A gala screening of Rian Johnson's "modern whodunnit" Knives Out has been added to this year's London Film Festival line-up. The film, which stars Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana De Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Colette, Katherine Langford and Christopher Plummer, will have its European premiere on October 8, with Johnson and some cast members expected to attend.
The murder mystery from the Star Wars: The Last Jedi director sees Detective Benoit Blanc (Craig) investigate the death of a prominent crime writer (Plummer), who has been found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday.
Johnson said: “I’m thrilled to be screening Knives Out at the BFI London Film Festival. This film was an attempt to capture the twisty fun of an Agatha Christie whodunnit, it’s a great pleasure to be showing it in the country responsible for the genre’s golden age.”
Festival director Tricia Tuttle added: “With Knives Out, Rian Johnson has crafted a devilishly clever and wickedly entertaining new crime caper. As with his previous work, Johnson brings immense erudition and passion for the conventions of the genre he’s working in, but always makes something entirely his own. This is impeccably designed, with writing that keeps you guessing to the final moments and his extraordinary cast are at their arch and compelling best.
"Knives Out is a whodunnit, as sharp as the blade that killed the patriarch at the heart of the film and we are overjoyed to present the European premiere as our principle partner, American Express’s Gala.”
The festival runs from October 2 to 13 and the film will go on general release in the UK on November 27.