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Rian Johnson Shifts to Sci-Fi Thriller After Knives Out 3

10/22/2025

28 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Director Rian Johnson shifts genres after Knives Out 3, which premieres in select theaters on November 26 and on Netflix on December 12.
He plans a science fiction thriller inspired by 1970s paranoid thrillers, with light science fiction elements.
Johnson values theatrical experiences, maintains a strong Netflix partnership, and says he is unlikely to return to the Star Wars franchise soon.

History

Historical Context

The rise of paranoid thrillers in the 1970s, marked by films like Francis Ford Coppola's "The Conversation" (1974), reflected societal anxieties following the Watergate scandal. Directors such as Alan J. Pakula also explored themes of distrust and conspiracy, shaping a genre that continues to influence contemporary filmmakers like Rian Johnson, who blend nostalgia with modern storytelling techniques.

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Story summary

Director Rian Johnson shifts genres after Knives Out 3, which premieres in select theaters on November 26 and on Netflix on December 12.
He plans a science fiction thriller inspired by 1970s paranoid thrillers, with light science fiction elements.
Johnson values theatrical experiences, maintains a strong Netflix partnership, and says he is unlikely to return to the Star Wars franchise soon.

1 / 2