studios are applying a “franchise formula” to their films before releasing them.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) continues to be the standard for superhero franchises, especially its early years with the ‘Infinity Saga.’ After the first Avengers movie demonstrated audience enthusiasm for connected stories building to a large team-up, adapting superhero comics into an interconnected universe became a perfect strategy. The success of this approach exceeded all expectations. This interconnectedness meant fans consistently turned out for each new movie, and even lesser-known heroes could star in major blockbuster films.

We discovered, often through failure, that simply creating a shared universe for a franchise doesn’t automatically lead to success. The new DC Universe, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran, could show if anyone can replicate Marvel’s achievements. However, many studios still focus on the same core idea: telling a story across multiple films, prequels, and spin-offs, all connected by a continuous narrative. But there are alternative, and potentially better, approaches studios could take.

More Franchises Should Embrace The Knives Out Model

The new mystery film, Wake Up Dead Man, is currently playing in select theaters and will be available on Netflix starting December 12th. It’s the latest installment from director Rian Johnson featuring Daniel Craig as the detective Benoit Blanc. However, unlike its predecessors, Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion (2022), this film doesn’t have a strong connection to those stories beyond the shared characters and creator.

Johnson actually discussed this strategy around the time Glass Onion came out. He mentioned he wouldn’t have personally chosen the film’s subtitle, A Knives Out Mystery.

I really focused on making each story stand on its own. To be honest, I’m frustrated that the title includes ‘A Knives Out Mystery.’ I’d prefer it simply be called ‘Glass Onion.’ I understand the need to connect it to the first film for fans, but I also want each movie to feel like a completely fresh, standalone story. However, there’s a strong pull towards continuing the story as a series.

All of these movies are made by the same director, star the same main character, and fit within the same genre. Like a traditional sequel, they’re a good bet if you enjoyed the previous installments. However, each film starts a completely new story with a fresh supporting cast. While the detective, Blanc, appears in every movie, the focus isn’t on his ongoing journey. He’s simply a fun character to follow as the mystery plays out.

You don’t need to watch these movies in any particular order; each one stands on its own. For example, you could jump right into Wake Up Dead Man without having seen the others and still enjoy it. Each film delivers a complete, satisfying experience, and it’s wrapped in a comfortable, recognizable style. In today’s movie world, that’s something Hollywood should focus on creating more of.

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve noticed that while big event films are great, there can only be so many. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, for example, seemed to think everyone would keep up with everything, and I think they lost some viewers because of it. The Knives Out films feel different – they remind me of the days when certain directors consistently delivered a specific style and you knew what you were getting. But that approach needs updating for today’s audiences. Honestly, if more franchises could just promise a certain feeling and not demand you follow a complex, interconnected story, I think more people would just go to the movies for fun – and that’s what would really keep things going.

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2025-12-01 17:08