The production design in Knives Out and its sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, plays a crucial role in creating the captivating atmosphere of this mystery franchise. For the original 2019 film, directed by Rian Johnson, three distinct locations were utilized to craft the iconic Thrombey mansion, ensuring the setting exuded the perfect blend of charm and intrigue. Following in the footsteps of Agatha Christie’s classic mysteries, Knives Out features an ensemble cast led by the exuberant Detective Benoit Blanc, portrayed by Daniel Craig, which contributed to its immediate critical and commercial success.
The meticulous attention to detail in the film’s production design, combined with thoughtful costuming, helped to establish a hyperreal aesthetic that resonates throughout the narrative. As with the classic board game Clue, each character showcases a unique style, and the expansive Thrombey mansion is richly decorated, clearly indicating its opulence and underlying tension. This attention to visual storytelling also extends to how the mansion itself was created, requiring the integration of three different filming locations.
The 1890 Gothic Revival Mansion Outside Boston
Exterior Shots of Harlan Thrombey’s House
The search for the perfect exterior for the Thrombey residence led location scouts to a beautifully maintained 1890 Gothic Revival mansion located just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. While the exact address remains confidential due to contractual terms, it is widely recognized that this structure resides in Natick, approximately 10 miles west of Boston (via TheWrap).Set on a sprawling 92-acre estate near Lake Waban, the mansion is a striking example of the Gothic Revival architectural style, characterized by its spires, dark brick façade, and deep-hued roof tiles.
Gothic Revival architecture, which gained popularity in the mid-19th century, evokes a sense of grandeur and mystery, making it an ideal backdrop for a story laden with suspense (via PHMC).With features such as pointed arches, steeply pitched roofs, and elegant slender columns, this style perfectly complements the narrative, suggesting that secrets could easily lie hidden within the mansion’s walls. For a character like Harlan Thrombey, a reclusive mystery novelist portrayed by Christopher Plummer, this hauntingly beautiful setting reinforces the film’s themes of intrigue and danger.
The Historic Ames Mansion in Borderland State Park
Interiors Filmed at the Ames Mansion
While the Natick mansion provided a stunning exterior, it lacked the aesthetic required for the movie’s interior scenes. Fortunately, the production team discovered the stunning Ames Mansion located in Massachusetts’ Borderland State Park. This 20-room historic site has a film pedigree, having also been showcased in Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island. As Production Designer David Crank noted,
“There wasn’t a specific kind of architecture that Rian was looking for. The general rule was that both the inside and outside of the house needed to look like the sort of house that Harlan would describe in one of his mysteries. The moment we walked into the mansion, we knew right away that it had the personality we needed.”
One significant influence on the aesthetic of Knives Out came from the 1972 film Sleuth, which featured a mansion filled with whimsical dolls and toys. This inspired the set design team to incorporate dollhouses, marionettes, and similar elements to reflect Thrombey’s creative mind. The combination of the Ames Mansion for the interior and the Natick mansion for the exterior successfully captured the essence of a grand home filled with mysteries waiting to be uncovered.
A Custom-Built Office on a Sound Stage
Harlan’s Cozy Office
Despite the extraordinary settings, one notable aspect of Harlan’s environment was entirely constructed from scratch. Harlan’s office was deemed pivotal to the narrative but could not be accommodated within the existing floor plan of the Ames Mansion. Therefore, David Crank and his team designed and built this significant set on a sound stage, ensuring that it seamlessly fit into the film’s geometry.
With only three weeks for construction, the team managed to create a space fitting for a renowned novelist. Harlan’s office, with its curved ceilings and inviting warmth, provided a stark contrast to the outside world. The combination of both the set and the other mansion locations culminated in a rich and atmospheric residence where Detective Blanc could adeptly solve the unfolding mystery.
Filming Locations for Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Production of Knives Out 3
The filming of the sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, took place primarily in Porto Heli, Greece, alongside additional scenes shot in New York, Connecticut, and Serbia. The opulent mansion where Edward Norton’s character, Miles Bron, resides is actually a luxury resort known as Amanzoe (Villa 20) in Greece (via Netflix).This stunning resort also served as accommodation for the cast and crew, adding a unique dimension to their filming experience. Johnson noted that it felt reminiscent of a summer getaway intertwined with the filmmaking process.
Interestingly, the resort was once listed on Zillow, boasting details including 26 acres of land, a sprawling 29, 000 sq ft layout, 17 bedrooms, and breathtaking Aegean views. However, the astonishing listing price of $450 million hinted at a clever promotional move rather than a genuine sale (via HouseAndGarden).It is important to note that the dramatic glass onion dome was added through CGI, enhancing the visual appeal of the film (via AtlasOfWonders).
Looking ahead to Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the third installment in the franchise wrapped filming in August 2024, with portions shot in London and surrounding areas (via TheTrainline).As anticipation builds, it remains to be seen whether the upcoming film will feature equally captivating backdrops as those established in Knives Out and Glass Onion. Given Rian Johnson’s track record, expectations for a visually stunning setting are high.
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