Knives Out deftly weaves a rich tapestry of social commentary into its whodunit narrative, primarily highlighting race, immigration, and class disparity, exposing the insidious nature of privilege and the attitudes surrounding these topics.
Race and Immigration
The film prominently features race and immigration as central social issues through the character of Marta Cabrera, Harlan Thrombey's caregiver. Marta, an immigrant, is constantly subjected to the Thrombey family's condescending and often contradictory attitudes. While some family members claim to "love" her, they frequently display ignorance, xenophobia, and a lack of understanding regarding her background and her family's immigration status.
This dynamic serves as a powerful commentary on how real-world attitudes towards immigrants can fluctuate between performative acceptance and underlying prejudice. The casual, often patronizing remarks made by the family members—who claim to be "woke" yet can't remember Marta's country of origin—reflect prevalent societal biases. Furthermore, the constant threat of Marta's mother being undocumented, and the family's manipulative use of this information, subtly underscores concerns about humane conditions and legal precarity faced by immigrant communities, even if the facilities themselves are not directly depicted.
Class Disparity and Privilege
Another glaring social issue in Knives Out is the stark class disparity between the ultra-wealthy Thrombey family and the working-class Marta. The film meticulously contrasts the opulent, sprawling estate of the Thrombeys with Marta's humble home, symbolizing the vast economic divide.
The Thrombey family embodies entitlement and unearned privilege. They believe their wealth and social standing grant them inherent rights, particularly regarding inheritance and reputation. Their sense of impunity leads them to disregard others' well-being, engage in self-serving lies, and manipulate situations to maintain their comfortable lifestyle. The plot itself revolves around their desperate attempts to secure Harlan's fortune, revealing their moral bankruptcy and illustrating how inherited wealth can foster a disconnection from reality and empathy.
Truth, Deception, and Moral Decay
Beyond specific demographics, the film also scrutinizes the social issue of truth versus deception and the moral decay that can accompany extreme wealth and privilege. Each Thrombey family member is shown to be self-serving and willing to lie, cheat, or manipulate to protect their own interests or secure an inheritance. This constant prevarication reflects a broader societal problem where personal gain often trumps honesty and ethical conduct, particularly among those who feel above consequence.
The various social issues observed in Knives Out are summarized below:
| Social Issue | Manifestation in Knives Out |
|---|---|
| Race/Immigration | The Thrombey family's inconsistent, often prejudiced, and superficial attitudes towards Marta, an immigrant caregiver, and her family's legal status. |
| Class Disparity | The stark economic contrast between the Thrombey's immense wealth and Marta's modest background, highlighting the divide. |
| Privilege/Entitlement | The Thrombey family's ingrained belief that their wealth and status grant them immunity and a right to inherit, regardless of merit. |
| Truth & Deception | The pervasive lying and manipulation among the family members to protect their reputations and financial interests. |
| Moral Decay | The ethical compromises and self-serving actions of the wealthy family, driven by greed and a sense of superiority. |
Knives Out effectively uses its intricate plot and character interactions to critique these fundamental societal problems, demonstrating how deeply ingrained attitudes influence perceptions and actions in the real world.
