Rian Johnson on Difference Between “How Catch ‘em” Poker Face & “Whodunnit” Knives Out

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As a seasoned gamer and a master at sniffing out BS, I’m diving headfirst into the fresh mysteries of Season 2 on “Poker Face.” The latest installment, Episode 4 of Season 2 titled “The Taste of Human Blood,” has me hooked with Kumail Nanjiani playing Gator Joe, a Florida cop.

The popular show was devised by the renowned filmmaker Rian Johnson, who is known for movies like “The Last Jedi” and “Looper“. Both universes crafted by Johnson in his movie series “Knives Out” and TV show “Poker Face” on Peacock are brimming with suspense and crime. However, each offers distinct varieties of mysteries that make for engaging storytelling.

A representative from NBC (insider) conversed with Johnson and the showrunner of Poker Face Season 2, Tony Tost, on the creative influences behind this weekly mystery show.

Rian Johnson outlines the stark difference between a Poker Face and Knives Out story

In the movie Knives Out, an ensemble of characters – played by top-tier actors – are suspects in a central mystery. The enigmatic detective Benoit Blanc, portrayed by Daniel Craig, deciphers the cryptic clues to ultimately identify the criminal among the group.

Johnson described Benoit Blanc films as ‘whodunnits,’ while Poker Face is a ‘how they did it.’ He likened it to Columbo, where the culprit and the method are revealed within the first 10 minutes of each episode.

Columbo, featuring Peter Falk, ran for a full decade from 1968 onwards. This classic series has been one of the sources that influenced the structure of “Poker Face,” according to Tost when speaking with NBC Insider.

As a game enthusiast, I’ve got to say, Knives Out and Poker Face are two entirely distinct playstyles. With Knives Out, it’s all about the thrilling chase of who the killer is, while in Poker Face, it’s about Natasha’s character figuring out the truth – a twist that might seem unusual, but trust me, it’s an exciting ride! It’s like playing a game you never thought would be fun, and then realizing it’s incredibly enjoyable.

The structure of the show provides a platform for the actors to shine, as Johnson points out. Notably, Season 2 boasts several esteemed actors joining forces with Lyonne, serving as guest stars. In fact, the opening four episodes have already showcased Cynthia Erivo (from Wicked), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad), Katie Holmes (Batman Begins), Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory), and John Mulaney (SNL).

Johnson mentioned that there’s a chess match happening between Charlie and the mystery figure who turns out to be the murderer, which creates an engaging plotline for the entire series.

What TV shows and films inspired the creatives behind Poker Face?

Among the enigmas that have served as foundational elements for the series, we find “Highway to Heaven” (currently streaming on Peacock), “The Incredible Hulk”, and “The Rockford Files”, as mentioned by Tost.

Tost explained that we pull a great deal of inspiration from films of the 1970s. Specifically, he mentioned ‘The Long Goodbye,’ directed by Robert Altman, and ‘Stay Hungry’ starring Jeff Bridges and Arnold Schwarzenegger. In our writing sessions, I frequently have movies playing that evoke the essence of the episode we’re creating, in an attempt to infuse them with the same authentic, lived-in feel as those beloved films. How can we translate this kind of weekly mystery format with the soulful charm of these movies we adore?

Despite being inspired by various contemporary references, Tost emphasizes that the series unfolds in the current era itself.

Tost suggested discussing the current life in American communities, saying, “We’re gathering ideas from various sources, aiming to create a cohesive picture without making it too fragmented or mismatched. The goal is to maintain a sense of completeness while incorporating diverse influences.

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2025-05-19 21:01