BFI London Film Festival

The 63rd BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express is thrilled to announce that this year’s American Express Gala will be Rian Johnson’s Knives Out.

The 63rd BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express is delighted to announce Knives Out, written and directed by Rian Johnson, and starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana De Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Colette, Katherine Langford and Christopher Plummer, will be this year’s American Express Gala. This fresh and modern take on a classic ‘whodunnit’, which comes from Lionsgate and MRC, will receive its European Premiere on Tuesday, 8 October at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square. Rian Johnson and some cast members are expected to attend. 

Acclaimed writer and director Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) pays tribute to mystery mastermind Agatha Christie in Knives Out, a fun, modern-day murder mystery where everyone is a suspect.  When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death. With an all-star ensemble cast including Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, LaKeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford and Jaeden Martell, Knives Out is a witty and stylish whodunnit guaranteed to keep audiences guessing until the very end.

Rian Johnson, writer and director, commented “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.” 

Tricia Tuttle, BFI London Film Festival Director said “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.”

Lionsgate and MRC present, a T-STREET production, with Lionsgate UK releasing Knives Out in cinemas across the UK on 27 November 2019. 

The 63rd BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 2 October-Sunday 13 October 2019. The full Festival programme will be announced on Thursday 29 August 2019.

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